Canadian researchers to develop human rights training program

Protecting those with intellectual disabilities from abuse

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) announced today that it is investing $1 million to help people with intellectual disabilities protect themselves from abuse and violations of their human rights.
While the rights of Canadians with disabilities are guaranteed in the Charter of Rights of Freedoms, many individuals with intellectual disabilities do not understand these rights. This lack of knowledge leaves them at risk of violations that range from invasion of privacy in group homes to financial and sexual exploitation to unwarranted removal of parenting rights.
A team led by researchers at Community Living Welland Pelham and Brock University will develop a training program to teach individuals with intellectual disabilities such as Down's syndrome and autism to recognize and respond to violations of their rights. The team will also develop a training program for caregivers and support workers.

“While Canadians with intellectual disabilities have benefited from increased opportunities to participate more actively in their communities, too many remain vulnerable to abuse and victimization,” said John Maloney, MP for Welland, who made today's announcement on behalf of David L. Emerson, minister of industry and minister responsible for SSHRC. “This research will allow them to gain the knowledge and skills they need to fully enjoy the rights they are entitled to as Canadians.”
Through games, role-playing and interactive technology, individuals with intellectual disabilities will be taught how to distinguish rights violations from non-violations. For example, using the scenario of a group home employee starting to enter a resident's room without permission, participants will learn to recognize the action as an invasion of privacy and to react appropriately by asking the employee not to enter the room.

Caregivers will receive similar training, with a focus on finding the balance between protecting the health and safety of the individuals they support and respecting their individual rights.
“This research is centred on the three R's: rights, respect and responsibility,” said Frances Owen, a professor of child and youth studies at Brock University. “These are complex concepts for individuals with intellectual disabilities to learn, but our preliminary research is very encouraging. We are confident that our training program will one day be used all across the country.”
The training program will focus on four areas: access and autonomy, such as the right to expression; relationships and community support, such as the right to education; safety, security and privacy, such as the right to health care; and control and decision-making, such as the right to work.

14 April 2005

http://www.news.gc.ca/cfmx/CCP/view/en/index.cfm?articleid=137329

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