Canadian Centre on Disability Studies: Research Outcomes:
Aging & Disability
LIVABLE and
INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES
From Research and
Knowledge to Better Practices: Building Strategies and Partnerships for Livable
Communities that are
Inclusive of Seniors with
Disabilities
May 2008 to March 2009
Background
In 2007-08, CCDS conducted a
participatory action research project on Aging with a Disability, funded by the
Office for Disability Issues (ODI). The purpose of the project was to identify
needs, gaps and effective service models for individuals with long-term
disabilities who are aging, specifically as it related to the areas of home
supports, caregiving, transportation and housing. Project activities included
the completion of an environmental scan and literature review, as well as
roundtable consultations with stakeholders in British Columbia, Manitoba and
Nova Scotia and a national forum hosted by CCDS. The results of the research
led to the development of recommendations for policies, programs and services
to more effectively assist individuals aging with disabilities.
Introduction
In May 2008, CCDS received a grant from
ODI to continue work in the area of aging and disability, building on the
previous research findings and recommendations.
The goal of the project was to
contribute to the development of Livable and Inclusive Communities by piloting
and testing an innovative and comprehensive Livable and Inclusive Community
model for seniors with disabilities, in three provinces: British Columbia;
Manitoba; and Ontario. The intention of the project was to assist communities
to evaluate elements associated with Livable and Inclusive Communities for
seniors with disabilities; build knowledge, leadership and partnerships; and
develop a plan to address the gaps identified.
Project Methodology
A participatory approach was used in the
project, including community stakeholders to identify priority areas as well as
in testing the Livable and Inclusive Community model, evaluation and planning
tools that were developed. This process
was facilitated to transfer the evaluation findings into action steps to
address the gaps identified.
A literature review and environmental
scan were conducted, a Livable and Inclusive Community model, community
assessment and planning tool were developed to measure the extent to which the
community meets the needs of seniors with disabilities.
Results
The Livable and Inclusive Community
model is based on the premise that there is a direct correlation between
citizens’ overall health, well-being and quality of life and the political,
social, physical and economic environments, and in order to develop communities
that are truly livable and inclusive for all citizens, the four environments
must be addressed in tandem. In
addition, the concepts of private and public, and policy and practice are
applied to each of the four environments and act as a lens through which the
model is applied and used as a measurement of Livable and Inclusive
Communities. These concepts are
reflected in the principles, elements and indicators that form the model.
The principles are a collection of
morally based standards that act as a guide to the measurement of the
elements. They are purposely broadly
stated so that they can be easily incorporated into the measurement process.
The principles include: Participation, Community Connections, Leadership,
Sustainability, Universal Design and Affordability.
Based on a review of the literature, an
examination of other initiatives focused on seniors or persons with disabilities,
and previous research conducted by CCDS, it
was determined that Livable and Inclusive Communities consist of ten
common elements. The six principles listed above act as a guide when examining
each element and determining the degree to which it reflects livable and
inclusive communities. Just as the
principles are connected with the elements, each element is inter-connected
with another. The elements include:
Housing, Transportation, Support Services, Health and Well-being, Education
& Training, Spiritual/ Cultural, Leisure/Recreation, Outdoor Environment,
Employment/Jobs and Volunteerism.
Community Evaluation Tool
Indicators were developed as a means of
measuring or evaluating the presence or absence of the principles and elements
in community. There are a total of sixty
indicators in the evaluation tool; six indicators for each of the ten elements
reflecting both quantitative and qualitative data. The activities of the evaluation were
conducted by a Community Working Group that consisted of members that were
representative of the key elements of Livable and Inclusive Communities.
For example, the indicator for the
housing element that reflect the principle of participation would be that
‘Seniors with disabilities are required to participate directly in the planning
process as it relates to housing development as well as neighbourhood
design. Participation can take place at
the provincial, municipal or community levels.
Policy(s) exists that the participation of seniors in the planning process
is mandatory.’
Community Planning Tool
The pilot Community Planning Tool was
developed for the purpose of guiding the participating communities through a
planning process that would transform the priority areas identified in the
community evaluation process into action.
It asks participants to identify priority areas for improvement,
timeframe (short or long term), action steps for priority areas, who is
responsible for the action, potential partners to include, identify any funding
needed and potential sources and anticipated start and completion dates of the
activities.
Synthesis Papers
CCDS commissioned two synthesis papers
to be developed on transportation and housing as a means of applying the pilot
Livable and Inclusive Community model and demonstrating best practice as it
relates to seniors and disabilities.
They look at both urban and rural contexts, in both private and public
environments and identify promising practices in transportation and housing.
Recommendations are made in relation to these elements their interconnection
with others, and the usefulness of the Livable and Inclusive Community model.
Think Tank- Blue Print for Action
A Think Tank was held in Winnipeg in
March 2009 to discuss future steps and receive final feedback on the model,
tools and processes. The participants were asked to discuss in small groups the
question ‘What broad actions would you want to see in place in order
to facilitate achievement of the long term priorities identified by the
communities?’ The broad actions to
address the longer term priorities as identified by the community participants
are categorized below according to key success factors:
1. Adoption of the Principle of
Universal Design and Visitability in All Realms is the New Norm
2. Inclusion of Persons with Lived
Experience
3. Create Tools for Visioning and
Marketing
4. Create National Awareness and Action
Resource Guide
A Resource Guide was developed that
outlines various community planning documents and funding sources to assist
pilot communities to establish Livable and Inclusive Communities for seniors
with disabilities. The document stems
from the environmental scan conducted and provides resource material that range
from grassroots community mobilization and partnership building, to information
on funding sources that are available to pilot communities to move forward
based on their evaluation findings and identified priority areas. Community
members, service providers and policy makers can utilize the information in
this guide.
Recommendations
Each pilot community developed action
steps based on their findings from the community evaluations and made
recommendations on how the model, tools and processes could be improved upon
should additional funding be granted.
The project encourages continued:
• Participation and leadership of
seniors with disability at the grassroots, program and policy levels
• Partnership and coordination in
existing partnerships and new partnerships among planners, policy-makers, and
citizens in planning and implementing community development projects
• Knowledge and education that increases
the knowledge of community stakeholders in community evaluation and planning
processes that can be applied to various target areas
• Sustainable planning to develop a plan
to meet the needs of present and future residents of the community
• CCDS facilitation to ensure actual
implementation of the Livable and Inclusive Community model by expanding work
with pilot communities (mentorship and twinning); in-depth focus on other community
elements, in addition to housing and transportation (analysis of policies and
practices and recommendations); target involvement of key-players including
municipalities, community planning bodies, business sector; and involvement of
aboriginal communities
• Knowledge and research sharing with
all levels of government such as Federal/Provincial/ Territorial – HRSDC/ODI
and provincial Disability Issues Office, Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation, Public Health Agency, Senior Secretariats, Canadian Disability
Studies Association and others
• A further scan of Canadian
legislation, policy and practice could be undertaken with the following goals:
·
To compare and contrast existing services and programs both
in the seniors sector and the disability sector and to determine gaps and cross
over;
·
To evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs as well as
equality and human rights legislation for seniors with disabilities;
·
To identify areas where new legislation and policy would be
valuable to improve the social inclusion of seniors with disabilities
Conclusions/ Next Steps
This pilot project tested community based model,
instruments and tools that can be applied to many different scenarios in
planning our communities. Additional testing and implementation of the Livable
and Inclusive Community model and its impact is required both in three pilot
provinces as well as across Canada. Participants have viewed this project as a
major catalyst for community mobilization, community planning and design,
intersectoral collaboration and coordination and future seniors with
disabilities policy and program development in Canada. It has raised awareness
of issues between many sectors and lessons to be shared; seniors/aging and
disability, that very rarely interact in collaborative manner (or who had not
seen the need to come together before) and has facilitated collaboration on new
ideas and directions. This project has been critical in steps to address the
rising seniors with disabilities population that we are facing in
participatory, inclusive and sustainable ways. The Livable and Inclusive
Community model is central to building active, thriving, inclusive and safe
communities for all.
For more information or copies of the final report
visit CCDS’ website:
Project Team
Project
Co-Lead: Olga Krassioukova-Enns & Christine Ogaranko
Project
Coordinator: Laura Rempel
Researcher:
Colleen Watters
Consultant:
Laurie Ringaert, CCDS Research Affiliate and Institute of Urban Studies,
University of
Winnipeg
Community
Partners:
District of
100 Mile House
Fort St. John
Association for Community Living
Measuring Up
the North Community Liaison
Social
Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo
City of
Selkirk
Rossburn
Drop-In Centre
Funder
Office for Disability
Issues, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
CANADIAN CENTRE ON DISABILITY STUDIES
56 THE PROMENADE. WINNIPEG.
CANADA. R3B 3H9 WWW.DISABILITYSTUDIES.CA
Email: ccds@disabilitystudies.ca Phone: 204.287.8411 Fax:
204.284.5343 TTY: 204.475.6223