Adulthood transition, abuse and protection, and Indigenous representation are among the 16 themes highlighted by a new report aimed to improve the lives of people living with a mental disability.

On Friday, Families Minister Rochelle Squires announced in a morning press release that the nine-person Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Task Force has completed their final report and implementation plan.

“The implementation of the recommendations will ultimately improve the lives of persons with intellectual disabilities in Manitoba,” task force Chair Dale Kendel says in the statement.

Kendel is the former executive director of Community Living Manitoba

The report called Pathways to Dignity: Rights, Safeguards, Planning and Decision Making highlights short to long-term goals that include themes such as helping youth transition into adulthood.

“After consultation with a wide cross-section of community groups, the task force took great care to suggest practical and achievable improvements. The implementation plan reflects a strong commitment by Manitoba Families to create change. We appreciate the input from the disability community and hope we have captured the passion, concern and emotion of all the contributors.”

This includes a focus on working with community groups, continuing to review policies and practices, and designing and launching pilot projects.

The 16 main themes include:

  • Advisory council
  • Training and education
  • Supported decision making – assisted decision making
  • Principles, title and wording of the act
  • Appeal process and rights recognition
  • Abuse and protection
  • Monitoring performance
  • Transition to adulthood
  • Indigenous representation
  • Substitute decision making and the role of the Office of the Vulnerable Persons Commissioner
  • Hearing panels
  • Individual planning
  • Role of community service workers
  • Improvements for families
  • Role of the Public Guardian and Trustee
  • Strengthening community capacity

"We thank the task force members and all those who contributed to the report for their exemplary work. We appreciate and will support the key roles that community stakeholders, families and individuals with lived experience will need to play in meeting the needs of adults with intellectual disabilities in Manitoba," the minister says in the statement.

This plan is segmented into five timeline categories. 

The plan's proposed timeline includes:

  • Consolidating Changes To Current Practice - within zero to three months
  • Exploring Solutions and Beginning Policy Review - within three to six months
  • Continuing Policy Review and Beginning Fundamental Changes - within six to 12 months
  • Implementing New Structures - within 12-18 months
  • Legislative and Long-Term Changes - within 18-24 months