THE EMERGENCE OF SELF-MANAGED ATTENDANT SERVICES IN ONTARIO: DIRECT FUNDING PILOT PROJECT – AN INDEPENDENT LIVING MODEL FOR CANADIANS REQUIRING ATTENDANT SERVICES

Abstract

We identify the key social and political forces that brought about the Self Managed Attendant Service Direct Funding Pilot (SMAS-DFP). Attendant Services are services for people with physical disabilities (PWD) to assist with daily activities. Direct Funding means that individuals obtain funds through direct funding mechanisms and/or through third parties. Self-direction refers to consumers who know their attendant service needs and can instruct workers to meet these needs. Self-management refers to (PWD) who are employers under the law and are legally responsible for hiring, training, scheduling and paying their attendants. Our analysis of the success of the SMAS-DFP is based on pre-conditions and facilitating elements. The pre-conditions were the: (1) existence of social movements; (2) precedents to direct funding programs; (3) prior experience with the governance of attendant services; and (4) government health reform. Five elements facilitated the SMASD-FP: (1) a clear vision by the community; (2) a core group of leaders; (3) supporters of the SMAS-DFP came from inside and outside of the community; and (4) supporters provided key resources to be used and to deal with barriers. PWD successfully led the pilot (1994–1997) and continue to administer the expanded government program (began 1998).

Citation

Yoshida, K., Willi, V., Parker, I. and Locker, D. (2004), "THE EMERGENCE OF SELF-MANAGED ATTENDANT SERVICES IN ONTARIO: DIRECT FUNDING PILOT PROJECT – AN INDEPENDENT LIVING MODEL FOR CANADIANS REQUIRING ATTENDANT SERVICES", Jacobs Kronenfeld, J. (Ed.) Chronic Care, Health Care Systems and Services Integration (Research in the Sociology of Health Care, Vol. 22), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 177-204. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0275-4959(04)22010-5