Milestones
1950s The first association for supporting people with developmental disabilities and their families was established outside of St. John's, marking the beginning of the province-wide movement. This local was established in Corner Brook at the request of the parents in the area. Vera Perlin, who had established a similar association and school in St. John=s in 1954, was very instrumental in supporting the development of the Corner Brook local and several other locals throughout the province.
1957 Marks the incorporation of the first provincial advocacy association for children with developmental disabilities. That association was first known as the Newfoundland Association for the Help of Retarded Children, but today is known as the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living.
In the 1950s and 1960s much of the energy of parents and others involved in local associations throughout the province was taken up with fundraising to hire teachers and to rent facilities where children with disabilities could receive an education.
1970 Parents involved in the provincial movement prepared and presented a brief to the Provincial Government asking them to assume responsibility for the education of children with developmental disabilities. In September 1971, Government took over this responsibility, leaving families and other advocates free to pursue other issues. In the following decades, the focus shifted to such areas as residential options and employment.
1975 The Direct Home Services Program, an early intervention program to enhance the lives of young children with developmental disabilities and their families, was established.
1976 Local associations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador felt it would be advantageous to establish a provincial body that could become affiliated with the national federation, the Canadian Association for the Mentally Retarded. Thus, the Canadian Association for the Mentally Retarded - Newfoundland and Labrador Division became an incorporated body. Today, this association is known as the Newfoundland Association for Community Living.
1977 The assessment of Exon House, the Children=s Home, and related mental retardation services, commissioned by the Department of Social Services in 1975 is completed. In 1981, as a follow-up to this assessment, the Minister of Social Services announced a study and review of institutional and related community-based services for persons with developmental disabilities.
The Newfoundland and the Canadian Associations for the Mentally Retarded were the facilitators of the follow-up report People and Communities.
As a result of these reviews, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador declared that institutions should play no part in the lives of persons with developmental disabilities, and initiated the closure of both institutions. In the 10 years subsequent to the completion of these reports both institutions were closed. With the closure of these institutions, Newfoundland became the first province in Canada where no children with developmental disabilities were living in institutions.
1980 The Department of Education closed all segregated school buildings.
1981 People and Communities, the Report and Evaluation of Institutional and Related Community Based Services for people with developmental disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador, was concluded.
1982 The Salaried Respite Program is implemented.
1983 A review of services was conducted at the Waterford Hospital. The review team was lead by representatives of the CACL and the NACL, and their report, Futures of Quality, detailed a number of recommendations designed to facilitate the return to community of all persons with a developmental disability. Ten years later, in 1993, a project to support people to leave that institution, was established. That project was: A Future with Rights-The Right Future.
1980s The Special Child Welfare Allowance is implemented.
1982 The Pre-Vocational Assessment and Training Center opens to ensure that individuals returning to the community, from the closure of the Pine Grove School and Exon House, will have a stable environment.
1984 A Task Force on Integration and Education, and jointly funded by the Department of Education and the Association, is formed to articulate a vision of inclusive education. The Final report, entitled, AJust One of the Kids,@ is released in 1987.
1985 Supported Employment Programs began to be established in several areas of the province including Stephenville, Gander and Grand Falls. In most instances the employment Programs were started by local associations but independent Boards of Directors were established to oversee their development and maintenance. In this way, the advocacy groups were able to continue as independent, lobbying voices.
1985 The Home Support Program is started.
1986 In response to requests from the national self-advocacy movement, the national and many provincial associations changed their names to reflect the goal of the association: Community Living. On September 9, 1997 the name of our provincial association changed to reflect the inclusion of Labrador.... the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living.
1989 June 19....the last person moved out of Exon House.
1989 The Department of Education agrees to create a fund, and assume responsibility to provide student assistants.
1991 Salaried respite workers positions are eliminated and replaced by a fee-for-service respite program.
1992 A Review, ( AQuality of Life Focus@) of residential placements of individuals who moved from group homes to other living options.
1992 The provincial office of the association was destroyed in the Harvey Road fire. Most of the archives of the association and much of its history were lost in the fire. However, since that time, and with the generous support of people who have been involved with the association over the years, the association has been gradually rebuilding its library and re-tracing its history.
1993 On April 2, the Government of Canada, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Canadian Association for Community Living and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association joined in partnership on AA Future with Rights - The Right Future@ Project. This project was designed to assist people with developmental disabilities who were living at the Waterford Hospital to return to communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
1996 Gosse Gilroy & Associates were commissioned to study the mandate of pre-vocational center. Final Report recommends closure of center. In 1999, the departments of Human Resources and Employment, & Health & Community Services establishes a committee to oversee the closure process of the pre-vocational center. NLACL=s role on the committee was to ensure that the individuals involved would have access to individualized planning. The center officially closed its doors in May 2000.
1996 A review of special education, conducted by Dr. Patricia Canning and entitled, ASpecial Matters@ was completed.
1997 The federal government commits to providing $3 million in 1997-98 and 1998-99 to help build community capacity to successfully include persons with developmental disabilities.
The Community Inclusion initiative is funded through the Disabled Persons Program and offered in each province and territory. The successful outcomes of this initiative will ensure funding until March 2004.
1998 December: Bill 56 entrenches the individual’s right to be the employer.
2001 October 26: Ministers of Human Resources and Employment, and Health and Community Services announce that appropriate legislative and policy changes will be made for the establishment of Support Trust by family members on behalf of adults with disabilities. These changes will allow Support Trust to be exempted when determining eligibility for social assistance and supportive services.
2002 May 9: Minister of Human Resources and Employment releases report, ASummative Evaluation of the Supported Employment Initiative@ by Don Gallant and Associates.
2003 Department of Human Resources announces, at SENL conference, a commitment to act on the recommendation in the Gallant report to establish a Provincial Advisory Committee.
2006- With support from the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, NLACL designed and
2007 delivered a provincial 8 module (values-based) supported employment training program. Regionally based trainings were held throughout the province and over 60 trainers trained.