CREATING HOME [Part 1] - The Story of Bert and Albert - Institution To Community

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are segregated from society in many different ways, including institutions where they are congregated in groups and denied rights and opportunities for life as full human beings and included citizens. Cynics believe that community living for people with intellectual disabilities is unrealistic for those with complex needs. Albert, Bert, and those who believed in them demonstrate through this remarkable film that the benefits of community living have no age limits. Take note of the story about "accessing the refrigerator" when you think about your own life and how it compares to life in an institution and its impact on quality of life.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• intellectual
• disabilities
• developmental
• disability
• community
• living
• ontario
• canada
• institutions
• de-institutionalization
• human
• rights

[jillssoulsister]

I work for a state institution, and I can say I love the individuals we take care of at our institution and always treat them with care and consideration. I am here to serve them.

[liveworkplayvideo]

@jillssoulsister if you love somebody, set them free...

[jillssoulsister]

@liveworkplayvideo This is serious to me. These are friends of mine. And I think you are being inconsiderate with your vague comments.

[liveworkplayvideo]

@jillssoulsister Sorry you found it vague, allow us be more specific. People with disabilities are not animals to be kept in a zoo and loved by their zookeepers. I am glad there were/are caring people earning a living in the institutions. Hopefully they care enough to realize they would certainly not wish that life on themselves - they all go home to their apartments and houses and spouses in the community.

[jillssoulsister]

@liveworkplayvideo Shame on you.

[liveworkplayvideo]

@jillssoulsister we should all be ashamed that as a society we supported the existence of these institutions. The state of Minnesota has just apologized for their harm done to people in their institutions. Hopefully Ontario will soon do the same.

[allisonhogan]

Way to go Albert and Bert!

[TheMrsBoz]

Fantastic! Go Albert and Bert!

[hhutcheo]

@jillssoulsister you have clearly adopted the institutional mindset that i myself and still working to break down. i work for a disability service organisation with involvement in an institution. institutionalization is absolutely not appropriate! no matter how much you think you are doing the right thing and how much you care. you are formal support, not friends. you seem to have forgotten that. i see human rights violated every day by people who believe they 'care' like yourself.

[liveworkplayvideo]

@devinevan life is not a program...

[liveworkplayvideo]

@devinevan What is the evidence that anyone who moved from an institution had a lower quality of life after their move?

[devinevan]

Many of the HRC staff did a great job considering the environment provided. Bert and Albert appear to have very comfortable and safe living arrangements compared to several other residents that have moved to less desirable accommodations. Good for Bert and Albert.