Sir, – Many people in the last weeks have called for the introduction of cameras to ensure that what happened at Áras Attracta does not happen again. Newspaper reports suggest that the HSE is investigating the cost of this option. While this might seem an obvious way to prevent the kind of physical abuse we witnessed, it is yet another erosion of the human rights of these residents. Unless every corner of their home (and we should remember that this is someone’s home) is covered, it will not prevent recurrence. How many of us would allow CCTV in our bedrooms, our bathrooms?
There is a cultural change needed. The “service provider” mentality needs to change completely. The move from congregated settings to smaller units is meaningless without a complete change of thinking. People with disabilities are not commodities, to be moved from one setting to another to reflect current thinking. They are individuals, with the right to be supported according to their needs. There needs to be real choice about where to live, who to live with, how to spend time and how the funds allocated are spent.
This will only happen with full individualised funding. People who have a choice may not choose to spend all their days in a chair. The irony of choosing a person to lead the investigation who has a vested interest in the “service provider” system cannot be overstated.
We need closer links between vulnerable adults and their advocates, whether they are family members, friends or professional advocates. Advocacy services need to be strengthened, and to have a right to access vulnerable adults, rather than having to depend on the cooperation of the services.
People need to be supported to communicate, and to make as many choices as they can about their life. Speech and language therapy advice should be sought to set up supportive communication environments with alternative and augmentative communication where needed. Ensuring the absence of physical abuse is necessary, but in no way sufficient to allow people to thrive. A complete change of focus, rather than tinkering around the edges is needed. People who have lived in this type of environment, even without the physical and emotional abuse filmed, will require considerable rehabilitation to reach the point where choices can be made.
If you have been unable to decide even which chair you sit in, it is unrealistic to have someone come in and ask where or how you would like to live. Investment in advocacy services and speech and language therapy services focused on creating a positive, responsive communication environment will be essential. The absence of abuse is not enough.
A robust complaints system independent of the service is needed. Too many families are silent because they are afraid they will be asked to leave the service, and are unable to provide the 24-hour care needed at home. Every complaint needs to be taken seriously and investigated.
We welcome the steps taken towards strengthening advocacy and complaints systems in the last two weeks, but argue that they need to go much further. – Yours, etc,
GRÁINNE de PAOR,
NICOLA HART,
Speech and language
therapists and advocates,
Down Syndrome Ireland,
Citylink Business Park,
Old Naas Road, Dublin 12.