How Should Alberta Protect People with Developmental Disabilities?
Official title: Persons with Developmental Disabilities Safety Standards Consultation
Why This Matters
Do you have a family member with a developmental disability? This consultation shaped the rules that protect them in group homes and support programs. Over 2,000 Albertans participated because they wanted their loved ones to be safe.
What Could Change
The consultation team developed recommendations on safety standards for the PDD program. These could have led to changes in how service providers are monitored, what training staff receive, and how incidents are reported and investigated.
Key Issues
- How can safety be improved for people with developmental disabilities?
- What role should families, service providers, and communities play in supporting safety?
- How well is the current PDD Safety Standards Regulation working?
How to Participate
- Participants could attend one of 8 community forums held across Alberta.
- Questionnaires were available online or by mail to share thoughts on safety.
What Happened
More than 750 people attended 8 community forums and 1,300 questionnaires were completed. The consultation ran in two phases: Phase 1 (February-March 2016) gathered opinions on safety and the PDD Safety Standards Regulation, while Phase 2 (June-July 2016) explored ideas identified in Phase 1. The consultation team provided recommendations to the ministry.