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FOR MEDIA SATURDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 1981
ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF A NEW HYDROTIIERAPEUTIC COMPLEX
MINDA HOME, ADELAIDE
I am very pleased to be here with you today for the opening
of Minda's newest facility, this splendid hydrotherapeutic
complex. The work of Minda is well-klown as is its determination to improve
the condition and lives of disabled people. tMinda has a
long history of service in this field. I believe it was
originally established in the 1990' s. Thi new facility will
offer those who come to Minda for help both new therapeutic
opportunities and an avenue for recreation where their
participation may have been limited in the past.
The Commonwealth Government is, of course, very much aware of
the work of Minda and we have welcom ed the opportunity to
provide financial support for this project. The initiative
and the drive in these matters is of course your own, arid it is
because we regard such dedication and enthusiasm as one of this
country's greatest resources that we have made help available.
Since 1976 the Commonwealth Government has provided over
$ 12 million towards the costs of providing services at Minda.
and I think you will agree that this represents a sizeable
commitment towards the welfare of disabled people. We hope
that this support for your efforts to provide more effective
services will improve the opportunities for personal development
of our disabled citizens. The Government believes that people
in the community such as yourselves generally know best the
kind of services that are needed, and are frequently the best
placed to operate these services.
1981 is of course the International Year of Disabled Persons.
Only a decade or so ago, the idea of having such a year would
have been unthinkable. Vle now recognise that disabled persons
have a contribution to make to the life of the world. Remarkable
changes have occurred in community attitudes in a comparatively
short time. Of course there is still far to go.
Sometimes people find it difficult to appreciate the needs of
the handicapped persorn. John Hickman in his book " One Step at
a Time" tells a story about the 1972 election which illustrates
this very point. / 2
When Mr Hickman was going to cast his vote in the 1972 Federal
elections, he spoke to the Returning Officer.
" Good afternoon. My name is John Hickman and I'd like to cast
my vote for the election"
" Certainly, sir, I'll get you the forms and a ballot paper and
you can fill them out at once".
" Yes, well that is fine but I can't write you see. That is why
I brought a friend", I said, indicating my companion. I %.. as
hoping that it would be all right for him to fill-out the
ballot paper under my instructions.
" Oh, that makes things a little complicated. You cannot even
write down the numbers in the ballot boxes".
" Not-in any recognisable form I am afraid".
The official disappeared and came back a few moments later bearing
a sheaf of forms.
" That is quite all right sir, your friend can fill in your ballot
paper in accordance with your instructions and all you have to
do is to sign this statement on this form declaring that you
cannot write".
I am confident that the activities 6f this year will be a
worthwhile contribution in helping to achieve more understandingand
practical responses to handicapped people and in removing
the old ideas and myths. This year has served to concentrate
attention on future directions in services for handicapped
people. There is growing suport for less paternalistic or protective services
for disabled people, for a greater measure of control over their
own lives, and for freedom to pursue thei~ r own Jives and interests
in surroundings as normal as possible. The need to consider
such philosophies of care places a heavy
responsibility on organisations such as yours, in deciding how
best you can serve the needs of disabled people. Minda has
provided a lead in this debate, in sponsoring workshops to
discuss normalisation of services.
The Government believes that disabled people should be encouraqed
to develop their capacities to the fullest possible extent; that
they should be enabled where possible and desirable, to live with
their families in the community and to use cormmunity facilities
as do the rest of us. Many disabled people are already living
their own lives, more or less independently, in a way which no-one
would have believed possibl. e only a few years ago.
Today, we recoginise that society has thouight too long only of
people'Is disabilities, not of their potential for all levels of
skills : both society,* and disabled people, have lost as a result.
Today we want to see disabled people being encouraged to take on
and cope with the tasks of everyday living to the fullest extent
of their abilities. D Iisabled people need the opportunity, where
they so wish, to live independently or with support in the
community, and have the maximum freedom of choice over their
style of living, regardless of where they may live.
Australia has supported the U. N. Declaration on the rights of
disabled people, and I would like to read to you one paragraph
which exemplifies our goal in ensuring that disabled people
enjoy the same opportunities for a meaningful home life, the
same choices, as other Australians.
" Disabled persons have the right to live with their families
or with foster parents and to participate in all social,
creative or recreational activities. No disabled person shall.
be subjected, as far as his or her residence is concerned, to
differential treatment other than that required by his or her
condition or by the improvement which he or she may derive
therefrom. If the stay of a disabled person in a specialised
establishment is indispensable, the environment and living
conditions therein shall be as close as possible to those of
the normal life of a person or his or her age".
We recognise of course that there is no simple or single
response to the needs of handicapped people. People with
disabilities need a wide variety in facilities and services,
ranging on the one hand from intensive nursing care for the aged
or the very profoundly handicapped, to completely independent
living arrangements with support services-as may be necessary.
Many disabled people, particularly the older people, may not
feel capable of overcoming the obstacles posed by everyday life,
and that right of choice should be respected. The question which
is faced by all those concerned with providing facilities for
the disabled is now to ensure that their facilities are geared
to operate with sensitivity to the needs of those who use them.
We have to bear in mind the importance of acknowledging individual
needs and facilitating choice. We need to provide a range of
options for handicapped people, so that they can, for themselves
exercise the maximum freedom of choice. We need to provide an
environment which recognises the right to maximum personal
development, regardless of whether the bricks represent a big
institution, or the average family home.
I understand that you at Minda, are experimenting with a
number of new approaches. I applaud these efforts and initiative.
Your programme of independent living hostels, such as those at
Mile End and Goodwood, is an example of what can be achieved
in encouraging disabled people to live and work in the comnmunity.
I understand. you are considering a pilot progranmie which will
place handicapped children with foster parents with appropriate
support, and I am informed that the Department of Social Security
is simpathetically considering the possibility of assistance for
this project. At Craigburn you are e-xpanding the training and
independent living oppor~ unities and I am pleased that we will
be able to provide assistance next year with accommrodation and
other costs.
9, 4.
I particularly applaud your " respite" scheme, which provides
short term care for anyone with the care* of a handicapped child..
The benefit of this kind of scheme cannot be over-estimated, in'
supporting the large body of devoted parents who are bringing
up their child within the family. This facility will help those
who use it to grow in confidence and will encourage them to
participate as full members of society.
It will give further substance to the theme chosen by the
United Nations for the International Year of the Disabled
" Full Participation and Equality".
And after this special year, there will be need for consolidation
of the gains that have been made, and an appraisal of further
directions and further gains which need to be pursued in the
years ahead. Minda's projects and programmes demonstrate what
can be done when members of the community, with dedication,
initiative and energy address the problems confronting us . n
the forthright manner that you have done.
The Government is pleased to have been able to assist Minda along
the way and I am confident that Minda will continue to be an
outstanding example of co-operation between community and
government. I thank you for the opportILunity to be here today
to declare the hydrotherapeutic pool open, and I have much
pleasure in declaring it officially open.
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