Proposal for a National Personal Supports Fund

Personal supports refer to a range of goods and services technical aids and equipment, personal services and brokerage that offset the effects of a disabling condition. These supports help ensure that individuals are able to live independently in communities and stay out of hospitals and institutions. This paper first describes the system of personal supports in Canada. It then identifies key problems in the areas of availability, cost and responsiveness. To address these problems and help build the supply of personal supports throughout the country, the paper proposes the creation of a national Personal Supports Fund supported by federal and provincial contributions. Spending in respect of personal supports would be linked to a clear set of principles: self-determination, comprehensiveness, accessibility, portability and accountability. The proposal is intended to meet the needs not only of persons with disabilities but also of all Canadians whose requirements for personal supports will only increase with an aging population. An adequate supply of personal supports would help fill a major gap lack of community options of independent living that is creating huge pressures for costly hospital-based care.

ISBN – 1-894598-27-X