IDASA has been formed to be a SA highly visible intellectual disability advocacy group.
The IDASA principles are based on
- Highlighting unmet disability need and advocating for improved respect, recognition, intellectual disability services with individual packages.
- The IDASA program unites the intellectual disability sector.
- IDASA promotes consumer centred choice and flexibility in options.
- IDASA program is consumer driven and inclusive of balanced sector representation including people with disabilities, their families or carers.
- Increase the profile and public debate on improved intellectual disability sector services and reform.
- That the voice of a family member or carer is seen as the voice of a person with intellectual disability who is unable to speak for themselves.
IDASA understands that much of the information IDASA circulates will be widely distributed and attracts national and media interest.
IDASA hopes numerous people, organisations and service providers will distribute the IDASA information to their clients and databases.
We strongly recommend that you do so.
IDASA respects and understands the opinions of people in the sector and their right to make their own choices and maintain personal philosophies.
Conversely IDASA is strongly opposed to the “one size fits all” and “expert opinion” approach taken by some within the sector and IDASA will continue raise debate on such issues. IDASA is also concerned at the traditional disability approach that some believe they have the right to speak on behalf of others. Pushing self interest and not delivering options and choices to consumers has happened in the past and has resulted in the significant traditional divisions that exist in the sector today often between people with disabilities and families/carers of the intellectually disabled.
There is no doubt that there exists today significant consumer demand to move away from structured, inflexible strategic plans that were developed in the 90’s to avoid a repeat of the horrors of previous disability support services including institutions. These strategic pans have served the sector well but the lack of flexibility is now restricting options and choices. The consumers demand must be accommodated. IDASA advocates for change and consumer choice.
IDASA remains committed to developing an advocacy role, lobbying both state and federal governments for improved recognition and support for people with a disability, their families and carers.
IDASA members will be consulted regularly in the development of IDASA policy.
