Ordinary People,
Extraordinary Lives

We believe that persons with intellectual disability are individuals with:

1. the same rights and responsibilities as other members of society

   1. this principle invite a consciousness of the effects of controls that are exercised over the life of a person with an intellectual disability
   2. the person with an intellectual disability has the right to live in the same types and ranges of dwellings and in the same locations as other citizens
   3. this right must be acknowledged independently of the individual’s skills, skill deficits and assessed competence
   4. it is an infringement of this right when we insist that the individual earn his/her right of access to our accommodation service through ‘performance of skills’

2. the capacity to develop physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually

   1. every person with an intellectual disability should receive appropriate assistance, education and life experiences to achieve optimum competency

3. entitlements to membership and acceptance by the community to which the person belongs

   1. the accommodation site should be located within ordinary population clusters and be as close as possible to the person’s family, friends and community services

We also believe that in providing an accommodation service to persons with an intellectual disability, Lifestyle Assistance and Accommodation Service Incorporated, is committed to:

1. provision of a living environment which is consistent with the principles of normalisation and the least restrictive alternative;

   1. our service for persons with an intellectual disability forms a support to and enhancement of the natural family and peer networks of the individual, not a replacement

2. accommodation services should not congregate large groups of persons with intellectual disability together and unduly saturate any area. Buildings should not stand out in any way by being different, that is unusual features not commonly found in the neighbourhood. The accommodation sites due to their size will:

   1. encourage interaction within the household and with the local community
   2. facilitate individualised and personalised supports
   3. promote flexibility in routines
   4. encourage the natural development of relationships between staff and clients
   5. reduce barriers to the involvement of parents and friends in day to day living activities
   6. provide the opportunity to learn in a natural setting.
3. the principle of using the least restrictive alternative requires that any intervention chosen to meet an individual’s developmental needs be least intrusive into and least disruptive of the individual’s life, and represent a minimal departure from normal living patterns;
4. a person’s lifestyle and individuality will be respected; this means that an accommodation service is primarily concerned with the provision of a home with due regard for privacy, social sensitivity and personal possessions;

5. ensuring the appropriate care and protection for clients with regard to their emotional, physical, social and intellectual needs:

   1. the amount of protection for and supervision of clients should be the minimum required taking into consideration their functional skills
6. ensuring the provision of an independent living curriculum that supports community participation;

7. promote the involvement and continued participation of the client, their family and advocates in decision making:

   1. the degree of participation and involvement in decision making opportunities for clients be maximised with due consideration given to functional skills
8. that the needs of clients are met by ensuring that special services and supports are provided which are part of a local integrated and coordinated service system:
9. the minimisation of the personal and social effects of intellectual disability through the allocation of resources for research, community education, staff development and learning assistance strategies;

We further believe that persons with intellectual disability have the same need for love, affection, care and stimulation to promote personal growth and development as are afforded the rest of society.