Article 19 independent living model supports for people

Article 19 - independent living model supports for people with psychosocial disabilities Tina Minkowitz COSP 2017

Characteristics • Independent living / Peer support • Doing it for ourselves – Self-definition of needs, tasks, desirability of support, choice of supporters – Development of community knowledge • Self-determination – Instructing and directing supporters • Social model not medical model – Descriptive not diagnostic – Wide-ranging, creative, inventive (e. g. yoga, pub, shamanism, 12 steps for people of conscience) • Different kind of skill and training – Nonprofessional or professionals who set aside training

Rights-based mainstreamed Article 19 legislation • US Disability Integration Act, S. 910 • Project on model law of inclusion for 3 jurisdictions: Korea, Japan, Taiwan • DIA features of interest: – Enforceable individual right to choose community-based longterm support services, instead of institutionalization – Includes ‘emergent and intermittent needs’ – Mainstreams needs and assistance typical for people with psychosocial disabilities, among others – Community-based is defined to be free from coercion and restriction – Obligation on public entities to ensure supply of affordable housing delinked from services

DIA continued • DIA limitations – Not an explicit repeal of coercive powers in mental health legislation – Access to services depends on ‘eligibility’ for institutionalization – Some medical model features in description of needs and tasks – Depends on implementing regulations and court interpretation (opportunity/uncertainty)

Relationship with mental health services? • Are support needs in psychosocial disability the same as mental health needs? – How do we define mental health? – Is mental health objective and subject to professional evaluation? • Is mental health or psychosocial well-being an dimension of life or a field circumscribed by professional disciplines? • What should the relationship of mental health services be to Article 19? • How can we simultaneously – Transform mental health services to comply with CRPD and take in insights from IL/PS/social model, and – Open space for creative, wide-ranging, self-defined supports designed by people with psychosocial disabilities?