Families' right to choose

Most Australians believe it is their fundamental right to strive for whatever lifestyle they choose. They decide, without question or judgment by other Australians, where they will live, in which type of dwelling they will live, and in particular, the people they will live with.

They also believe they are entitled to make choices about their level of education, their employment, their social peers, their financial future and finally their retirement. Their contribution to society is without question, their right to legal recourse if necessary is sacrosanct and their entitlement to speak up if denied any of these rights/choices, is respected and upheld.

However, people with disability in Australia, particularly those within the moderate to severe range, are currently not able to make these same choices that most other Australians take for granted. They believe they are entitled to them and are asking for your help to end this inequity.

People with disability and their families are asking for just an average life – no more, but no less either. CLP believes people with disability and their families have the right to choose a lifestyle and services that most suit their needs and wishes.

CLP is committed to representing the needs and advocating on behalf of all its registered families – whatever their choice.

We find out about your choices by you completing the SURVEY

Annette Ellis, in an address to the House of Representatives on 31 May 2010, said: 

"Where will my child live after I’m gone?" This is a question foremost in the mind of most parents of children living with disability.  Indeed it applies not just to "after I’m gone".  Parents of children living with disability need to know that their child can have access to appropriate accommodation, and live an independent life, just like other parents and children.  The Community Living Project (CLP) is a community based group of like minded people, who wish their children, living with disability, can make choices in their lives about where and how they live.  The work of the Community Living Project is exploring the question of these future housing needs, exploring all aspects including models for development, financing, ownership, and access generally. This is vital work and I commend the CLP for their dedication to this vital undertaking.

In a speech given at a recent Canberra CLP charity event Senator Gary Humphries said;

"The families of the Community Living Project are asking Canberrans to help them achieve what everyone else takes for granted – the right to make basic life choices: where you live, how you live and who you live with.  What does it say about our society if it denies this request?”

In recent correspondence Senator Kate Lundy said:

"Raising a child with a disability is challenging. Choices are unfairly limited in many areas, including the choice of living arrangements. Support is crucial.

The Community Living Project is endeavouring to ensure that those families are able to access the availability of living arrangements which best suit them and their needs. All Canberrans need to support CLP in their effort to provide many different varieties of living arrangements for these families".