A set of standards safeguarding the dignity, privacy and freedom of choice of disabled people living in a residential home have been released by Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana.
The standards cover the whole process, from before a person moves into a home until he or she changes or terminates the residential service.
The guidelines – the first for Malta in this sector – were drafted over the past year by the Social Welfare Department in collaboration with stakeholders such as the National Council for Persons with a Disability, Id-Dar tal-Providenza and Dar il-Kaptan. The latter has already adopted the standards.
They came into effect yesterday and cover all residential homes for the disabled, including 10 community homes promised for this legislature. The first of these 10 will open in Siġġiewi in the coming weeks.
Welfare standards assessment unit manager Stefania Dimech Sant said the department would be monitoring and engaging in a relationship with the service providers to encourage them to adopt the standards.
The standards were set with the aim of ensuring the disabled’s right to quality support. They acknowledged that the services had to be accessible to all those who required them, irrespective of their sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, age or disability.
Public consultation about similar standards for respite and day care for the disabled would be rolled out by the end of the year, Dr Caruana said.
Moving in to a residential home:
• You and the service provider will enter into a contract that specifies your needs.
• You should be encouraged to express your opinion in the language and format you prefer about any aspect of the service.
• Unless legally impossible, you can address your financial, legal and personal needs when it is convenient for you.
• You can decide who has the right to know and access your personal affairs.
• You have a right to be treated as an adult and in an age-appropriate manner, without being patronised.
• Your meals should be nutritious and varied.
• You can contest information kept about you which you think is misleading and can affect the service.
• No one can be excluded because of challenging behaviour.
• Staff ensures that sexual expressions take place in private places and you have the right to know which spaces in the residency are public and private.
More information is available on http://www.activeageing.gov.mt/en/Pages/Setting-the-standards-for-residential-services-for-persons-with-disability.aspx .