The Philosophy of Ability Access Services is that people with a disability have the same rights and responsibilities as their fellow citizens.
This philosophy is expressed through the following principals:
- The Service will work towards maintaining people with disabilities in their own home within the community with a lifestyle of their choice that reflects the conditions of everyday life valued by the community.
- A person’s home may be either the family home or a home in the community of their own choice.
- Individuals, families and the Service will work in a complimentary, negotiated partnership in order to maintain a relevant and appropriate personal plan for each person who uses the Service.
- The Service will respect the diversity of values and culture held by the people it serves and everyone involved in that person’s life.
- The Service will support individuals and families by acknowledging and sharing their views of the value and potential of people with a disability, and practically encouraging their right and capacity to have an ordinary life.
- The Service will place high value on unpaid relationships and work in ways which do not impinge on natural supports.
- The Service will acknowledge the rights of people with a disability to direct their own lives as much as possible.
- The Service will be highly individualised - all lifestyle assistance will be personally negotiated within the limits of the individual resources available.
- The Service will encourage skills development in natural settings, with people who provide good role models working in environments which are consistent with valid presence in the community.
- The Service will recognise the changing needs of the people it serves and will endeavour to provide the necessary support subject to individual financial resources.