The 80s

The early 1980's brought more money and a continued commitment from government to respond to pent up demand for services.  In 1981, the Special Committee for the Disabled and Handicapped tabled its report in the House of Commons and in it put forward 130 recommendations for action. The Committee's complete work, entitled Obstacles, provided encouragement and hope in all parts of Canada.

An entrepreneurial approach to service was in vogue and the Wallaceburg Association capitalized by obtaining provincial funds to open a retail outlet, The Wedding Belle Boutique. As an adjunct to the ARC workshop, this store employed several people expecting to train them at minimum to participate in commercial activities and, ideally, to assist them to move to better, fuller paying jobs. The store became very popular and generated much needed revenues that were used to sustain various programs and activities.

Within the field of education, the area around which concerned parents first coalesced, major changes took place. In 1980, the Ministry of Education introduced Bill 82, in part, due to the pressure brought on by OAMR for improved educational opportunities for children with special needs. By the end of 1980, Ontario's inaugural chapter of People First was established by former residents of Oxford Regional Center. The proponents of this self advocacy group were invited to Wallaceburg on several occasions, but a chapter was never formed. In 1989, one of the original People First organizers, Peter Park, provided a moving keynote address to the Wallaceburg Association's membership that helped them almost unanimously change the name of the association to Community Living.
   
On October 10, 1981, the association celebrated 25 years of service to the handicapped. A gala affair was enjoyed by many people attending a dinner and dance held at the Primrose Gardens. In 1982, with public assistance, a sizeable grant from the County of Kent and the Happy Craft Club, a new, larger hydraulic lift bus was purchased. Later on though, the association had to come to grips with a 1985 Ministry of Labour ruling that effectively shutdown the ARC Industries plant "...to prevent what could have been a major disaster resulting from building deficiencies." The Elizabeth Street location was abandoned and later sold. Through the effective lobby efforts of the Board of Directors and support from both the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the citizens of Wallaceburg, a new facility was leased and later purchased at 939 Dufferin Avenue.

In 1982, the government announced the Five Year Plan; six institutions would close and monies would be diverted to further develop community services. For Wallaceburg, this meant the further expansion of the workshop and life skills programs, and the inception of an "independent living program." Several persons were returning to their original or community of choice, and this resulted in more residential services needing to be provided.

By the mid 1980's, support to have OAMR change its name was taking hold. In 1984, the Canadian AMR, became the Canadian Association for Community Living, and throughout the country both provincial and local associations were making or considering name changes. In 1987, at its annual conference held in Ottawa, OAMR finally changed too. It was a joyous celebration, shared by over 700 delegates in attendance. And, it was the impassioned, consistent and determined efforts of self advocates and People First members who took the day. It was, as earlier stated, in 1989 when the Wallaceburg Association became the first tri county area association to accept a name change. There is, of course, more to it than just a name. And as that reality emerged, the vision became clear; the Wallaceburg Association gained an energy that Mary Dawdy, Ila Carroll and their friends must have felt in the very early days of their dream. Simultaneously, CACL and others were recognizing that money and more services, no matter how welcome they would be, could not guarantee that people would become true participants in their communities. More emphasis it was agreed needed to be placed on developing supportive networks, friendships and family connections. CACL came forward with a new vision entitled, Community Living 2000. Driven by a theme that incorporated citizenship, membership and determination, a CACL document by the same name set a tone and objective still relevant, still in need of full achievement today.

In 1987, Ontario's Community and Social Services Minister, John Sweeney, made the decade's most profound announcements and set a new policy direction entitled, Challenges and Opportunities. The OACL's influence in the government's plans were evident. The planned phase out of institutions in Ontario was to occur by the year 2011, and communities were to establish comprehensive support systems so that people could receive services in their home communities, in their own homes.

By the close of the 1980's, the Wallaceburg Association had established itself as a leader, innovator and developer of quality supports to individuals and their families. In 1989, the Association committed itself to a set of principles that would dictate how it would approach the next decade of services. A significant shift and renewed emphasis on the individual was made. Board members, staff, and consumers participated in various exercises leading to the development of the eight Planning Principles. These statements committed the association to plan with individuals and their families, provide them with options and choices, to use existing community services, and to assist each individual to make a contribution to their community that provides them with personal fulfillment.

With a new decade but a few months away, the Association had set a demanding agenda for itself.