FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Disability Rights Coalition Calls For Immediate ReviewOf Operations At Outdated Government Funded Institutions:

Continued Violations of Rights of Residents Can No Longer Be Tolerated

Halifax, Nova Scotia – September 11, 2009

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The Disability RightsCoalition expresses its outrage and demands the government of NovaScotia to immediately convene a full, independent review of operationsat the Riverview Adult Residential Centre in Riverton, Nova Scotia. Thisdemand is in light of the 19 cases of abuse against residents withintellectual disabilities and mental illness at the Riverview AdultResidential Centre in Riverton, Nova Scotia, and the 22 other reportedcases of abuse at other institutions throughout the province asreported in the news earlier this week. These cases of abuse highlight the continued violation of the rights of residents with intellectual disabilities and mental illness living inoutdated institutions in Nova Scotia. This is a moral and social justiceissue that can no longer be tolerated. These cases of abuse are especially disturbing in light of the fact thatin 2001 the government of Nova Scotia commissioned internationally-renowned

consultant Dr. Michael Kendrick to investigate the ways theNova Scotia government helps disabled people stay independent. Thereport made several recommendations for better policies, improvedcommunications and more money to be spent on services for personswith disabilities. When the report was released the governmentcommitted to make decisions about the recommendations withinmonths. Eight years later the report has been shelved and thegovernment has taken little action on any of the recommendationsmade by Dr. Michael Kendrick. The Disability Rights Coalition strongly supports other advocacy andrights groups’ appeal that a full, independent review must take placeimmediately to provide justice for the vulnerable individuals who havebeen harmed and for those who still reside in government fundedinstitutions.