-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [OZADV] press release kew closure
Date: Fri, 4 May 2001 10:56:32 +1000
From: Mark Feigan <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: OZADVOCACY-- Disability rights in
Australia<[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
FROM: Mark Feigan, Disability Justice Advocacy Inc ,
266 Johnston St Abbotsford, telephone: 9416 3488, 0418 513 304
for immediate release 4th May 2001
KEW COTTAGES CLOSURE
THE DAWN OF A NEW CENTURY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
The days when Victorians with disability were confined to institutions because they have a disability are now officially over. The Brack’s Government is closing Kew Residential Services. In responding to the announcement Mark Feigan, Executive Officer of Disability Justice Advocacys aid: "This at last is the dawn of a new century for people with disability.
The Community Services Minister Christine Campbell and the government are closing a sad chapter in the treatment of people with disability. We applaud the Governments action. The disability sector is united in praise for this long awaited decision."
In explaining this further Mark Feigan said: "The way we have institutionalised people with disability in the past has been shameful. People need proper support to live a fulfilling and rewarding life but that could never happen at Kew Cottages. People there were neglected and abandoned, and were prevented from having a worth-living life.
Even more shamefully many residents lost their life in regular tragedies. These directly resulted from the neglect visited upon these people for most of the last century. There was a organized and pervasive disregard for common decency and the human rights of the residents."
"Now the Government has commenced a process that could see a renaissance
for all Victoria’s residents of institutions. After Kew a few more institutions still remain. We eagerly anticipate the closure of Plenty Residential Services and Colanda, where many hundreds of people currently reside, in the outdated conditions of the last century", Mark Feigan concluded.
FURTHER COMMENT:
Mark Feigan 0418 513 304 (03) 9416 3488 fax: (03) 9416
3484
email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
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