CUPE Local 4392 launches public campaign to restore day programs for adults with developmental disabilities

GUELPH, ON —/COMMUNITYWIRE/— CUPE Local 4392, who represents workers at Community Living Guelph Wellington, has launched a new online campaign in response to an abrupt closure of six day program sites that support adults with developmental disabilities.

“Parents and caregivers, workers in developmental services, and community members have made it abundantly clear: Community Living Guelph Wellington must restore day programs to best support people with developmental disabilities,” says Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario.

The abrupt closure of six day program sites has left many program participants and their parents and caregivers without much needed support, CUPE Ontario reports. Many of those impacted by the closures live in areas where there are simply no accessible support alternatives.

“Parents, workers with expertise in developmental services, and concerned community members have been very vocal in their opposition to the sudden program cuts by Community Living Guelph Wellington,” says Joanne Smithers, President of CUPE Local 4392. “Community Living Guelph Wellington continues to ignore calls from concerned parents, developmental service workers, and community members and is completely disregarding the needs of so many adults with developmental disabilities.”

The new online campaign features a letter that concerned program participants, community members, parents of adults with developmental disabilities, and developmental service workers can add their names to. The letters will be distributed to Community Living Guelph Wellington’s Executive Director, Laura Hanley, members of the respective Board of Directors, and MPP’s in areas impacted by day program closures.

“CUPE Ontario is here to support everyone impacted by Community Living Guelph Wellington’s shameful decision to close day programs,” continued Hahn. “The new online campaign is just the beginning. We’ll do whatever it takes to ensure that adults with developmental disabilities, and their parents and caregivers, have the support they need and deserve.”

The new online campaign can be found at https://cupe.on.ca/RestoreDayPrograms/

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For media requests:

Paul Whyte
Communications Representative CUPE Communications
647-212-9887
pwhyte@cupe.ca

Joanne Smithers
President
CUPE Local 4392
519-820-5945