Accreditation and quality

Letter to the Editor, Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 31st August 2009, in response to this news report on Sunday:

There is no accreditation process for the provision of services to people with disabilities (''Carer kissed disabled woman'', smh.com.au, August 30). Accreditation of services is mandated in policy areas for the vulnerable such as child care, aged care, health and education. Why not for services to people with disabilities?

In the mid-1970s and 1980s public exposure of abuse and neglect in institutional care of people with disabilities forced government to review its wilful blindness to the needs of these people. However, government always stops short in recognising people with disabilities as equals when it comes to providing quality care and support.

Lack of accreditation gives opportunity to some questionable practices and service providers which, apart from tainting those who deliver excellent standards of care, is redolent of an institutional-management mindset, and continues to excuse a lesser standard of care and quality of life for people with disabilities.

Mary Lou Carter, Carers Alliance, Drummoyne