The Three Major Areas of CET Standards are:

Quality of Life

In 1996, 28 focus groups (with approximately 300 participants) were conducted across Alberta. Some groups consisted of individuals with disabilities, others of families and guardians, while some groups were mixed. Trained facilitators used a consistent process to help each group identify those factors that most contribute to the quality of life for individuals receiving services. Feedback from the groups was summarized and returned to participants to ensure it captured what they said. The validated information was then used to develop the outcome based Quality of Life standards.

Quality of Service

The Quality of Service standards are intrinsically linked to the Quality of Life standards. They look at the role of staff who are closest to the individuals, and how those staff support the individual to achieve each of the Quality of Life standards.

Organizational Framework

The structure of an organization and its processes should facilitate and support outcomes for the individuals it serves. Organizational standards were therefore developed in the areas of service delivery, human resources and strategic management that reflect current best practice in the field of community rehabilitation. The ultimate test of any organizational process is how well it supports outcomes for consumers. Therefore, each standard under Organizational Framework directly supports one or more of the Quality of Life standards.