Government of Canada supports full participation of people with disabilities

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 15, 2013 /CNW/ - People living with and caring for others with Tourette syndrome will benefit from increased support aimed at bridging gaps in information and services available to them. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sports) and Member of Parliament for Bramalea-Gore-Malton, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

"The Government of Canada is committed to supporting innovative solutions that help remove barriers to the social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities," said Minister of State Gosal. "Through our partnership with the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada, people with disabilities will have access to improved services."

The Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada is receiving more than $717,000 in federal government funding, which it will use to create a virtual network that offers information, learning groups and resources, access to trained volunteers and psycho-social support, and connections with others living with Tourette syndrome in Canada. Canadians living with Tourette syndrome, their families and caregivers, and service providers will have access to information and support that supplement available resources at any time, from anywhere in the country.

The Foundation is a national voluntary organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those with or who are affected by Tourette syndrome through education and advocacy programs, research and self-help initiatives.

Through the Social Development Partnerships Program - Disability Component (SDPP-D), the Government provides $11 million annually in support of a wide range of projects designed to improve social inclusion and tackle barriers faced by people with disabilities.

Economic Action Plan 2013 introduced an investment of $222 million per year to better meet the employment needs of Canadian businesses and improve employment prospects for people with disabilities. Furthermore, the Government proposes to maintain ongoing funding at $40 million per year for the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, starting in 2015-16, to help more people with disabilities train for in-demand jobs.

The Government is also extending the Enabling Accessibility Fund at a level of $15 million per year to support the capital costs of construction and renovations to improve physical accessibility for people with disabilities, including workplace accommodation.

For more information on the SDPP-D, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/disability.

backgrounder

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The Social Development Partnerships Program - Disability Component (SDPP-D) provides grant and contribution funding to projects and organizations designed to improve the participation and integration of people with disabilities in all aspects of Canadian society.

SDPP-D will be transformed by moving towards a more competitive model and introducing new program priorities and requirements. The transformation of this Program is part of government-wide efforts to modernize grant and contribution funding, maximize the impact of federal spending and increase transparency. Although aspects of the SDPP-D will change, the program will continue to exist with the same objectives—namely, to work in partnership with social not-for-profit organizations to improve outcomes for people with disabilities—and with the same funding level of $11 million per year.

The Government recognizes that the transformation represents a significant change for some organizations. For this reason, the transformation elements are being phased in over a three-year period.

Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes new measures to help address the needs of people with disabilities:

• The introduction of a new generation of Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities with an investment of $222 million per year to better meet the employment needs of Canadian businesses and improve the employment prospects for people with disabilities.
• Extending the Enabling Accessibility Fund at a level of $15 million per year to support the capital costs of construction and renovations to improve physical accessibility for people with disabilities, including workplace accommodation.
• Additional funding of $7 million per year for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, some of which will support research related to the labour market participation of people with disabilities.

SOURCE: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

For further information:

This news release is available in alternative formats on request.

For further information (media only):

Jan O'Driscoll
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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