Minister Duncan recognizes organizations in Victoria that are making a difference for Canadians with disabilities Français
VICTORIA, April 12, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, announced funding for two organizations in Victoria that will go towards projects that support people with disabilities.
The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) recently received a $28,000 funding extension for their engagement with First Nation communities and service providers to help inform the planned Government of Canada Accessibility Legislation. This is in addition to the $77,738 they had previously received for their consultation.
The Minister also announced $75,000 in funding for Pacific Coast University. This funding is provided under the Disability Component of the Social Development Partnerships Program to help the University plan the 2018 International Forum on Disability Management (IFDM). The IFDM is designed to promote innovation, leadership and practical policy and program solutions, and will provide knowledge and tools on an integrated approach to disability management in the workplace.
This funding assists people with disabilities to ensure that they have access to necessary programs and services and to build an inclusive and diverse Canada.
Quotes
"Canada is at its best and all of society benefits when everyone is included. That is why I was happy to announce funding for two important organizations that make it their mission to break down barriers for all Canadians. By bringing together academics, professionals and disability stakeholders from all over the world to share their knowledge and generate valuable ideas, the conference hosted by Pacific Coast University will help ensure that Canadians with disabilities are able to fully participate in their workplaces and communities. Through its important work with First Nation communities, BCANDS ensures everyone has their voice heard as we continue our work on the Federal Accessibility Legislation. I thank these organizations for their continued advocacy."
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities
"We are very grateful for the significant support that the Government of Canada has provided, especially when considering recent reports that indicate 23 percent of all people living in poverty across Canada are persons with mental or physical health impairments, and in excess of 80 percent of impairments are acquired during a person's working life, and therefore effective and collaborative workplace efforts in job retention and return to work can have a significant impact on changing this narrative."
– Wolfgang Zimmermann, President of Pacific Coast University – Workplace Health Sciences
"The ability to be included as active members of our communities politically, socially and economically continues to present barriers for many persons living with disability in Canada. From late 2016 to March 2018, the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society, with support from Employment and Social Development Canada, began the process of identifying those barriers, as told to us by First Nation communities across Canada. Through this engagement process a number of key areas were identified. This information was forwarded to the federal government to assist in the development of new Federal Accessibility Legislation, ensuring that First Nation barriers, priorities and recommendations were known and incorporated.
We are very pleased to have our contract extended for another year, with the new focus of raising awareness of the new Federal Accessibility Legislation and the opportunities for First Nation communities, and their members, to provide their input and recommendations to the legislation once tabled."
– Neil Belanger, Executive Director, British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS)
Quick Facts
- The Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP) helps improve the lives of children and families, people with disabilities and other vulnerable Canadians. The SDPP has two funding components: Disability; and Children and Families.
- The Disability Component of the SDPP supports projects intended to improve the participation and integration of people with disabilities in all aspects of Canadian society.
- In 2012, about 14 percent of the Canadian population aged 15 years or older—one in seven Canadians—reported having a disability that limited their daily activities. That number is expected to grow with an aging population.
Associated Links
Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability Component
International Forum on Disability Management
British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
For media enquiries, please contact: Annabelle Archambault, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, 819-934-1122 / TTY: 1-866-702-6967, [email protected]; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
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