December 3, 2009
Province Celebrates International Day For Persons With Disabilities
Manitoba celebrated the United Nations Day of Persons with Disabilities with the launch of a new website for the Office of the Vulnerable Persons’ Commissioner, a new training video to address the needs of people with disabilities in emergency situations and continued funding support for the Canadian Paraplegic Association, Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard, minister responsible for persons with disabilities, announced today.
“Manitoba has embraced the spirit of inclusiveness and through many of our programs and initiatives supports the United Nations goal of making all communities more inclusive,” said Howard. “The new training tool and website will help ensure all Manitobans are treated safely and with respect.”
The new website will give vulnerable people easier access to information on the important services that will allow them to make decisions that will give them greater control over their own lives, Howard said.
Manitoba’s Disability in Emergency Management Network has developed a multi-media DVD training tool, manuals and activities that will teach service providers and emergency responders, as well as people with disabilities, how to meet the additional needs and risks sometimes faced during disasters and emergencies. This training will be co-ordinated through the Independent Living Resource Centre.
In June, Manitoba released Opening Doors, a discussion paper based on extensive consultations with departments across government, Manitobans with disabilities and their supporters. It outlined an initial commitment of $30 million towards more affordable and accessible housing, as well as accessibility enhancements to government buildings and services. This effort is part of ALL Aboard, Manitoba’s poverty-reduction strategy.
Highlights of Manitoba’s recent commitments to greater accessibility and inclusion are:
· a commitment to have visitable units included in new Manitoba Housing construction and renovations,
· $1.6 million to improve access to diagnostic services and expand resources for Manitobans living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder,
· $357,000 to increase supports and services that will help hundreds of people struggling with homelessness move into transitional or long-term housing through All Aboard, and
· a $238,000 provincial eating disorder prevention and recovery program.
Manitoba will also continue its commitment of $3 million over five years to the Canadian Paraplegic Association for its ongoing involvement in Rick Hansen’s Going Forward Together legacy initiative. Funding will go towards research and will provide support and increased accessibility for persons with spinal-cord injuries.
The new website of the Office of the Vulnerable Persons’ Commissioner is located at www.gov.mb.ca/fs/vpco/index.
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