[homeles_ot-l] Fwd: {ODSPAction} Manitoba strategy for people with disabilities

[Terrie]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jennefer Laidley (ISAC) <laidleyj at lao.on.ca>
Date: 2009/6/5
Subject: {ODSPAction} Manitoba strategy for people with disabilities
To: odspaction at googlegroups.com


 For your information, from:
http://www.mysteinbach.ca/newsblog/community/2734.html
*$30 million strategy opening doors for Manitobans with disabilities*

Posted on 06/04/2009, 1:28 pm, by mySteinbach.ca

The province is renewing its commitment to a long-term strategy for
Manitobans who have disabilities with a $30 million down payment on more
accessible housing, enhanced access to public buildings, more support for
children with disabilities in child care, better employment services and
improved supports for caregivers, Family Services and Housing Minister Gord
Mackintosh, minister responsible for persons with disabilities, announced.

This investment in creating a more accessible, inclusive society marks the
launch of consultations that will build the foundation for a long-term
vision for Manitobans with disabilities, Mackintosh said.

"Everyone has abilities.  People are not 'disabled' except by our attitudes
and the environment built around them," Mackintosh said.  "Our challenge is
to unleash the untapped energy by breaking down barriers."

As a basis for consultations, Mackintosh released a document that focuses on
10 priorities for action as the province seeks to build on its 2001
strategy:  Full Citizenship: A Manitoba Strategy on Disability.

The minister said the $30-million down payment, which includes contributions
from the federal government, includes:

* $5.4-million for HOMEWorks! for Manitobans with disabilities.  This
two-year federal-provincial initiative includes targeted construction of
additional housing units and will focus on greater community living for
people with intellectual disabilities, physical accessibility and housing
that people with mobility restrictions can easily access (visitable
housing).

* a $11-million barrier-busting infrastructure plan.  Eight initiatives will
be funded to make public buildings more accessible in Winnipeg, Emerson,
Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Minnedosa and Morden.  In addition, 15 schools
will construct grooming rooms, specialized washrooms, chair lifts or
elevators.  Investments will also be made to enhance provincial campground
accessibility and upgrades to 14 non-profit community facilities.

* $12.8 million in additional funding for disability services.  This funding
will largely help more people with intellectual disabilities live and
participate in the community.  There will be $2.7 million in additional
funding for children with disabilities including therapy services for about
750 more children, 8.5 new preschool Applied Behavioural Analysis spots and
respite services for 80 new families.

* New marketAbilities employment initiatives.  Five hundred Manitobans with
disabilities will be enabled to get jobs through Reaching E-Quality
Employment Services with $522,000 in new funding.  A new comprehensive guide
will serve as a valuable resource for Manitobans with disabilities who are
seeking jobs or training, or want to start their own businesses.

* A child-care inclusion support program.  The plan includes $400,000 in
funding for enhanced access to specialized equipment and a regulatory
requirement for annual personalized child plans and inclusive programming,
as well as training and mentoring for child-care workers.

* A boost to Manitoba's New Primary Caregiver Tax Credit.  Now, rather than
needing an in-depth home-care assessment, the caregiver of anyone in
community living or children's special services will automatically qualify,
which will significantly cut the time and effort required to receive a tax
credit of up to $1,020 each year.

Jennifer Howard, MLA for Fort Rouge, will chair an interdepartmental working
group of senior officials to steer the implementation of Opening Doors.
There will be annual public reporting through the minister.

Comments on Opening Doors are sought from the public and may be sent to the
Disabilities Issues Office by e-mail at openingdoors at gov.mb.ca or mailed to
the office at Room 630 - 240 Graham Ave., Winnipeg, MB  R3C 0J7. The
consultation paper is posted at www.gov.mb.ca/dio.   Meetings with
stakeholders will also be conducted by Howard.

The minister made the announcement at the official opening of Place
Bertrand, a 20-household, $3-million HOMEWorks! affordable housing
initiative for people with disabilities in St. Boniface.

"Place Bertrand is a good example of how we can build communities that are
inclusive of all people. With our mobility accessibility, universal-design
concept and rent supplements for half the units, this is a celebration of
how we can accommodate diversity," said Don Onofriechuk, chairperson of Ten
Ten Sinclair Housing, which operates Place Bertrand.

The announcement is part of ALL Aboard, Manitoba's poverty-reduction and
social inclusion strategy.









Jennefer Laidley

Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator

Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC)

-------

425 Adelaide Street West, 5th Floor

Toronto, Ontario   M5V 3C1

Phone: 416-597-5820 x 5155

Fax: 416-597-5821



www.incomesecurity.org



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-- 
Terrie ( mocharebyl at gmail.com )
"If you see an injustice being committed, you aren't an observer, you are a
participant." June Callwood
Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and
renders the present inaccessible.  Maya Angelou
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