December 03, 2004

The appointment of a new executive director for Manitoba’s Disabilities Issues Office and funding of over $300,000 to create more accessible housing with special design features for people with disabilities were announced today by Christine Melnick, minister responsible for persons with disabilities.

"I am pleased, on the UN Day of Disabled Persons, we can introduce David Martin as part of our team at the Disabilities Issues Office and launch more, much-needed housing for people with disabilities," said Melnick, who is also family services and housing minister and minister responsible for the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation. "The renovation project has created affordable housing for people with disabilities who require other support services to live as independently as possible in the community. This government’s full citizenship strategy is aimed at allowing people with disabilities to fully participate in our society."

The announcement of Martin’s selection was as a result of the recent retirement of the Disabilities Issues Office founding director Jim Derksen, a long-time advocate for people with disabilities. The province’s first-ever Disabilities Issues Office opened one year ago and is a central review body for all provincial departments to assess programs for people with disabilities. Staff work closely with the disabilities community to improve communications with government on disability policies and program issues.

For many years, Martin was executive director at Ten Ten Sinclair Housing, a facility in Winnipeg offering a unique program that helps people with disabilities to develop independent living skills while residing at the complex.

The announcement also marks the completion of a successful housing project, including substantial renovations, creating 10 apartments at 125 Carriage Rd. in Winnipeg. The two-storey, 98-unit housing facility is owned by the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation and is managed by the Manitoba Housing Authority.

In October, a similar project opened in Brandon at a 73-unit housing complex owned by the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation. In total, the two projects received $688,200 in provincial support.

The entire housing project was done in consultation with key stakeholders, including the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Manitoba Health, the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation and the Manitoba Housing Authority. Design of the more accessible housing units was done in collaboration with community groups, MCM Architects Inc., Ten Ten Sinclair and the Transitional Living Centre.

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