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Manitoba Disabilities Issues Office

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Welcome to the DIO

Discussion PaperThe Accessibility Advisory Council Discussion Paper on Accessibility Legislation can be viewed here. The Council wants the public’s views on accessibility legislation and is inviting written submissions and briefs on this topic. To share your ideas or for more information, contact:

Disabilities Issues Office
630 - 240 Graham Avenue
Winnipeg MB  R3C 0J7

email:  accesscouncil@gov.mb.ca
website:  www.gov.mb.ca/dio
Phone:  (204) 945-7613
Toll Free:  1-800-282-8069 Ext. 7613

The Accessibility Advisory Council will be submitting a final report to the Minister of Family Services and Labour, the Honourable Jennifer Howard, by June 16, 2012. Please send your comments by June 5, 2012, to ensure they are received prior to the preparation of the Council’s initial recommendations. To view the archived webcast of the May 8th public consultation on accessibility legislation click here.

Participation and Inclusion

Full Citizenship: A Manitoba Provincial Strategy on Disability (2001) outlines Manitoba's vision for full participation of persons with disabilities as equal citizens in our society.

In 2009, the Manitoba government renewed its commitment to Manitobans with disabilities with the launch of Opening Doors, a discussion paper that lays the ground work and future directions for cross-government disability inclusion.

Full Citizenship — an Inspiring Vision, an Obtainable Goal

The Manitoba government works with persons with disabilities to improve their quality of life. This means helping Manitobans with disabilities:

  • obtain the education and training of their choice
  • find meaningful employment
  • gain full access to government services,
    information and events
  • live independently with adequate housing and disability supports.

Accommodating the needs of persons with disabilities helps the province promote access, inclusion and equality of all Manitobans.

Leadership

The Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities is mandated to:

  • identify issues affecting persons with disabilities
  • co-ordinate policy development to improve access to public services
  • raise awareness about living with a disability
  • represent the needs of Manitobans with disabilities to other levels of government

In 2003, the Manitoba government established the Disabilities Issues Office (DIO) to serve and report to the Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities.

The Disabilities Issues Office

  • communicates directly with Manitobans with disabilities
  • consults with organizations and citizens concerned about program gaps and policy directions
  • co-ordinates work among government departments, disability groups, corporate and community organizations
  • works toward a more inclusive society for Manitobans with disabilities

Moving Change Forward

The Disabilities Issues Office is playing a key role in many initiatives, including:

  • promoting the rights of persons with disabilities through legislation and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
  • working with other government departments to improve access to education and employment, including through the Manitoba Civil Service Commission
  • ensuring that government services and information are accessible to all citizens
  • collaborating with other jurisdictions to achieve equal access to services throughout Manitoba

The Disabilities Issues Office -
putting full citizenship into practice (pdf format)