Manitoba Disabilities Issues Office
Full Citizenship:
A Manitoba Strategy on Disability
Conclusion
This White Paper, the first such paper on disabilities to come from the Manitoba Government since the appointment of a Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities, marks an important step along the road to creating a more inclusive society.
Our proposals are based on the government's priorities and on the ongoing dialogue between persons with disabilities, government and the broader community. Our proposals are not based on a paternalistic belief that government knows what is best for persons with disabilities, nor are we simply agreeing to their proposals. Neither approach would bring us closer to our vision of a society in which every person with disabilities participates as a full citizen.
We have started with those issues that directly affect government: access to government and government income-support programs. In these areas, there are real needs and there are well-defined steps that can be taken immediately to address these needs. In many cases, agreement on the approach has been in place for years; what has been lacking is action.
The proposals in this white paper would:
- Improve access to Manitoba government buildings;
- Improve access to Manitoba government services, publications, public meetings and hearings;
- Improve access to Manitoba government employment;
- Improve access to Manitoba government policy making;
- Redefine disability so that it is not linked to a finding of unemployability.
- Remove disincentives to employment in income programs;
- Separate access to disability supports from eligibility for financial assistance; and
- Ensure financial assistance is available promptly when individuals are not able
to support themselves.
These are issues of long standing to persons with disabilities. Action on these issues will make a real difference to their day-to-day lives.
In committing itself to these measures the Manitoba Government is showing leadership to the broader society and serving as an example when it comes to inclusion, accessibility and citizenship.
Despite these actions, however, other barriers will remain. We are only too well aware of the difficulties that First Nations people have in gaining access to provincial services and that all persons with disabilities face in gaining access to employment and disability services.
We will consult with the community and develop strategies that can be implemented in future years to remove those barriers. We will do this to produce action plans, not more fine words. It is the government's hope that the actions proposed in this White Paper make it plain that future talk will lead to future action.
Finally, there must be accountability. The government is proposing to take steps that will create, over time, full citizenship for persons with disabilities. Government alone cannot measure its progress on this journey. For that reason, we are committing ourselves to annual consultations, work plans and reviews. In the process, the map will change, approaches will be modified and new initiatives developed. It is only out of such a process of respect and interaction that meaningful citizenship for all can develop.
