Manitoba Disabilities Issues Office
Full Citizenship:
A Manitoba Strategy on Disability
Philosophy
Our understanding of disability is founded on the knowledge that abilities and disabilities are an essential and natural part of human existence. All persons are more or less able in a variety of ways that depend on their individuality and the circumstances in which they find themselves. Although early childhood and old age are times when abilities are less and disabilities are more evident, many persons experience mobility/agility, vision, hearing, speaking, cognitive/mental or other disabilities at various times in their lives.
In keeping with this understanding, we are committed to building a society of full inclusion of Manitobans with disabilities, throughout their lives.
Consistent with this understanding and our acceptance of disability, we strive to enhance ability and to accommodate and reduce the effect of disability.
Manitobans with disabilities have all of the same rights, responsibilities and freedoms as others have, including the right to fair treatment and equal protection and benefit of the law. Beyond our commitment to the equality rights of Manitobans with disabilities, we believe Manitobans with disabilities should be actively welcomed in every aspect of social and economic life and included in the way our communities evolve to meet the needs of their members.
In keeping with our understanding and valuing of the diversity and range of ability/disability inherent in our population, we are committed to designing and redesigning our social, economic and physical infrastructures so as to meet the needs of the full array and range of abilities in our population to as great an extent as possible.
We affirm the interdependence of ability and disability of all members of our community. We affirm the value of sharing resources and abilities throughout our society. Embracing the pervasive experience of disability in all sectors and levels of our society, we call on all persons, sectors and institutions to work together in cooperative partnership to invite and include Manitobans with disabilities in all aspects of social and economic life.
