Employment and Income Security

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To establish the Province of Manitoba as a model employer for persons with disabilities.

Manitoba’s Civil Service Diversity Strategy includes a commitment to increase the number of persons with disabilities in the civil service to five per cent by 2012.
The Civil Service Commission has added a second program co-ordinator for persons with disabilities to support and increase community liaison, communication, education and recruitment.

This year marks the first intake of the Public Administration Internship Program for Persons with Disabilities. It is a two-year training program to provide better opportunities for persons with disabilities to work in government.
The Civil Service Commission has developed a government-wide disability awareness campaign for provincial employees. The goal of this campaign is to promote the advantages of hiring persons with disabilities in the civil service and ensuring they have access to the accommodations and supports they need to do their jobs.

Round Table Recommendation: The Civil Service Commission will continue to work towards its government-wide goal of having seven per cent of civil service employees identify themselves as persons with disabilities.
Round Table Recommendation: The province will ensure employment equity achievements are reported regularly.
The province will continue to work at improving accommodation, support and advocacy for civil servants with disabilities.

To increase the employment rate among persons with disabilities

The 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS) data indicated that, in 2001, 58.7 per cent of Manitobans with disabilities were employed at some point during the year. By 2006, this number rose to 59.9 per cent – the third best employment rate for persons with disabilities across Canada.
Round Table Recommendation: marketAbilities initiatives will continue to help persons with disabilities find and keep jobs.
In 2009, the Rewarding Work Health Plan benefits, including drug, dental and optical benefits, were extended for up to two years for all single parents and persons with disabilities who move from Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) to paid work.
A new Rewarding Volunteer benefit is available to persons with disabilities who receive EIA. The benefit is to encourage and reward volunteerism.
Stages of Change is a pilot project delivered through Opportunities for Employment.
It helps persons with disabilities get ready for work and find good jobs.
Through Get Ready! (a Rewarding Work training and education program)
Employment and Income Assistance recipients may be eligible for education and training programs, including university and other post secondary programs, for up to four years.
Round Table Recommendation: The province-wide Disability Awareness
Campaign promotes the advantages of hiring persons with disabilities.

The Reaching E-Quality Employment Services program will receive $522,000 in provincial funds. The program will help integrate 500 people with disabilities into the labour force.
Manitoba Competitiveness Training and Trade has developed a comprehensive employment guide outlining employment-related programs and services available to persons with disabilities.

The province will work with private sector employers to promote the hiring of persons with disabilities.
Round Table Recommendation: The province will consider incentives to help private employers with accommodation costs when hiring persons with disabilities.
The supports available to persons with disabilities within the Employment and Income Assistance program will be promoted more widely.
Comprehensive supports for persons with disabilities who are acquiring job training will be developed.
The province will work to address the employment concerns of persons with episodic disabilities or illnesses.
The Manitoba Government will work to enhance return-to-work supports available through the Workers Compensation Board.

To enhance the income security of persons with disabilities

Income Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (IAPD) benefits have been increased in response to the additional costs of living with a disability.
A number of initiatives have been introduced to help persons with disabilities and their families save for the future, without affecting their monthly EIA benefits:
- EIA participants with disabilities may save up to $200,000 through the federal
  Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) without affecting the amount of their monthly EIA benefits.
- Persons with disabilities receiving EIA may be able to receive up to $500 per month, from families or others, without affecting the amount of their monthly benefits.
- EIA liquid asset exemptions have been increased to up to $4,000 per person to a family maximum of $16,000. This allows people on EIA to save without affecting their EIA benefits.

The taxable portion of withdrawals from RDSPs is exempt from family net income in calculating eligibility for the Education Property Tax Credit, School Tax Credit for Homeowners and Personal Tax Credit.
The province will continue its investment in ALLAboard: Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.

The province will work to increase awareness of the supports available to persons with disabilities within the EIA program.
Round Table Recommendation: New approaches to a long term income support program for persons with severe and prolonged disabilities will be explored.
The province will continue to work to develop new ways to help persons with disabilities save for the future.

What are some ways we can support persons with disabilities in their search for sustainable employment?
How can the province provide income support to persons with long term disabilities, outside the traditional EIA program and still encourage them to find full time jobs?
What can be done to encourage private employers in Manitoba to hire persons with disabilities?

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