Manitoba Disabilities Issues Office

Gender and Diversity

Objective:

To ensure the distinct needs of persons with disabilities who are Aboriginal, women, seniors, Franco-Manitobans, newcomers and/or live in rural or northern Manitoba are adequately addressed by provincial programs and policies.

Key Accomplishments:

• The Disabilities Issues Office has played a key role in offering gender and diversity analysis training and consultation to policy analysts throughout government.
• The province asked for public input to help update the Women’s Health Strategy.
• Round Table Recommendation: In 2006, the Disabilities Issues Office hosted a sharing circle on issues affecting Aboriginal persons with disabilities.
• Manitoba was the first province in Canada to reach an agreement with the federal government to implement Jordan’s Principle.
• Winnipeg was selected as a site for one of five demonstration projects under the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). The $18 million, four-year research project will provide housing and support in Winnipeg for up to 300 Aboriginal people who are homeless and living with mental illness.
• The province is partnering with eight Manitoba First Nations to develop Winnipeg’s first personal care home for Aboriginal elders. This project will help elderly Aboriginal people age with dignity in an environment that respects traditional approaches to aging. The new 80-bed, 15,850 square metre (52,000-square-foot) facility will provide Aboriginal seniors with the health care and supports they need to remain in their community, close to family, friends and other resources.
• The implementation of the Age-Friendly Manitoba initiative will help communities identify features that promote healthy, active living.
• An Age-Friendly Manitoba brochure and website have been developed to highlight the benefits and advantages of developing communities that support healthy, active aging for all Manitobans.
• The Aging in Place Strategy has created more than 380 new supportive housing units and over 2,900 Supports for Seniors in Group Living spaces. These spaces provide a range of services and supports to seniors who do not require the extent of care that would be provided in a personal care home setting.
• Nurse practitioners in Winnipeg’s inner city are providing services for vulnerable populations. They are working through the Health Action Centre and the Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY) Clinic, at Broadway Pharmacy on Broadway Avenue.

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2009/10 Down Payment on the Disability Strategy

• In 2009, the province invested in the start up of the DisAbled Women’s Network of Manitoba (DAWN). The funding will help ensure a sustainable resource for women with disabilities in Manitoba.
• The province will work to improve access to needed diabetes foot care in three northern communities. A pilot program will employ Manitoba-made camera technology to connect patients in Easterville, Grand Rapids and Moose Lake with doctors in Winnipeg.

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Future Directions:

• The Disabilities Issues Office will continue to promote gender and diversity analysis across government.
• Aboriginal cultural awareness training for service providers will be developed.
• First Nations and Aboriginal organizations will be consulted about rights and justice issues specific to their populations.
• The Manitoba/Canada Joint Committee on the implementation of Jordan’s Principle will continue to develop the elements needed to successfully implement Jordan’s Principle. This includes engaging First Nations.
• Round Table Recommendation: Service delivery to support off-reserve Aboriginal persons with disabilities will be strengthened.
• An inventory of programs and services for Aboriginal persons with disabilities will be created.
• Supports for persons with disabilities in rural and northern Manitoba will be improved.
• The province will work to better provide information about disability supports to Manitoba’s newcomers.
• Supports for women with disabilities who experience abuse and violence will be improved.
• The Age-Friendly Manitoba initiative will include more work with municipalities across the province to create safe, accessible community spaces.

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Questions for Feedback

1. In what ways can governments improve awareness about the particular challenges facing Aboriginal persons with disabilities?
2. What can all levels of government, First Nations and non-profit agencies do to better co-ordinate the delivery of services to Aboriginal persons with disabilities?
3. How can the needs of women and diverse populations be better integrated into all programs and services?
4. How can transportation services for persons with disabilities in rural and northern communities be improved?
5. What can we do to better support Manitobans with disabilities who are aging?

Leave your Feedback now.

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