Prairie Voice

Winter, 2005 December, 2005

Saskatchewan Voice Federal Election 2006 of People with Disabilities Well Folks its supports people with disabilities Federal Election addresses poverty. Time Again! The following are Inside this issue: some of the issues Once again, we can play that are relevant to Election 2006 2 an important role in the disabilities and election by engaging can- could be included Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy didates in your community in your discussion: New Year! International Day 3 in debate regarding dis- ability issues. ticipation of persons with Poverty Reduction—A disabilities. These barriers Cultural Rights 3 long term objective is violate Canada’s Charter Don’t wait for the candi- the elimination of poverty and human rights commit- dates to show up on your experienced by Canadi- Individualized 4 ments to persons with dis- Funding doorstep, go to their door- ans with disabilities. step (campaign headquar- abilities. $30 Million to CBOs 4 ters) and explain what an First Steps: accessible campaign • Expand the Disability would look like. Another Income Security Political Rights 5 Child Benefit to support People with disabilities in way of getting our mes- youth in recognition of this country are vulnerable to sage out is by attending the critical transition poverty, abuse, exploitation Candidate List 6 public events sponsored youth face moving to- and exclusion. Current in- by candidates, this would ward adult responsibili- come measures and tax have a two fold message: ties: moving from home benefits to support people a visible presence during During this 2006 to independent living with disabilities are inade- the campaign as well as quate and ineffective. In Election, we urge you to asking questions pertain- and from school to fact, they create dependency become involved. ing to their position on post-secondary educa- tion and training. and marginalization. Change cannot be made disability related issues. without input from Grass- • Support a broad review of income support pro- roots citizens. And, if your really have a Questions grams and present rec- Just think, an Income lot of time to spend, or- ommendations for fu- ganize a town hall meeting Support Program that is ture reforms. Will your party support the involving all candidates to universal, wouldn’t that be development of an income discuss disability related Barrier Removal Proc- supplement/disability benefit great, but it won’t become issues such as: the need ess—Barriers in federal that supports people with a reality without your in- for an Income supple- programs prevent the par- disabilities and addresses put. ment/disability benefit that

Page 2 Prairie Voice

Federal Election Continued poverty? What will this benefit look like? sion Plan Disability Benefits. First Steps: • Expand the Special Opportuni- ties Grant Program, which Prioritize people with disabilities National Disability-Related Sup- pays for accommodation of living in institutions when de- ports Fund—Canadians with disabili- students with disabilities. veloping disability-related ties need access to disability-related supports. supports if we are to operate on a level playing field. Supports such as acces- Aboriginal Persons with Disabili- Accessible Campaigns/ sible transportation, attendant care, ties—The incidence of disability Materials—We challenge all politi- interpreter services, technical aids among Aboriginal persons is signifi- cal parties and candidates to conduct must be in place if we are to have cantly higher than among other Cana- barrier-free campaigns. Components equal access to all aspects of life in dians. Aboriginal persons with disabili- of an accessible campaign include but our communities. ties also face significant jurisdictional are not limited to: sign language inter- First Steps: barriers when seeking to access ser- pretation at public meetings and cam- vices. paign literature in alternate media. • Investment in a National Disability- First Steps Related Supports Fund. First Steps: • Priorities for investment set by pro- We are seeking a commitment from all Political parties and candidates adopt vincial/territorial governments in parties and candidates that disability the principles of universal design for consultation with persons with dis- issues will be recognized as a priority their campaigns. abilities and eligibility for supports in all federal initiatives on Aboriginal persons would be non-income related. . • An annual outcomes report on the There are many ways to educate both Fund would be provided to the • Do you support the development the public and candidates during the Government of Canada. of accessibility regulations, not Federal Election. Some consumers voluntary codes, to improve ac- will be running in the election. Others will be working on campaigns. There Labour Market Strategy for Per- will also be consumers who will be sons with Disabilities—Security is raising disability rights issues during To make a difference, we have to having a job. We are seeking commit- the election. All these activities are ments from parties and candidates to become involved in the process important. The challenge is for con- end the massive unemployment of per- sumers to be as visible as possible sons with disabilities. during the election. This visibility draws attention to the citizenship of First Steps: cess to the federal transportation persons with disabilities and what we system? • The Federal Government be- need to achieve full participation. Dis- • How would you go about making ability rights advocates may want to comes a model employer. disability a priority in all Federal ask candidates the following types of • Rework the Labour Market initiatives? questions: agreements to be inclusive of and address the training and Persons with Disabilities Living Consumer Questions for employment of people with in Institutions Candidates disabilities. • Do you support a national invest- • Expand the Opportunities Too many Canadians with disabilities ment in a Disability Supports Fund by $30 million and EAPD live in institutions, instead of their cho- Fund? funding agreements by $200 sen community. Canada must in- • How do we develop a labor mar- million. crease efforts to support people with ket strategy addressing disability? disabilities live in the community. • Remove disincentives to em- • What would you do to eliminate

ployment from income support the poverty experienced by per-

programs, like Canada Pen- sons with disabilities?

2 Winter, 2005 Page 3

December 3rd, International Day of the Disabled fers us the opportunity to Development In 1992, to mark the end of foster changes in attitudes recognizes the rights of the United Nations (UN) towards persons with persons with disabilities Decade of Disabled Per- disabilities and eliminate and the need for us to play sons, the UN General barriers to their full an active and meaningful Assembly proclaimed participation in all aspects role in development of our December 3rd as the of their lives.” community. International Day of Disabled Persons. This year’s theme We have included some According to the UN, Rights of Persons with facts that were shared with “observance of this day of- Disabilities: Action and us by CAILC

Cultural Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Fact” disabilities continue to domi- True self-determination re- Culture has been defined as sets of nate cultural imaging of dis- flects the reality that “all learned behaviors, beliefs, atti- ability. Persistent negative citizens desire to have tudes, ideals, and values char- cultural stereotypes of per- choice and control in their acteristic of a particular society. sons with disabilities are a lives, especially over the form of oppression as they disability supports they It has been said that Canadians portray people with disabilities require.” share the belief that we have a as powerless, dependant, A true sense of community responsibility to each other; that pitiful, and deviant. we all have something to con- encompasses the belief tribute; and everyone has the 49% of Canadians asked about that “all human beings de- right to participate. Yet despite barriers to participation for sire to belong and partici- these beliefs many Canadians persons with disabilities cited pate with others in fami- prejudices and attitudes of lies, neighborhoods, net- with disabilities remain marginal- ized, excluded, and misrepre- individuals and society as a works, and groups.” sented throughout the cultural main barrier. Real and valued citizenship, fabric of Canadian society. 75% of those asked believe that that promotes the princi- A recent Canadian survey of attitude in Canada it is either very or ples of self-determination towards persons with disabilities somewhat difficult for persons and community, reflects reports that only 1 in 10 of those with disabilities to have oppor- the ideals, values, beliefs, asked believe that persons with tunities for recreation. and attitudes of Canadian culture. disabilities are “fully” included in Solutions: society. Progress for persons with disabili- 19% of Canadians asked believe per- ties must be grounded in the sons with disabilities still face a principle of citizenship, and From CAILC Fact Sheets, November, “great deal” of discrimination for this citizenship to be 2005 while 63% recognize people with meaningful it must be framed disabilities still face discrimina- around self-determination and tion. community. Cultural stereotypes of persons with

3 Most recent Statistics on Individualized Funding in Saskatchewan In April, 2005, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on Preliminary information shows that 64 her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of people are using IF at present. The growing older. average age of the individual at the start of their agreement was 47 years. She is such a simple honest woman, with so much wisdom There has been no opportunity to look at in her words! the age groupings but in the past about 25% of people were: 18 yrs of age, 50% were between 18-65 years and 25% Maya Angelou said this: were 65 years. Twelve IF agreements have been discontinued. Most of I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life goes on, and it will be better tomorrow. these have been because the individual had died, a few had moved to live in long term care facilities. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/ she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage; and tangled Christmas lights. * Information received from

Saskatchewan Health I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they are gone from your life.

Government to Provide $30 I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as Million for CBO’s “making a life”.

In the Throne Speech delivered Novem- I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. ber 7, 2005, the Government of Sas- I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catchers mitt katchewan announced funding increases on both hands – you need to be able to throw some things for Community Based Organizations to back. address issues of staff wages, recruitment and retention. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open In a letter from Minister of Community heart, I usually make the right decision. Resources and Employment, Joanne Crof- ford, we informed that the we are to re- ceive the following increases in funding I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. over the next three funding years:

2% effective November 1, 2005 I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch 3% effective April 1, 2006 someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the 3% effective April 1, 2007 back.

As outlined in her letter, the intent of I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people these increases is to improve the wages of will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but staff, as well as help with benefits and people will never forget how you made them feel. operating costs. If we can remember some of these, the world might be a better place!

4 DID YOU KNOW? Political Rights of Persons with Disabilities Growing December 3rd is the United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons. This year’s older is theme Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Action in Development recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities and the need for them to play an active and meaningful manda- role in development for their community. tory. • Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Growing • Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or freely up is through chosen Representative. optional. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country. Fact: > It has been said that persons with disabilities represent the world’s We make largest minority, with an estimated 500 million persons with disabilities a Living worldwide. by what > In 1982 the introduction of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms we get, guaranteed all Canadian citizens had the right to vote. However, because we make of wording around “reasonable limits” many persons with disabilities a Life by still found themselves excluded from Canada’s electoral process and what we their rights as Canadian citizens. > Until The Canada Elections Act was officially changed in 1993, persons give. with disabilities were still disenfranchised and confined to institutional settings were excluded from voting. God > In terms of the political rights of persons with disabilities, Provincially and prom- Territorial, there are still barriers preventing full participation in the ises political process. Quebec and New Brunswick still have statutory a safe provisions that disqualify some persons with disabilities from voting landing, in elections. not a > In 2004 Conservative candidate Steven Fletcher became first calm quadriplegic member of Parliament. > Recent American studies indicate persons with disabilities are 20% less passage. likely to vote. In addition, voters with disabilities and far more likely than their non-disabled peers to encounter and/or expect barriers at polling If God stations. brings you to it, He will From CAILC Fact Sheets, November, 2005 bring you through it.

5 Economic Rights of Persons with Disabilities Fact:

A recent Canadian survey of attitude towards persons with disabilities reports that ¾ of respondents feel it is either very or somewhat difficult for persons with disabilities to achieve financial security, maintain stable employment, have access to reliable transportation, and raise a family. More than 1 in 5 persons with disabilities report being the victim of discrimination while trying to maintain employment. 8 in 10 Canadians agree with the statement “Canadians with disabilities are less likely to be hired for a job than those without disabilities, even if they are equally qualified.” Conservative estimates put the cost of disability in terms of interrupted and foregone employment in Can- ada at $42 billion in 1998. Workers with disabilities remain overrepresented in the lowest wage groupings, with over 60% of work- ers with disabilities with less than 8 years experience with earnings within the lowest wage grouping. This is compared to only 46.2% of their non-disabled peers with similar work experience. Over 56% of workers with disabilities report having no training in the previous year while 45.4% of their non-disabled peers report the same lack of training. Workers without disabilities are more likely than those with disabilities to receive promotions. Among employed persons with disabilities in Canada, 26% of those who require accessible transportation do not have access to it. Persons with disabilities who are employed are less likely to have to rely on others for extra income and basic disability supports.

Solutions:

The Government of Canada notes the cost of barriers to employment for persons with disabilities is high for individuals, families, employers and Canadian society. The combination of an aging society and shrinking populations means we as Canadians cannot afford to ignore the skills, talents, and potential socio-economic contributions of Canadians with disabilities. 84% of Canadians asked to some extent agree that public funds should be provided to support Inde- pendent Living.

From CAILC Fact Sheets, November, 2005

Automobility Medical

Regina’s Largest Home Healthcare & Medical Products Store Over 70,000 Medical, Mobility, Incontinence & Dailey Living Aids

For more information call: Karl Carmicael at: Season’s Greetings (306) 791-9840 or email: [email protected] from Ron Bort, Provincial Chairperson

6 List of Candidates

With a federal election call coming today, there are already more than 40 candidates nominated among Saskatchewan's 14 ridings with more to come in the next week. Here's a look at each riding. While the Conservatives already have a full slate of 14, the Liberals and NDP still have nominations to come but both say they'll have candidates in every constituency. The Green Party and the Christian Heritage Party are hoping to identify more candidates. Batttefords-Lloydminster Blackstrap X Conservative: Gerry Ritz X Conservative: Lynne Yelich Liberal: Dominic Laplante Liberal: Herta Barron NDP: Nomination meeting set for Dec. 3 NDP: Don Kossick Christian Heritage Party: Harold Stephan Green: Mike Fornssler

Cypress Hills—Grasslands Desneth –Misslmppi-Churchill River

X Conservative: David Anderson X Conservative: Jeremy Harrison Liberal: Bill Caton. Liberal: Nomination meeting set for Fri-day. NDP: Nomination meeting set for Dec 3 NDP: Anita Jackson

Palliser Prince Albert

X Conservative: Dave Batters X Conservative: Brian Fitzpatrick Liberal: John Williams Liberal: Patrick Jahn NDP: Jo-Anne Dusel NDP: Valerie Mushinski Green: Nigel Taylor Green: Larry Zepp

Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Regina—Qu'Appelle X Conservative: Tom Lukiwski X Conservative: Andrew Scheer Liberal: Gary Anderson Liberal: Allyce Herie NDP: Moe Kovatch NDP: Lome Nystrom Green: Brett Dolter

Saskatoon-Humboldt Saskatoon—Rosetown—Blggar X Conservative: Bradley Trost X Conservative: Carol Skelton Liberal: Peter Stroh NDP: Andrew Mason NDP: Nettie Wiebe Green: Mike Jones Green: Rick Barsky

Saskatoon—Wanuskewin Souris—Moose Mountain X Conservative - Maurice Vellacott X Conservative: Ed Komamicki Liberal – Chris Axworthy NDP: Nomination meeting set for Nov 29 NDP: Nomination meeting set for Dec. 4 Remember! Green: Don Cameron Green: Matthew Smith Your vote does make a Wascana Yorkton--Melville difference! Conservative: Brad Farquhar X Conservative: Garry Breitkreuz X Liberal: Ralph Goodale Liberal: Merv Cushman NDP: Helen Yum NDP: Jason Dennison Green: Fiorindo Agi

7 of Saskatchewan Voice ies People with Disabilit

984 Albert Street ◊ To promote awa reness of the special needs o Regina, SK f persons with disabilit ies Mailing Address: ◊ To initiate and d evelop programs and servic Box 27001, 240 Albert Street es to serve the needs of persons w Regina, SK S4R 8R8 ith disabilties ◊ To create amongst the gene ral public an awareness of the barriers which hind Phone: 306 569-3111 er people with disabilities from living a full life and Toll Free:1-877-569-3111 strive for the development Fax: 306 569-1889 of a stable environm ent within which disabled Email: [email protected] persons will b e given the fullest possible opportunities to participa te in any and all activities of work, leisure and re creation in the community ◊ To foster and encourage t See the Ability, not the disability he personal involvement of people with disabilities in measures aimed at the removal of social a nd physical barriers to full Provincial Membership: $10/year Renewal partic ipation in the mainstream o Date: January 1st /06 f society ◊ To cooper ate with any group having Newsletter Subscription $10/year Renewal similar objectives Date: January 1st/06 Official Tax Receipts are issued for donations of $10 and over

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

NAME————————————————–ADDRESS—————————————————

CITY/PROVINCE—————————————————POSTAL CODE—————————–

PHONE:———————– FAX:——————————– EMAIL: ______

Newsletter $10.00 Provincial Membership $10.00 Newsletter & Provincial Membership $20.00

FULL ADVOCATE ASSOCIATE

I WOULD LIKE TO BE ACTIVE IN THE FOLLOWING: (Please Circle)

Board of Directors Public Education Membership Fundraising/Funding Policy Volunteers

8