The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, is inviting expressions of interest and nominations for the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.

"As Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, I am excited to lead groundbreaking initiatives like the creation of our Disability Policy Office and the establishment of a Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities," said Minister Sullivan. "These initiatives are intended to give persons with disabilities unprecedented access to the development of provincial policies and programs. However, these initiatives can only be successful if they have the full support and participation of stakeholders. As such, I invite people from across the province to put their names forward for this new and important opportunity, or nominate people with demonstrated leadership in the advancement of people with disabilities."

This Provincial Advisory Council will advise and inform the Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities on important social, political, civic, legal, cultural, technological and economical matters relating to persons with disabilities.

The Council will also advise the Provincial Government as it develops policies, programs, strategies and recommendations to advance the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

The Council will include 12 to 18 members, and will work in consultation with persons with disabilities, their advocates, educational institutions, employers and all levels of government.

"Having access to a variety of perspectives from the community of persons with disabilities will be necessary to develop a comprehensive approach to incorporating their needs into government policies and initiatives," noted Minister Sullivan. "I strongly believe this new Provincial Advisory Council has the potential to affect positive change and build a new and stronger relationship between the Provincial Government and persons with disabilities."

The call for expressions of interest and nominations will be carried in newspapers and radio stations around the province this month. Letters will also be sent to advocacy and service organizations of and for persons with disabilities inviting nominations for the council. The deadline for responses is June 24, 2009.

Nominees should have a broad knowledge and understanding of disability related barriers and issues experienced by persons with disabilities in this province. Consideration will be given to an urban-rural balance with regional representation, gender balance and representation of different types of disabilities.

For more information about the nomination process or to obtain nomination forms, please contact the Disability Policy Office by phone at 709-729-6208, by e-mail at disability.policy.office@gov.nl.ca or by visiting //www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/hrle/.

All documents will be available in alternate formats upon request and nominations will be accepted in alternate formats.

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Media contact:
Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 690-2498
jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca