Human Resources, Labour and Employment
February 9, 2010Minister Marks
First Meeting of the Provincial Advisory Council
for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities
The Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of
Persons with Disabilities, a group comprising leading
advocates in the advancement of persons with
disabilities, held its inaugural meeting today at the
Capital Hotel in St. John's. The Honourable Susan
Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources Labour and
Employment and Minister Responsible for the Status of
Persons with Disabilities, was on hand to kick-off the
two-day session and welcome council members.
"I am very pleased to see this new advisory council in
action, and I am eager to benefit from the insights of
this diverse and knowledgeable group," said Minister
Sullivan. "With this council now in place, I believe we
are well positioned to make positive and enduring change
for persons with disabilities throughout the province."
The provincial advisory council was created in
partnership with the community of persons with
disabilities to advise the Provincial Government as it
develops strategies and recommendations to advance
inclusion. The council will be instrumental in advising
the Provincial Government as it takes action to ensure
people with disabilities have the same opportunities as
people without disabilities, by removing existing
barriers and ensuring that policies, programs and
services are inclusive. The 16 members of the advisory
council were announced this past November, having been
chosen from a pool of over 80 applicants. Joanne
MacDonald was appointed chair of the council.
"I am honoured to have been asked to chair the new
Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons
with Disabilities," said Ms. MacDonald. "This is an
exciting time and one which I believe has opportunities
and great potential. I look forward to working with
council members and the minister as we collectively look
at how this province can become one that is accessible
and without barriers."
The Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of
Persons with Disabilities will meet for two days to
discuss issues that have been put forward by
stakeholders and explore ways to address these issues.
The establishment of the advisory council follows the
launch of the Disability Policy Office last June, which
was created to ensure policies and planning put forward
by all departments respect the principle of inclusion.
For more information about the Provincial Advisory
Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities
or the Disability Policy Office, please visit:
www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/hrle/disabilities/DPO.html
Photo #1: The Provincial
Advisory Council for the Status of Persons with
Disabilities held its inaugural meeting on February 10,
2010.
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Media contacts:
Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment
709-729-0753, 690-2498
jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca |
Joanne MacDonald
Chair, Provincial Advisory Council for the
Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities
709-576-0303
jmacdonald@nl.rogers.com |
2010 02 09
9:40 a.m.