Human Resources, Labour and
Employment
December 8, 2010
The following statement was
given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Joan
Burke, Acting Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with
Disabilities:
Provincial
Government Highlights Progress on Development of Strategy
for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities
As Minister Responsible for the
Status of Persons with Disabilities, I rise today to inform this
Honourable House that our government has recently completed
consultations on the development of a strategy for the inclusion
of persons with disabilities.
In September, our government
initiated an ambitious public consultation process to further
develop a strategy that would make our province a more inclusive
society. I�m proud to say we have not only met our goal, but are
moving forward with the same enthusiasm and commitment as we
develop a strategy that speaks to fairness, dignity and
accessibility - benefiting all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
While we have undoubtedly gained
valuable insight into how to address barriers that exist for
persons with disabilities from the over 600 participants at our
public consultations, we have also enhanced our policies and
processes for holding truly inclusive public consultation
sessions.
The Canadian Hard of Hearing
Association of Newfoundland and Labrador recently awarded us
with an Accessibility Award, for the inclusion of assistive
listening devices and captioning technology during the sessions.
The accessible nature of the
consultations has given what some participants have heralded as
a first time opportunity for them to fully participate in a
public meeting. The provision of real time captioning, sign
language translation, assistive listening devices and ensuring
all materials are written in clear language and provided in
alternate formats has made this initiative truly inclusive.
This recognition from such a
respected organization within the community is indeed an honour.
Our recent success is a good
example of what we want to achieve through the strategy itself.
We look forward to drafting a what-we-heard document early in
the New Year, and a strategy during the spring of 2011.
And finally, last Friday this
province celebrated December 3 as the International Day of
Persons with Disabilities as declared by the United Nations. The
purpose is to promote a better understanding of disability
issues and foster respect for the rights of people with
disabilities. It is a time to celebrate achievements of the
disability rights movement and remember how inclusion benefits
everyone.
Our government believes firmly in
those values and we are moving forward with the community, in
consultation every step of the way, to break down barriers and
help make our province a truly inclusive and accessible place
for persons with disabilities to work, live and prosper.
2010 12 08
2:25 p.m.
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