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Advanced Education and Skills
March 10, 2014

Fostering Inclusion in Newfoundland and Labrador

Minister Announces Appointments to the Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities

The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, today announced the appointment of 18 individuals to the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.

“As Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, I am pleased to announce these appointments with representation from all regions of the province. Members of the council have a demonstrated record of leadership in the advancement of persons with disabilities. They will be instrumental in achieving inclusion in the province and I look forward to meeting with the council in the near future.”
- The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities

The council advises the Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities on matters relating to persons with disabilities, including implementation of the provincial strategy Access. Inclusion. Equality. for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador. The following people have been appointed to the council: Norman Austin, Elizabeth Chaulk, Delia Connell, Don Connolly, Paula Corcoran, Lorna Gilbert, Dennis Gill, Karen Hillier, Philip Lundrigan, Shane Martland, Justin Mercer, Patricia Moores, Bruce Oldford, Donna Piercey, Nancy Reid, Katarina Roxon, J. Paul Walsh (Chair) and Freeman Wiseman.

A brief biography of each member of the council is available in the attached backgrounder.

“I am happy to accept the appointment as Chair of the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. I am looking forward to working with the members of council across the province and with the Minister in continuing to improve and enhance inclusion for all people in Newfoundland and Labrador. This council continues to lead the way in seizing opportunities to foster inclusion for everyone throughout our communities.”
- J. Paul Walsh, Chair of the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities

Minister O’Brien expressed thanks to the outgoing Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities for their service and work to support inclusion.

“The inaugural members of this council were instrumental in launching our provincial inclusion strategy. They identified issues of importance, and brought forward solid, well-grounded advice based on their experience and expertise. They should be recognized for their dedication, effort and guidance.”
- Minister O’Brien

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

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Media contacts:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
709-729-0753, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
J. Paul Walsh
Chair
Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities
709-690-2767
acadean@gmail.com

BACKGROUNDER
Appointments to the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities 2014


Norman Austin
Norman Austin works with athletes with disabilities at national and provincial levels. He is a board member of Calypso Foundation, a coach for Special Olympics and a past member of Municipal Affairs Appeals Board. He is the father of a 34-year old son with an intellectual disability.

Elizabeth Chaulk
Elizabeth Chaulk is Associate Vice-President of Learner Services, College of the North Atlantic. She is an ex-officio member of the Provincial College of North Atlantic Advisory Committee for Learners with Disabilities. She is a current director of the Provincial Conservation Corps Board and a member of the Harris Centre Advisory Board, Memorial University.

Delia Connell
Delia Connell is the Vice-President of Community Services/Aboriginal Affairs and Chief Operating Officer for Central/Northern Labrador with Labrador Grenfell Health. She is an active member and volunteer with local, regional, and provincial groups including Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living, Happy Valley-Goose Bay Special Olympics, Happy Valley-Goose Bay Homelessness/Supportive Living and Happy Valley-Goose Bay Interdisciplinary Committee for Persons with Disabilities. Delia has a daughter who was born with Down Syndrome.

Don Connolly
Don is actively promoting awareness and inclusion for individuals with disabilities locally and nationally. He is President of the Canadian Council of the Blind-Newfoundland and Labrador Region. He is also a member of the St. John's Lions Club; and District Chair for Lions Clubs in District 4 which covers 52 Lions Clubs from Gander to St. John’s. He is also President of VISRA-NL (Visually Impaired Sport and Recreation Association), and Coordinator of VISUAL (Visually Impaired Students and Seniors Committee Undertaking Active Living).

Paula Corcoran
Paula Corcoran is the Provincial Executive Director of Consumers’ Health Awareness Network Newfoundland and Labrador (CHANNAL). She has personal and professional experiences in mental health. Paula is involved with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the Department of Health and Community Services' Recovery Project and Bell's National Mental Health Advisory Committee.

Lorna Gilbert
Lorna Gilbert has worked as a nurse and educator (Special Education). Her academic credentials include degrees in Nursing, Education, Special Education, Masters in Education, Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders and a background in Counselling Psychology. She is a volunteer on several boards including the Independent Living Resource Centre. She is also a member of the St. John’s Mayor’s Advisory Committee, the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities-NL and FEAT (Families for Effective Autism Treatment). Lorna has personal experience with a disability.

Dennis Gill
Dennis Gill is a retired high school administrator, and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He is President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living, a member of the Buildings Accessibility Advisory Board, and member of Income Employment Disability Supports Working Group - Canadian Association of Community Living. Dennis is a parent of a 33-year-old son who has intellectual and physical disabilities.

Karen Hillier
Karen Hillier is active in the Deaf Community and has been a long-time advocate for Deaf consumers. Karen lives in St. Anthony.

Philip Lundrigan
Philip Lundrigan is a community activist in disability issues, human rights and HIV/AIDS education and awareness. He is currently chair of the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador, and a councillor with the Town of Upper Island Cove. He has over 20 years involvement with various committees provincially and nationally promoting inclusion of people with disabilities.

Shane Martland
Shane Martland is a Community Outreach Specialist at the Learning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. He is a community advocate for inclusion for individuals with learning disabilities. Shane is a member of the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador Assistive Technology Committee.

Justin Mercer
Justin Mercer is active in the community, promoting inclusion for individuals with disabilities. He is a member of several disability organizations and a keynote speaker on accessibility at various events.

Patricia Moores
Patricia Moores is active in the community as a professional and as a volunteer, promoting inclusion for individuals with disabilities. She is an occupational therapist and is a board member of Labrador West Association for Community Living and Labrador West Employment Corporation.

Bruce Oldford
Bruce Oldford is a retired superintendent from Newfoundland Power Inc. and a Workplace Health and Safety Compensation Commission certified safety trainer. Bruce lives in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Donna Piercey
Donna Piercey is a Coordinator of Disability Services at the College of North Atlantic in Burin. She is active in the community promoting inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Donna is also an active volunteer for Burin Peninsula Voice Against Violence.

Nancy Reid
Nancy Reid has professional and personal experiences in working with individuals with disabilities. She is a member of the Independent Living Resource Centre and Cerebral Palsy Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. She has a daughter with multiple disabilities.

Katarina Roxon
Katarina Roxon is a Paralympian who is active in War Amps Canada, Canadian Paralympic Team, Canadian Para Swim Team and Swimming Newfoundland and Labrador–Swimmer with a Disability. Katarina promotes athletes with disabilities through speaking engagements in schools and other organizations.

J. Paul Walsh, Chair
Paul Walsh is a Senior Business Analyst with Newfoundland Power Inc., a course instructor at Memorial University and the Academic Dean of Canadian Institute of Management. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Business Administration from Memorial University. He has personal experiences with disabilities. Paul is an executive Board Member of the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities - Newfoundland and Labrador, a member of the Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (Memorial University), and member of the selection committee for the Glenn Roy Blundon Award.

Freeman Wiseman
Freeman Wiseman is a craftsman who has personal experience with disabilities, and is an advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Freeman lives in Clarenville.

2014 03 10                                                    10:05 a.m.

 
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