Justice and Public Safety
December 3, 2014

The following is being distributed at the request of the Human Rights Commission:

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Today, the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission celebrates and recognizes International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The annual observance on December 3 of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly. The designation of this day encourages understanding of the issues faced by persons with disabilities, and it aims to increase public awareness of the fact that those who live with disabilities deserve nothing less than full participation and equality in society.

This year, the focus of International Day of Persons with Disabilities is Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology . The theme takes into consideration the role of technology in three main areas; they are; disaster risk reduction and emergency responses, creating enabling working environments, and disability-inclusive sustainable development goals.

The Human Rights Act, 2010 protects individuals in Newfoundland and Labrador from discrimination and harassment on the basis of disability. The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission continues to receive a significant number of complaints on the basis of disability and is bound to investigate all complaints.

“In 2013-2014, 60 per cent of the complaints the Commission received were based on the prohibited grounds of disability or perceived disability. This dramatic share of the total of our complaints points to important challenges facing persons with disabilities in the areas of accommodation of persons with disabilities in employment and access to services.”
- Remzi Cej, Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission

The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission commends the work of the Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Policy Office and the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities and joins with them and others as they recognize International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

“As equal residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, persons with disabilities deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. The Human Rights Commission actively seeks opportunities to work with employers, local governments, and the community to ensure that persons with disabilities are empowered in their pursuit of personal and professional ambitions.”
- Remzi Cej

For more information on the Human Rights Commission, please visit www.thinkhumanrights.ca

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Media contact:

Carey Majid Executive Director Human Rights Commission 709-729-2709, 1-800-563-5808 CareyMajid@gov.nl.ca

2014 12 03                              9:35 a.m.