December 3, 1998
(Health and Community Services)

The following statement was issued today by Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I am pleased to advise Honourable Members that today is the United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons. It is a day to recognize the more than 50,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who have disabilities and celebrate their achievements over the last year.

The Department of Health and Community Services supports numerous agencies, organizations and initiatives designed to promote equal opportunities for persons who have disabilities and to remove barriers which have historically impeded people from being a full part of their communities. The department provides $1.3 million to these organizations, one of which is the Independent Living Resource Centre. The centre is a community-based, cross disability organization which provides services and programs designed by and for persons who have disabilities. It supports consumers in reaching goals of increased independence, through services of peer support, individual advocacy, information, and networking.

This year our government concluded negotiations with the federal government on a new cost sharing arrangement called the Canada Newfoundland Agreement on Employability Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (EAPD), which will be administered by the Department of Human Resources and Employment. An advisory committee will develop a transition plan for the EAPD and I am pleased to say that persons with disabilities will have a place on this advisory committee.

Our government has also participated with the federal government and other provinces and territories in the development of a document entitled "In Unison". It sets out a blueprint for promoting the integration of persons with disabilities in Canada and establishes a new framework for future policy and program reform in the areas of disability in three key areas - disability supports, employment, and income.

In keeping with this document and our Strategic Social Plan we have already begun to redesign our programs for persons with disabilities. The recent transfer of the Family and Rehabilitative Services Program to the Department of Health and Community Services and the redesign of the Income Support Program are two examples. We are committed to continuing our work in this area.

I am very pleased today, to announce a funding allocation of $275,000 to enhance services for children with disabilities. This funding is part of the National Child Benefit Reinvestment Program and our direction is again consistent with that of the provincial Strategic Social Plan.

Some children with disabilities require intensive interventions to successfully participate in our society. Research has proven that early and intensive interventions can help children and their families to minimize the effects of a disability. I am pleased to announce a pilot project which will provide intensive supports to families. Government is fully aware that a child's early experiences have a significant effect on his or her development. This is also true for a child with a disability.

Government is committed to a strategy that invests in children and strengthens families to support their children. To enable families to care and support children with disabilities, government will:

• train staff to provide an evidence-based and very intensive Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) intervention;

• provide increased support in the homes of families to maintain the intensive intervention;

• train parents in the Applied Behaviour Analysis technology so that they can provide instruction to their children;

• ensure a coordinated multi-disciplinary approach for children participating in the program.

This project will provide very intensive and individualized services to young children with disabilities. The department will coordinate the training in conjunction with community groups and the Regional Health and Community Services Boards. I am happy to announce this very intensive service as I believe it will be very beneficial to families throughout this province. This government is committed to children and families.

On this International day of Disabled Persons, let us salute the contributions that people with disabilities have made to our communities, our economy, and to our governments. I am sure I speak for all Honourable Members when I say the role of persons who have disabilities is integral to the health and well being of all aspects of our province.

1998 12 03 2:40 p.m.