May 27, 1998
(Human Resources and Employment)

The following statement was issued today by Julie Bettney, Minister of Human Resources and Employment. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Employability Assistance For People With Disabilities

Having a job is an important part of participating and contributing fully to society. Yet people with disabilities often face barriers that keep them from finding work. In Newfoundland and Labrador, only about one quarter of people living with a disability are employed.

I am happy to announce a program that will respond to this growing concern and need in our province. The Employability Assistance for People With Disabilities initiative is a five-year $41 million agreement between the Government of Canada and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador to replace the Vocational Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons agreement.

The federal, provincial and territorial governments started working together early in 1997 to explore ways to improve the Vocational Rehabilitation for Disabled Persons Program, which had been in place for 35 years. In October 1997, ministers responsible for Social Services approved a Multilateral Framework for Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities. It recognized that changes were needed to better respond to the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

The Employability Assistance for People With Disabilities, known as EAPD, will help those with a disability acquire the skills, experience and support necessary to successfully enter or remain in the work force. Active programs in employment counselling and assessment, employment planning, pre-employment training, post-secondary education, skills training, assistive aids and other workplace supports will help ensure those in our province living with a disability have access to job opportunities and training.

The EAPD initiative is a financial arrangement between the federal and provincial governments. Through the Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Bilateral Agreement, the Government of Canada will contribute 50 per cent of the cost, up to $4.1 million annually, of eligible provincial programs and services.

A three-year transition period will allow our province the time needed to adjust and reevaluate programs to reflect the new employability focus, while avoiding disruptions in client service. The goal of this agreement is to develop focused programs and services that are effective in helping people with disabilities prepare for, find and maintain employment. We will work with community stakeholders and consumers to ensure that we meet this goal.

The EAPD agreement recognizes that the public wants and deserves information on how well government programs are meeting their objectives. This initiative will include a new focus on measuring and reporting results in this context. Annual reports will be released publicly, beginning in 1999-2000.

EAPD demonstrates the commitment of all governments to work in partnership to renew and enhance Canada's social programs. I strongly feel that the new Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities agreement will go a long way in meeting the employment needs and concerns of those living with a disability in our province. I look forward to its implementation and reporting to both the public and government the accomplishments of those who will benefit from this new initiative.

1998 05 27 3:00 p.m.