The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills:

Provincial Government Marks United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize today, December 3, as the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Disability is something that touches all of us, through our own personal experience or that of family, friends, colleagues, or neighbours. This year’s theme is “Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all.” Over one billion people or 15 per cent of the world’s population live with some form of disability. This day is an opportunity to mobilize action to achieve the goal of full inclusion in our province, where individuals with disabilities have full access to the benefits and opportunities available.

Mr. Speaker, the Provincial Government released Access. Inclusion. Equality. in April 2012, a strategy for the inclusion of persons with disabilities. The strategy is designed to bring about change within policies, services, programs and attitudes. Substantial work is ongoing to foster inclusion, resulting in the removal and prevention of barriers.

Budget 2013 included over $12 million in funding for the Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities to help individuals successfully prepare for, enter, or remain in the workforce. The provincial Inclusive Education Initiative has been introduced in most of our public schools with further implementation ongoing. Accessibility improvements, such as installation of ramps, doors and walkways, washrooms, and the addition of assisted listening devices and parking lot enhancements, are continuing at Confederation Building and Arts and Culture Centres province-wide.

This morning, I had the opportunity to mark this important day at the Independent Living Resource Centre in St. John’s. As Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, this was a great opportunity to celebrate the progress that is being made, while recognizing challenges remain as we work towards our goal of an inclusive society. I ask all Honourable Members to join me today in recognizing the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Thank you.

2013 12 03                                     1:40 p.m.