Justice and Public Safety
December 3, 2015

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

Human Rights Commission Recognizes and Celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Today, the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission joins with others in Newfoundland and Labrador in recognizing and celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The observance of the day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

There are an estimated one billion people worldwide, or approximately 15 per cent of the world�s population, who live with some form of disability. The theme of this year�s International Day of Persons with Disabilities is Inclusion Matters: Access and Empowerment for All. According to the United Nations, the day will be used to highlight some specific issues, including making cities inclusive and accessible for all, improving disability data and statistics and including persons with invisible disabilities in society and development.

�As Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, we need to build a more positive image of disability to support improved social, economic, and cultural integration of persons with disabilities throughout the life cycle. This includes a more positive image of children, adults, and seniors with disabilities.

�Full inclusion of persons with disabilities is contingent on active and ongoing engagement of persons with disabilities in decision-making, as well as the development of a culture promoting a nuanced understanding of disability, in which persons with disabilities are accepted as diverse and full members of society.�
- Remzi Cej, Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Act, 2010 protects individuals from discrimination and harassment on the basis of disability and/or perceived disability. Consistently, 45-60 per cent of active complaints filed with the commission relate to disability or perceived disability. The Human Rights Commission continues to investigate all complaints thoroughly and expeditiously and to educate the public about human rights legal issues.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission commends the work of the Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Policy Office, the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities and other community organizations and joins with them in celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The commission encourages individuals, employers, organizations and our communities to reflect on the importance of fostering an inclusive, respectful, and just society, where residents of all abilities are supported.

For more information on the Human Rights Commission, please visit www.thinkhumanrights.ca external lin or follow us on Twitter @nlhumanrights using the hashtag #nlrights.

- 30 -

Media contact:
Carey Majid, LLB
Executive Director
Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-2709, 800-563-5808
careymajid@gov.nl.ca

2015 12 03                             9:45 a.m.