Released on December 3, 2002
December 3rd has been proclaimed the International Day of Persons withDisabilities in Saskatchewan by the provincial government.
"Every citizen of this province has the right to be included in, and
contribute to the social, economic and cultural prosperity Saskatchewan
enjoys," Minister Responsible for Disability Issues Glenn Hagel
said. "This day is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions that
people with disabilities make. It is also a day to recognize that more
work must be done to remove barriers that people with disabilities face. I
ask all citizens of the province to join with me in recognizing this day."
The United Nations proclaimed that December 3rd be observed each year as
the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This observance aims
to increase awareness and understanding of disability issues, and mobilize
support for persons with disabilities.
"Our government is committed to making the vision of full participation of
people with disabilities a reality," Hagel said. "We continue to act on a
number of initiatives that are consistent with the Saskatchewan Council on
Disability Issues' Disability Action Plan."
Actions the province has taken in support of the Disability Action Plan
include:
the introduction of an individualized funding option for consumers
of home care services in the Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health
Care;
support through the Centenary Fund to replace 13 paratransit
vehicles in the 2002/03 budget, bringing total replacement to 59
vehicles over the last three years, almost half the provincial
fleet;
$450,000 in new funding in this year's budget to help child care
centres accommodate children with special needs; and
$500,000 in new funding in this year's budget to help people with
disabilities, currently receiving social assistance, enter the work
force.
According to most recent statistics, approximately 19 per cent of
Saskatchewan residents experience disabilities of varying severity.
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For more information, contact:
Doug Wakabayashi
Social Services
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-8689