A conference on supported employment and the launch of an enhanced Disabilities Issues Office website are part of new efforts to raise awareness of barriers and opportunities for people with disabilities. This announcement was made by Family Services and Labour Minister Jennifer Howard, minister responsible for persons with disabilities, as she proclaimed June 3 to 9 Manitoba Access Awareness Week.
“About 16 per cent of Manitoba’s population has one or more disabilities and in the rest of the world it’s estimated 650 million people live with disabilities,” said Howard. “Manitobans with disabilities have a right to equal access to information, events and public spaces, and we are working toward new accessibility legislation to promote a more inclusive society for all.”
The Accessibility Advisory Council is preparing a series of recommendations for the new accessibility legislation. More information on the topic is available through Manitoba’s Disabilities Issues Office at www.gov.mb.ca/dio.
The official kickoff of Manitoba Access Awareness Week took place under the canopy at The Forks today at noon. Highlights of the week include:
• the launch of an improved Disabilities Issues Office website that offers new tools to promote the Manitoba Policy on Access to Government;
• a celebration of Manitoba accessibility leadership at an awards ceremony at noon Friday, June 8, in the Legislative Building dining room;
• the Canadian Association for Supported Employment National Conference, June 5 to 7 at the Delta Hotel, Winnipeg; and
• daily lunch and learn sessions, organized by Winnipeg’s Independent Living Resource Centre.
More information on Manitoba Access Awareness Week activities is available at www.gov.mb.ca/dio/maaw.html.
