QUEBEC— National AccessAbility Week aims to highlight the need to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights, opportunities and quality of life as all Canadians.
The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, issued a statement as National AccessAbility Week kicks off this week.
“On May 29, Canada will kick off our sixth annual National AccessAbility Week. One in five Canadians have a disability. National AccessAbility Week is a time to celebrate the rich talent and contributions of persons with disabilities in Canada. It's a moment to lift up the individuals, organizations, and communities that are doing the work to remove barriers, and make this country more inclusive.”
As her news release points out, the theme for 2022 is: Inclusive from the Start. With that theme in mind, Minister Qualtrough stated, “We want you to imagine a Canada where no one is left out. Where disability diversity is sought out and celebrated, and the needs of everyone are considered from the beginning. A Canada where we are disability inclusive from the start. That's the Canada we deserve. That's the Canada we are creating for everyone. And together, we are getting there. In 2018 our country took a huge leap forward with the Accessible Canada Act. We're making sure the measures and rights outlined in this Law become a lived reality for Canadians.”
In 2021, the first set of regulations under the Accessible Canada Act was instituted. This spring the Canadian government appointed Stephanie Cadieux as the first Chief Accessibility Officer, and Michael Gottheil as the first Accessibility Commissioner to the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
The kick-off of National AccessAbility week is only one initiative aimed at highlighting the need to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights, opportunities and quality of life as all Canadians. The Minister informed Canadians that, “Soon, we'll be releasing Canada's first ever Disability Inclusion Action Plan - a blueprint for change to make Canada more inclusive of persons with disabilities. The Action Plan has four key pillars: financial security, employment, inclusive communities, and a better process to assess eligibility for Canadians with disabilities for federal programs and benefits."
It is believed with these programs and action plans, that persons with disabilities will have the same opportunities to contribute to their communities, the same quality of life and the same quality of service from government, which in turn will help Canada’s economy become stronger. In Minister of Qualtrough’s opinion, "This is when we will have the Canada that we want."
The Minister of Employment, workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, concluded this news release by speaking about the partnership that her Ministry shares with Nothing Without Us, and that the work being done collaboratively, to promote and support persons with disabilities, will allow progress to be made. In that way, she hopes “We can create a country that is disability inclusive from the start.”
