Employment will be key priority
The government of Saskatchewan has announced it will be launching a comprehensive disability strategy for the province.
“We have designed a process to involve and hear from as many people as possible on this important issue,” said Social Services Minister June Draude. “At the end of this process, the disability strategy will support our goal of making Saskatchewan the best place in Canada to live for persons with disabilities, by supporting people with disabilities to fully participate in and contribute to the province’s growing economy.”
The disability strategy will focus on the following priority areas: accessibility, affordability and availability of housing; transportation; employment; education; support for community inclusion; and support for caregivers.
“I am pleased that the government of Saskatchewan is undertaking this consultation process,” said Ian Wilkinson, executive director of the Saskatchewan Abilities Council. “By engaging the public, we can create a strategy that will meet the needs of people with disabilities.”
Members of the public are invited to submit their nominations for the citizen consultation team by downloading the application form from the Ministry of Social Services website at www.socialservices.gov.sk.ca. Nominations will be accepted until June 28, 2013, and the team members will be appointed in the fall of this year. The 12 to 15 members of the team will provide advice on the consultation process and priorities and content of the disability strategy.
Members of the public who are not selected for the citizen consultation team will have other opportunities to contribute to the process, including participation in working groups, public consultations and one-on-one meetings.
The public consultations will be held next spring, to be followed by the public release of the disability strategy in late fall of 2014.
“As our province grows, we need to ensure that everyone is able to share in the opportunities created by that growth,” Draude said. “To do that, we need to hear from as many people, and as many different viewpoints, as possible in the development of our disability strategy.”
