Where We Are Today

1. Where We Are Today • Manitobans with disabilities continue to: • Experience significant educational challenges with substantially lower levels of educational attainment • Experience barriers related to the labour force with much higher unemployment rates and much lower employment and participation rates • Have much lower income levels than the general population • Face barriers on a daily basis that limit participation, as well as access to opportunities and resources that most others still take for granted • Be reliant on a wide range of public and non-profit sector services and supports that still are substantially under-resourced • The current federal government has shown limited leadership interests/capacities in areas related to disabilities or other areas of social policy • It is said that the health of federal-provincial relations is at an all time low • Disability issues have a very limited public and political profile • The disability community in Manitoba is fragmented and has a wide range of different and likely competing priorities

2. As of 2006, there were 170,000 persons with at least one disability living in Manitoba

3. And the Numbers are Growing! Projected Manitoba Population Growth Rates 2001 to 2031 Sources: Based on 2001 PALS disability rates and Statistics Canada Population Projections for Manitoba (medium growth scenario)

4. Major Provincial Change Initiative Discussion Presentation and Plan for Moving Ahead Barrier-Free Manitoba January 13, 2009

5. The Starting Point The Three-Year Challenge • It’s been almost 10 years since the current NDP government was elected in 1999 • While the government may be ‘supportive’, very limited progress has been made and the profile of disability issues has decreased considerably • What options exist to move the disability agenda forward in a substantial way within the coming three years?

6. Overview of the Presentation Looking Back • Where We Have Been Looking Ahead • Criteria and Approaches • Proposed Path Forward

7. Where We’ve Been • In the late 90’s, Manitobans with disabilities: • Experienced significant educational challenges and had substantially lower levels of educational attainment • Experienced barriers related to the labour force that had contributed to much higher unemployment rates and much lower employment and participation rates • Had much lower incomes than the general population while having had significant out-of-pocket costs related to their disability • Faced barriers that limited their access to a wide variety of opportunities and resources that the general public could take for granted • Were reliant on range of public and non-profit sector services and supports that were substantially under-resourced

8. A Review of Progress • Public Policy • The Federal and F/P/T Levels • The Province • Human Rights • Litigation • Complaints • Employment • Equity

9. Public Policy The F/P/T and Federal Levels October 1998 release of In Unison: A Canadian Approach to Disability Issues The Press Release In Unison breaks new ground for governments in this country," said Minister Pettigrew. "For the first time, we have a common vision on disability issues. This document will be the focus of our ongoing work promoting greater equality and inclusion for Canadians with disabilities.” Vision Statement Persons with disabilities participate as full citizens in all aspects of Canadian society. The full participation of persons with disabilities requires the commitment of all segments of society. The realization of the vision will allow persons with disabilities to maximize their independence and enhance their well-being through access to required supports and the elimination of barriers that prevent their full participation.

10. Public Policy F/P/T and Federal Levels The F/P/T Level The Federal Level • At some time in the fall of 2005 Minister Dryden appeared ready and willing to seek Cabinet support for new initiatives in the area of disability.All of this was overtaken with a federal election and a change in government.  It feels in some ways as if we are starting over, however, having raised the bar in 2005 I trust that the impetus for transformative change will continue and ultimately we will see governments make disability issues a priority and commit resources to address the exclusion faced by Canadians with disabilities. • CCD 2005-06 Annual Report • While new opportunities exist, at this point in time CCD has had no contact with Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Monte Solberg. When Diane Finley was Minister of HRSD nothing moved forward on the disability file and since the change this past January we still see no coordinated action. • CCD 2007 Annual Report

11. Public Policy The Province The 2001 release of Full Citizenship: A Manitoba Provincial Strategy on Disability Selected Quotes Governments are responsible to citizens. When some citizens are not able to claim and exercise the full rights and responsibilities of citizenship, that government has, in some measure, failed. [W]e are committed to designing and redesigning our social, economic and physical infrastructures so as to meet the needs of the full array and range of abilities in our population to as great an extent as possible. We must move from vision to action.

12. Public Policy The Province The Overall Record • One Major Setback • The 2004 decision to invest approximately $40 million to redevelop the Manitoba Developmental Centre • Meaningful but Limited Other Progress • The Ramp • Introduction of Access and Inclusion Lens • Introduction of Manitoba Shelter Benefit Program • Reforms to the Employment Income Assistance Program • Establishment of Persons with Disabilities Career Assistance Program by Civil Service Commission • Adoption of Universal Design Institute’s ACCESS: A Guide to Accessible Design for provincial buildings • The "See What I Can Do, Not what I can’t” employment campaign • The Disability Issues Office

13. Public Policy The Province The Proposed Round Table Process

14. Public Policy The Province The Round Tables • Limited Follow Through • Round tables held in 2002-03, 2004, 2006 and 2007 • DIO Annual Reports only for 2005/06 and 2006/07. • No annual public document that considers issues and presents a draft action plan for implementation the following fiscal year • No annual reports evaluating actions taken. • Lots of Recommendations from Community Spanning Almost Every Issue Area • Round tables generated a total of 154 recommendations with nothing approaching a workable set of priorities

15. Public Policy The Province Summarized Recommendations The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Recommendations Have cabinet approve a disability lens to review all legislation, policies and programs to ensure they uphold the rights of persons with disabilities, and that services, programs and benefits are co-ordinated. Ensure policies, legislation and regulations are clearly defined, holistic in nature, and consistently applied across the province. Introduce enforcement mechanisms to promote compliance with legislation. Provide stronger enforcement of The Manitoba Human Rights Code in cases of discrimination of persons with disabilities. Broaden the definition of disabilities to encompass all forms of mental and physical impairments, including hearing, chronic disease disorders, mental illness and fetal alcohol spectrum related impairments. Review and consider expanding the eligibility criteria of programs for youth with disabilities within Manitoba Health and Manitoba Family Services and Housing. Increase the number of recreational, social and educational programs available to persons with disabilities. Ensure an appropriate level of respect for all persons with disabilities seeking support and services, including increased staff training and cultural sensitivity. Educate the public about what services are available through government and in the community, and how to access them. Design government websites to be universally accessible. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

16. Public Policy The Running Tally 19 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Support community living for persons with disabilities, rather than institutionalization. Consult with the community about definitions, eligibility and models for disability supports. Ensure that disability supports are controlled by the consumers, which includes self-management of services. Create a seamless lifelong continuum of support services for persons with disabilities. Create a comprehensive program for the purchase, maintenance and upgrade of assistive devices for persons with disabilities. Ensure that those caring for persons with disabilities are provided respite through well-trained caregivers. Improve home care services through staff continuity and training in technical supports and by providing 24-hour emergency service. Provide stable equitable funding for disability supports throughout the province. Have providers of income programs for persons with disabilities consider all the unique costs of having a disability, prescription drugs, nutritional needs and equipment. Ensure service providers are well trained and have a good understanding of disability issues. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

17. Public Policy The Running Tally 25 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Ensure consultation with the community takes place on a regular basis. Provide training to teachers, support staff and other service providers about disability issues, particularly those related to people with developmental disabilities. Develop a strategy to support persons with disabilities in gaining the education and training of their choice, including post-secondary. Provide support to persons with disabilities and their families for the move from education to adult life, including life skills training. Review policies and programs to ensure funding for students with special needs is adequate and the delivery of therapy services in the school setting is effective. Ensure services and training standards are consistent throughout the province. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

18. Public Policy The Running Tally 33 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Introduce legislation to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the private sector and include mechanisms for enforcement. Ensure the provincial government meets its employment target (seven per cent) for people with disabilities. Require all companies, with more than 50 employees, with which the province has service contracts to have an effective employment equity policy. Report on employment equity achievements by government and the private sector on a regular basis as an accountability mechanism. Promote self-employment and co-operative employment initiatives among persons with disabilities. Deliver a high profile public relations campaign promoting the abilities of persons with disabilities and their positive contributions to the workplace. Provide accommodation costs so employers do not see the added cost of hiring people with disabilities as a hiring barrier. Focus the efforts of employment training agencies on holistic success measurements that are not only based on the number of jobs found. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

19. Public Policy The Running Tally 43 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Host a daylong meeting devoted to housing issues for persons with disabilities within the province. Increase the availability of accessible housing throughout Manitoba. Work co-operatively with the various stakeholders to develop more flexible housing models, such as multi-tenant public housing. Adopt accessibility and universal design practices in all new and renovated public housing developments and create incentives for private developers to adopt similar practices. Support individual rent subsidies that reflect accommodation costs to allow for more independent choices in living situations. Raise Employment and Income Assistance shelter allowances for persons with disabilities to increase their housing options. Identify housing options for youth currently living in nursing homes. Improve communication and co-ordination among the various agencies delivering housing program services to improve public knowledge and access to resources. Educate landlords, builders and service providers about disability issues. Support home ownership for persons with disabilities. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

20. Public Policy The Running Tally 48 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Initiate discussions on service delivery and jurisdictional issues with the federal government, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Manitoba Métis Federation and Aboriginal and First Nations service delivery agents, such as the First Nations Disability Association of Manitoba. Hold an Aboriginal disability issues round table with Métis, First Nations and Inuit representatives, as recommended in Full Citizenship: A Manitoba Provincial Strategy on Disability. Develop service models that address the needs of First Nations persons with disabilities. Ensure there is First Nations representation in any future community consultations on disability supports. Allow First Nations people to benefit from the Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

21. Public Policy The Running Tally 54 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Increase efficiencies in health care delivery throughout the province by reducing waiting periods and increasing access to services related to disabilities. Direct the Minister of Health to appoint members of the self representative disability organizations to the boards of the regional health authorities. Ensure doctors and service providers have mandatory sensitivity training to improve how people are treated, particularly those with mental disabilities and/or requiring palliative care. Form an interdisciplinary committee (hospital personnel, community members, etc.) to develop consistent policies and programs for withholding/ withdrawing life sustaining treatments. Support this initiative with an education plan. Differentiate between mental illness and mental disability in rehabilitation and treatment programs, avoiding reference to the consumer as a “patient.” Conduct a critical review of electroconvulsive therapy to evaluate effectiveness and ensure its appropriate administration. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

22. Public Policy The Running Tally 59 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Review and improve transportation services, like Handi-Transit, across the province. Develop a standard disability training and safety program, which is mandatory for all modes of transportation providers. Review the City of Winnipeg’s Handi-Transit system to ensure it receives the provincial funding necessary to serve the growing number of people who depend on it. Extend Handi-Transit in Brandon to seven days a week, with 24-hour telephone booking or cancellation of appointments. Consider additional public transit options like school buses, lower-cost passenger vans and city cabs for people with disabilities in Brandon and Thompson. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

23. Public Policy The Running Tally 65 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Provide non-governmental service providers with adequate, long-term funding to pay for core operational costs, and continue the staffing stabilization initiative, expanding it beyond service providers of persons with developmental disabilities. Establish a competitive wage base for support workers throughout Manitoba. Review existing tax laws to ensure lower income individuals with disabilities and their caregivers benefit. Develop and implement a universal “disability insurance” program available to all citizens regardless of their employment situation or pre-existing other disability. Provide more disability training for foster parents and review policies and increase funding for foster care programs. Create a liaison between the Disabilities Issues Office and Brandon and Thompson. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

24. Public Policy The Running Tally 72 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table • Create a new shelter allowance program geared to income, with allowances paid directly to renters with disabilities instead of to the housing units. • Work with the federal government to exempt from federal income tax the amount of any future shelter allowance program that is created. • Increase the supply of accessible housing within two years by • financing new housing developments like Ten Ten Sinclair Housing, Inc.; • developing culturally sensitive housing that includes groups such as First Nations persons with disabilities; • seeking the participation of landlords in creating a central registry which would match available housing units with a waiting list of potential tenants with disabilities; • ensuring that maintenance standards of provincial buildings are met; • by creating incentives that promote rent-to-own situations; • developing alliances with financial institutions to enable home ownership by people with disabilities; • requiring visitable design for all publicly funded housing. • Work with the private sector to create a central housing resource centre that will provide housing program information, a public housing registry and a housing ombudsperson. • Work with the disability community to extend the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) to social housing not owned and operated by government. • Work with local and federal governments to create a new program to promote the construction of housing units for rent or ownership by Manitobans with disabilities. • Introduce income or property tax concessions for middle income earners who have significant housing costs because of their disabilities. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

25. Public Policy The Running Tally 81 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Create an institute or foundation for universal design Make a policy requiring visitable design of all new housing developments in which the province has a financial or land investment, including in the form of tax concessions to the developers. Add visitable design housing requirements to the Manitoba Building Code. Support visitable design through home owner tax incentives for the renovation or construction of visitable housing. Clarify provincially funded renovation programs by providing more complete information on funding application forms; publishing a guidebook to provincial funding programs; and changing the names Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) and Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program–Disability (RRAP–D) to avoid confusion between them. Have the DIO develop a communications and education strategy to promote visitable design to all three levels of government, educational and financial institutions, realtors, landlords, contractors, developers, insurers, Manitoba Homebuilders Association and the public. Work with municipal governments to implement policies requiring visitable design through zoning bylaws. Consult with municipal and federal government associations on visitable housing policy changes and enforcement. Ensure access upgrade programs such as Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program–Disability (RRAP–D), Homeowner Emergency Loan Program (HELP) and Home Adaptations for Seniors’ Independence (HASI) also fund the costs of project management, administration and technical assistance associated with upgrades. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

26. Public Policy The Running Tally 89 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Enable persons with disabilities to obtain appropriate, adequate, safe housing in the areas of their choice by: increasing EIA shelter allowance beyond $285 per month; adjusting funding levels to meet the specific needs of the individual; separating income supports and personal disability supports. Develop a strategy for de-institutionalizing persons with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities and younger adults with disabilities who are currently being inappropriately placed in personal care homes. Increase the provincial financial commitment in the next budget year to expand the number of housing units available to persons with disabilities. Money should go towards building new units, renovating units and providing more funding for support workers. Ensure accessible units are reserved for persons with disabilities who need them. Ensure that housing information is available to people with disabilities and service providers in the format of their choice. Simple information tools should be developed collaboratively by a working group that includes the provincial government, cross-disability service providers, medical services and third party funders. Work with various government departments, families and service providers and organizations to develop a central system that will prepare, educate and guide individuals with disabilities and their families through the young adult transition process. Work with various government departments, regional health authorities, Aboriginal leaders, allied health groups and advocacy agencies to launch a public education campaign about supportive housing issues. Implement different service models and options consistently across the province. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

27. Public Policy The Running Tally 95 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table • Support de-institutionalization by developing two parallel, support-staff training systems — one to train staff to provide physical support, and the other to train staff in guiding individuals to meet decision-making and personal goals. • Initiate a 200-person cross-disability demonstration project by: • providing a transportable rent subsidy of $200 to $500 per month, payable directly to the individual according to housing needs and choice of apartments; • working in co-operation with at least four community organizations; • funding the subsidy through the Affordable Housing Initiative. • Ensure housing that is usable by persons with disabilities is dispersed throughout the community, with disability supports and services delivered according to individual need. • Work with Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Manitoba Government & General Employees’ Union (MGEU) and other community stakeholders to ensure wage parity among disability support workers. • Have the DIO work with community groups and stakeholders to develop a funding program to meet individual needs for assistive devices, based on existing programs and models in other provinces. • Ensure regional health authorities provide the services Manitobans with disabilities are entitled to: a) by educating health care providers about eligibility guidelines of home care services; and b) by monitoring access to home care service according to these program standards. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

28. Public Policy The Running Tally 102 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Centralize disability support services under one roof — for instance in fully accessible community access centres. Move away from program-centred disability support services toward flexible, individual services. Increase consumer control by allowing people to participate in program design and by allowing individuals to choose self-managed services. Equalize access to disability supports for persons with mental illness, including counselling and psychiatric services. Improve access to disability supports for Manitobans living in rural and remote areas, including on reserves. Recognize that the communication supports needed by deaf-blind people are as vital to them as mobility supports are to persons with physical disabilities. Support a national disability supports program and/or Act. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

29. Public Policy The Running Tally 110 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table • Create a universal disability supports program with the following features: • a comprehensive, portable package of supports tailored to the user’s needs at each stage of life; • eligibility criteria based on a functional assessment of individual need; • consumer control, with personal choice in buying assistive devices and the flexibility to choose from among a wide variety of approved devices offered by profit, non-profit and public sector vendors. • Separate an assistive devices program from income assistance programs. • Regulate distribution of assistive devices ensuring all products come with warranties, training and a method of providing consumer feedback. • Enter into federal/provincial cost-sharing agreements to implement a comprehensive, universal disability support program that would increase eligibility and access to assistive devices. • Create a sub-committee of the Assistant Deputy Minister’s Committee on Disabilities Issues, coordinated by the DIO, to review current disability support programs and develop strategies for improvement. • Reduce the five-year waiting period to upgrade disability supports provided through the Hearing-Aid and Telecommunications Program, in order to allow people with communication disabilities quicker access to advanced technology. • Increase cooperation between Manitoba Health, Manitoba Family Services and Housing, Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth and Manitoba Advanced Education and Training to improve delivery of their disability support programs. • Introduce a provincial assistive devices program as a demonstration project. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

30. Public Policy The Running Tally 122 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Increase communication about disability support programs to medical offices and schools using fact sheets with an overview of programs and contact numbers. Support parental roles and funding parent-child coalitions to provide peer support, information services and advocacy. Ensure continuity, equal standards and seamless delivery of services provided by government departments. Create a disability advocacy body similar to the Child Advocate. Ensure that the existing school transition processes are known and implemented province-wide. Introduce new programming that allows persons with intellectual disabilities, who have graduated prior to the age of 21,to receive an equivalent range of disability supports and services as their peers who have remained in school for this period. Relax eligibility criteria for government-funded employment programs. Improve education, training and internships for employment, especially in rural areas and for First Nations Manitobans. Increase timelines for financial and training support when someone is looking for a job. Include more improvement for seniors with disabilities. Aggressively pursue the development of a lifelong, flexible disability support program that responds to individual need regardless of income or assets. Provide information technologies to reduce isolation of seniors. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

31. Public Policy The Running Tally 128 The Province Support aging within the community. Develop a disability lens designed to ensure that policies and programs are accessible to all, with special reference to age, culture, ethnicity. Develop provincial disability legislation. Work with different levels of government service providers and First Nations to explore how services can be provided on reserve through existing programs. Consult with First Nations persons with disabilities on the development of a First Nations consumer-led disability strategy. Organize a province-wide gathering or forum to look specifically at issues of First Nations persons with disabilities. This forum should, among other things, review all earlier recommendations made.

32. Public Policy The Running Tally 137 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Ensure that senior government representatives take part in all round table discussions to reassure participants that their voices are being heard. Develop a provincial advisory committee with relevant stakeholders to advise government and other agencies on disability issues. Eliminate all provincial/federal barriers that unfairly limit First Nation’s people with disabilities who live on reserves from receiving the services and programs other Manitobans with disabilities receive. Improve access to medical specialists and disability support programs in the north so more people with disabilities can remain in their home communities. Increase financial support for disability transportation programs in rural and northern communities. Ensure all public and residential buildings developed with government support are accessible to persons with disabilities. Develop a program to help maintain public and residential buildings and introduce a program to make non-accessible buildings accessible. Make employment programs more accessible to people with disabilities through greater flexibility of existing policies. Develop incentives for public and private employers to create more flexible employment options for persons with disabilities through job shadowing, job sharing and mentoring The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

33. Public Policy The Running Tally 140 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Treat all handi-transit trips as being equally important by eliminating the priority system which currently gives preference to work, school and health related trips. Increase training for volunteers who provide handi-transit services in smaller communities. Create greater public awareness of handi-transit services and the benefits it provides to mobility disadvantaged individuals. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

34. Public Policy The Running Tally 145 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Strengthen the inclusion of people with disabilities in education and recreation programs in southern Manitoba. Establish a professional obligation among service providers to promote inclusion through early training, hands-on professional development and financial reward for expertise. Improve access to information for foster parents of children with disabilities. Increase financial support to adoptive parents of children with disabilities. Provide access to peer support programs and wellness centres for people with disabilities who live in southern Manitoba. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

35. Public Policy The Running Tally 151 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Maintain the condition of sidewalks to improve ease of travel for people who use wheelchairs and people with visual impairments. Stop using paving stone for sidewalks and roadways. Instead, build them with smooth surfaces. Reduce obstacles like benches and bicycle racks on sidewalks. Strengthen and enforce provincial and municipal regulations dealing with accessibility in public places. Provide government assistance to make buildings more accessible. Support the development of visitable housing through financial incentives or legislation. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

36. Public Policy The Total 154 The Province The 2002 - 2003 Round Table Improve access to information about government programs. Create a program to reimburse people from remote communities who incur expenses to travel to urban settings to receive services. Provide disability awareness training to service providers whether or not people with disabilities are specifically targeted by the program. The 2004 Housing Forum • Financial Access to Housing (7) • Availability/ Usability of Overall Housing Stock (9) • Supportive Housing (14) The 2006 Round Table – Supports • Personal Supports (7) • Assistive Devices (8) • Disability Supports During Periods of Transition (18) The 2006 Round Table – The Pas • General (9) The 2007 Round Table - South • Transportation (3) • Education / Recreation (5) • Physical Access (6) • Access to Services (3)

37. Public Policy A Final Provincial Commitment A Pro-Active Approach to Accommodation Recent decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada have emphasized the need for a more pro-active approach to the issue of accommodation, to ensure that procedures are in place to assess accommodation issues that may arise in the delivery of government services. . . We propose the use of institutions and mechanisms, such as the Human Rights Commission and the Manitoba Human Rights Code, to enhance the accommodation process in the context of government services. This may entail the creation of a regulatory process, or a system of enhanced guidelines, coupled with a monitoring function. It should be noted that this would not replace the existing complaint-driven structure under human rights legislation. Full Citizenship: A Manitoba Provincial Strategy on Disability (2001) No Clear Follow Through

38. Human Rights The Protections The Tools Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Litigation Employment Equity Act Complaints 15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability. The Canadian Human Rights Act • 3. (1) For all purposes of this Act, race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, marital status, family status, disability and conviction for which a pardon has been granted are prohibited grounds of discrimination. Manitoba Human Rights Code 9(2) The applicable characteristics for the purposes of clauses (1)(b) to (d) are . . .  (l) physical or mental disability or related characteristics or circumstances, including reliance on a dog guide or other animal assistant, a wheelchair, or any other remedial appliance or device.

39. Human Rights Litigation Highlights Lowlights • 2008 Canadian Transportation Agency ruling on “One Person”, One Fare” case • 2007 Supreme Court ruling on CCD v. VIA Rail • 2001 Supreme Court ruling on R. v. Latimer • 1999 Supreme Court ruling on Grismer v. B.C. Superintendent of Motor Vehicles and the Attorney-General of B.C • 1999 Supreme Court ruling on British Columbia (Public Service Employee Relations Commission) v. BCGSEU • 1997 Supreme court decision on Eldridge et al v. British Columbia (Attorney General) • 2006 federal decision to eliminate Court Challenges Program and Law Reform Commission • 2004 Supreme Court ruling on Auton (Guardian ad litem of) v. British Columbia (Attorney General) • 1997 Supreme Court ruling on Eaton v. Brant Country Board of Education

40. Human Rights Employment Equity The Fair The Poor The Federal Public Service The Private Sector

41. Human Rights Employment Equity Real Progress for Three of the Four Designated Groups Legend Source: 2005 Annual Report Employment Equity Act

42. Human Rights Employment Equity The Flat Liner for Persons with Disabilities Source: 2005 Annual Report Employment Equity Act

43. Human Rights Employment Equity Comments from the Canadian Human Rights Commission According to the Public Service-wide Employee Survey released in the fall of 2002, nearly 36% of federal employees with disabilities have been harassed in the past two years, while 37% have been subject to discrimination at least once. 2002 Annual Report In the private sector, the situation for persons with disabilities remains bleak: stronger action is required by employers. 2002 Annual Report Persons with disabilities have benefited least from employment equity in the private sector. 2004 Annual Report [T]he representation of persons with disabilities was unchanged from the previous year. Persons with disabilities have consistently received less than their share of hires in all sectors. 2007 Annual Report

44. Human Rights Employment Equity The Manitoba Sidebar From the 2001 Full Citizenship Document As a major employer, the Manitoba government is committed to an Employment Equity Policy intended to create a civil service that is representative, at all levels, of various groups in the population, including persons with disabilities. When the policy was established in 1983, the goal was to achieve 7 per cent representation of persons with physical disability in the civil service by 2003. At the last count in 2000, there were 368 persons with disabilities, representing only 2.88 per cent of the Manitoba civil service. Instead of demonstrating and facilitating the economic integration of Manitobans with disabilities in our workforce, these small numbers indicate that persons with disabilities remain excluded. Unfortunately, the virtual lack of experience with persons with disabilities as fellow workers leaves the civil service ill prepared to recruit and see applicants with disabilities as the productive employees they wish to become. As an employer, the Manitoba government has the duty to provide reasonable accommodation for an employee’s needs when the needs are associated with any characteristic that is protected from discrimination by the Manitoba Human Rights Code. Source: Full Citizenship: A Manitoba Provincial Strategy on Disability

45. Human Rights Employment Equity Progress Sources: Manitoba Civil Service Commission 2006-07 Annual Report and Province of Manitoba Press Release, December 3, 2008

47. Complaints Human Rights Manitoba Human Rights Commission Over560 formal complaints on the grounds of disability discrimination were lodged over the last 6 years. Formal complaints related to disability discrimination accounted for more than one-thirdof all complaints over the 6 years – a far greater share than for any other ground. Sources of data: Annual reports from the Manitoba Human Rights Commission Note: Gender Determined Characteristics and Ethnic Origin were only added in reporting in 2004

48. Complaints Human Rights Canadian Human Rights Commission Over2,370 signed complaints related to disability discrimination were made in the last 6 years. Complaints related to disability discrimination accounted for almost 40% of all signed complaints over the 6 years – a share twice as high as the next most frequent ground. Sources of data: Annual reports from the Canadian Human Rights Commission

49. Complaints Human Rights Conclusions from the Canadian Human Rights Commission “The belief that accommodating the needs of persons with disabilities is to be done out of goodwill, akin to an act of charity, is still prevalent. In fact, accommodation is a basic right, entrenched in law and affirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada. For those who are discriminated against because of their disability, the human rights complaints system is not necessarily the answer. Complaints generally deal with a limited situation — one office that is not accessible to people using crutches or one employer that has not provided the proper accommodation for a person with a learning disability. Eliminating obstacles one at a time, step by step, or ramp by ramp, so to speak, is not the best way to achieve a barrier-free and inclusive world.” 2002 Annual Report

50. Where We Are Today • Manitobans with disabilities continue to: • Experience significant educational challenges with substantially lower levels of educational attainment • Experience barriers related to the labour force with much higher unemployment rates and much lower employment and participation rates • Have much lower income levels than the general population • Face barriers on a daily basis that limit participation, as well as access to opportunities and resources that most others still take for granted • Be reliant on a wide range of public and non-profit sector services and supports that still are substantially under-resourced • The current federal government has shown limited leadership interests/capacities in areas related to disabilities or other areas of social policy • It is said that the health of federal-provincial relations is at an all time low • Disability issues have a very limited public and political profile • The disability community in Manitoba is fragmented and has a wide range of different and likely competing priorities