National Access Awareness Week
Call to action for people with disabilities
by Yves Savoie (FSA Executive Director, Aug. 2003-Dec. 2006)
The Ontario Liberals recently assembled stakeholders in another effort to improve accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. It was one more step in an ongoing series of consultations.
However, the time for consultation is over; now is the time for change.
May 31 to June 5 is National Access Awareness Week (NAAW). The primary aim of NAAW is to bring together people with disabilities, organizations that serve them, business, labour and government to facilitate changes that allow the full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of Canadian life.
People with physical and intellectual disabilities are often overlooked and pushed to the margins of society. This is concerning since one in every 10 people you see today has some sort of disability. Further, of those deemed to have disabilities, many live in poverty. In 1996, this was the case for 38 per cent of people with disabilities in Toronto.
In the Prime Minister's Speech from the Throne delivered earlier this year, Paul Martin emphasized that one of the government's main priorities was to create opportunities for Canadians with disabilities. His words were in keeping with the vision outlined in the 1998 report In Unison, a joint initiative of federal, provincial and territorial governments in collaboration with persons with disabilities and disability advocates. The report concluded that in order to realize full citizenship for persons with disabilities, changes in areas such as legislation, regulatory and policy reform, enhanced accessibility of information, transportation, communication and others would be required.
However, building a Canadian society that offers fair opportunities for all its inhabitants, including those with disabilities, will not be achieved only through specialty programs.
There needs to be a focus on creating real opportunities; people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 34 simply cannot find jobs. But work is a platform for participation in society. The notion of corporate social responsibility, which is increasing in popularity and practice, lends itself to this movement. Industries and businesses have a responsibility to create room in their workforces for people with disabilities. In turn, people who have been labelled disabled are eager to contribute in a meaningful way to society's progress.
In addition to lack of movement in the workforce, there has been little to no movement on better integrating kids with special education needs into regular classrooms, where they have a right to be. A few years ago special education regulations were amended to encourage students with intellectual disabilities to move into regular classrooms in their neighbourhood schools, with supports provided as necessary. However, many families are forced to fight for that right. The barriers are systemic and that is what needs to change.
Patrick Worth, a facilitator with Family Service Association of Toronto, was labelled intellectually disabled by the public education system and excluded from mainstream learning and socializing. He fought for the right to learn and today he is a renowned public speaker, addressing the dangers of segregated schooling and the detrimental effects that it can have on a person's self-esteem, education and ability to work. It is time that we rectify the institutional practice of creating specialized, segregated programs for people with disabilities.
The "us" versus "them" mentality is far too prevalent in the dialogue toward improving access and inclusion for people with disabilities. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms has achieved little to persuade people to change their outlook, and we still view people with disabilities as the "other"- those for whom we should make special provisions. Instead, as the Charter outlines, the same opportunities should be available to all Canadians, regardless.
While consultations may seem like a proactive step, that is no longer the case. The blueprint for action has existed since 1998 with In Unison and organizations like Family Service Association of Toronto and its partners are demonstrating, on a small scale, that inclusion works. It is time for real action and real results. Society is failing to capitalize on valuable resources. That is the issue and that is how society must begin to understand it.
