United Nations International Day of
Persons with Disabilities, 2011
FORUM SUMMARY
United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities, The Way Forward
Friday, December 2, 2011
9:00 a.m. to Noon
Meeting Room 2, Main Floor, Winnipeg Convention Centre
375 York Avenue, Winnipeg MB
Welcome
Yutta Fricke, Acting Executive Director of the Disabilities Issues Office (DIO) welcomed everyone to the forum.
The purpose of the forum is to provide an overview of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, The Way Forward
and to offer highlights of Manitoba’s progress on implementation.
The DIO is pleased that approximately 125 individuals from a wide variety of sectors are in attendance, many from organizations targeting persons with disabilities, but also including business, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Disability Community Perspective: Importance of theConvention
- Laurie Beachell, Executive Director, Council of Canadians
with Disabilities
Please see the Power Point presentation,attached.
Progress Report: The Way Forward on the Convention inManitoba
- Aaron Berg, General Counsel, Civil Legal Services, Justice
Mr. Berg outlined the process to ratify the Convention and the procedures that will be followed to report progress. Canada’s baseline report is due to the United Nations in June 2012. Canada and Manitoba have begun drafting a report. Canada’s report to the United Nations is restricted in terms of page length, resulting in a provincial report under 5 pages.
(Mr. Berg outlined the role of the DIO as a focal point for coordination and education on the Convention.
Mr. Berg provided an overview of Manitoba offices that may have a role to play in monitoring implementation of the Convention. These include: The Ombudsman’s Office, the Children’s Advocate and the Manitoba Human Rights Commission.
Question and Answer
In response to questions, Mr. Berg indicated the exact priority issues to be included in Canada’s final report to the UN have not yet been finalized, but these will become clearer in January. Mr. Beachell noted The Council of Canadians with Disabilities has identified the following priorities to the federal government: poverty reduction, the transition of young people from home to independent living and to school and/or work and supports to Aboriginal people with disabilities.
Manitoba Takes Action on the Convention’s Implementation
Panel 1, Initiatives to Remove Barriers and Increase Access and Full Citizenship
Accessibility Legislation
- Jim Derksen, Chairperson, Accessibility Advisory Council
Mr. Derksen described the mandate of the Accessibility Advisory Council: to make recommendations to the Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities on the components of disability access legislation and a set of standards to accompany the legislation. Part of the Council’s mandate involves consultation with a variety of stakeholders including the disability community. The report to the Minister is due on June 16, 2012.
Enhanced Access to Justice: Introduction to Mental Health Court
- Karen Fulham, Executive Director, Judicial Services, Manitoba Justice
The Mental Health Court will work with individuals with mental health disabilities who have been charged with minor offenses. The court will facilitate the provision of supports and services to minimize the likelihood of further contact with the justice system. An alternative treatment team will assist in the development of an action plan. Ms. Fulham noted the need for cross training of staff. The Mental Health Court will begin operations in the spring of 2012, under the guidance of Chief Justice Champagne. Ms. Fulham offered to update the community on progress on the mental health court at a future forum.
Living Safely in the Community
- Charlene Paquin, Assistant Deputy Minister
Disability Programs and Employment and Income Assistance, Family
Services and Consumer Affairs
Please see Power Point presentation,attached.
Ms. Paquinoffered to update the community on progress on the VPA, the Adult Abuse Registry and the Protections Working Group at a future forum.
Question and Answer
In response to questions regarding community representation on the Inter-jurisdictional Working Group (IJWG), Yutta noted that the group was formed to follow up on recommendations made in a community visioning day to strengthen protection of adults to abuse and vulnerability. There will be community consultations in the future.
The Vulnerable Persons Act (VPA) has recently been strengthened to protect people with disabilities who are vulnerable and who experience abuse. Victim Services, under the department of Justice,is available to provide support for abuse-related offenses. The Manitoba Policy on Access to Government (MPAG) could assist government staff in learning how to respond to situations of abuse of vulnerable persons.
A participant noted that the Province of Ontario undertook a review of the accessibility of the justice system for persons with disabilities, and wondered if the same thing could be done in Manitoba. Mr. Derksen indicated the Accessibility Advisory Council could get involved in this area if the community determined it was a priority.
A question was raised about the future of the Manitoba Development Centre (MDC). Ms. Paquin responded that the Province believes in choice in relation to where people live. The Province is continually increasing supports and services for those wishing to live in the community, as it facilitates relocation from MDC into the community.
Panel 2, Initiatives to increase Social Inclusion and Economic Participation
Transitioning from Education to Adulthood
- Anne Kresta, Children’s Coalition
Please see Power Point presentation, attached.
Employment of Persons with Disabilities
- Crystal Chercoe, Director, Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade
Please seePower Point Presentation,attached.
Housing First
- Marcia Thomson, Assistant Deputy Minister, Healthy Living, Youth and
Seniors
Please see Power Point presentation,attached.
Question and Answer
The question was asked: How people with visual impairments and those on low incomes can get access to computers that are accessible and have access to the internet if they live in rural areas? Ms. Chercoeresponded these supports are available to individuals looking for work through Employment Manitoba. The participant was invited to e-mail the DIO for further information.
A participant commented that housing should be provided to people with disabilities before they are homeless. Ms. Thomson agreed.
Greetings
- Honourable Jennifer Howard, Minister responsible for Persons with
Disabilities
Minister Howard congratulated participants on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In reference to Housing First, she noted the importance of providing safe and affordable housing to individuals, which will assist them in getting the rest of their life in order.
Minister Howard emphasized the importance of our shared efforts. While Manitoba takes pride in what we have accomplished to date, there is still work ahead. This will involve all Manitobans.
We have celebrated the ratification of the United Nations Convention, and continue working on implementation and monitoring. Minister Howard highlighted the meeting of Provincial and Territorial Ministers hosted by Manitoba in March 2011 to discuss shared steps in implementing the Convention.
Minister Howard announced the appointment of The Accessibility Advisory Council membersand the names of those appointed to the Council. The Council will make recommendations on how to move forward on accessibility legislation.
The Minister shared Premier Selinger’s announcement of regional handi-transit grants initially for 5 Manitoba communities, with future expansion.
Minister Howard thanked the DIO for organizing this forum, and all those in attendance.
Wrap Up
Ms. Fricke thanked everyone for the strong support to move forward on the Convention. She invited participants to complete their evaluation forms and invited suggestions for future forum topics on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
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