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Disability rights must not take back seat to economic crisis

As impact of the economic crisis is felt there are concerns that governments will further cut those community social services that help remove barriers to people with disabilities.

 

Ottawa (28 Nov. 2008) – With the approach of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is concerned that advances achieved by people with disabilities may be under threat during the current economic crisis.

With the impact of the crisis widening, there are fears that governments will react by further cutting programs put in place which serve to remove barriers to people with disabilities.

Community social services already under threat

Unfortunately, many of the community social services that provide supports to people with disabilities have been chronically under-funded and the target of repeated cuts.

Some of the strongest advocates for people who need a wide range of support services find themselves unable to deliver anything but the most basic level of support. As a result many people are receiving either inadequate support or are on long waiting lists.

The root of the problems involving service delivery, waiting lists, and recruitment and retention of workers is plain and simple – a lack of funding. Cutbacks to social services by the federal government have left the provinces to pick up the slack.

Workers in the sector are now bracing themselves for what could be another round of cuts and are expressing concern for those who need their services.

Federal government must provide leadership

Disability rights activists point to the “hands off” approach to social policy issues adopted by the Harper government as being of concern.

As the federal government discusses spending billions on bailouts to address the financial crisis it is important that there remains a strong commitment to the rights of people with disabilities and the community services they rely on. But will the Harper government rise to the challenge?

John Rae, president of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, isn't so sure. In a chapter in the book The Harper Record, published by the progressive research organization the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, he wrote the following:

While Canadians with disabilities need leadership from all levels of government to remove existing barriers and to prevent the introduction of new ones, the Harper government has made it clear that it believes in a government that focuses on “core federal responsibilities.”

The National Union supports disability rights groups in calling for leadership from the federal government in developing a national strategy to improve accessibility for Canadians with disabilities in all spheres of social and economic life.

This must include increased federal funding to community social services.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The UN's International Day of Persons with Disabilities occurs on Dec. 3 each year. The aim is to promote an understanding of disability issues and to mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. This year's theme focuses on how to ensure decent work for persons with disabilities.

The recently-adopted United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes that persons with disabilities have a right to work and to be employed on an equal basis with others. It stresses the right to earn a living from freely chosen work and to work in an environment that is accessible and accepting.

The Canadian government signed the UN Convention in 2007 but has still not ratified it.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring that our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE

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Community Social Service Workers