Disabled Persons An Untapped Resource
DISABLED PERSONS COMMISSION--Disabled Persons An Untapped Resource
People with disabilities have untapped ability to help this province grow and prosper, Nova Scotians were told today, Dec. 3, the International Day of Disabled Persons.
"All Nova Scotians have great potential," said David Morse, Minister of Community Services. "By creating opportunities for people with disabilities to enter and remain in the workforce, employers across the province will benefit from the rich contributions this productive and strong segment of our workforce has to offer."
About one in five Nova Scotians has a disability. Charlie Macdonald, executive director of the Disabled Persons Commission, said those individuals represent "an untapped resource in Nova Scotia."
"By expanding employment opportunities and promoting leadership development among people with disabilities, Nova Scotia can take full advantage of the skills and abilities and the unique perspectives people with disabilities have on the world, our society and economy," he said.
One group of individuals trying to capture that potential is the Greater Halifax Business Leadership Network, which is hosting a two-day workshop, Creating Opportunity and Sharing Knowledge: Leadership Development in the Canadian Disability Movement.
The workshop, being held at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax, began on Dec. 2 and continues today, offering leadership development opportunities to young Nova Scotians with disabilities.
The Greater Halifax Business Leadership Network is an employer- led coalition of business, government and community organizations dedicated to improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
The workshop has been designed to allow young people with disabilities to develop their full leadership potential. These leaders of the future will have an opportunity to interact with current leaders from a variety of sectors, to learn from their experiences and to take advantage of ongoing mentorship opportunities.
The project exemplifies the theme of the 2004 International Day of Disabled Persons -- Nothing About Us Without Us. It is a theme that also reflects the regular contributions of Nova Scotia's Disabled Persons Commission, which was created in 1990 to advise the provincial government and educate Nova Scotians on issues concerning people with disabilities.
During their regular efforts, commission members place a special emphasis on working with all levels of government, to advise on and influence decisions about programs and policies that affect persons with disabilities.
Recently, the commission provided input on the framework for an updated federal-provincial employment initiative for people with disabilities. The Multi-lateral Framework for Persons with Disabilities will support people with disabilities in becoming employed, succeeding in their jobs and remaining in the workplace. It will also assist employers as they get ready to hire people with disabilities.
The framework was developed after almost two years of discussions and extensive consultations with the disability community, including the Disabled Persons Commission. As a result, it better reflects the views and needs of persons with disabilities by providing a more comprehensive, yet flexible, approach to programming.
The International Day for Disabled Persons, Dec. 3, is set aside each year to celebrate and acknowledge the experience and capabilities of people with disabilities. More information on the Disabled Persons Commission and the International Day of Disabled Persons can be found on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/disa/ .