Province Strengthening Programs for Persons with Disabilities
COMMUNITY SERVICES--Province Strengthening Programs for Persons with Disabilities
The province of Nova Scotia reinforced its commitment to strengthening programs for persons with disabilities in its first annual report under the Multi-lateral Framework for Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities. The report was released today, Dec. 3, the International Day of Disabled Persons.
It reflects the province's goal to improve accountability for labour market programs and services for persons with disabilities and it will serve as a baseline for future reporting.
"It's important to be able to measure the effectiveness of our programs and services to ensure we are meeting the needs of persons with disabilities," said David Morse, Minister of Community Services. "The new framework offers us an opportunity to evaluate and strengthen these programs to better support labour market participation for persons with disabilities."
The departments of Community Services, Education and Health have delivered labour market programs for persons with disabilities for many years -- including career counseling, campus-based supports, addiction treatments and mental health services. These programs and services are supported by more than $15-million in annual cost-shared funding from the province and the federal government.
Following the signing of the labour market agreement in April, Nova Scotia received an additional $800,000 in federal funding for this fiscal year. The funding was distributed evenly among the three departments to support existing programs and services.
The province also began the process of evaluating its programs and services in consultation with the disability community -- work that will continue in the coming year.
"We are committed to engaging in meaningful, ongoing consultation with the disability community and will work closely with the Disabled Persons Commission to ensure this happens," said Mr. Morse.
"We're pleased to see the province's commitment to consult with the disability community on programs and services that affect them," said Charlie Macdonald, executive director of the Disabled Persons Commission. "It's a good fit with our mandate, as well as the theme for this year's International Day of Disabled Persons, which is Nothing about us without us."
Mr. Morse said the province's goal is to achieve full inclusion for people with disabilities.
"By working together, the lives of people with disabilities will be improved," said Mr. Morse, "and Nova Scotia will reap the benefits of the many skills and talents they have to offer."
The goal of the multilateral framework is to improve the employment situation for people with disabilities in Nova Scotia by enhancing their employability, increasing employment opportunities available and building on the existing knowledge base. The first annual report under the framework can be found on the department's website at www.gov.ns.ca/coms/.