International Day of Disabled Persons Celebrated
Employment opportunities for persons with disabilities were the focus during a visit to Canning Parents for Real Employment, Kings Co. today, Dec. 2.
The visit marked the International Day of Disabled Persons. Community Services Minister David Morse joined Anne MacRae, executive director of the Disabled Persons Commission, on a tour to learn about the entrepreneurship program for people with intellectual disabilities.
"The program is an excellent example of a creative community effort to support people with disabilities as they move toward self-sufficiency and independence through employment," said Mr. Morse. "Each entrepreneur is their own success story, and a model to others who are seeking similar opportunities."
Canning Parents for Real Employment is a community-based, non-profit development organization that supports entrepreneurial ventures by teaming each entrepreneur with a business management team.
Canning area businesses supported by the group include Leah's Clean and Green, a laundry and recycling service; Krista's Around Town Services, offering mail and lunch deliveries; Sew Sweet Sewing; Folk Art by Jeff Haliday; Lee's Creative Activities for children; and Pam's Helping Hands, a clean-up and garden service.
"It is very appropriate that we are visiting the Canning Parents for Real Employment program to celebrate the International Day of Disabled Persons, as this year's theme is the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Action in Development," said Ms. MacRae. "This program is an excellent example of communities coming together to create solutions to ensure that people with disabilities exercise their right to work in the community, and in so doing contribute to overall community development."
The province also marked the day by releasing the annual report of the Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities. The report describes provincial government programs and services for persons with disabilities who want to enter the labour force.
The departments of Community Services, Education and Health have delivered labour market programs -- including career counselling, campus-based supports, addiction treatments and mental health services -- for persons with disabilities for many years. These programs and services are funded annually by more than $16 million in federal and provincial money.
"The annual report measures the impact of our programs and services to ensure we are meeting the needs of persons with disabilities," said Mr. Morse. "The goal of these activities is to support people with disabilities by enhancing their employability."
The annual report can be found on the department's website at <a href="http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/">www.gov.ns.ca/coms/ <a/>, and the Disabled Persons Commission website at www.gov.ns.ca/disa/ .