UN Day 2008
Article Published in Abilities Magazine:
Independent Living’s Impact on the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Canada. (DOC | PDF)
PRESS RELEASE
December 3, 2008
Political and disability leaders gather to end institutionalization and segregation of people with disabilities in Canada
Around 10 percent of the world’s population, 650 million are people living with disabilities. There are approximately 4.5 million Canadians with disabilities and unfortunately many continue to live in extreme poverty, are unemployed or underemployed and lack adequate disability supports that would enable their ability to work, volunteer and live life to its fullest, like all other Canadian citizens. Rates of violence and abuse against people with disabilities, in particular women with disabilities, are among the highest for any group in Canadian society. We know that for Aboriginal Canadians with disabilities these rates are even higher.
According to the International Labour Organization, the annual loss of global Gross Domestic Product due to the exclusion of persons with disabilities from the labour market is between US$1.37 trillion and US$1.94 trillion.
At this year’s United Nation’s International Day for People with Disabilities event hosted by Independent Living Canada (an organization run by and for people with disabilities), political and disability leaders gathered at the War Museum in Ottawa to speak about ending the continued segregation and institutionalization of people with disabilities. The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
At the event, People First of Canada presented their powerful new documentary “The Freedom Tour” which is about a journey by people who once lived in institutions who are trying to help end the practice of institutionalization by exposing some of the shocking conditions of the past and present.
The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett (Liberal MP), Jack Layton, leader of the NDP and Yves Lessard of the Bloc Québécois, and HRSDC critic, and Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party all spoke at the event to demonstrate all party support for advancing disability rights in Canada.
Rick Goodfellow, National Chairperson of Independent Living Canada reminded all political parties that it is time to move beyond speaking about ending segregation by putting words into action by ratifying the new United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, providing strong leadership on disability issues and investing in federal programs that enable people with disabilities to work, volunteer, and participate fully in Canadian society. “The entire country, including the economy, will benefit when people with disabilities are fully included. We all need to be reminded that segregation is incredibly costly and an inclusive and accessible country is a better Canada for all!”
Ms. Kirsty Duncan (Etobicoke North, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1982. The 2008 theme is "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Dignity and justice for all of us".
Approximately 10% of the world's population, or 650 million people, live with disabilities. In Canada it is one in seven people. On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, as well as during the year-long celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, let us use dignity and justice for all as a rallying call, as these principles are far from being realized for everyone.
I invite all hon. members and all Canadians to make a renewed commitment to these principles of dignity and justice and to ensure implementation of the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.
Ms. Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a celebration of the new UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a recommitment to inclusion through its theme, “Dignity and Justice for All”.
Celebrations are taking place across Canada hosted by Independent Living Canada, along with People First, all of this following on the heels of the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Association for Community Living. But our celebrations are marred by the Conservative Party's foot dragging on ratification of the UN convention and the Conservatives' failure to address disproportionate poverty and unemployment among Canadians with disabilities.
The Conservative government has no plan and no will to address the economic crisis that puts the most vulnerable in our society at even greater risk. How can we have confidence in a government that denies those living with disabilities the means to help themselves in a time of economic crisis, condemning them to further impoverishment and hardship?
Now is the time to end exclusion, and stand up for the rights of all people.
Information Sheets
As many of you may remember, in past years in order to mark the International Day of Disabled Persons, build momentum leading up to this day, and celebrate the potential of independent Living Centres in Canada, Independent Living Canada releases a series of four themed information sheets.
UN Day 2008 - Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities: Dignity and Justice for All of Us”.
Text Documents
- Convention of Rights of People with Disabilities
- Language - Imagery with Dignity
- Equality for All
- Investing in Independent Living
PDF Documents
- Convention of Rights of People with Disabilities
- Language - Imagery with Dignity
- Equality for All
- Investing in Independent Living
