Thursday, March 18, 2010
Commissions Congratulate Nova Scotians for Work on International Disabilities Convention
Dulcie McCallum and Steven Estey were part of the Canadian delegation at the United Nations that drafted the treaty. Ms. McCallum was invited as an expert in the rights of people with intellectual/mental disabilities and Mr. Estey represented the coalition of non-government disability organizations.
"Nova Scotians can be proud of the role they played for Canada in the development, signing and ratification of the new UN convention. It was an exciting albeit at times a challenging experience," said Ms. McCallum. "Now we can move forward with full implementation and the recognition of the rights embodied in the convention so it can begin to make a tangible difference in the lives of Nova Scotians who have a disability."
Nova Scotia was one of the first to support Canada's ratification of the convention, which took place this month on March 11. Although he doesn't want any credit calling it "the natural, normal, appropriate thing to do", the cabinet minister who got the ball rolling back in 2003 was then-social development minister Ken Dryden. The initiative was championed in the Conservative government by Peter MacKay. He made it a priority as foreign affairs minister and continued to push for it as defence minister. But it was the present Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, along with Human Resources Minister Diane Finley, who finished the job. "The ratification of this agreement is just further acknowledgement that Canada is a world leader in providing persons with disabilities the same opportunities in life as all Canadians," Finley said.
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Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Ya gotta meet Molly…
(Editor's note: This heart-warming story about Molly was originally posted here March 10th but pulled when I learned it was part of copyrighted book, Molly the Pony, A True
Story by children's author, Pam Kaster. Today I am pleased to republish Molly's story with permission and proper credits to the author.)
Meet Molly. She’s a grey speckled pony who was abandoned by her owners when Hurricane Katrina hit southern Louisiana. She spent weeks on her own before finally being rescued and taken to a farm where abandoned animals were stockpiled. (...continued)
While there, she was attacked by a pit bull terrier and almost died. Her gnawed right front leg became infected, and her vet went to LSU for help, but LSU was overwhelmed, and this pony was a welfare case. You know how that goes. But after surgeon Rustin Moore met Molly, he changed his mind. He saw how the pony was careful to lie down on different sides so she didn’t seem to get sores, and how she allowed people to handle her. She protected her injured leg. She constantly shifted her weight and didn’t overload her good leg. She was a smart pony with a serious survival ethic.
Moore agreed to remove her leg below the knee, and a temporary artificial limb was built. Molly walked out of the clinic and her story really begins there. “This was the right horse and the right owner,” Moore insists. Molly happened to be a one-in-a-million patient. She’s tough as nails, but sweet, and she was willing to cope with pain.
She made it obvious she understood that she was in trouble. The other important factor, according to Moore, is having a truly committed and compliant owner who is dedicated to providing the daily care required over the lifetime of the horse. Molly’s story turns into a parable for life in post-Katrina, Louisiana. The little pony gained weight, and her mane finally felt a comb. A human prosthesis signer built her a leg. “The prosthetic has given Molly a whole new life,” Allison Barca DVM, Molly’s regular vet, reports.
And she asks for it. She will put her little limb out, and come to you and let you know that she wants you to put it on. Sometimes she wants you to take it off too. And sometimes, Molly gets away from Barca. ‘It can be pretty bad when you can’t catch a three-legged horse,’ she laughs.
Most important of all, Molly has a job now. Kay, the rescue farm owner, started taking Molly to shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. Anywhere she thought that people needed hope. Wherever Molly went, she showed people her pluck. She inspired people, and she had a good time doing it.
”It’s obvious to me that Molly had a bigger role to play in life,” Moore said. “She survived the hurricane, she survived a horrible injury, and now she is giving hope to others.” Barca concluded, “She’s not back to normal, but she’s going to be better. To me, she could be a symbol for New Orleans itself.”
Pam Kaster's book, is available through Amazon.ca To link click here on Molly the Pony, A True Story or autographed copies are available through the author's web site at http://www.bayouponytales.com/
This is Molly’s most recent prosthesis.
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Modest Investments for People with Disabilities and their Families in Federal Budget 2010
The Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) has reviewed the latest Federal Government Budget and has released the following assessment with regard to how the budget supports people with disabilities and their families.
The 2010 Federal Budget released on March 4, 2010 secures existing commitments and makes modest new investments to support people with disabilities and their families. (...continued) The Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) was not expecting significant new investments in the 2010 Federal Budget. CACL appreciates the difficult economic challenges facing Canada at this time and believes the 2010 Federal Budget signals a commitment from the Federal Government to continue to invest in people with disabilities and their families.
CACL is encouraged that the Federal Budget highlights and recommends that provinces consider the development and implementation of supported decision-making arrangements similar to those in British Columbia.
However, CACL had hoped for a clear commitment to the continuance of the 2011 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS). PALS is a critical source of information for the disability community, researchers and policy makers. CACL will continue to advocate for the continuance of PALS data collection.
Additionally, CACL had been hopeful that the Federal Budget would signal support for the recommendations from the Senate Sub-Committee on Cities and the Standing Finance Committee on making the Disability Tax Credit refundable. CACL continues to see this as a priority step in beginning to address the poverty of Canadians with disabilities.
Highlights from the 2010 Federal Budget for people with intellectual disabilities and their families include:
Improvements related to the Registered Disability Savings Plan
Federal Government Encourages the Development and Implementation of Supported Decision-Making in Provinces and Territories
Enabling Accessibility Fund Extended and Expanded
Investment in Sport for People with Disabilities
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The 2010 Federal Budget released on March 4, 2010 secures existing commitments and makes modest new investments to support people with disabilities and their families. (...continued) The Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) was not expecting significant new investments in the 2010 Federal Budget. CACL appreciates the difficult economic challenges facing Canada at this time and believes the 2010 Federal Budget signals a commitment from the Federal Government to continue to invest in people with disabilities and their families.
CACL is encouraged that the Federal Budget highlights and recommends that provinces consider the development and implementation of supported decision-making arrangements similar to those in British Columbia.
However, CACL had hoped for a clear commitment to the continuance of the 2011 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS). PALS is a critical source of information for the disability community, researchers and policy makers. CACL will continue to advocate for the continuance of PALS data collection.
Additionally, CACL had been hopeful that the Federal Budget would signal support for the recommendations from the Senate Sub-Committee on Cities and the Standing Finance Committee on making the Disability Tax Credit refundable. CACL continues to see this as a priority step in beginning to address the poverty of Canadians with disabilities.
Highlights from the 2010 Federal Budget for people with intellectual disabilities and their families include:
Improvements related to the Registered Disability Savings Plan
- Budget 2010 “proposes to allow a deceased individual’s RRSP or RRIF proceeds to be transferred, on a taxfree basis, to the RDSP of a financially dependent infirm child or grandchild.”
- Budget 2010 “proposes to allow a 10-year carry forward of Canadian Disability Savings Grant (CDSG) and Canadian Disability Savings Bond (CDSB) entitlements.”
Federal Government Encourages the Development and Implementation of Supported Decision-Making in Provinces and Territories
- Budget 2010 recognizes that the RDSP raises some challenges related to legal capacity for certain people with disabilities. The Federal Government states clearly that these issues are a provincial/territorial responsibility but recognizes that “Some provinces, such as British Columbia, have instituted more streamlined processes to allow for the appointment of a trusted person, such as a parent or friend, to manage resources on behalf of a disabled individual. The Government of Canada encourages other provinces and territories to determine whether such streamlined processes would be appropriate for their jurisdiction.”
Enabling Accessibility Fund Extended and Expanded
- Budget 2010 “builds on the success of this program by extending the Fund and providing an additional $45 million over the next three years. The budget expands eligibility for the program to include mid-sized projects, allowing for communities to undertake larger retrofit projects or foster partnerships for new facilities. Details will be announced by the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development over the coming months.”
Investment in Sport for People with Disabilities
- Budget 2010 commits “$2 million over two years to Special Olympics Canada to help continue to enrich the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport and competition and prepare them for competition in Special Olympics events.”
- Budget 2010 commits “$5 million a year to the Canadian Paralympic Committee to build on the successes of our Paralympians and continue to encourage persons with disabilities to actively participate in sport.”
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Thursday, March 11, 2010
Canada Ratifies UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced that, with the support of all provinces and territories, the Government of Canada has ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at United Nations headquarters in New York City.(...continued)
“Canada is committed to promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and enabling their full participation in society,” said Minister Cannon. “Ratification of this convention underscores the Government of Canada’s strong commitment to this goal.”
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 13, 2006, after several years of negotiation in which Canada took an active role and Nova Scotians will recall that our own MP, Peter MacKay played an pivotal role to ensure that Canada was among the first countries to sign the Convention when it was opened for signature on March 30, 2007.
“Canada is proud to have been one of the first countries to originally sign the Convention in 2007,” said Minister Finley. “The ratification of this agreement is just further acknowledgement that Canada is a world leader in providing persons with disabilities the same opportunities in life as all Canadians.”
“Today is a momentous day for Canadians with disabilities and their families,” said Bendina Miller, President of the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL). “CACL is thrilled that Canada has ratified the Convention. Canada has been an international leader on disability and human rights, and through ratification can continue to play this important role. CACL looks forward to working with the Government of Canada on implementing and monitoring compliance with the Convention.”
“The Government of Canada’s ratification today of the Convention is a historic event for Canadians with disabilities,” said Marie White, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities. “It signals the end of an era where people with disabilities were seen as objects of charity. Ratification of the Convention makes real our goal of recognition as full and equal citizens of Canada.
“Ratification of the Convention puts an end to the medical model and opens exciting new opportunities for building a more inclusive and accessible Canada. Canadians with disabilities applaud the Government of Canada for this historic action.”
“As the Government of Canada continues to play a leading role with respect to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in sport, we wish our paralympic athletes the best of luck at the upcoming Paralympic Games in Vancouver,” said Minister Cannon.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international human rights instrument of the United Nations intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Parties to the Convention are required to promote, protect and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities, and to ensure that they enjoy full equality under the law.
There are approximately 4.4 million persons with disabilities in Canada—about 14.3 percent of the population.
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact: Catherine Loubier, Director of Communications,
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs 613-995-1851 or, Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada 613-995-1874 Michelle Bakos, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development 819-994-2482, Media Relations Office, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, 819-994-5559
Backgrounder - UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on December 13, 2006, after several years of negotiation in which Canada took an active role.
Canada was among the first countries to sign the Convention when it was opened for signature on March 30, 2007.
The purpose of the Convention is “to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.” It reaffirms for persons with disabilities existing civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights set out in international law.
The Convention’s core obligations relate to non-discrimination and reasonable accommodation. These core obligations are then elaborated in specific provisions that address such issues as freedom of expression, political rights, liberty and security of the person, legal capacity, education, health and employment. The Convention also contains provisions on issues unique to people with disabilities, such as accessibility, independent living and inclusion in the community, as well as the processes of rehabilitation and habilitation, through which those with disabilities learn to function fully in society.
The Government of Canada consulted provincial and territorial governments throughout the Convention’s negotiation, signature and ratification processes. The Canadian government also consulted civil society through a national round table with stakeholders, and an online consultation open to the public. It also sought the views of self-governing Aboriginal groups on how ratification of the Convention might affect their communities.
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“Canada is committed to promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and enabling their full participation in society,” said Minister Cannon. “Ratification of this convention underscores the Government of Canada’s strong commitment to this goal.”
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 13, 2006, after several years of negotiation in which Canada took an active role and Nova Scotians will recall that our own MP, Peter MacKay played an pivotal role to ensure that Canada was among the first countries to sign the Convention when it was opened for signature on March 30, 2007.
“Canada is proud to have been one of the first countries to originally sign the Convention in 2007,” said Minister Finley. “The ratification of this agreement is just further acknowledgement that Canada is a world leader in providing persons with disabilities the same opportunities in life as all Canadians.”
“Today is a momentous day for Canadians with disabilities and their families,” said Bendina Miller, President of the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL). “CACL is thrilled that Canada has ratified the Convention. Canada has been an international leader on disability and human rights, and through ratification can continue to play this important role. CACL looks forward to working with the Government of Canada on implementing and monitoring compliance with the Convention.”
“The Government of Canada’s ratification today of the Convention is a historic event for Canadians with disabilities,” said Marie White, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities. “It signals the end of an era where people with disabilities were seen as objects of charity. Ratification of the Convention makes real our goal of recognition as full and equal citizens of Canada.
“Ratification of the Convention puts an end to the medical model and opens exciting new opportunities for building a more inclusive and accessible Canada. Canadians with disabilities applaud the Government of Canada for this historic action.”
“As the Government of Canada continues to play a leading role with respect to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in sport, we wish our paralympic athletes the best of luck at the upcoming Paralympic Games in Vancouver,” said Minister Cannon.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international human rights instrument of the United Nations intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Parties to the Convention are required to promote, protect and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities, and to ensure that they enjoy full equality under the law.
There are approximately 4.4 million persons with disabilities in Canada—about 14.3 percent of the population.
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact: Catherine Loubier, Director of Communications,
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs 613-995-1851 or, Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada 613-995-1874 Michelle Bakos, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development 819-994-2482, Media Relations Office, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, 819-994-5559
Backgrounder - UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on December 13, 2006, after several years of negotiation in which Canada took an active role.
Canada was among the first countries to sign the Convention when it was opened for signature on March 30, 2007.
The purpose of the Convention is “to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.” It reaffirms for persons with disabilities existing civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights set out in international law.
The Convention’s core obligations relate to non-discrimination and reasonable accommodation. These core obligations are then elaborated in specific provisions that address such issues as freedom of expression, political rights, liberty and security of the person, legal capacity, education, health and employment. The Convention also contains provisions on issues unique to people with disabilities, such as accessibility, independent living and inclusion in the community, as well as the processes of rehabilitation and habilitation, through which those with disabilities learn to function fully in society.
The Government of Canada consulted provincial and territorial governments throughout the Convention’s negotiation, signature and ratification processes. The Canadian government also consulted civil society through a national round table with stakeholders, and an online consultation open to the public. It also sought the views of self-governing Aboriginal groups on how ratification of the Convention might affect their communities.
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Friday, March 5, 2010
Family Autism Skate
She is promoting a
FAMILY "Autism" SKATE.
It's a FREE and FUN FILLED AFTERNOON for friends and family.
The event is planned to be held :
Tuesday March 16, 2010.
Time: 2:00 pm –3:30 pm
at the New Bedford Arena (near the Bedford Walmart and CP Allen High School).
WHAT A GREAT IDEA !!!
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