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TWENTY

Changing Attitudes

 

“We firmly believe that every problem confronting the disabled individual has been thoroughly documented and that the solutions have been equally well documented. What is needed is the will to implement the well-documented solutions.”

“We frequently hear the phrase “studied to death”. There probably is no group for whom, in the recent past, this has been more true. It is hoped that the work of the Special Committee will lead to 1981, The Year of the Disabled, being a year of action and not simply of words.”

“The decade that lies ahead can be one of achievement and advancement, or one of disappointment and decreased services; it can be a breakthrough of new ideas, or maintaining the status quo of insufficient services. The challenge of forging ahead with new ideas, advancement of innovative programs, and increased services lies with all of us.”

127

INSTRUCT GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS TO RESPOND QUICKLY TO RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS REPORT

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Federal Government instruct the relevant Departments, Agencies and Crown Corporations to' give a higher priority in the allocation of their existing resources to the measures proposed in this Report to meet the needs of disabled persons.

That the Federal Government instruct the relevant Departments, Agencies and Crown Corporations to take immediate action to implement the recommendations relating to employment, housing, transportation and communications and to finance these out of existing resource levels.

Restraints: The recommendations in this Report call for more Federal funds than are currently allotted for the needs of disabled persons. At the present time, Federal Departments, Agencies and Crown Corporations are facing financial restraints. Few Federal organizations can look forward to increased budgets in the years ahead. In many cases, the budgets for 1984-85 are already committed to specific programs.

Same Pie: The disabled community in Canada must be given a bigger slice of the existing pie. It is time that Federal organizations give the needs of disabled persons a higher profile. Existing programs can be paid for over a longer time period. Other programs may be delayed. In this manner, many of the recommendations can be funded out of current operating or capital budgets, and not require additional outlay of Federal tax dollars.

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The key strategy for all Federal Government Assistance to disabled persons in the future must be that of “independent living”. Wherever possible, disabled persons must be able to leave institutions and be provided with funds and the assistance they need to live on their own. This is not simply a nice thing to do, but is a matter of economic survival for disabled persons and for the Government itself.

128

GIVE PRIORITY TO NEGOTIATIONS WITH PROVINCES

RECOMMENDATION:

Note: This recommendation is a summary of several actions proposed in previous recommendations.

That the Federal Government immediately begin negotiations with the Provinces to permit the establishment of the Comprehensive Disability Benefits Program proposed in Recommendation 39, so that this program may be implemented as soon as possible.

That the Federal Government act quickly to negotiate with the provinces cost-sharing agreements necessary for:

• The replacement of the Vocational Rehabilitation for Disabled Persons Act with new legislation (Recommendation 37).
• The development of new legislation to provide independent living services (Recommendation 75).
• The provision of aids and devices (Recommendation 98).

That, in order to ensure control over Federal expenditures ii' these cost-shared areas, a ceiling or limit should be imposed. This ceiling or limit should be indexed and adjusted from time to time in light of experience and economic conditions.

That, the amounts allocated for these cost-shared programs should be prorated in each Province in line with some indicator of social need, e.g. number of unemployment insurance recipients or social assistance recipients.

Strategy: The key strategy for all Federal Government Assistance to disabled persons in the future must be that of “independent living”. Wherever possible, disabled persons must be able to leave institutions and be provided with funds and the assistance they need to live on their own. This is not simply a nice thing to do, but is a matter of economic survival for disabled persons and for the Government itself. Economic conditions will no longer allow for constantly increasing welfare payments. The funds required to meet the needs of more disabled persons are finite. Independent living on a large-scale is the only strategy that will permit more to be done with existing funds.

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129

ESTABLISH CABINET-LEVEL REVIEW PROCEDURE

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Federal Government establish a review procedure at Cabinet level (similar to that which is in place with reference to the Status of Women) which will ensure that on-going consideration is given to the concerns of disabled persons.

Input: Most Federal Government decisions are made without regard to their impact upon the lives of disabled persons. This was also true at one time with respect to women, but not any more. Following the International Women's Year in 1975, a simple procedure was developed to ensure that consideration was given to the concerns of women in decision-making by the Federal Government. This need not entail an elaborate or cumbersome review process -- but simply a procedure similar to that used to protect the interests of women.

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130

DESIGNATE A MINISTER FOR DISABLED PERSONS

RECOMMENDATION:

That a Minister of State on the Status of Disabled Persons be designated and that such a Minister be attached to a major Department other than the Department of National Health and Welfare.

Coordinator: The Committee believes that it is essential for the Federal Government to designate a Minister who will be directly responsible for the affairs of disabled persons. But the Committee is totally opposed to the creation of a new and separate Department. Nearly every Federal

Department and Agency has programs and activities which directly affect disabled persons. What is sorely needed now is a single Minister to effectively monitor these efforts, without disrupting their present administrative arrangements. The Minister's mandate should be to maximize cooperation among all these Departments and Agencies, while keeping additional bureaucracy to a minimum.

Responsibilities: The primary activity of the Minister would be to fight at the Cabinet level for programs and policies affecting disabled persons. He or she would also be responsible for the following activities:

MONITOR Federal Department policies and programs to ensure that they are promoting the fullest possible participation of disabled persons in society.

CO-ORDINATE measures to improve the status of disabled persons at the Federal level.

PERFORM a public information and liaison function by keeping in contact with organizations of disabled persons and individuals, and by issuing publications.

ENSURE Federal-Provincial consultation on issues relating to the status of disabled persons.

Backward Step: Disabled persons are striving to overcome the obstacles caused by segregation and of being prevented from participating in everyday Canadian society. The creation of a separate Department would only reinforce both the image and the fact of segregation.

Influence Needed: The new Minister should be attached to a major Department which already has significant involvement with disabled persons. This will provide the Budget and Cabinet influence needed to get things done. The importance of this attachment was summed up by the Honourable Lloyd Axworthy when he appeared before the Committee:

“Unless you are connected with a big line department with a lot of clout and a lot of ability, you are limited strictly to a role of persuasion. The portfolio should not be isolated because it would weaken the position of the Minister.”

Not Health: While major Department affiliation is essential, the new Minister should not be attached to the Department of National Health and Welfare. Programs administered through that Department reinforce a tendency to see disabled persons as unfortunate victims who are sick. This attitude must be changed.

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“Unless you are connected with a big line department with a lot of clout and a lot of ability, you are limited strictly to a role of persuasion. The portfolio should not be isolated because it would weaken the position of the Minister.”