Government of Canada provides $900,000 to support persons with disabilities in British Columbia

VANCOUVER—Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, and David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Kingsway, today announced $902,421 for three projects to help support the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in Canadian society.

"It is a priority for the Government of Canada to help persons with disabilities become fully included in society," said Minister Dryden. "We want all Canadians to have the opportunity to contribute to the economic and social life of their country. I am very pleased that we can provide this support."

"The Government of Canada is proud to contribute to these projects. Today's announcement is good news for persons with disabilities, for British Columbia, and indeed for all Canadians," said Minister Emerson.

The BC Centre for Ability received $600,000 through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities to support its Community Coordination Program. This program will help 75 eligible unemployed persons with disabilities in the communities of Burnaby, New Westminster, Vancouver, Richmond, and the North Shore to prepare for, obtain, and keep employment.

The Disabled Sailing Association received $254,792 under the Social Development Partnerships Program - Disability component for its project entitled Building Sustainable Networks that Foster Inclusion through Recreation. This national project will create a framework that will lead to increased levels of physical activity for greater numbers of Canadians with significant disabilities.

The Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Kootenay received $47,629 under the Social Development Partnerships Program - Disability component to support the Entrepreneurial Training Program for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities. This national project will develop an entrepreneurial curriculum for persons with disabilities who want to learn more about self-employment.

The objective of the Opportunities Fund is to enhance the employability and economic participation of persons with disabilities. The Opportunities Fund supports a broad array of employment activities for persons with disabilities who are unemployed and who are not eligible for employment benefits under the Employment Insurance Act.

The Government of Canada's Social Development Partnership Program - Disability component seeks to support the capacity of the voluntary sector, inform the policy and program development process, and advance the full participation of persons with disabilities in Canada. Voluntary and not-for-profit organizations representing persons with disabilities are eligible to apply.

Funding for these projects was provided for in the 2005 federal budget.

These projects have been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's administration of its grants and contributions program.

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This news release and backgrounder are available in alternative formats, on request. Call 1 800 788-8282 on a Touch-Tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).

For information, please contact:

Sarah Bain
Press Secretary
Minister Dryden's Office
(613) 941-0766

Stephanie Leblanc
Minister Emerson's Office
(613) 995-9001

Media Relations
Social Development Canada
(613) 941-1110

BACKGROUNDER

Organization: BC Centre for Ability

Project: Community Coordination Program

Duration: March 15, 2004, to March 14, 2006

Contribution amount: $600,000

Project Description:

This Opportunities Fund project will help a minimum of 75 unemployed eligible persons with disabilities in the communities of Burnaby, New Westminster, Vancouver, Richmond, and the North Shore to prepare for, obtain, and keep employment. This will increase their economic participation and independence.

The participants will receive financial support for specific actions outlined in their individual Return to Work Action Plans. The goal is for clients to become employed within 12 weeks of completing their Return to Work Action Plans.

The BC Centre for Ability has over 30 years' experience in assisting persons with disabilities. The Centre provides a broad spectrum of programs and services including BC provincial programming for persons with disabilities. The Centre provides clients with easy access and a holistic approach to supports and services. Its activities include: encouraging workers to hire persons with disabilities; helping clients increase their employment skills; enhancing work experience; and helping people to start their own businesses.

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

The Government of Canada's $30-million Opportunities Fund for persons with disabilities helps persons with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment or self-employment. The program is for people with disabilities who have had little or no labour force experience and who therefore do not qualify for assistance under Employment Insurance.

The Opportunities Fund works in partnership with organizations for persons with disabilities, including the private sector, to support an array of activities such as encouraging employers to hire workers with disabilities, increasing the employment skills of persons with disabilities, providing work experience, and helping people to start their own business.

For more information, visit the Social Development Canada Web site at www.sdc.gc.ca or contact your local Human Resource Centre of Canada.

Organization: Disabled Sailing Association

Project: Building Sustainable Networks that Foster Inclusion through Recreation

Duration: November 2004 to March 31, 2007

Contribution amount: $254,792

Project Description:

This national project will create a framework that will lead to increased levels of physical activity for greater numbers of people with significant disabilities in Canada.

The project will establish national affiliates that will provide sailing and wilderness access for persons with disabilities across Canada and help them with fundraising for core equipment. Standardized manuals and training programs will be developed to ensure that the maximum number of persons with disabilities benefit from this project.

The goals of this program are to improve physical health in short and long term, improve social health and well-being, and reduce health risk factors, including complications related to secondary disabilities.

Organization: Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Kootenay

Project: Entrepreneurial Training Program for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

Duration: November 2004 to March 5, 2007

Contribution amount: $47,629

Project Description:

This national project will develop an entrepreneurial curriculum for persons with disabilities who want to learn more about self-employment.

The project will provide information that is designed for persons with disabilities on self-employment and business planning and management. Online business counselling will be available through virtual classrooms and individual text messaging, creating a network of participants that can support one another and share ideas.

An important piece of the curriculum will help individuals assess whether self-employment is a viable career option. The learning materials will provide access to relevant business information and guidance for entrepreneurs with disabilities.

Social Development Partnerships Program Disability

The Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP) is a grants and contributions program that provides financial support to organizations working in the social non-profit sector.

The SDPP addresses the social development and inclusion needs of people with disabilities, children and their families, and other vulnerable or excluded groups.

The program has a mandate to help strengthen organizations in the non-profit sector, and to foster partnerships that advance social goals and enhance the quality of life of Canadians. Its disability component (SDPP-D) seeks to advance the Government of Canada's disability agenda by promoting the full participation of Canadians with disabilities in learning, work, and community life. The SDPP-D supports research that promotes awareness of issues that relate to persons with disabilities and their families. The program also promotes the generation, dissemination, and application of knowledge, innovative solutions, and best practices.

FUNDING

The SDPP-D provides $11 million in funding per year:

Grants

• $5 million is provided to 18 national disability organizations to fund their basic activities.

Contributions

• $3 million is provided to support 40 to 75 projects of one to three years' duration (more than 500 projects across the country have received funding in the program's seven-year history).

Community Inclusion Initiative

• $3 million is provided per year in base funding to two national organizations, the Canadian Association for Community Living and People First of Canada, for the inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities in community life.