In Unison advances a new approach to disability issues which reconfigures programs and services to reflect the changing needs of persons with disabilities and new societal attitudes. This evolution of societal views and approaches in the disability area are already setting directions for future reform. The chart on the next page serves as an illustration of the fundamental change that has been under way in terms of the approach adopted by governments to disability issues. It serves to identify important trends that will continue to guide longer-term reform. These evolving perspectives and approaches to disability issues will allow governments to achieve the vision of full participation of persons with disabilities.

Federal, provincial and territorial governments already have taken significant first steps in advancing this new approach. The replacement program for VRDP and the collective commitment to a strategy on the harmonization of income programs go a long way toward promoting the employment of persons with disabilities and ensuring that disability benefits and services are better integrated and client-centered.

To ensure a holistic and multisectoral approach to reform, Social Services Ministers are currently involving and will need to continue to involve other Ministers such as those responsible for the issues of health, labour, employment, education, training, learning, finance, aboriginal affairs, women, justice, housing, transportation, Workers' Compensation, and citizenship. Broad government support is integral for the achievement of the vision and policy objectives. As part of the intersectoral process, jurisdictions will identify new disability priorities and explore where potential actions, in particular joint federal/ provincial/territorial actions, can be undertaken over the next number of years. Support at the multisectoral level provides a unique opportunity to further a collective disability agenda that addresses the needs of Canadians with disabilities. In setting out this new disability agenda, governments agree that their initial efforts should focus on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and the coordination between programs. At the same time, jurisdictions also recognize that this new disability agenda may require new investments. Governments agree that opportunities for new investment or reinvestment would be explored as fiscal resources permit.

In addition, jurisdictions agree that it is important to continue the dialogue with the disability community. To complement the ongoing intersectoral discussions, governments will engage the disability community in this agenda. Each jurisdiction already has its own processes for information sharing and dialogue; however, a collective approach is required in which federal, provincial and territorial governments work together to engage Canadians and in which all sectors work in partnership to achieve a common approach to reform.

By building on years of consultation and government study, In Unison offers a viable approach to reform. It provides a significant opportunity for governments to advance collectively a new approach to disability issues with all segments of society.