Government of Canada provides $38,531 in funding to support people with disabilities

Dogrib, Northwest Territories, November 24, 2005—Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State for Northern Development and Member of Parliament for Western Arctic, on behalf of Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, today announced $38,531 for the NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities. The funding under the Social Development Partnerships Program—Disability component will help establish the Dogrib Disability Committee.

The committee will provide an opportunity for Dogrib people with disabilities to discuss their self-government and address their needs, issues, and concerns. The lessons learned and the steps taken to develop and maintain this network will be described and available for other groups to learn from. These best practices will be transferable to similar situations across Canada.

"It is a priority for the Government of Canada to help people 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 our country. I am very pleased that we can provide this support."
"By providing funding to this organization, we contribute to its continued commitment to building inclusive communities where people with disabilities living in the Northwest Territories can participate fully in their individual communities," said Minister Blondin-Andrew.

The funding, which is being delivered through the Social Development Partnerships Program—Disability component, is intended to allow people with disabilities to participate in key policy, program, and knowledge development events. The program helps address the Government of Canada's priority to advance the inclusion of people with disabilities by delivering contribution funding to non-profit sector organizations.

The Social Development Partnerships Program—Disability component is an $11-million grants and contributions program that seeks to support the capacity of the voluntary sector, inform the policy and program development process, and advance the full participation of people with disabilities in Canada. Voluntary and not-for-profit organizations of people with disabilities are eligible to apply.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's administration of its grants and contributions program.

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This news release is available in alternative formats, on request. Call 1 800 788-8282 on a touch-tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).

For more information, please contact:
Sarah Bain
Press Secretary
Minister Dryden's Office
(613) 941-0766

Media Relations
Social Development Canada
(613) 941-1110

Website: www.sdc.gc.ca

BACKGROUNDER

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 needsof 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 people with disabilities and their families. The program also promotes the generation, dissemination, and application of knowledge, innovative solutions, and best practices. It also introduced targeted resources to support the accommodation of people with disabilities. The accommodation fund is intended to allow people with disabilities to participate in key policy, program, and knowledge development events.

NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities

Dogrib Regional Conference

$38,531

The goal of this project is to establish a Dogrib Disability Committee that will create the opportunity to learn new information about disability programs, supports, and funding. It will identify priority issues, key self-government leaders, and advocacy approaches.

The NWT Council of Persons with Disabilites is committed to building caring, inclusive, and responsible communities in which people with disabilities are able to fully participate and contribute in all aspects of community life in the Northwest Territories. The Council promotes awareness, opportunities, choices, and participation in all aspects of life in the Northwest Territories.