News release

Revenue Canada announces new guide for persons with disabilities

OTTAWA, June 01, 1998...The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of National Revenue and M.P. (Vancouver South-Burnaby), today announced the publication of a new guide for persons with disabilities and their caregivers. Unveiled during National Access Awareness Week, the guide adds to the Department's list of important initiatives to meet the special needs of people with disabilities.

The guide, called Information Concerning People with Disabilities, provides information on both tax and customs subjects such as the disability amount, attendant care expenses, medical expenses, and importing duty free goods designed for persons with disabilities. It also includes a copy of Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, for those eligible to claim the disability amount.

"Revenue Canada is aware that this new guide represents only a small step in breaking some of the information barriers persons with disabilities have to overcome," said the Minister. "We are very sensitive to their difficulties, and we are committed to pursue efforts to provide them with improved access to the information and services they deserve."

The guide is one of several departmental initiatives to provide valuable information and easier access to service for people with disabilities. Others include:

• the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program;
  
  
• the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee;
  
  
• publications in alternate formats, such as Braille, large print, audio cassette, and computer diskette;
  
  
• easier physical access to our premises; and
  
  
• special Internet access.

Persons with disabilities and their caregivers can get copies of the guide at their nearest Revenue Canada office, and on the Internet at:

• /disability (for copies in English)
  
  
• /handicape (for copies in French)

The addresses and telephone numbers for the offices are listed under "Revenue Canada" in the Government of Canada section of the telephone book.

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