Pamphlet -
In Unison: A Canadian Approach to Disability Issues
A Vision Paper
Federal/Provincial/Territorial Social Services Ministers
October 1998
At the June 1996 First Ministers' Meeting, persons with disabilities were identified as a collective priority in the pursuit of social policy renewal.
In the following months, Ministers of Social Services developed a vision paper in response to the request by First Ministers.*
In Unison: A Canadian Approach to Disability Issues sets out a vision promoting the integration of persons with disabilities in Canada and a guide for future policy and program reform in the area of disability.
In Unison outlines a vision for full citizenship and full participation in all aspects of Canadian society. It outlines objectives in three key areas – disability supports, employment and income – and policy directions that jurisdictions can use to meet these objectives.
The Vision
Persons with disabilities participate as full citizens in all aspects of Canadian society. The full participation of persons with disabilities requires the commitment of all segments of society. The realization of the vision will allow persons with disabilities to maximize their independence and enhance their well-being through access to required supports and the elimination of barriers that prevent their full participation.
The vision is based on the values of equality, inclusion and independence. In Unison translates the vision of full citizenship into objectives and policy directions within three interrelated building blocks: disability supports, employment and income. In Unison proposes to move towards a new approach to disability issues.
Full Citizenship
Objectives:
- To make as inclusive as possible all domains of Canadian society.
- To mobilize all sectors to enhance the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities.
Policy Direction:
- Policies that promote access to generic programs and services for all Canadians, including persons with disabilities.
Citizenship is the overarching theme that shapes the vision and the three inter-related building blocks. It refers to rights and responsibilities that persons with disabilities share with other Canadians. It embodies the notions of inclusion as well as equal opportunities and outcomes.
Disability Supports
Objectives:
- To improve access to disability supports.
- To enhance the portability of these supports.
- To help offset the cost of disability supports.
Policy Directions:
- Policies and programs that promote greater access to supports.
- Policies that separate access to supports from eligibility for income and other programs.
- More consumer control, flexibility and responsiveness in the provision of disability supports.
- Measures that provide greater assistance for disability costs.
Employment
Objectives:
- To reduce reliance on income support programs.
- To promote access to the training programs available to all Canadians.
- To increase the availability of work-related supports.
- To encourage employers to make appropriate job/workplace accommodation.
- To promote work and volunteer opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Policy Directions:
- Widespread understanding and application of the concept of accommodation.
- Measures that provide more assistance to offset work-related disability costs.
- Greater support for community economic development and self-employment for persons with disabilities.
- Enhanced employability through better access to education, training and transition mechanisms.
Income
Objectives:
- To encourage economic independence by removing barriers to working.
- To detach eligibility for disability supports from income programs.
- To improve access and reduce administrative duplication through greater coordination of income programs.
- To ensure the availability of income support for periods during which individuals are not able to support themselves.
Policy Directions:
- Income programs that reduce financial disincentives to work.
- Income programs that separate access to disability supports from eligibility for financial assistance.
- Improved coordination of assessment procedures and rehabilitation between income programs.
- Income programs that continue to ensure financial assistance when labour market participation is interrupted or not possible.
SP-113-10-98E
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