Council of Canadians With Disabilities

By Mel Graham

A POST-ELECTION THOUGHT...AND HELLO

In reviewing the late, federal election campaign, some folks might wonder if organizations of consumers with disabilities got all they might have when, as conventional wisdom would have it, public profile counts most. Our election tactics have always centred around providing the means that enable our members to participate in the process as well-informed voters.

The question raised here then is, was the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (formerly COPOH) correct in opting for its members to work at the street and town-hall meeting level during this federal campaign, or would it have been better to put its slender resources into "getting its face into the papers" more? It’s true that we see our role in terms of communications facilitator and information distributor more than we do as manoeuvring in front of network TV cameras. But other than a few hours’ notoriety, what lasting benefits -- what substantial gains --can a brief appearance in a news story achieve?

It’s long been our view that the most constructive political activity occurs during the immediate, post-election stage, when politicians and senior bureaucrats alike are eager to sit down and work out priorities and new program parameters. Such operations fit in nicely with the relatively quiet, initial contacting of elected representatives that has been carried out during the campaign by our affiliate members.

I don’t know about the likelihood of reaching total consensus on our point, but I know that you will enjoy what the Council of Canadians with Disabilities has to offer in this ABILITIES. I am also absolutely certain that you will, given enough time, get used to our new moniker. Yes, it’s finally here!

So, as I’ve never said before but will most likely say often enough again, welcome to the Council of Canadians with Disabilities section. Happy reading!

MEL GRAHAM
COUNCIL OF CANADIANS WITH DISABILITIES
926-294 PORTAGE AVENUE
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA R3C 0B9
TEL (204) 947-0303 FAX (204) 942-4625