Disability and Multiculturalism

By Fraser Valentine

Issues concerning immigration and multiculturalism have recently hit the Canadian mainstream --often in a negative light. Despite much of the controversy, the fact remains that Canada is, and always has been, a culturally diverse society. It would seem, then, that it is the responsibility of every Canadian to respond effectively to Canada’s multicultural reality.

Taking up this challenge, the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres (CAILC) and its 21 member Independent Living Resource Centres (ILRCs) intend to initiate a national multiculturalism project. The overall goal of the Independent Living Multiculturalism Initiative, with the financial support from the Department of Canadian Heritage, is to ensure that the Independent Living (IL) Movement, as a primary network for persons with disabilities, responds to the needs of all persons with disabilities in our policies, resources, programs, practices and outreach.

Throughout the development stages of this project, CAILC was conscious that in 1971 the Canadian government officially affirmed Canada as a multicultural society with the adoption of the Multiculturalism Act. Although Aboriginal peoples have always had their own set of spiritual, political, economic and cultural systems, Canada had up to this point considered itself composed of two founding cultures (English and French). This understanding is perhaps misguided, given the important role which immigrants (from every corner of the globe) have always played in Canadian society. With the adoption of the Multiculturalism Act, however, the government recognized Canada’s diversity and the important role which immigrants have always filled in providing labour, capital and creativity to the country’s political, economic and cultural development.

In the spring of 1994, CAILC conducted a preliminary needs analysis of its 21 member ILRCs in an attempt to gain some understanding of the extent to which ethnocultural people with disabilities were accessing resources at the centres. Our analysis was not scientific, but it did provide us with enough information to state that the IL Movement (including of consumers, staff and networking) does not adequately represent Canada’s multicultural demographic makeup. Some individual ILRCs have been active already with multicultural individuals/organizations at the community level. Our aim in this project, however, is to develop a NATIONAL response to the needs of all persons with disabilities.

Before outlining the planned course of action for this national direction towards inclusiveness, it is important to discuss some of the possible reasons that the IL Movement has not been able to address effectively issues concerning ethnocultural people with disabilities. In developing this initiative, CAILC believes that institutional issues and cultural differences relating to disability must be considered.

As a group, persons with disabilities have faced considerable obstacles to full participation in Canadian society -- economically, politically, socially and culturally. Despite the fact that in Canada there are 4.5 million citizens with disabilities, the majority of public buildings, housing, educational facilities and transportation systems have evolved without the consideration of the needs of persons with disabilities. Given these structural constraints to participation in Canadian society, it has been difficult for members of the IL Movement to address the double oppressiveness of race and disability.

A second consideration is derived from research conducted by Disabled Persons’ Community Resources, a community-based organization in Ottawa, which has revealed that attitudes and biases towards persons with disabilities within multicultural communities stem from a variety of factors including education, religion, language and cultural beliefs. This can have varied results. For example, families may wish to protect and therefore shelter a family member with a disability from wider Canadian society. In addition, many cultures do not have the tradition of "volunteerism" on which Canada prides itself; as a result, families may not want to reach out into the community for support. CAILC maintains that it is the responsibility of Canadian organizations to respond to these issues of diversity.

In starting the process of addressing some of these concerns, CAILC has proposed to undertake a two-phase initiative which has three central objectives. The first objective is to identify and examine gaps and barriers within the Independent Living network of ILRCs as well as CAILC in providing effective resources and outreach to ethnocultural people with disabilities. This review will include (but is not limited to) examining CAILC’s mission statement, policies, programs, services, membership, communications strategies and staff/board development.

Secondly, CAILC plans to undertake a literature review on issues concerning ethnocultural people with disabilities identifying both society-wide barriers to full participation in Canadian society and effective strategies to work towards full inclusion. Our final objective includes the dissemination of relevant information to individuals, community-based organizations and government departments.

Although it is premature to discuss the second phase of this initiative, it is fair to say that it will consist of the development and implementation of an action plan based on information collected during phase one. Activities to be explored in phase two may include policy and program changes within the organizational network, training seminars, development and integration of resources and ongoing community outreach.

CAILC has made an organizational commitment with the development of the Independent Living Multiculturalism Initiative, and we are excited and challenged by its prospects. Most people with disabilities are well aware that issues of difference often present challenges within society. This initiative is sure to uncover many more challenges concerning difference, but it is these differences which constitute the richness that defines Canada. We are confident that this initiative will significantly contribute to the Independent Living movement and its role within communities across Canada.

(Fraser Valentine is the Project Development Coordinator at CAILC. If you are interested in sharing your ideas on disability and multiculturalism, please call the CAILC office in Ottawa at (613) 563-2581 (voice and TTY).)


NEW DIRECTOR: ILRC SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT

Traci Walters, National Director of the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres, is pleased to announce that Lorne Daley has joined the organization as Director, ILRC Services
and Development.

Mr. Daley brings to CAILC years of experience in human resources planning and operation, employment equity coordination and management-related activities. Before coming to CAILC, Mr. Daley was employed both inside and outside the federal bureaucracy. As well, he has experience working at the community level where he coordinated the design and implementation of special services programs for a local municipality.

CAILC extends a warm welcome to Lorne from all the individuals associated with the Canadian IL Movement.


EMPOWERMENT THROUGH LEARNING: A SYMPOSIUM ON LITERACY

CAILC, in conjunction with National Access Awareness Week, is pleased to announce "Empowerment Through Learning -- A Symposium on Literacy" to be held from May 29 to 31 in Toronto, Ontario. This three-day conference will examine the varied issues surrounding learning and literacy, focusing specifically on the manner in which empowering individuals to increase their literacy skills positively benefits both individuals and the community at large.

For more information about "Empowerment Through Learning," please contact Kerry Duffy at CAILC, (613) 563-2581.


CAILC MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE SOCIAL SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS FOR CANADIANS WITH DISABILITIES

CAILC has been working hard over the past few months developing a series of recommendations for the reform of social security arrangements that affect Canadians with disabilities. This document, entitled "A Time for Change, the Time for Choices: A Proposal for Improving Social Security Arrangements for Canadians with Disabilities," provides background information concerning CAILC, the Independent Living philosophy and the manner in which CAILC’s affiliate organizations (Independent Living Resource Centres) are already delivering on some aims of the reforms which have been articulated by the federal government in "Improving Social Security in Canada: A Discussion Paper."

CAILC’s analysis, however, goes beyond the government’s discussion paper to include a specific plan concerning the manner in which funding and social services can be reorganized to promote the citizenship, equality, self-determination, participation and development of Canadians with disabilities. CAILC’s proposal provides a series of recommendations aimed at transferring risks from large bureaucracies and service systems to individual consumers for managing their personal funding and social services.

If you would like more information concerning the recommendations contained in "A Time for Change, the Time for Choices," please contact:

CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTRES (CAILC)
1004-350 SPARKS STREET
OTTAWA, ON K1R 7S8
TEL: (613) 563-2581
FAX: (613) 235-4497
TTY: (613) 563-2581
E-MAIL: cailc@magma.ca
WEBSITE: http://indie.ca/cailc/english/index.htm


CAILC ASSOCIATE MEMBERS:

Nanaimo and Region ILRC
Nanaimo, BC
(604) 758-5547; FAX 758-5504
Cowichan Valley ILRC
Duncan, BC
(604) 746-3930; FAX 746-3662

South Vancouver Island RCIL
Victoria, BC
(604) 595-0044; FAX 595-1512

BC Interior ILRC
Vernon, BC
(604) 545-9292; FAX 545-9226

ILRC of Calgary
Calgary, AB
(403) 244-2721; FAX 229-1878

North Saskatchewan ILRC
Saskatoon, SK
(306) 652-2780; FAX 244-6763

South Saskatchewan ILC
Regina, SK
(306) 757-7452; FAX 757-5892

Independent Living Resource Centre
Winnipeg, MB
(204) 947-0194; FAX 942-3146

Independent Living Centre
Thunder Bay, ON
(807) 345-6157; FAX 345-0266

ILC of Waterloo Region
Kitchener, ON
(519) 894-8350; FAX 893-2213

Breaking Down Barriers
Collingwood, ON
(705) 445-1543; FAX 445-1656

Kapuskasing Regional RCIL
Kapuskasing, ON
(705) 335-8778; FAX 335-5666

Niagara CIL
St. Catharines, ON
(905) 684-7111; FAX 684-1199

CIL in Toronto (CILT)
Toronto, ON
(416) 599-2458; FAX 599-3555
Kingston ILRC
Kingston, ON
(613) 542-8353; FAX 542-4783

Ottawa-Carleton ILC
Ottawa, ON
(613) 761-8062; FAX 761-1082

Club des personnes handicapees de Val D’Or
Val D’Or, QC
(819) 825-7135; FAX 825-8061

Centre de vie autonome Region du Bas St-Laurent
Trois-Pistoles, QC
(418) 851-2211; FAX 851-2864

L’Association des personnes handicapees de la Peninsule acadienne
Caraquet, NB
(506) 727-7583; FAX 727-3300

Metro Resource CIL
Halifax, NS
(902) 453-0004; FAX 454-4781

Prince Edward Island ILRC
Charlottetown, PEI
(902) 628-8611; FAX 628-8582