Task Force Update

By Traci Walters

As an observer to the Federal Task Force on Disability Issues, I travelled across the country during August and September to hear from people with disabilities about what role and responsibility the federal government should have concerning people with disabilities.

The task force heard a very consistent message in every province and territory. Individuals and groups strongly urged the federal government to provide solid leadership through policies and programs, standards, protection of citizenship rights and enforcement mechanisms.

At no time did I hear anyone articulate that they felt confident that the provincial governments would protect their citizenship rights.

By the end of the cross-country tour, I firmly believed that the task force members understood that the federal government must have the ultimate responsibility of ensuring full integration and participation. People with disabilities across the country enforced what the national organizations have been saying all along.

At this point, I can only be hopeful that the recommendations and the government’s response clearly reflect the wishes of its citizens.
(Traci Walters is the National Director of CAILC.)


For more information, 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://cailc.ca/