Support Our Mission!

By Raymond D. Cohen

During a recent meeting with the Board of Directors of the Canadian Abilities Foundation (CAF), it occurred to me that, you, our readers, might also be interested in knowing what we’ve been up to -- and why we need your help!

ABILITIES magazine may be the most visible expression of the work of CAF, but our mission -- to provide information, inspiration and opportunity to people with disabilities, their friends and families, and professionals -- takes us much further than that.

The year 2000 saw the redesign of our foundation’s website, EnableLink (www.enablelink.org). EnableLink presents disability links, reading references, message boards and chat rooms. On the website too you’ll find the archived material of nearly 50 issues of ABILITIES -- and information on many of our other initiatives. People the world over regularly refer to our site. At last check, more than 9,000 visitors per month were visiting EnableLink!

The year 2000 also saw the third edition of our Directory of Disability Organizations in Canada -- the most comprehensive such listing ever compiled, with over 5,000 groups included. You can also use this directory on EnableLink, and follow the links to the organizations’ websites.

This year, Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship, the Honourable Cam Jackson, helped us launch the Community Information Access Project. This growing online resource lists the accessible features of restaurants, hotels, entertainment events and services in an increasing number of communities. People with disabilities can research their destinations -- before even leaving their homes!

"On My Own: A Resource Guide to Living Independently" continues to be one of our most popular publications. Now in its second printing, its advice on socializing, being safe, cooking, shopping and more is presented in a clear and friendly manner. Eight people with significant disabilities offer heartfelt, practical words of wisdom to those wishing to establish independent lives for themselves in the community.

This year also saw the release of an Ontario-based "Violence Prevention Resource Guide for Women with Disabilities." This little book, which lists accessible service organizations and resources, again is also available on EnableLink.

Speaking of books, we were honoured to have Madame Aline Chr‚tien present at the launch of our newest release, "Making a Difference: Profiles in Abilities" (see page 57). This book contains inspiring stories about Canadians with disabilities. Mme Chr‚tien signed copies of the book along with the author, Daryl Rock. We were also pleased to have the Honourable Herb Gray, Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Minister Responsible for the Millennium Bureau, speak. Mr. Gray presented CAF with a certificate acknowledging our contribution to Canada’s millennium celebrations.

Regular readers of ABILITIES have most likely taken note of a special section in the magazine, the Forum. This unique service allows consumer organizations, service groups, government departments and corporations to speak directly to the approximately 135,000 readers of ABILITIES. Forum articles are also posted on EnableLink -- and hot-linked back to the websites of each organization. It is truly a pleasure to be able to facilitate such direct communication between those wishing to share service, expertise and perspective with a population so interested in such resources.

We’ve begun work internationally as well. CAF was welcomed with a press conference by the Canadian Consulate during a late 2000 visit to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (see the cover story in our Spring 2001 issue). As a direct result of that visit, the community of Puerto Vallarta is planning an international conference on disability to be held in 2003 -- and the entire downtown core of that beautiful community is being made accessible in preparation! This is sure to benefit tourists with disabilities, and, more importantly, the approximately 30,000 people with disabilities who live in and around that community.

And there is so much more. We are working with several other Canadian groups to help develop policy and standards and to undertake studies in important areas such as employment and literacy.

Obviously, there is not enough space on this page for an in-depth report on the full range of CAF activities. But hopefully this has offered a glimpse. We hope you will be inspired to support us in continuing to provide information, inspiration and opportunity.

Subscribe to ABILITIES, visit EnableLink, call us at (416) 923-1885 to pledge a donation... we need volunteers, information and your financial support to keep on keeping on!