Advancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities

Transcription

1 People Partnerships Knowledge 2008 Federal Disability Report Advancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities ISSD

2 Canada Post Corporation (2008) Reproduced with Permission The front cover highlights a new Canada Post stamp recognizing the contribution of Guide Dogs. On April 21, 2008, Canada Post issued a 52 stamp to honour the contributions of guide dogs to improving the lives of people with visual impairments. The stamp, the first in Canada to incorporate Braille, is designed to showcase the dog, while emphasizing the important connection with its partner. Guide dogs have become indispensable tools for people with visual impairments.

3 2008 Federal Disability Report Canada is built on a promise of opportunity and the chance to work hard, raise a family, and make a better life. The Government of Canada supports numerous programs and initiatives with the aim of promoting the inclusion and full participation of people with disabilities in Canadian society. Advancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities 2008 is the sixth federal progress report on the Government of Canada s disability-related programs, initiatives and services. It provides an overview of key initiatives that federal departments implemented or were in the course of implementing in 2007/08 and beyond. New in the 2008 report is a section reflecting the increasing knowledge base of research on disability. For example, the Government of Canada has made advances in the knowledge available on the experience of people with disabilities through its release of information from the 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS), a national survey that collects data on Canadians with disabilities. More information on PALS is included throughout the report. As with previous reports, the 2008 report is divided into thematic chapters that update and complement information on federal government programs that are directly and indirectly targeted at people with disabilities. Since the combination of Aboriginal and Disability status creates an especially vulnerable population, the information on Aboriginal people comprises a separate chapter. For a copy of the complete report, see the Contact us section

4 2008 Federal Disability Report - Thematic Chapters Chapter 1: Human Rights, the Justice System and Canada s International Leadership By rooting equality rights in a comprehensive legal framework, the Government of Canada is committed to promoting active participation of people with disabilities in Canada. This chapter describes initiatives of the Government of Canada to promote and support the human rights of people with disabilities. It focuses on the work of the Department of Justice and the Canadian Human Rights Commission. It also includes information on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and disability activities at the international level, such as the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Chapter 2: Accessibility and Disability Supports This chapter describes the key federal initiatives and programs related to accessibility and disability supports, including transportation, housing, communications and cultural initiatives. These supports are essential to promoting the inclusion and full participation of people with disabilities in Canadian society. This chapter also includes information on measures to improve access for people with disabilities undertaken by Elections Canada and on improvements in assistive devices for people with disabilities

5 2008 Federal Disability Report - Thematic Chapters Chapter 3: Income Support, Benefits and Service Delivery This chapter provides information on the Government of Canada s programs and initiatives aimed at providing income support and related benefits for people with disabilities. These programs seek to reduce the threat of poverty and exclusion that affect many people with disabilities. This chapter also discusses challenges in, and improvements to, service delivery for people with disabilities in Canada, which is critical for ensuring that they are able to access income and other supports designed to assist them. Chapter 4: Learning, Skills and Employment This chapter examines programs of the Government of Canada that support people with disabilities in their pursuit of inclusion in learning and employment-related activities. It focuses on initiatives in the areas of student loans, employment opportunities, development of job skills, and public service support. Chapter 5: Well-Being: Health, Safety and Identity This chapter describes health-centred initiatives to support people with disabilities and includes information on safety, programs promoting well-being, and the different social identities of people with disabilities

6 2008 Federal Disability Report - Thematic Chapters Chapter 6: Aboriginal People with Disabilities Aboriginal people with disabilities often face multiple disadvantages that can act as a barrier to participation. This chapter describes the various programs in place to address the needs of Aboriginal people with disabilities, including those related to disability and income supports, learning and skills, employment and health. Chapter 7: Research The Government of Canada plays an important role in ensuring that a comprehensive knowledge base is developed through research on disability. This chapter describes major government-sponsored research initiatives related to disabilities and people with disabilities, including national surveys, such as the Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS), and government support of research related to disability. Chapter 8: Tax Measures People with disabilities often have extra expenses and lower income. The Government of Canada provides tax measures to people with disabilities and their caregivers in acknowledgement of the extra expenses faced by individuals with disabilities that reduce their ability to pay tax and participate in the community. This chapter describes these tax measures that help to offset costs associated with having a disability, and discusses important new and expanded tax measures announced and implemented in

7 2008 Federal Disability Report Appendix A Principal Disability-Related Benefits and Programs for the 2007/08 Fiscal Year PROGRAM/INITIATIVE AMOUNT ($ millions/year 2007/08) Inclusion and Supports Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Programs (RRAP-D, HASI, RRAP-Secondary/Garden Suite, SEP) 29.4 Canadian Culture Online Program (Canadian Heritage) 3.2 Canadian Transportation Agency Programs Disability Component Special Olympics sports funding and Canadian Deaf Sports Association (Canadian Heritage) Paralympics sports funding, Athlete Assistance Program for Athletes with a Disability and Long-Term Athlete Development Model for sports programs for athletes with a disability (Canadian Heritage) Sport participation funding Disability component (Canadian Heritage), base funding for the National Sport Organizations (NSO) Sports Programs for Athletes with a Disability, and NSOs long-term athletes development model for sports programs for athletes with a disability Hosting program funding (International Major Games for Aboriginal People and Persons with a Disability, International Single Sport Events) Federal-Provincial/Territorial projects related to sports programs for persons with a disability Sport Canada Contributions for Sport for Persons with a Disability Sport Canada s Grants and Contributions (Canadian Heritage) Initiative for Equitable Library Access (Library and Archives Canada) Social Development Partnerships Program s Grants and Contributions (HRSDC)

8 2008 Federal Disability Report Income Supports Canada Pension Plan Disability (HRSDC) 3,474.1 Canada Pension Plan Disability, vocational rehabilitation program (HRSDC) 3.02 Child Disability Benefit (Finance Canada and CRA) 139 Earnings Loss and Supplementary Retirement Benefit (VAC) 11.7 Employment Insurance sickness benefits (HRSDC) ** Federal workers compensation benefits (HRSDC) Veterans Disability Pension and Disability Awards Program (VAC) Learning, Skills and Employment Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities (HRSDC) Canada Study Grant for the Accommodation of Students with Permanent Disabilities (HRSDC) Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (WD) 1.4 Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities (HRSDC) * * Opportunities Fund (HRSDC) 26.8 Permanent Disability Benefit (HRSDC) * Vocational Services (VAC) 1.1 Health and Well-being Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative 40.0 Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (PHAC) 0.20 Canadian Diabetes Strategy (Health Canada) ** Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (PHAC) 3.3 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder/First Nations and Inuit Component (HC) 16.7 Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada (PHAC) ** First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program and the Youth Solvent Abuse Program 70.0 Non-Insured Health Benefits Population Health Fund and other health-related grants and contributions (PHAC) ** - 6 -

9 2008 Federal Disability Report Healthy Living Fund Disability Component (PHAC) ** Veterans Independence Program (VAC) Veterans Treatment Benefits Program (VAC) Tax Measures (Finance Canada and CRA) Caregiver Credit 75 Disability Supports Deduction 8 Disability Tax Credit (including supplement for children) 420 Infirm Dependant Credit 6 Medical Expense Tax Credit 870 Refundable Medical Expense Supplement 110 Aboriginal People Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy Disability component (HRSDC) Assisted Living Program (INAC) 90.6 Special Education Program (INAC) Note: The figures in this table are based on departmental estimates. * Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities, Canada Study Grant for the Accommodation of Students with Permanent Disabilities and the Permanent Disability Benefit are based on student loan year (August 1 to July 31). Figures for 2007/08 are not yet available since the loan year is not yet complete. ** data not available - 7 -

10 2008 Federal Disability Report Contact us Every day, Canadians rely on programs and services provided by the Government of Canada. To find out more about Government of Canada services for you: Call O-Canada ( ) TTY Click servicecanada.gc.ca Visit a Service Canada Centre near you This publication is also available in alternative formats (large print, audio cassette, Braille and computer diskette) in French and English by calling Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2008 Cat. No.: HS61-1/ ISBN: