The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Provincial legislation introduced Wednesday will aim to help governments, businesses and advocacy groups work together to make more places and services accessible to the disabled in Manitoba. The proposed legislation would set out a framework for collaborative, long-range planning between governments, the private sector and accessibility advocacy groups to devise solutions to enhance accessibility, independence and social inclusion. It would outline principles such as access, equality and universal design to guide the development of accessibility standards and regulations in the future. Jennifer Howard, minister responsible for persons with disabilities, said the introduction of standards would help eliminate many existing barriers in such areas as building design, information services and employment practices. The proposed legislation is based on recommendations from the Manitoba Accessibility Advisory Council, which is made up of members with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including representatives of organizations of people with disabilities, business and municipalities. 'This is truly a historic day in Manitoba and, while accessibility legislation will not remove every barrier, it is an important tool to help us make Manitoba more accessible, not just for persons with disabilities, but for all Manitobans,' said Jim Derksen, chair of the Manitoba Accessibility Advisory Council. Nearly 200,000 Manitobans have a disability. _ Compiled from a Government of Manitoba news release
