SASKATCHEWAN SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Government of Saskatchewan has once again joined with the United Nations and governments around the world to recognize December 3 as the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

The theme of this year's observance is Making the Millennium Development Goals Inclusive: Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Their Communities Around the World.

"Our government believes that it is essential to support the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities and to ensure that they have the same rights and opportunities as other citizens in our province," Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. "We listened to the disability community regarding the need for a separate income support program for persons with disabilities and, in October, responded with the implementation of the new Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability program. We also made a commitment to address the waitlist for residential, day and specialized programs for persons with intellectual disabilities with the largest ever investment - $76.9 million - in Saskatchewan's history."

The United Nations estimates that, globally, almost one in ten people, or 650 million people, is living with a disability. Statistics Canada estimates that more than 145,000 or 16 per cent of Saskatchewan people live with disabilities.

The goal of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities is to increase awareness and understanding of disability issues and trends, promote the rights of persons with disabilities and mobilize support for practical action to achieve full integration of persons with disabilities in their communities.

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For more information, contact:

Linda Saliken
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246