GATINEAU, QC, May 22, 2024
/CNW/ - Over 1 in 4 Canadians aged 15 years and older have one or
more disabilities that limit them in their daily activities. Since
achieving the significant milestone of passing
the Accessible Canada Act, the Government of
Canada has been fully engaged in
creating a barrier-free country and ensuring the full participation
of all Canadians in society, including persons with
disabilities.
On May 23, 2024, Minister of
Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera, will open the third annual Canadian
Congress on Disability Inclusion. This year, the theme is "Forward
Together: Accessibility and Inclusion for All", highlighting the
need for collective efforts from all sectors and levels of society
to realize a barrier-free Canada
by 2040. The Congress will also kickstart nationwide celebrations
for National AccessAbility Week 2024, under the same theme.
The Congress is accessible, virtual, free and open to all. In
the true spirit of Nothing Without Us, it provides an opportunity
for persons with disabilities, disability organizations, public and
private organizations, academics, innovators, and thought leaders
to share their insights and best practices to help shape accessible
and inclusive communities and workplaces. Panel discussions will
focus on the progress of the Accessible Canada Act,
inclusively built environments and accessible employment, while
Prasanna Ranganathan, founding board
member of the Disability Screen Office, will deliver a keynote
address. Celebrations of Canadian athletes and artists with
disabilities will also be featured throughout the day.
Everyone is encouraged to visit the Canadian Congress
on Disability Inclusion webpage to register or to obtain more
information.
Quote
"We've come a long way since the Accessible Canada Act
came into force five years ago, and the progress we've made so far
is because we have been deliberate and persistent in making the
choice of inclusion and accessibility. I look forward to the
important conversations that will take place during both the
Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion and National
AccessAbility Week across the country. It is incumbent upon all of
us, as leaders, as advocates, and truly as Canadians, to work to
build a fairer, more inclusive and accessible country for all, and
for generations to come.''
– Kamal Khera, Minister of
Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities
Quick facts
- The Accessible Canada Act came into force in
July 2019. It was developed following
inclusive and accessible federal consultations with the disability
community. It established a framework to make Canada barrier-free through the proactive
identification, removal, and prevention of barriers.
- National AccessAbility Week is a formally legislated
week under the Accessible Canada Act. It is
championed by the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with
Disabilities and provides an opportunity to:
-
- celebrate the valuable contributions and leadership of
Canadians with disabilities;
- highlight the work of people, organizations and communities
that are removing barriers; and
- reflect on ongoing efforts to become a more accessible and
disability inclusive Canada
- In 2023, over 3,000 participants registered for the second
annual Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion hosted by
Employment and Social Development Canada.
- Canada's first-ever National
Air Accessibility Summit was held on May 9,
2024. The Summit brought together representatives from the
disability community, the airline industry and government
organizations to identify concrete solutions that would make air
travel accessible for all Canadians.
- Budget 2024 proposes key measures to support persons with
disabilities including investments to: launch a new Canada
Disability Benefit; expand the disability supports deduction;
ensure access to essential drugs and medical devices; create a new
Youth Mental Health Fund; and improve recruitment and assessment
processes for persons with disabilities through the Federal
Internship Program for Canadians with Disabilities.
Associated links
- Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion 2024
- National AccessAbility Week
- Summary of the Accessible Canada Act
- Ministers Rodriguez and Khera hosted a National Air
Accessibility Summit
- Budget 2024
- Disability supports deduction
- Youth Mental Health Fund
- Federal Internship Program for Canadians with Disabilities
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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada