My Word!

By Raymond D. Cohen

So much to say... and so very little space in which to say it! So here, briefly, are some of the things worth mentioning that did NOT make it as articles in this issue of ABILITIES -- but are still very much worth our readers’ consideration.

The Eaton Case and the Latimer Case: The Difference between Justice and the Law
In the face of the Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling in the case of Emily Eaton, a young student denied access to a regular classroom on the basis of her disability, the Canadian Association of Community Living (CACL) says: "Emily is proof that inclusive education is both possible and beneficial. After being denied access to her neighbourhood school, Emily joined another school in another school board. She is doing well both academically and socially... We support the inclusion of all children in the classroom and we will continue to work towards the acceptance of inclusion as every child’s right and as the best practice for education.

In another court case, Robert Latimer was convicted last year of the 1993 murder of his 12-year-old daughter, Tracy, who had cerebral palsy. This February, Robert Latimer was granted a new trial, based on a technicality. Therefore, Robert Latimer will once more have opportunity to explain that ending his young daughter’s life was somehow an act of love, of compassion. And, once more, thousands of Canadians with disabilities will be forced to consider that we live in a society in which the lives of people with disabilities are worth so little, that the consequence of terminating them becomes a point of public debate. For the sake of all involved, here’s wishing for justice -- and Godspeed.

Dave Shannon Cross-Canada Tour
Dave Shannon, dubbed "Super Dave at his February pre-tour press conference in Toronto, announced the details of his planned cross-Canada trip by power wheelchair. Dave will embark on his journey April 1, 1997, from St. John’s, Newfoundland -- and he hopes to roll into Victoria, B.C., in September. Money raised through the Dave Shannon Cross-Canada Tour will provide financial assistance toward scholarships, business start-ups, people with disabilities who are involved in visual and performing arts, and research into neurological disorders. Watch for news of Dave’s progress in upcoming issues of ABILITIES.

Federal Budget and People with Disabilities
Finance Minister Paul Martin tabled the new federal budget in February. Citing recommendations from the Federal Task Force on Disability Issues, Minister Martin prefaced his announcements by stating that "what these Canadians seek is not special treatment. They seek equal citizenship. And they need our support to secure it.

The new measures announced by the finance minister include allowing workers with disabilities to deduct the full cost of attendant services from their earned income, and permitting audiologists to certify eligibility for the disability tax credit. The government will implement a substantial broadening of the list of expenses eligible for the medical expense tax credit, and the limit on part-time attendant services will also be raised. In addition, expenses incurred while moving to accessible housing will now be eligible for tax deduction.

Other measures include introducing a refundable tax credit for low-income, working Canadians to help cover the high medical expenses often faced by people with disabilities. And Minister Martin announced the establishment of a $30-million Opportunities Fund within Human Resources Development Canada that will operate in partnership with non-governmental organizations to address the employment needs of Canadians with disabilities.

Critics of the minister’s announcements suggest that in spite of the new initiatives, the government has taken away far more than it is willing to contribute to the social and economic integration of people with disabilities.

Andy Scott, M.P., chairman of the Federal Task Force on Disability Issues, will provide some context for the minister’s announcements in the next issue of ABILITIES. Further information about the budget is available by calling 1-888-454-7777, or visiting the Department of Finance website at http://www.fin.gc.ca/.