Making a Difference

By Max Brault

In 1992, the United Nations officially proclaimed December 3 as the day on which we celebrate the achievements and contributions made to our community by persons with disabilities.

A committee representing federal departments, regional governments, non-government organizations and Canadian companies are working together to recognize the International Day for Disabled Persons on Friday, December 3, 2000, by celebrating the achievements and contributions made to our community by persons with disabilities.

The committee has selected the theme "Making a Difference" to illustrate the achievements and accomplishments of individuals with and without disabilities on behalf of the Canadian disability movement. ("Making a Difference" is also the title of an upcoming book by Daryl Rock profiling Canadians with disabilities who have made a difference in their community, and marking Canada’s millennium.)

Though in its initial planning stages, part of the focus for this year’s International Day for Disabled Persons event will be on illustrating the efforts of people involved in the disability movement in Canada over the past 33 years.

With the new millennium upon us, the disability community in Canada hopes to inspire the next generation of individuals and partnerships in the disability movement. December 3, 2000, is an event that will profile the contributions of key individuals and organizations that in the past have led to removal of barriers. Through pride in the accomplishments of yesterday, we will inspire the accomplishments of tomorrow.

December 3 will be an opportunity for the nation to focus on the proud disability movement and acknowledge the large steps that have been taken -- and have yet to be taken -- in order for a person with a disability to access the economic prosperity and quality of life that every other Canadian citizen can achieve. About 4.2 million Canadians have a disability, according to Statistics Canada, and this makes people with disabilities one of the largest communities in Canada.

We may have come a long way since the beginning of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, but we still have much to accomplish. For example, 65 per cent of adults with disabilities earn less than $10,000, and some people with disabilities have never held a job. In many communities, basic access to housing and transportation are not a reality for many citizens. These are just some samples of the issues that will require future leadership and partnerships to breaking down the barriers.

(Max Brault is Co-Chair of the United Nations International Day for Disabled Persons.)

The Canadian Abilities Foundation is proud to be the lead national organization for the International Day for Disabled Persons December 3, 2000

The United Nations International Day for Disabled Persons Committee would like to assist local community groups to become involved in this process.

If your community group wishes to become involved in planning a local activity in your area for December 3, please contact Canadian Abilities Foundation, (416) 923-1885; fax: (416) 923-9829; e-mail: able@abilities.ca. Also check out our website, www.abilities.ca, for more information.