Community Inclusion
Disability is a dynamic that is a profound part of the human experience regardless of gender, race or economic social status. In Canada, there are over 3.6 million Canadians who live with a disability.
There are 1 million Canadians who live with the label of being intellectually disabled. In our early history, people with disabilities were confined to institutions and not considered full citizens in our country. This is still happening today.
In 2004, the government of Canada from its Throne speech, made a promise regarding labeled people. A new orientation was born, wanting people with disabilities to be full and effective participants in society as citizens, and benefit from our country’s economic growth. The Community Inclusion Initiative initiated a profound change that had a huge impact on the social development of labeled people: Providing a venue to create a sense of self-worth, confidence, and freedom.
For the fiscal periods of April 2006 to March 2008, six major priority issues that have been identified by the Community Inclusion Initiative partners are:
- Deinstitutionalization
- Community Associational Life and Capacity – which includes:
- Leadership and Partnership (women, youth, seniors, aboriginal)
- Public Awareness
- Support to P/T/Local Chapters
- Income and Employment
- Family and Disability Supports
- Education
These six priority sectors will bring forth a process of self empowerment and skill building of labeled people, which like any initiative, is a dynamic and on going process.
People First of Canada members see themselves as self-advocates and full citizens of our country, who are included in the mainstream of our society. We see ourselves as people first who have taken control of their lives from, support workers, families, health practitioners, and social workers.
The major benefit of the CII project is empowerment. Labeled people now are telling their stories and participating in our society as full citizens. Today across Canada People First members are involved in self-advocacy, conferences, workshops, and engaging in meaningful constructive activities that contribute to local communities greatly.
Provincial and Territorial People First Chapters are involved in many issues. Ranging from lobbying the government of Quebec to configure ballots differently so that people can better decide who to vote for; to working on women’s leadership issues and rights in British Columbia. As well as developing newsletters, pamphlets, books and videos, to further the message and need for inclusion of labeled people.
Due to this initiative, the public and government have become more aware of People First of Canada and the issues that face people with disabilities all over our country. Rather than having one advocate and one voice, there are now People First groups that collaborate with other organizations nationally and impact their local communities greatly.
Many doors have opened - and many are yet to be opened – to ensure that people who have been marginalized may fully realize the experience of community inclusion by living, working and truly participating in a community of their choice.
For more information on the Community Inclusion Initiative, please visit www.communityinclusion.ca or e-mail us at info@peoplefirstofcanada.ca
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