Research Repository
Advancing the Inclusion of Persons With Disabilities

An excellent overview of government programs in relation to persons with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on outcomes and indicators.

Key Topics: Disability, channel
Scope: Federal Government

• This paper is more a broad overview than a source of "key findings." Includes such things as measurements on programs of inclusion, sources of information on disability issues and government programs (p.15), and disability supports.
• Seven key areas to help people with disabilities achieve full inclusion:
  

  1. increase accountability and improve policy and program coherence;
  2. build a comprehensive base of knowledge;
  3. build the capacity of the disabled community;
  4. address the needs of Aboriginals with disabilities;
  5. improve access and remove barriers to supports and income;
  6. enhance employability;
  7. and reduce injury and disability rates.
     
• Lists six indicators of progress: help needed for everyday activities; aids/devices needed; home modifications; transportation; information in multiple formats; and health care requirements.
• Lists recent "government action" for each need (transport, home modifications, etc.)
• Government advertising is reaching a much higher percentage of citizens than businesses.
• Outlines need for information in multiple formats (page 25), as 10% of the population is print disabled.
• Extensively documents the initiatives undertaken by need (relation to education, health, etc.).
• In 2001 there were 3,601,000 Canadians with disabilities, or 12.4% of the population.

Statistics: General statistics relating to persons with disabilities; outcomes and indicators; education rates; requirements by program; government action funding commitments; employment rates; etc.

Strategic Uses: Strong outcomes based reporting model to replicate; required analysis to ensure needs of inclusion groups are being met in modernizing service delivery.

Comments: See also: "A Way With Words and Images: Guidelines for the Portrayal of Persons with Disabilities."