Accessability Advisory Council Members

Manitoba News Release

December 2, 2011

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS ANNOUNCED

Council to Build Greater Accessibility In Manitoba:

At a Winnipeg forum organized by the provincial Disabilities Issues Office (DIO) to recognize the United Nations International Day for Persons with Disabilities tomorrow, Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard, minister responsible for persons with disabilities, today announced the membership of the 12-person Accessibility Advisory Council, appointed to help identify, remove or prevent barriers faced by people with disabilities.

"The Manitoba government is taking strong action to create greater accessibility for people with disabilities," said Howard.  "Building an accessible province is a long-term goal and we want to invite Manitobans to share their views on how best to do that." The council is made up of members of the disability community and other stakeholders and will make recommendations on:

* introducing legislation or regulations that would establish a process to identify, prevent and remove barriers faced by people with disabilities;

* determining policies, practices and requirements that can be implemented by government to improve accessibility; and

* developing long-term accessibility objectives.

Jim Derksen of Winnipeg has been named council chair.  He has played a key role in the development of the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, Disabled Peoples' International and the Canadian Disability Rights Council, Howard said.  Derksen also served as the first executive director of the Disabilities Issues Office.  He recently received an honourary doctorate from the University of Manitoba recognizing his work on disability issues. The advisory council will consult with people with disabilities and organizations that may be affected by its recommendation.  This includes employers and businesses as well as representatives from Manitoba municipalities.  One of the council's first tasks will be to further develop the legislation that will set out accessibility standards, Howard said.  A new website link from the DIO to the council will keep the public informed about the ongoing discussions of the council, as well as future opportunities for community involvement.  It can be found at www.manitoba.ca/dio/aac.

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS

•  Jim Derksen, chair, Winnipeg;

•  Yvonne Peters, vice-chair, Manitoba Human Rights Commission, Winnipeg;

•  Eileen Clarke, Association of Manitoba Municipalities, Portage la Prairie;

•  Diane Driedger, Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities, Winnipeg;

•  Jim Baker, Manitoba Hotel Association, Winnipeg;

•  Scott Jocelyn, Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association, Winnipeg;

•  Lanny McInnes, Retail Council of Canada, Winnipeg;

•  Doug Momotiuk, Winnipeg;

• Chris Summerville, Schizophrenia Society Manitoba, Winnipeg;

• Diane Scribe, Winnipeg;

• Judy Redmond, City of Winnipeg;