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Minister Bergen highlights her new responsibilities for disability-related programs

July 25, 2014, Whitby, Ontario —The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development) and Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar today travelled to Whitby, Ontario to tour the Abilities Centre, a 125,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility that offers sports, fitness, arts and life skills programming, as well as research and education opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

Recognized as an International Centre of Excellence for its fully accessible design, inclusive environment, programming and partnerships, Minister Bergen took the opportunity to meet with those involved with the facility as part of her role as Minister of State for Social Development with added responsibilities for: Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF); Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability (SDPP-D); Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities (OF).

Quick facts on disability-related programs

- Economic Action Plan 2013 announced a new generation of Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities to ensure federal funding supports programming that better helps Canadians with disabilities obtain the skills they need to fill available jobs.
- Economic Action Plan 2014 announced the expansion of the Ready, Willing & Able Initiative, with $15 million dollars to be invested through the Canadian Association for Community Living to engage employers to hire and support youth and working-age adults with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
-  Economic Action Plan 2014 announced $11.4 million to support the Sinneave Family Foundation and Autism Speaks Canada in the expansion of vocational training programs for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

A call for proposals for the Enabling Accessibility Fund for community organizations opened on June 20, 2014. Organizations are encouraged to submit proposals for projects that will help improve accessibility in community facilities for Canadians with disabilities. Eligible organizations in all provinces and territories have the opportunity to submit proposals until Friday, August 1, 2014.

  - A call for proposals for the Enabling Accessibility Fund for businesses will be opening in the near future.

Quote:

    "Our Government recognizes that Canadians of all abilities can and do make important contributions to our society and to our economy. I'm honoured to be taking on these additional responsibilities in my capacity as Minister of State for Social Development. Our goal remains to ensure that no Canadian faces needless barriers as we work towards ensuring a fully inclusive society for people of all abilities."

    – The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development)

Contacts:

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