A National Strategy for Disability Supports: Where is Canada? Michael J. Prince University of Victoria

Two Questions Where is the federal government in developing, with other governments and groups, a national strategy on disability supports? What might the federal government do in the near term to put in place a national agenda for action and investments?

My Aims Today Make a case for a national approach to disability supports Describe intergovernmental transfer options Propose revising an existing transfer as the platform for a national strategy

Disability Supports Aids and devices Support with daily living activities Specialized housing features Work-related supports Inclusive child care and early learning School-related supports Information and advice services Accessible transportation

A “Severity-Service Gap” The more severe the disability, the more likely people have needs for supports and services that are only partially met or are completely unmet. Most prevalent reason is financial barriers. Income assistance is essential but insufficient by itself as a policy response. This group is also at high risk of persistent poverty with multiple barriers to participation.

Existing service and supports Are often: fragmented Unavailable in a community or region Unaffordable for individuals and families Not portable across areas or life transitions Disempowering to users in the philosophy and mode of provision Not tailored to needs of Aboriginal peoples

Demand for supports will only grow Aging population of Canadian society Pressures on smaller sized families Public expectations for flexible, available and accountable services Further deinstitutionalization Labour market needs for skilled people

Profile of Need About 2 million Canadian adults lack one or more of the disability supports they need. Half of children with disabilities who need specialized aids do not have all the aids they require. Families supporting a family member with a disability have lower household incomes than other families. PALS, 2001

A sign the status quo is broken A recent series by The Globe and Mail found that 8,500 young and middle-aged persons with disabilities in Canada are in nursing homes for the elderly For all too many, this expedient is depressing, degrading and increases isolation Suggests a loss of progress in reforms

Disability as a rhetorical priority Identified as a main area for reform by First Ministers in 1996 Intergovernmental vision documents (In Unison 1998 and 2000) F/P/T working group on disability Federal disability agenda, 1999 Throne Speech statements, 2004

2005 Federal Budget Commitments to Canadians with Disabilities Delivering on pledges? Dithering over decisions? Declining in importance?

Response by Disability Organizations: polite but profound disappointment Tax benefits a positive step BUT of very limited use to most people with disabilities. Priority should be on expenditure programs instead. No long term vision expressed in budget. Implicit in Budget Speech language is a bio- medical, personal tragedy notion of disability, and an absence of equality and full citizenship discourse.

Federal Intergovernmental Transfers for Disability Programs Income assistance: a history of federal involvement since the 1930s Supports and services: a legacy since early 1960s: Vocational Rehabilitation for Disabled Persons ( ), Employability Assistance for Persons with Disabilities ( ), Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities (since 2003)

Rationale for Federal Grants in Disability Policy Mandate of Social Development Canada Mobility rights of Canadians Equality rights of Canadians Portability of services Assist governments of varying fiscal capacities to enhance and extend current patchwork of essential services Full citizenship

Options for a Federal Transfer 1.New fiscal arrangement 2.Earmarked supplement in the Canada Social Transfer or Canada Health Transfer 3.Adapt existing disability-related transfer mechanism - the Multilateral Framework for Labour Market Agreements

The Multilateral Framework for Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities Grounded in a history of collaboration Familiar to disability community Cost-sharing funding (50-50) Focus on working-age adults and work Some general conditions Modernized accountability and reporting

The Multilateral Framework as a Platform for Reform Add other priority areas to the employment focus, such as schools, local transportation, community, families Extend the concept of supports eligible for federal funds Expand on desired outcomes Involve disability groups and Aboriginal organizations in reform discussions

A National Strategy (not a National System) Negotiate shared national goals, priority areas to fund, and accountability features Five year federal commitment to start with significant new federal investments Actual mix of funded supports and services determined by each province/territory in consultation with disability groups in their jurisdiction Accountability to own residents

Part of a wider agenda of inclusion A National Strategy on Supports for Canadians with Disabilities would be part of addressing barriers, improving opportunities and advancing inclusion This agenda of inclusion would also involve reforms in income security, tax, health policy, learning, transit, and other fields

On Commitments “What kind of Canada do we want? … A Canada where people with disabilities and their families … have the support they need.” Prime Minister Paul Martin, response to the Speech from the Throne, February, 2004

What Next? “Canadians with disabilities …. have been patient, we have been collaborative, we have identified the need, we have identified the priority – disability related supports. What does the government expect our community to do now?” Marie White, Chairperson of Council of Canadians with Disabilities, February 23, 2005.

So, where is Canada? What is the federal government planning to do to achieve this kind of Canada? What would you like it to be doing? Thank you.