Released on October 30, 2013
Team Will Lead Consultations on the Development of Province-Wide Disability Strategy
The Government of Saskatchewan has announced the 15 members of the Citizen Consultation Team (CCT) that will play a key role in the development of a province-wide Disability Strategy. The members of the team will provide advice on the public consultation process, priorities and content of the Disability Strategy. The group was selected from more than 100 candidates who submitted online applications.
“This is another important step forward in the development of Saskatchewan’s Disability Strategy,” Social Services Minister June Draude said. “I am confident that the members of the CCT will provide leadership and direction in ensuring that we hear from as broad a cross-section of Saskatchewan residents as possible during the upcoming consultation process.”
The CCT is holding its first meeting today in Regina. Public consultations on the Disability Strategy will be held next April and May. The team is co-chaired by Daryl Stubel, the Executive Director of the Office of Disability Issues in the Ministry of Social Services. The community co-chair is Amy Alsop of Regina, an advocate for people with visual disabilities and a two-time Paralympic gold medalist (Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004) in the sport of goalball.
“I’ve been fortunate to represent Canada in international sporting competitions, and I am equally excited and honoured to co-chair this committee,” Alsop said. “I look forward to working with my peers in the disability community to improve the lives of Saskatchewan people with disabilities.”
The development of the Disability Strategy will be led by the Ministry of Social Services. Other ministries participating in the process are Health, Education, Advanced Education, Government Relations, Economy, Finance and Justice.
Legislative Secretary Mark Docherty, the MLA for Regina Coronation Park, will serve as a member of the Citizen Consultation Team, and report directly to Minister Draude.
“Our government’s goal is to make Saskatchewan the best place to live in Canada for people with disabilities,” Docherty said. “I’m looking forward to working with the Citizen Consultation Team and the disability community in developing a comprehensive Disability Strategy that will help us reach that goal.”
The Disability Strategy will focus on the priority areas outlined in the government’s Plan for Growth: accessibility, affordability and availability of housing; transportation; employment; education; support for community inclusion and support for caregivers. Other priorities may emerge during the consultation process.
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For more information, contact:
Pete Paczko
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0531
Email: pete.paczko@gov.sk.ca