“Community AccessAbility” program creates opportunities and removes barriers for people with disabilities

TORONTO, July 18 /CNW/ - The Ontario government today took another step forward in its efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities with the release of guidelines and criteria for the 2002-2003 Community AccessAbility program, said Minister of Citizenship, Carl DeFaria.

                "The Community AccessAbility program is helping to create opportunities and remove barriers for persons with disabilities in Ontario. It is just one way the government of Ontario is demonstrating its commitment to equal opportunity and improving access for people with disabilities," said DeFaria.

                The Community AccessAbility program provides grants to incorporated, not-for-profit, non-government, community-based organizations in Ontario that enter into partnerships with others - service clubs, businesses, municipalities, and chambers of commerce - to create projects that help improve access for persons with disabilities in their communities. The deadline for project proposals is September 9, 2002.

                "I encourage organizations to work together to make their communities more accessible to people with disabilities," said DeFaria. "This program can make an enormous contribution to creating a province where no new barriers are created and existing ones are removed over time."

                "The Community AccessAbility program helps bring communities together. The projects help to promote an inclusive, accessible and diverse society where everyone can enjoy the same rights and privileges. Our project addressed the need to teach children about disability before misconceptions and negative attitudes begin to develop," said Carolyn MacDiarmid, Communications Editor of the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work.

                For details on guidelines and criteria, contact the Government of Ontario, Ministry of Citizenship local office in your area. Or visit our Accessibility Ontario Web portal at  http://www.gov.on.ca/citizenship/accessibility.

                Disponible en français.

                For more information visit www.gov.on.ca/citizenship

                For further information: Mike Campbell, Communications, (416) 314-7239.