.Dignity and Justice for All.
UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities


December 3, 2008, is the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.  This year.s theme .Dignity and Justice for All. recognizes the importance of equality and engagement for all people with disabilities and the contributions individuals with disabilities make to the community.  To celebrate and recognize this day, the Independent Living Resource Centre (ILRC) will be hosting an Open House and presenting our research findings to the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources Labour & Employment on Wednesday at 1:00pm. 

.We are very pleased to be launching our report, .Voices of the People. on such a significant day of recognition. says Barry Galloway, Executive Director of the ILRC.  .Earlier this year, we conducted a series of public forums province-wide to hear from Newfoundland and Labradorians with disabilities about key issues they are facing on a daily basis within their communities,. says Galloway .What we heard was astonishing. Services in rural communities are almost non-existent and people within disability communities are feeling forgotten.

The ILRC provides a commitment to staying in touch with the community. Partnerships are formed with individuals, organizations, governments, schools, universities and businesses. By working together, gaps in service can be determined and solutions developed. Research that recognizes persons with disabilities as experts is important in determining what works and what does not. Consumer tested and validated information is the key to developing programs and services that benefit the whole community.

Funded through the Department of Human Resources Labour and Employment, results of this research through the Independent Living Internship Program will promote understanding and awareness of disability within respective communities and augment the existence of community independence.  This program will also be providing key links within communities throughout the province on overall disability awareness and equality. 

For additional information, please contact:

Barry Galloway . Executive Director
Kathy Hawkins - IL Internship Program Coordinator
Independent Living Resource Centre
709.722.4031-Tel | 709.722.0147-Fax
www.ilrc.nf.ca       kathy@ilrc.nf.ca