As the Chair of the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (the Council), I am pleased to submit the transitional Activity Plan for the fiscal year 2010-2011. This plan is prepared in compliance with the Transparency and Accountability Act (2006) pursuant to which the Council has been categorized as a category III government entity and requires the Council to prepare a performance-based activity plan.
The Council is accountable for the preparation of this plan and for the achievement of its objectives. Due to the transitional nature of this one year plan, the Council has deferred development of a mission statement for this year, and will articulate a mission statement in the upcoming three-year activity plan for 2011 to 2014.
In development of this plan, careful consideration was given to the strategic directions of government, as communicated by the responsible minister. While the Council does not have a direct role in the achievement of these strategic directions, they do contribute to achieving the overall mandate of the Government.
I am pleased and honoured to have been selected Chair of the Council and look forward to our collective efforts in the coming year.
Sincerely,
Joanne MacDonald
Chairperson
Provincial Advisory Council on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities
In November 2009, the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities (the Council) was created in partnership with the community of persons with disabilities. Seventeen individuals were appointed by the Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities. This Council will advise the Provincial Government as it develops strategies and recommendations to advance inclusion. The Council will advise the Provincial Government as it takes action to ensure people with disabilities have the same opportunities as people without disabilities, by removing existing barriers and ensuring that policies, programs and services are inclusive.
The Council is comprised of 12 to 18 members appointed by the Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities. The members of the Council have cross-disability representation from all regions of the province and have demonstrated leadership in the advancement of people with disabilities. Council membership reflects gender balance, as well as urban-rural balance. From amongst the members, the Minister appoints the chair of the Council to serve a three year term. Council members are appointed for two years. Expressions of Interest are sought on a revolving basis as terms expire to allow for continuity.
Council members serve in a volunteer capacity and receive no remuneration other than reimbursement for expenses to attend meetings, as per the Provincial Government Guidelines for compensation to members of Agencies, Boards and Commissions. The Council meets up to four times a year. The costs of the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities are borne by the Department of Advanced Education and Skills.
The Disability Policy Office, located within the Department of Advanced Education and Skills, provides secretariat and administrative support to the Council.
Disability Policy Office
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
3rd Floor Confederation Building, West Block St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6
Telephone: 1-709-729-6275
TTY: 1-888-380-2299
E-mail: disability.policy.office@gov.nl.ca
www.gov.nl.ca/hrle/DisabilityPolicy
The Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities is mandated to advise and inform the Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities on matters concerning persons with disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Council:
The Council supports the following values of the Human Resources, Labour, and Employment. Due to the transitional nature of the activity plan, the Council has a long term desire to develop values of Council for the next planning cycle (2011- 2014).
Values of the Department of Advanced Education and Skills:
Respect and Diversity
Inclusion
Partnership
Innovation
Transparency
The Council brings knowledge and understanding of disability-related issues to the Provincial Government and advances the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society. In this capacity, the Council serves its primary clients, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, by providing advice to the Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
Newfoundland and Labrador will be a province where people with disabilities have the same opportunities as people without disabilities - a society that is accessible and inclusive of everyone.
Due to the transitional nature of this plan, the Council may revisit the vision when it develops its 2011-2014 Activity Plan.
The 2010 Speech from the Throne affirmed the Provincial Government’s Blueprint commitment to enhance the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society. This included consulting with people with disabilities in developing recommendations and strategies to address barriers (including barriers to public services, education and employment) effectively so they can take full advantage of opportunities in this province. In November 2009, the Provincial Government also fulfilled its commitment to establish a Provincial Advisory Council to advise the Provincial Government on the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Objective: By March 31, 2011, the Provincial Advisory Council will have provided input on the process for provincial consultation on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.
Measure: Provided input on process used for the Provincial Consultation for the Inclusion of Persons of Disabilities.
Indicators:
In the 2010 Speech from the Throne, the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador stated that it will develop a new provincial Strategy for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities. The Council’s terms of reference include advising the Provincial Government on issues of importance to Persons with Disabilities such as the development of the Strategy.
Objective: By March 31, 2011, the Council will have advised the Provincial Government on the development of a provincial strategy for the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Measure: Council advised the Provincial Government on the development of a provincial strategy.
Indicators:
(Nov 27/09 News Release – Appointment of the PAC)
The Provincial Advisory Council will advise and inform the Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities on important matters relating to persons with disabilities. The Council will also advise the Provincial Government as it develops policies, programs, strategies and recommendations to advance the inclusion of persons with disabilities.