Iqaluit (Aug 04/03) - Inuit with disabilities will have access to another helping hand soon.

Community organizations who assist disabled beneficiaries of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement will have access to $2,000 to help improve services and provide activities.

"There are some people who need services that aren't provided by the government. This will help," said Jesse Nutarak, director of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association in Pond Inlet.

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. will provide the money under the new Beneficiaries with Disabilities Program.

The organization hopes this will create awareness and draw more attention to the plight of disabled in the North.

"This will try to address the lack of support to Inuit compared to other communities in the South," said Jerry Ell, Nunavut harvester support program manager with NTI.

Ell said the territory is lacking even basic equipment like wheelchairs.

Under this project, only groups and organizations will be able to receive this funding.

"At this stage, we are limiting ourselves to a small target group. There have been requests already. We won't be able to assist individuals at this time though," said Ell.

NTI hopes to talk to nurses and social workers to find out what the needs are in each community.

"Nurses and social workers are very much aware of what the challenges are and we want to tap into that knowledge," Ell said.

Details on how to access the program are expected to be provided soon through the land claims organizations.