SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Denise McKee is feeling more encouraged by the current assembly compared to the previous one after MLAs voted unanimously to create better supports for people with disabilities.

Judy Sharp, 73, sits at her computer with Patrick on her lap while she reads a motion that calls for more support and action to help disabled people in the NWT. The motion recently passed unanimously in the legislative assembly. Sharp, who has multiple disabilities brought on by cancer treatment, said she believes this assembly will do more to help people with disabilities than past assemblies. - John McFadden/NNSL photo McKee pleads for city funding reinstatement by Shane Magee Northern News Services Children with disabilities won't be able to access city summer camps after the city cut funding from the NWT Disabilities Council, according to its executive director. The funding, which will be $18,000 this year, is a reduction by a third from past amounts, said Denise McKee. The funding covers the cost of providing trained staff to assist children four to 12 years old who want to partake in the city's summer programming. McKee read an e-mail she said was from Mayor Mark Heyck explaining the changes. He wrote to tell her that as more groups applied for city grant funding, the amount each group gets has had to decrease. "I beg to differ," McKee said, saying the city has a responsibility to provide funds based on laws and declarations about people with disabilities. She pointed out that prior to the fall municipal election, several councillors pledged support to persons with disabilities. As she read their words back to them, councillors watched stone-faced. "Here we stand, taking a large step backwards," she said. Council asked for administration to have its lawyer review its legal requirements and report back to them in the future.

This is in stark contrast to how the NWT Disabilities Council executive director felt prior to the election in October when cabinet abstained from supporting a similar motion.

"Many of the MLAs in their campaigning had supported the NWT Disabilities Council . and would look at disabilities as being an issue," said McKee.

"I was very happy that this was addressed in the first real session."

The new motion, passed March 3 and brought forth by Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green, pointed out that 15 per cent of NWT residents live with a disability and one in nine people in the territory are impacted by a disability as family members and caregivers.

Disabilities can range from obvious physical disabilities that require a person to use a walker or a wheelchair, to psychological disabilities that may not be apparent.

The motion calls on the government to develop a five-year action plan addressing the needs of those with disabilities. It also calls for the government to report back by the end of June with a proposed timeline for the development of a plan.

Long-time coming

McKee said that there has been a disabilities action plan since 2003 but the new motion allows for an update, including to address barriers and gaps in service.

McKee also wants it to be a priority to explain to employers how it can be good for business to hire people with a disability - that some consumers will in fact frequent a business if they know they have people with a disability working there.

"We want businesses to be made aware of the benefits of employing people with disabilities and it doesn't necessarily mean a huge outpouring of accommodations for them," said McKee. "How do we make sure our workplaces are as accommodating and inclusive as possible? That includes transportation because if a person has no way to get to work, that may be the reason they can't work. It has nothing to do with their skill or desire."

She also feels the government must realize it can actually save money over the long term if it starts to address disability issues with children.

"We have to look at making education fully accessible to people with disabilities in all aspects so that they have the ability to gain the skills necessary to be able to work and be relevant in the workforce," McKee said. "They have to have a plan that creates a future for them. Their strengths (should be) identified and supported...right now there is nothing like that. We have so many young people who come out of high school with absolutely no prospects except to go on income security."

Judy Sharp, 73, is a Yellowknife resident and a cancer survivor living with multiple disabilities brought on by cancer treatment. Like McKee, Sharp was encouraged by the motion and believes this legislative assembly has more compassion, cares more and is more in tune with disability issues.

"They are people who are more aware. They've taken part in Relay for Life. They've taken part in other events in the city. I just think they are more open than they have been in the past," Sharp said.

As a former teacher, she agrees with McKee it is important to offer more support to children with disabilities and to teach kids who do not have a disability to treat those who do with respect. Both said that aspect of disability education goes a long way toward cutting down on the bullying of children with disabilities.