Advocates for disabled want voice in cabinet
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 29/01) - Disabled persons in the Northwest Territories need a minister at the cabinet table, says Sister Agnes Sutherland of Fort Smith.
"Why not? There's a Minister for parks and health and all sorts of things," Sister Agnes told 200 delegates at the "Count Me In" conference.
At present, responsibility for the disabled is shared by two government departments and conference delegates said the system is caught in its own red tape.
White canes, wheelchairs, hearing aids, crutches and medical alert bracelets descended upon Yellowknife's Explorer Hotel for the conference.
The conference allowed delegates to compare experiences.
Laura Lennie of Tulita discovered many similarities.
The retired health care worker attended the conference on behalf of her daughter Valarie whose 19-year-old severely disabled son lives in Inuvik.
"She couldn't get him home for Christmas. She tried but no one seemed to know who she should talk to," Lennie said.
Even if her family could afford to keep the young man in Tulita, the town of 500 residents lacks specialized bath chairs, ramps and staff Lennie's grandson needs.
NWT Council for Disabled Persons received $200,000 from Human Resources Development Canada for the conference which wrapped up Saturday.
Aggie Brockman, executive director of the Council for Persons, was thrilled with the turn out.
"It's important people have a chance to get together to raise awareness for each other and the public," Brockman said.
The conference followed a comprehensive needs assessment study the government released in November.
