Dear Sisters and Brothers:
Re: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Nearly one in ten people are living with a disability and on December 3, 2010 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities – we stand in solidarity with our Brothers and Sisters to advocate for their right to live and work in society with dignity, autonomy and equality.
This past June, we gathered at the 2010 National Access Conference to strategize on ways to promote more inclusive work environments and to provide tools that educate and advocate for disability rights in our communities, our workplaces and our union. The results were empowering and together we will work toward mobilizing support and action in achieving the full and equal enjoyment of human rights
Over two million Canadian adults with disabilities lack one or more of the educational, workplace, aids, home modification or other supports they need to fully participate in their communities. This struggle could become increasingly difficult with Harper’s recent decision to change the federal government’s parking policy. These pending changes will adversely affect workers with disabilities, creating a barrier that will make it harder to access their workplaces.
On this day and every day that follows, we must join together, Brothers and Sisters, to take action against discrimination and continue to educate ourselves and our coworkers, family and friends on what we can do to ensure that our workplaces and our communities are barrier free and free from discrimination.
In Solidarity,
Robyn Benson
REVP – PSAC Prairies