New provincial role to look after people with disabilities
CBC News
Posted: Jul 3, 2012 12:53 PM AT
Last Updated: Jul 3, 2012 1:57 PM AT
The province has designated an employee to make sure public policy is inclusive for those with disabilities.
Michelle Harris-Genge is now the disability and community liaison officer, and also has the same responsibilities for gender equality.
The province added the disability responsibilities after the Disability Action Council made the recommendation.
Harris-Genge starts the new role right away.
“It's ensuring that concerns are taken into consideration before decisions are made,” she said. “So you see things through a policy lens that takes disability needs, concerns and desires into consideration.
“By doing so you see that need, you see what needs to be done and then you make the policy decisions based on that proactively.”
Her role will give her the authority to review and recommend on legislation, policy, programs and services and their impact on persons living with disabilities. She will report her progress annually to the province.
Harris-Genge plans to tour the province this summer to consult with groups about disability policy.
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