What is the purpose of a disability inclusion lens? 

 

• The purpose of the lens is to assess the impact of policies, programs and legislation on individuals with disabilities.
• The Disability Inclusion Lens is more than a checklist of positive behaviors or policies.  It is a process integrated into the regular operation of government to ensure consultation and inclusion.

What does a disability inclusion lens do?

 

• A disability inclusion lens will go a long way to ensuring government programs and services meet the real needs of individuals with disabilities;
• A disability inclusion lens should mean that government will conduct substantive and meaningful community consultations;
• In the long run a disability inclusion lens should ensure that the issues and concerns of individuals with disabilities are identified, discuss and hopefully actioned before there is a problem.

What is the background to the development and implementation of a disability inclusion lens?

 

• 1998: The development of a disability lens was a key component of the provincial government announcement on the creation of the disability strategy.
• 1999: Disability Inclusion Lens was part of the original mandate of Council on Disability Issues.
• 2000: Joint community/government task groups undertaken preliminary work.  Task groups have not met since 2000.
• 2001: Saskatchewan Disability Action Plan identifies Disability Inclusion Lens as priority step forward. 
• 2003: The NDP response to the Disability Election Agenda was that the Disability Inclusion Lens is being developed.

What should the provincial government be doing about a disability inclusion lens?

 

• The Government needs to implement a Disability Inclusion Lens. 
• A working group co chaired by government and community needs to be created. 
• Timeline need to be set for the completion of working group's work.
• The working group needs to report directly to provincial government minister.
• There must be recognition of the resource imbalance between government and community.  IDEA Regina is an organization of volunteers.

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