The Provincial Government recognizes that barriers continue to exist throughout the province and has already made strides toward their removal. Here are some examples:
Chronic Disease Management Framework: This is a policy framework that outlines a long-term approach for addressing chronic disease prevention and management in Newfoundland and Labrador. The framework document lays the foundation for actions to be developed and implemented over several years. It is guided by core policies that focus on self-management,prevention and awareness, health care delivery, practice guidelines,information systems and research and community action.
Disability Accommodation Policy, Public Service Secretariat:A new Disability Accommodation Policy was approved by Treasury Board effective January 1, 2012 that supports the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s commitment to having a diverse and inclusive workforce where employees have equal and fair opportunity to participate, contribute and advance in the workplace. Providing workplace accommodations to employees with disabilities can enable them to participate in the workplace. Workplace accommodations attempt to provide equal opportunities to individuals who may otherwise face barriers in entering, re-entering or maintaining employment.
Early Childhood Learning Strategy: A universal strategy that will include accessible programs for children from birth to six years of age and their families; its focus is on language and literacy development.
Early Learning and Child Care Plan: The Early Learning and Child Care Plan includes an inclusion component that supports full participation of children enrolled in regulated centre-based and family home child care services.
Healthy Aging Policy Framework: The Healthy Aging Policy Framework supports the Provincial Government’s vision to have a supportive, age-friendly province where seniors can make a contribution to their communities and, in turn, communities support all residents in living as independently as possible.
Immigration Strategy: Launched in 2007, this strategy has 18 goals and outlines activities and initiatives to achieve them. Goal 11 seeks to ensure that existing government policies and programs do not create barriers for immigrants in the province.
Inclusive Education Initiative: This initiative is currently being phased in within school districts throughout the province and embodies a more collaborative approach to teaching and learning. Within a school community, all members are encouraged to share responsibility for the learning and well being of all students. The focus is on providing a classroom environment where responsive teaching is the norm and where strategies, materials and resources used are tailored to student profiles. The Service Delivery Model for Students with Exceptionalities supports the Inclusive Education Initiative. This model provides an inclusive framework for program delivery in provincial schools and identifies prescribed, modified and alternate curriculum, accommodations, programs and courses.
Long-Term Care and Community Support Services Strategy: A strategy is currently being developed to strengthen the long-term care and community supports services system.
Office of Employment Equity for Persons with Disabilities, Public Service Secretariat: The mandate of the Office of Employment Equity for Persons with Disabilities is to increase the number of persons with disabilities employed in the Public Service. To achieve this, the office has a number of programs and services designed to help persons with disabilities get employment in Provincial Government departments and agencies.
Poverty Reduction Strategy: This strategy guides action designed to reduce poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador.There are over 80 ongoing poverty reduction initiatives underway within Provincial Government departments and agencies. Some examples of initiatives particularly relevant to persons with disabilities include:
- Wage Subsidy for Persons with Disabilities;
- Supports to Employment for Persons with Disabilities;
- School-to-work transition supports for People with Developmental Disabilities;
- Community Partnerships; and,
- Increased earning exemptions for persons with disabilities who receive Income Support.
Provincial Policy Framework for Mental Health and Addictions:This framework was released in October 2005 and guides policy for mental health and addictions in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Provincial wellness Plan: The Provincial wellness Plan is focused on several areas including healthy eating, physical activity,tobacco control, injury prevention, mental health promotion,healthy child and youth development and environmental health and is implemented through strengthened partnerships, public awareness, health promotion and evaluation of methods.
Recreation and Sport Strategy:This strategy is focused on increased participation in recreation and sport throughout the province. A key direction is to “increase the number of citizens who are physically active and who participate in regular recreation and sport activities, especially women and girls and people in underrepresented groups;Aboriginal people, senior citizens, low-income persons and people with disabilities”.
Social Housing Plan: The Social Housing Plan addresses the need for more coordinated supportive services, providing housing support for persons with complex needs, investing more in social housing infrastructure, extending programs that help with home renovations for accessibility and garnering additional private sector involvement.
Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI): The Violence Prevention Initiative is a multi-departmental, government-community partnership to find long-term solutions to violence against people at risk in our society, including persons with disabilities.