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Full Citizenship for Manitobans with Disabilities
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Immediately after the 1999 election, Premier Doer appointed a minister responsible for persons with disabilities,
following the recommendations of groups representing people with disabilities. In 2001 the government issued
"Full Citizenship: A Manitoba Provincial Strategy on Disability", a report based on discussions with
community groups.
Full Citizenship presented 5 priorities for action to address concerns of Manitobans:
- improving income programs;
- strengthening employment opportunities;
- addressing issues concerning Aboriginal people with disabilities;
- increasing access to government policy development processes, facilities and programs; and
- enhancing disability supports.
Full Citizenship also committed the government to 16 principles which would guide future policy
direction and program design. Since the release of the report, most of the commitments in Full Citizenship
have been met.
We also acted on our commitment to establish a Disabilities Issues Office in 2002, a central review body for all
provincial departments to assess new policies and programs for people with disabilities.
As a result our government has done much to help people with disabilities enjoy the full benefits of
citizenship.
Disability Programs
- Between 1999/00 and 2008/09, the Supported Living Program (SLP) budget has increased by
$124.8 Million or 206% with an average annual increase of 12.8%.
- Manitobans with disabilities living in an institution or hospital can now use certain lump
sum payments (such as proceeds from an inheritance or life insurance policy, compensation payments, gifts, proceeds
from the sale of a home or land) to improve their quality of life.
- SLP provided funding to agencies through Staffing Stabilization Phase IV to increase the
wages of direct service workers to $11.25 per hour.
- Through the Human Resource Strategy to develop a qualified workforce, SLP sponsored
accredited training for 390 staff employed by funded agencies. 17 staff obtained their certificate in Disability
and Community Support from Red River College.
- The SLP continues to provide funding to install sprinklers in residential facilities
providing service to persons with disabilities who are non-ambulatory or unable to care for themselves. In 2007/08
the Life Safety Sprinkler Initiative funded 12 residential care homes with residential sprinkler systems and/or life
safety upgrades.
- An increase of over 100% to the Children’s Special Services budget since 1999.
- 20 residents of the Manitoba Developmental Centre moved to the community from 2006 through
2007.
Health
A 62% increase to Home Care funding since 1999 to respond to growing demand.
An expanded Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) program for children with autism.
A comprehensive strategy to improve and expand mental-health and addiction programs and
services.
A monthly payment option allowing families with drug costs amounting to a quarter or more of
their income to pay their Pharmacare deductible over the course of the year.
Housing
A new Manitoba Shelter Benefit which provides financial assistance to lower income
individuals with disabilities, seniors, and families who are renting housing in the private market.
Innovative housing models in Brandon to meet the needs of mental health consumers, another
in Winnipeg to respond to the needs of younger people with complex disabilities, and a third in Morden for
lower-income people with disabilities.
The MHRC has provided 5 more newly renovated units (at an approximate expenditure of
$310,000) in the Housing for Assisted Living (HAL) project in its building at 340 Princess Street. There are now a
total of 12 fully accessible, renovated units available to younger, low-income tenants with complex health needs who
require on-site health-related services and supports to enable them to live independently in the community. Meal
service is also available from the renovated kitchen on site.
The Manitoba Shelter Benefit (MSB) replaced the existing Shelter Allowances For Elderly
Renters (SAFER) program and Shelter Allowances for Family Renters (SAFFR) in 2006. The MSB provides for a higher
maximum benefit and provides the benefit to all persons with disabilities. A flat rate monthly benefit is also
available to persons receiving the disability benefit through Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) who are not
living in subsidized housing.
An average monthly benefit increase of $31 will come into effect January
2009.
Employment
A Career Assistance Program for People with Disabilities to facilitate employment within the
provincial civil service.
An Employability Support Unit to help individuals with disabilities become employed.
Rapid Re-enrollment Policy: In 2005/06 EIA established a Rapid Re-enrollment process for
participants with disabilities whose cases closed because of employment. Should these participants wish to re-apply
to EIA, they are no longer subject to a medical eligibility re-assessment if the re-application occurs prior to the
medical review date.
Income Assistance
Income Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (IAPD) - This benefit increased by $300
annually to $1,260 beginning in January 2008.
A 30% increase in the amount people with disabilities can earn before their Employment and
Income Assistance (EIA) benefits are reduced, recognizing the higher costs they incur in being employed.
Continuation of health benefits such as prescription drug coverage for 12 months after EIA
participants with disabilities have become employed.
A higher exemption limit for people with disabilities so that they can use certain lump-sum
payments to improve their lives without their EIA benefits being reduced.
Doubling of the liquid asset exemptions for income assistance participants with
disabilities, effective April 2007.
New tax benefits that take into account the additional employment and education-related
costs borne by persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
An expansion of the list of disability-related expenses eligible for tax
deductions.
Clawback relief in determining eligibility for social assistance will include Registered
Disability Savings Plan savings and income.
Education
Legislation was passed in Manitoba in 2004 enshrining the right of special needs students to
receive appropriate educational programming and to be educated alongside their peers in school.
Funding for special needs children in the school system is up 49% since 1999.
Funding for a new master’s program in disability studies at the U of M.
Accessibility
A universal design access policy to improve accessibility to government-owned and leased
facilities. A wheelchair ramp at the front entrance of the Legislative Building was completed in
2007.
Legislation requiring that voting places be accessible to persons with physical
disabilities.
Moving Forward
The Get Ready component of the Rewarding Work initiative will support people with
disabilities to attend approved education and training programs, including university and other post-secondary
programs, for up to 2 years.
The Manitoba Works component of Rewarding Work will provide employers with wage subsidies
for up to one year so they can hire and train people with disabilities who are currently receiving income
assistance.
The marketAbilities fund is supporting innovative employment partnerships in rural and
northern areas to help people with disabilities find long-term employment.
A 30% increase in Income Assistance for Persons with Disabilities, which helps support
employment preparation, volunteerism and offset the costs associated with living in the community, effective January
2008.
An additional $500,000 is being invested in vocational rehabilitation services for persons
with disabilities.
The Sara Riel Work Placement Force Program provides pre-employment supports to persons with
mental health concerns.
The Personal Attendance Community Education (PACE) is a five week program offered by the
Independent Living Resource Centre that trains people to become Independent Living Attendants.
Liquid asset exemptions doubled for persons on assistance with disabilities - up to $4,000
for the applicant, $2,000 for the first dependant, $1,000 for additional dependants, up to a family maximum of
$8,000.
Figures current as of November, 2008
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