IDEA Regina
(Individuals with Disabilities
Equity Alliance of Regina Inc.)
2220 Albert St
Regina, SK. S4P 2V2
Phone: 306-757-7452
Email: info@idearegina.ca
Website: www.idearegina.ca
August 15, 2007
Doug Tratch
President, IDEA Regina
The Honourable Lorne Calvert
Premier of Saskatchewan
226 Legislative Building
Regina, Saskatchewan
CANADA S4S 0B3
Dear: Premier Calvert
IDEA Regina rejects the inadequate Disability Inclusion Policy Framework. We
ask the Saskatchewan Government to revise the policy framework to better meet
the needs and interests of people with disabilities and move ahead with a
comprehensive disability income and supports programs. Given the recent U.N.
CONVENTION on the RIGHTS of PERSONS with DISABILITIES now is the time
for courageous and transforming leadership, not more half measures.
The Framework Vision statement "Saskatchewan people with disabilities
participate fully in the economic and social life of their communities and the
province" fails to open the future for people with disabilities. A vision statement
should talk about fulfilling needs and aspirations as well as supporting people
with disabilities to achieve citizenship.
The Framework Values are good concrete statements but are undermined by
Goals which talk only about reducing barriers and not eliminating barriers.
Framework Principles serve to limit the potential of people with disabilities. Each
Framework principle talks about 'should'... should be accommodated... should be
encouraged... should be engaged... should have opportunities... should be based
on the impact of the disability. How much stronger these principles would be
using the word 'will '... will be accommodated... will be encouraged... will be
engaged... will have opportunities... will be based. The competing interests
within the government bureaucracy have made the principal statements almost
meaningless and have avoided reference to independence, self-determination
and citizenship principles.
The Policy Framework fallaciously attempts to argue its vision, values and
principles are the promised Disability Inclusion Lens. In 2001, the Saskatchewan
Council on Disability Issues recommended a Disability Inclusion Lens with a
process and mechanism that is open and transparent, supports community
consultation, and decision-making accountability. The Framework Policy falls far
short of an environmental review process capable of assessing all government
initiatives, to ensure maximum benefit and minimum negative impact on people
with disabilities.
The Framework Policy falls far short of providing a review process for all
government policies and procedures to ensure maximum benefit and minimum
negative impact on people with disabilities, of all new government initiatives.
The Framework gives rise to a myriad of questions about disability programs and
supports; including the elimination of existing programs, increased and additional
user fees and co-payments, and further rationing of services and support
resources.
Is it the Government's intention to eliminate extended health care programs
like the Paraplegic Program?
What disability programs and supports will be subject to user fees and co-
payments? Will there be compounded user fees and co-payments?
Will the Government simply ignore the extra cost of disability?
The original Saskatchewan Disability Action Plan 2001 recommended disability
supports be provided based on individual need. Individual needs were imagined
to be the linchpin for any disability supports program. The Framework talks
about a “measured responses based on need". This formulation is the ultimate in
bureaucratic pronouncement designed to avoid responsibility. Under this regime,
the needs of people with disabilities will be ignored. Instead, the needs of the
system will be the determining factor. It is the definitive bean counter victory.
The Saskatchewan Government should demonstrate courage and disavow,
ignore, or otherwise put aside this grievously flawed Policy Framework. The
government would be much better served by initiating a consultation process on
disability supports and income.
Yours Sincerely,
Doug Tratch
2
3