To increase/decrease the font:
PC: ctrl + / ctrl -
MAC: command + / command -
Disability Discrimination Now Accounts for Over One-Half of All Human Rights Complaints
Nov 30, 2012
Following is Barrier-Free Manitoba's November 30, 2012 Media Release. The data presented in the release are from the Manitoba Human Rights Commission's 2011 Annual Report (pdf).
WINNIPEG – Disability discrimination accounted for more than one-half (51%) of all formal human rights complaints filed with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission (MHRC) over the past year. This represents the highest rate of disability-related complaints since the MHRC began releasing comparative data in 2001. The average rate over the past decade had been only 39%.
Percent of Complaints to MHRC by Ground, 2011
“This sharp spike in complaints based on disability discrimination is deeply troubling,” said Janet Forbes, spokesperson for Barrier-Free Manitoba. “While it has long ranked as the No. 1 ground for formal complaint, disability discrimination has never before represented the majority of complaints being handled by the MHRC.”
The report of this abrupt increase comes on the eve of the annual celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities that will be held December 3, 2012. This year’s theme established by the United Nations is: “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all.”
“While some progress has been made in removing barriers in recent years,” said Ms. Forbes, “this most recent data reminds us how far we still have left to go.”
Barrier-Free Manitoba, along with hundreds of coalitions, groups and individuals, has called on the province to enact strong and effective accessibility-rights legislation to deal with the pervasive barriers that continue to face Manitobans with disabilities. The Province of Manitoba made the commitment in the November 2012 Speech from the Throne to introduce this type of legislation within the next year.
“The legislation being drafted must measure up to the critical challenge at hand: timely and systemic compliance with our existing human rights obligations enshrined in provincial, national and international law,” said Ms. Forbes. “Every Manitoban deserves the right to participate fully and meaningfully in their community. Sadly, this is still far from a reality for many of the estimated 200,000 persons with disabilities who live in our province.”
Barrier-Free Manitoba (www.barrierfreemb.com) is a non-partisan, non-profit, cross-disability initiative that was formed in 2008.