Barrier Free Manitoba

Thirty-two invited participants, including representatives from the following 23 disability-related organizations, met on December 5th at an initial discussion session hosted by the Barrier-Free Manitoba Steering Committee.

• Abilites Manitoba
• Active Living Coalition for Older Adults
• Canadian Centre on Disability Studies
• Children's Coaltion
• Community Living Manitoba
• Community Living Winnipeg
• Deaf Centre
• Diversity World
• Environmental Health Association of Manitoba (EHA-MB)
• Independent Living Resource Centre
• Manitoba Association of Senior Centres
• Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities
• Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Manitoba Division
• New Directions
• People First Manitoba
• Public Interest Law Centre
• RRC Disability & Community Support Program
• SMD Clearinghouse
• St. Amant
• The Joint Committee
• University of Manitoba Disability Studies
• Visually Impaired Resource Network (VIRN)
• Women's Health Clinic

The purpose of the discussion session was to begin planning for future work to follow the hopeful passage of strong and effective accessibiity-rights legislaiton in Manitoba within the next year.

Barrier-Free Manitoba's five Steering Committee members hosted the session which was facilitated by Patrick Falconer. A report is being prepared based on the discussion. This report will be released in early in the New Year after session participants have had the opportunity to review and comment on a draft version.

The general consensus was that the new legislation will provide remarkable opportunities to for the timely and systemic removal of barriers. Taking full advantage of these opportunities, however, will depend on both the strength of the legislation and significantly enhanced and sustained collaboration among disability-related groups and others committed to social justice and human rights.

Follow up discussions are being considered for the New Year! As they say, "stay tuned."