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Government of Canada Response to Accessibility for All
Steadfast commitment
The Government readily accepts the challenge of acting as a leader and role model for accessibility and will work towards the full integration of Canadians with disabilities into Canada's social, economic and cultural life.
Many of the recommendations in the Committee's report are already being acted on by the Government of Canada. Undeniably, however, there is still a need to level the playing field for Canadians with disabilities who continue to face transportation, accommodation, employment and attitudinal barriers that prevent them from achieving their full potential. There is still a long way to go in ensuring the full inclusion of people with disabilities and their access to the full range of programs, services and supports they need to enjoy the same high standard of living and quality of life as Canadians without disabilities.
Action in this area must be both government-wide and nation-wide. This will require ongoing evaluations of government practices to identify concrete actions to address the needs of Canadians with disabilities. It also means continuing to work closely with partners to encourage simultaneous action on multiple fronts, and securing new allies along the way to develop new transformational visions and approaches, as no single sector has all the levers or resources to meet the challenge.
Moving forward on the recommendations in Accessibility for All will require the input and active support of all orders of government, disability organizations, communities, voluntary and corporate sectors, and individual Canadians. This is not simply an admirable social goal - it is an economic imperative. The Government of Canada cannot rest on past successes, but will build on these successes as a springboard for the future.
The Government of Canada is grateful to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons of Disabilities and its Subcommittee for this valuable report which provides impetus for continuing progress and for its unflagging commitment to securing Accessibility for All.