In Unison: A Canadian Approach to Disability Issues Introduction Disability touches everyone. In 1991, 4.2 million (16 percent) Canadians reported some level of disability.* Aboriginal Canadians are particularly affected with over 30 percent of Aboriginal persons reporting a disability � almost double the national average**. All Canadians have some experience with disability through their own experience, contact with relatives, colleagues or friends. Most individuals experience some form of functional incapacity or limitation as a normal part of aging. Canadians with disabilities represent a diverse group which includes individuals with physical, sensory and mental disabilities. Disabilities vary in terms of severity, longevity, cause and consequences. Some disabilities remain static throughout a person's life while others may have periods of remission or regression. A variety of definitions of "disability" exist, including the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (the ICIDH), developed by the World Health Organization. The ICIDH (see Appendix A) is internationally recognized and is becoming widely used around the world. Despite their diverse profile, Canadians with disabilities share many common concerns. They face personal, social and economic disadvantages and barriers that prevent access to the same opportunities as other Canadians. Persons with disabilities are more likely, for example, to have lower education levels and to be socially isolated and discriminated against in the workplace. They often face economic hardship in their daily lives and many live below the poverty line. Women and Aboriginal persons with disabilities, in particular, experience greater disadvantages, reporting higher incidences of unemployment and poverty (see Appendices B and C for detailed profiles). Over the years, persons with disabilities have articulated their vision in an effort to have their concerns addressed. Recently, they told the Federal Task Force on Disability Issues that they want a nation which demonstrates leadership with respect to disability concerns. Persons with disabilities desire a country which takes an holistic approach to disability issues that is sensitive to individual needs and ensures that Canadians with disabilities have input into the policies, programs and decisions that affect them. They seek a country which makes it possible to achieve a decent standard of living and support an approach to disability issues that is common to all jurisdictions but sensitive to regional differences and needs. Persons with disabilities want a nation that uses legal and other measures to promote social and economic equity and equality of outcomes. In recognition of this vision, federal, provincial and territorial governments have come together to better address the concerns of persons with disabilities. At the First Ministers' Meeting in June 1996, the Prime Minister and Premiers agreed that improving the current system of benefits and services supporting persons with disabilities was a collective priority. At their recent meeting in December 1997, First Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to persons with disabilities, and agreed that a vision and framework to guide future collaborative work in this area needed to be concluded. Governments from across Canada, with the exception of Quebec, have developed In Unison: A Canadian Approach to Disability Issues that sets out a vision and long-term policy directions which promote greater equality for and inclusion of persons with disabilities. *Health and Activity Limitations Survey, Statistics Canada, 1991. **Aboriginal Peoples Survey, Statistics Canada, 1991.

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