Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Disability Awareness Week takes place from May 27th to June 2nd. The purpose of this week is to recognize people with disabilities and to highlight their abilities and contributions to our communities across the Northwest Territories. The month of May is also Speech and Hearing Awareness Month.

This year’s theme for Disability Awareness Week is Building Access One Block at a Time, focusing on education, technology, employment, recreation, transportation and housing. This theme fits in well with the disability framework and action plan for persons with disabilities. That framework established five priority areas: education, culture, income, disability supports and housing.

The social programs departments and their regional authorities work with many non-governmental organizations and together we strive to improve services for persons with disabilities.

The NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities has expanded its community outreach programs into the Sahtu region this past year. This program is now operating in Wekweeti, Gameti, Fort Simpson, Whati, Inuvik, Hay River, Behchoko and Fort Smith. Mr. Speaker, every indication points to success for these programs throughout the Northwest Territories. Because of this expansion, more people with disabilities are accessing assistance and services.

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the Yellowknife Association for Community Living, the YWCA, the Autism Society and the Learning Disability Association are also vital organizations dedicated to serving the needs of disabled persons. This government has also partnered with the Rick Hansen Foundation. The government will provide the foundation $20,000 annually for the next five years. This funding will be used to assist people living in the NWT with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities.

I encourage everyone to watch for activities that highlight Disability Awareness Week in their communities. I would also like to acknowledge the work of our NWT speech language pathologists, audiologists and the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association Yellowknife Branch during this week and applaud the help they provide throughout the year for those with speech and hearing challenges.

We honour and thank persons with disabilities throughout the NWT for their contributions and the strength they provide to our friends, families and communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause