First Ministers’ Last Priority

Published on September 1, 2000

This commentary points out the lack of action on the disability front, despite governments’ commitment to proceed in this area. Their written promise was made in a document entitled In Unison: A Canadian Approach to Disability Issues. In Unison identifies three ‘building blocks’ – personal supports, employment and income – in which changes are required to promote full participation. There is no question that In Unison set forth an ambitious agenda, made more complex by the fact that its essential parts are closely intertwined. Governments can start by ensuring the availability of ‘personal supports.’ ‘Personal supports’ refer to a range of goods and services that help offset the effects of a disabling condition. Despite its importance, the personal supports agenda appears far from the First Ministers’ radar screen. The irony is that this agenda links closely to health care, the No. 1 priority on their list. In looking for ways to reform costly health care, governments should develop more community services that prevent institutionalization and enable people to live at home. If governments take action to improve the availability of personal supports, they will be making great strides on both the disability and health care fronts.