Our History

In 1973, the Government of Saskatchewan sponsored "A Voice of Our Own" conference in Moose Jaw.

120 people with disabilities from across the province attended.

This was the first cross-disability conference where persons with disabilities expressed their concerns and needs.

The Saskatchewan Voice of the Handicapped was formed in 1973.

In 1995, the name of the organization was changed to Saskatchewan Voice of People with Disabilities.

The organization is commonly referred to as the "Voice".

In 1978, the Voice was a founding member of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities.

 

Our Goals

SOCIAL GOALS

  • Increase employment opportunities
  • Affordable and accessible housing
  • Equitable income support recognizing the extra cost of disability
  • Accessible transportation in communities throughout the province
  • Comprehensive family support services
  • Raise awareness of Independent Living Model (quality of life, dignity and respect)

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GOALS

  • Liaison with Disabled First Nation People to improve access to service and quality of life, both on and off the reserve
  • Conduct sensitivity workshops with employers, government, service providers, and the public

ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS

  • Increase membership particularly in rural communities
  • Increase fundraising efforts to exceed $1,000,000

 

Our Objectives

SOCIAL OBJECTIVES

  • Strive for the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in all economic and social activities of the community
  • Advocate for programs and services to meet the needs of people with disabilities
  • Increase awareness of the unique needs of people with disabilities
  • Create an awareness of the barriers hindering people with disabilities living independently in the community

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

  • Foster the personal involvement of people with disabilities in the removal of personal and physical barriers to full and equal participation in the community
  • Reflect and promote the interests of people with disabilities in the community and all levels of government

ORGANIZATIONAL OBJECTIVES

  • Cooperate with groups with similar objectives
  • Establish local chapters to implement these objectives

 

Our Successes

ACCESSIBILITY

  • The passage of the Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards Act to ensure new construction will be accessible
  • Participate on the Saskatchewan Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards Appeal Board to monitor the application of the Act

CITIZENSHIP

  • Voting by mail in Provincial elections
  • Promoted the creation of North and South Saskatchewan Independent Living Centres

EMPLOYMENT

  • Review Employment Equity Plans submitted to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission by employers
  • Participate in co-op loans associations to assist people with disabilities in starting their own small business
  • Fostered the development of the Employment Access Centre in Regina
  • Publish an Accommodation Guide for Employers on hiring people with disabilities

HOUSING

  • Initiated the development of social housing projects to increase the availability of affordable accessible housing

HUMAN RIGHTS

  • Inclusion of persons with disabilities under the Saskatchewan Human Rights Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
  • Initiation of Saskatchewan human rights complaints to improve building physical accessibility requirements and employment opportunities
  • Research on the abuse of aboriginal people with disabilities on and off reserves and their rights to access independent living programs and services

HEALTH

  • Advocated to the provincial government the extenuation of home care services to include attendant care
  • Consultation with the provincial government to use individualized funding of consumers as a service delivery option

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Raising more than $500,000 in the past ten years through an annual car lottery
  • Developed chapters in Regina, Saskatoon, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Estevan, Weyburn, and Yorkton

PUBLIC EDUCATION

  • Publish a quarterly newsletter the "Prairie Voice"
  • Maintain a resource library on disability issues
  • Conduct disability awareness seminars for employers and other groups

SOCIAL POLICY

  • Organize coalitions of disabled groups to submit disability issues to federal government parliamentary committees and task forces
  • Submissions to the provincial government on disability issues including the design of income support programs, educational and training strategies

TRANSPORTATION

  • Special Needs Transportation funding cost shared by municipal and provincial governments
  • The introduction of two accessible inter-city coaches to the Saskatchewan Transportation Company(STC) fleet

Donations & Thanks