CNIB welcomes new federal
accessibility legislation
unemployed disability groups in the
country, with only a 38 per cent employ-
ment rate. We hope this legislation can
help shift those numbers.”
With less than 12 months until
Parliament is dissolved ahead of the
nextfederal election, CNIB says it will
be meeting with as many parliamen-
tarians and senators to educate and
ensure timely passage of the Bill.
CNIB says the Accessible Canada Act,
tabled recently by the federal government,
will ensure more than half a million
Canadians living with sight loss can fully
participate and have equal opportunity
within federally regulated jurisdictions.
The federal government has committed
$290 million over five years to implement
the legislation.
CNIB says it especially supports the
Act’s focus on increasing employment
opportunities for persons with disabili-
ties. Specifically, the federal government
has committed to hiring at least 5,000
new employees with disabilities over the
next five years, and to introduce a federal
internship program. Additionally, Public
Service and Procurement Canada will
ensure all goods and services procured
by the Government of Canada are acces-
sible and will create an accessible
procurement resource centre.
“I'm pleased to see that the Accessible
Canada Act is aligned with CNIB's mission
of changing what it is to be blind,” says
John M. Rafferty, president and CEO of
CNIB. “Canadians with sight loss are
one of the most
16 EYE FOCUS | August 2018