Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to draw attention today to the positive impacts of the Yellowknife Association of Community Living’s Family Project has on our Territory. Over the last 10 years, work of the federally funded Family Project has resulted in increased services for people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Some of its recent initiatives offer families of persons with disabilities opportunities to learn from each other, share information about resources available to them, and help families better address their children’s special needs in the K to 12 school system.
Publications such as the Social and Recreational Inclusion Guide help businesses and service providers include people with disabilities. Through Family Project funding, the Yellowknife Association for Community Living can hold workshops for people with disabilities, parents, professionals, and the general public. Family Project publications are available for free and are an excellent resource for the implementation of programs for inclusive living.
Two Family Project services, the Employability and respite services, are being expanded across the Northwest Territories. The Employability service provides a full range of employment possibilities for persons with disabilities and their employers. Respite services offer social respite for families caring for disabled individuals.
The Yellowknife Association for Community Living is committed to providing quality programming for persons with disabilities and their families. The goals of the Family Project are in keeping with our strategic vision for a healthy, educated people and to work with families, communities, and schools to improve the physical and mental well-being of our youth. That includes persons with disabilities.
In the past, GNWT support for the Yellowknife Association for Community Living’s family activities has created much greater positive impact on individuals with disabilities and their families. The support we provide has a ripple effect across our Territories. It has resulted in the expansion of services throughout the Northwest Territories. It has helped us work towards being truly inclusive people.
At the appropriate time I will have questions for the Minister on funding for the Yellowknife Association of Community Living’s family initiative.