This week is Access Awareness Week.

About 16 per cent of Manitoba's population has one or more disabilities and in the rest of the world it’s estimated 650 million people live with disabilities.  

Jennifer Howard, our minister responsible for disabilities, was clear about Manitoba's policy on access as she proclaimed June 3 to 9 Manitoba Access Awareness Week.

Manitobans with disabilities have a right to equal access to information, events and public spaces, and we are working toward new accessibility legislation to promote a more inclusive society for all.

Highlights of the week include a conference on supported employment and the launch of an enhanced Disabilities Issues Office website. These are new efforts to raise awareness of barriers and opportunities for people with disabilities.

We are moving ahead on improving accessibility at the provincial level. Manitoba's Accessibility Advisory Council is preparing a series of recommendations for the new accessibility legislation.

Access for disabilities is an issue in our own communities here in the North. That is why we are moving ahead not only with awareness but action on access for people with disabilities.