Nova Scotia Disability Rights are Human Rights
Toronto Star- A Nova Scotia advocacy group for people with disabilities says its landmark court victory is an opportunity to compel reforms and funding that will improve their lives after decades of mistreatment.
In a landmark decision this week, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal found that there is systemic discrimination against people with disabilities in this province, which prevents them from living and participating in the community. Claire McNeil is a lawyer for the Disability Rights Coalition. Aired: Oct. 8, 2021
“We’ve heard the message loud and clear.”
Claire McNeil, a lawyer for the Disability Rights Coalition, on a new Nova Scotia Court of Appeal decision which finds systemic discrimination in the provincial government’s treatment of people with disabilities who need supports to live in the community. Aired: October 7, 2021
CTV: Beth MacLean, a Nova Scotia woman with intellectual disabilities who won a landmark human rights case forcing the province to provide her with a home in the community, has died. photo: Robert Short/CBC
“I’m getting out of this horrible nightmare but there are so many others living their own nightmare with no help in sight” -Vicky Levack
In 2013, the current government committed to closing institutions and providing community-based living supports for all persons with disabilities within 10 years—by the end of 2023. It was all set out in the Roadmap—a plan to community inclusion drafted jointly by the Province and disability rights advocates, and endorsed by then Premier Stephen McNeil and his government.
The DRC held a rally at Province House in support of the Road to Inclusion 2023 campaign.
“It is not fair that because you have a disability, you do not have what you need to survive or be respectedfor your human rights. It is not fair to exclude people because of disability or race or being Indigenous orLGBT2Q+, or some combination of these.” -My Home My Rights (photo: Inclusion Canada)
Promises were made by Nova Scotia governments since 2013 that they would close institutions and provide community-based living supports for persons with disabilities and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder by 2023 but the reality is the progress has been too slow!
