The Voice of People with Disabilities: Making a Difference in Manitoba

If you are looking for something to read, consider The Voice of People with Disabilities: Making a Difference in Manitoba, an anthology in which people with disabilities describe their efforts to make Manitoba accessible and inclusive.  In her Foreword to the book, the Honourable Jennifer Howard, Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities, stated, “Just a short time ago, it was widely believed that people with disabilities had little to offer society. Starting in the 1970’s, however, the disability movement challenged this attitude by advocating that people with disabilities had the right to be included in all aspects of society.”  The authors provide a behind the scenes look at the disability community’s achievements on inclusive education, deinstitutionalization, accessible transportation, and Independent Living, to name only a few examples. 

The cross-disability movement in Manitoba began 38 years ago with the founding of the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities (MLPD), CCD’s Manitoba member.  The League has been a catalyst for barrier removal in Manitoba.  Co-chair of the MLPD Jess Turner stated in her Foreword, The Voice of People with Disabilities “… has been created to celebrate the 38 glorious years that MLPD has been around for, by highlighting accomplishments and sharing personal anecdotes, but also serves to underscore the value that the MLPD and its members will continue to provide for decades to come.”

The Voice of People with Disabilities: Making A Difference in Manitoba was compiled by the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities, the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, the Disabilities Issues Office of Manitoba, and the CCD, with the generous support of the Allan Simpson Memorial Fund.  Allan Simpson was one of the founders of CCD and chaired the organization for a number of years.