There are many non governmental organizations which are helping to empower the lives of the disabled people. This section will cover two examples of such bodies which have made efforts towards enriching the lives of the disabled. One such body is the Learning Disability Association of Canada (LDAC).
This body has been operating since 1963. Its main objective since then has been providing support the disabled people and those around them that is, “their parents, teachers and other professionals” (LDAC, 2010, par. 1). Through its vast network provincial partners the body has been influential in the provision of, “cutting edge information on learning disabilities, practical solutions, and tools you can be used” (LDAC, 2010, par. 1). The body engages itself in raising awareness on learning disability. The body’s website contains more information on the issues affecting the disabled from court rulings to contemporary everyday life issues. Another related body the disability related policy in Canada.
The Disability Related Policy in Canada. This is a website tool of the disability and information technology (Dis-IT) research alliance (“Disability,” 2010, par. 1). This body is headed by Deborah of the University of Manitoba. This alliance is a group of people mainly, “researchers, community members, and industry representatives” (“Disability,” 2010, par. 1) who are out to develop new ways in which disabled Canadians can make use of technologies to their benefits. There has been a general realization that technology can cause both barriers and opportunities to the disabled people. This body is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) (“Disability,” 2010, par. 1). The body has endeavors to empower the disabled through its goals:
The goals of the website are to build the capacity of the disability community to engage with federal and provincial/territorial governments in policy discussion and development related to disability supports, and to strengthen capacity of the community and governments to more effectively draw on the knowledge base of the disability community about disability supports needs, issues, best practice and policy options. (“Disability,” 2010, par. 1)
Generally this body aims at assisting the disability community in Canada to be sensitized about policies which protect their rights. It also aims at empowering the disabled to a capacity where they can easily affect changes. The body aims to this by engaging research and knowledge dissemination as a tool for engaging the disability community (“Disability,” 2010, par. 1).
The above mentioned bodies are just a few of those involved in empowered the disabled Canadians. There are more, for instance, the Canadian Disabled Individuals Association (CDIA). This body has an objective of airing the voices of the disabled. The body presents great opportunities which the disabled or people willing to help the disabled can use. A paragraph on one of their web pages reads, “When you need to talk to a real person about where and how to access government help and resources for the disabled, our BC Government has established a new direct and toll free line! These operators know their stuff and are anxious to help” (CDIA, 2010, par. 1). This body makes efforts to ensure that the disabled access all the resources and the benefits which they deserve.
Disability in Canada can be said to a challenge. People with disability are more likely to lead poor lifestyles due to the fact that they at times can not access education. At times accessing public facilities might equally be challenging. Getting employment is also a challenge to most of them. Due to all these challenges facing them, the federal government has enacted Acts which protect these people and make it easy for them to access job opportunities and social institutions to empower them. The private sector also has made concerted efforts to ensure that the disabled Canadians are empowered. The private sector most does this by sensitizing them on their rights and the means which are available for them meant for improving their living standards. Through all these activities Canada is emerging as a leader in championing the rights of the disabled and in ensuring that they are empowered to affect change of regional as well as national interest.