Name changed to Community Inc.

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

welliott@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Formed in 2001, the Valley Disability Partnership Society continues to evolve. That’s why earlier this month the non-profit organization changed its name to Community Inc.

Spokesman Murray Pickering said the decision was made to broaden the focus of the group. “The word ‘disability’,” he noted, “is a medical model. The point is human diversity. We want to examine all barriers to community acceptance.”

Pickering says the aim of Community Inc. is full inclusion, whether that’s around employment or recreation.

“We want to serve our clients in whatever they require,” he said, “and advocate for societal change, whether that concerns accessibility or social inclusion.

“We will address the barriers wherever they are,” he noted. “We want to be really proactive and reach a higher level of inclusion.”



Highest disability rate in Canada

A panel on various issues facing the disabled took place in Kentville April 16 to launch the name change.

Among those taking part were: Steve Estey, who is chair of Disabled Persons International; Dr. Lynn Alyward of the Acadia University School of Education; Brenda Wallace-Allen, who is on the faculty at Kingstec; Ann McRae, who heads the provincial disabled persons commission; and Cynthia Bruce, who chairs the Community Inc. board.

The original disability partnership was formed in response to a desire by Human Resources Development Canada and the provincial government to change their approach to service delivery for persons with disabilities.

Statistics indicate that close to 60 per cent of Nova Scotians who have a disability are not employed. This province has the highest disability rate in Canada at 21.3 per cent.

The Valley Disability Partnership was conceived in 1999 when the Annapolis Valley Work Activity Society conducted a feasibility study to determine the need for a disability partnership committee.

That study determined that persons with disabilities felt their needs were not being served adequately.

Seven years ago the society was incorporated to serve residents of Kings and east Annapolis Counties. The original vision was for all persons with disabilities to experience equality and full citizenship within the community.

Community Inc. has four staff members and offices in Kentville and Middleton.