We all want to be part of a community. Everyone can contribute to society. Persons with disabilities are no exception. This is why there are laws in Canada that protect them from discrimination. Laws also ensure that everyone follows rules that make it easy for them to participate. These laws are on matters of:

• Employment
• Accommodation
• Built environment
• Facilities, infrastructures and premises
• Public transportation and transportation infrastructure
• Delivery and receipt of goods, services and information
• Specific activities or undertakings

Services for people with disabilities

These organizations provide free information, support, and services:

Information for Manitobans with Disabilities – Get fact sheets (frequently asked questions) on services and programs for children and adults.

• Services and programs for children
• Services and programs for adults

Children’s disABILITY services – They offer family supports for children with disabilities.

Community Living disABILITY (or Support services for vulnerable persons living with a mental disability) – Offers programs for eligible persons through Manitoba Family Services. These include support from a community service worker, living option supports, and supports for vocational, social and personal care needs.

Income Assistance

Manitoba.ca – Income Assistance for Persons with Disabilities
Financial and employment assistance to adults with disability enrolled in the Employment and Income Assistance Program (EIA).

Organizations:

Reaching E-Quality Employment Services (REES) – REES promotes the employment of people with physical disabilities and/or health conditions. They offer employment counselling and consultation services. They connect job-seekers with employers.

Ability Axis – Provides information and networking services. A list of other Manitoba organizations that provide employment services to disabled Manitobans is on their site: Organizations

Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba – They offer information, referral, support, advocacy and use of their library. Check their online resources for information, services and other resources for persons with disabilities.

Epic Opportunities – They provide holistic, person-centred supports to people with intellectual disabilities. Check their links to other Manitoba organizations and resources here: Resources

Independent Living Resource Centre (ILRC) – The organization is committed to providing resources related to independent living needs. They also hold trainings for people who wish to work with people with disabilities.

Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities – They promotes equal rights and full participation in society through advocacy and education.

Manitoba Possible (formerly Society for Manitobans with Disabilities) – They provide programs ranging from education and work training to counselling and therapy for children, youth and adults with disabilities.

Transportation:

Transit Plus (formerly known as Handi-transit):

• These are cars, mini vans, and mini buses. The vans are wheelchair-accessible.
• They give door-to-door service for persons with disabilities.
• You have to apply to avail of this service.
• Read the Transit Plus page for information on eligibility, registration, trip requests, fare, and other questions.

Important terms:

Access/Accessibility – Means to make it easy to go to places and events that are available to the community.
Barrier – A barrier (for a person with physical, mental, intellectual or sensory disability) is anything that stops their full participation in society.
EIA – The Employment and Income Assistance program gives basic financial and medical benefits to Manitobans who need help.
Reasonable accommodation – Changes to meet a special need of a person. The need must be a characteristic protected by the Code, such as religion, ethnic background and disability.
 
Article updated February 23, 2021.
 
Sources: Manitoba government website (Human Rights and Reasonable Accommodations), The Accessibility for Manitobans Act. Accessed June 1, 2017.