WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, October 1, 2010 - Through support from the Government of Canada, youth with Tourette Syndrome (TS) will have help making the transition from school to work. Senator Donald Neil Plett, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, made the announcement in his opening address at the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada's National Conference today.
"The Government of Canada is providing Canadians with the opportunity to reach their full potential," said Senator Plett. "It is a privilege to partner with organizations such as the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada that work to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by removing barriers to their participation in society."
The Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada's project, It's Your Move, is receiving support from the Government of Canada under the Disability component of the Social Development Partnerships Program. Through this project, youth with Tourette Syndrome will learn to advocate on their own behalf, which will assist them in future career training and employment opportunities.
"The It's Your Move program is not a cookie-cutter program - it's designed to give young people with TS and associated disorders a specialized path to achieve their goals and live prosperous and rewarding lives," said Ms. Rosie Wartecker, Executive Director of the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada. "Through community workshops, conferences and online tools, these highly creative young people can confidently navigate through the many stages of their lives knowing they have the right supports and methods in place."
The Government of Canada invests annually in initiatives that help address the needs of people with disabilities, such as the Registered Disability Savings Plan; the Disability component of the Social Development Partnerships Program; the Disability component of the Canada Pension Plan; the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities; Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities; and post secondary education assistance measures for students with disabilities.
To learn more about the Government of Canada's programs for people with disabilities, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/disability.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
The Disability component of the Social Development Partnerships Program aims to increase the effectiveness of the not-for-profit sector in meeting the social development needs and aspirations of people with disabilities. It does so by supporting innovative solutions to remove barriers and improve access to programs and services.
Under the Disability component, the federal government has provided grant funding to national disability organizations since 1998 to increase the accessibility of information, programs and services, with a view to improving opportunities, life chances and the well-being of people with disabilities.
The objectives of the Disability component are to:
- support the development and use of effective approaches to address social issues and barriers confronting people with disabilities;
- develop, exchange and apply knowledge, tools and resources that sustain social inclusion for individuals, families and communities;
- foster collaboration, partnerships, alliances and networks to address existing and emerging social issues; and
- recognize and support the ability of not-for-profit organizations to identify and address social development priorities.
