MISSION STATEMENT

The MLPD is a united voice of people with disabilities, and their supporters, that promotes equal rights, full participation in society, and facilitates postive change through advocacy and public education.

WHAT IS THE MLPD?

The MLPD is a membership-based organization representing the concerns of people with all types of disabilities in Manitoba.

Since its establishment in 1974, the MLPD has developed expertise on numerous issues affecting the lives of people with disabilities. A few such issues are accessibility, education, employment, housing, income security, support services, and transportation.

The MLPD supports Manitobans with disabilities with social policy research and consultation, public education programs, information and referral services, and class advocacy.

MLPD PHILOSOPHY

• Manitobans with disabilities have the same rights and responsibilities as any other person.
• All persons, regardless of abilities, must have access to opportunities in order to exercise these rights.

MLPD PRIORITIES

Accessibility: MLPD members work to remove barriers which prevent people with disabilities from entering and using public buildings and services.

Education: MLPD members work to ensure that students with disabilities have access to education opportunities in regular public schools.

Employment: MLPD members work to provide effective employment policies and programs for people with disabilities.

Support Services: MLPD members work to improve Manitoba's Home Care System so that people with disabilities can live in the community.

Transportation: MLPD members work to guarantee that people with disabilities have access to transportation services.

MLPD NETWORK

The MLPD is a member of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD). Through CCD, the MLPD has connection to Disabled Peoples' International (DPI).

MEMBERSHIP

The MLPD is open to any citizen who supports the philosophy and mandate of the organization. MLPD members are entitled to vote at general meetings, run for election to Provincial Council, participate on committees, and receive the MLPD's newsletter.

The membership fee is $5.00 for individuals. Family and group memberships are also available for reduced rates. Please send us your name, address, postal code, and telephone number along with you registration fee to the address at the top of the page.

MLPD PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MEMBERS (2008-2009)

MLPD BRANCHES

Any 10 active members who live in a municipality can apply for recognition as an official branch of the MLPD. The MLPD has branches in Souris, Steinbach, The Pas, and Thompson. Our head office is located in Winnipeg.

MLPD ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• The MLPD was actively involved in the development of the City of Winnipeg's Handi-Transit service.
• The MLPD was key organization in the development of Manitoba's Self-Managed Attendant Care Program.
• The MLPD was successful in advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Manitoba Human Rights Code.
• The MLPD has founded two agencies which assist people with disabilities accomplish employment goals.
• The MLPD has actively pushed policies which enable children with disabilities to attend regular public schools.
• The MLPD worked with the government of Manitoba to develop a rural transportation program to meet the needs of people with disabilities in small communities.
• The MLPD has lobbied to make public buildings accessible to people with all types of disabilities.
• The MLPD was the primary organization to lobby for the first provincial Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities in Canada. Minister Tim Sale was appointed in 2001.

MLPD PUBLICATIONS

• The MLPD has published reports on a variety of issues including advocacy techniques, guidelines to meet the accessibility needs of visually impaired people, policies on inclusion in mainstream schools, employment issues concerning Manitobans with disabilities, and concerns of senior citizens with disabilities.
• The MLPD produces a quarterly newsletter entitled "Update" as well as an annual activity report.