This year, CCD brought to the attention of Members of Parliament and other Federal officials issues concerning the disability community. The National Action Plan for an accessible and inclusive Canada guides our work. It presents a strategy for improving access to disability-related supports, employment opportunities, reducing poverty and strengthening the citizenship of people with disabilities.

CCD's work is directed by the National Council of Representatives. Terry McIntosh represents MLPD on the CCD Council, with Harry Wolbert as her alternate. CCD's Committees develop the organization's policy positions. Committees include: Human Rights, Social Policy, Access to Tecnology, International Development and Transportation. CCD's newest Committee addresses end of life issues and it is co-chaired by Manitobans Rhonda Wiebe and Dean Richert. Dean also chairs the Human Rights Committee. Jim Derksen is a member of CCD's Human Rights and International Development Committees. CCD extends its congratulations to Jim Derksen whose outstanding disability rights work was recognized by the University of Manitoba when it conferred upon him and Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

The remainder of this report will highlight some of the key activities undertaken in 08-09:

	Urged Canada to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
	Participated in a Pre-Budget Consultation with Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.
	Sought commitments from Canada's Federal political parties during the election. The Liberals, NDP and Green parties adopted planks from the National Action Plan. No response from the Conservatives.
	Continued to intervene in court cases to share a disability rights perspective.
	Won the One Person/One Fare case against Air Canada and WestJet.
	Conducted disability rights research on poverty.
	Made the UN Periodic Review of Canada aware of Canada's record on disability rights and was quoted in the UN's summary report on NGO submissions.
	Worked with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, advocating compliance with the principles of universal design and programming inclusive of persons with disabilities.
	Appeared before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) hearing focusing on the concerns of people with disabilities.
	Informed Members of Parliament about the discrimination against people with disabilities which occurs in Canada's immigration system.
	Informed Members of Paliament about the disability rights issues integral in the case of Robert Latimer.
	Presented the National Action Plan to the Senate Committee on Poverty, the Parliamentary Committee on the Status of Women, staff in the Prime Minister's Office.

The Chairperson's Update, a monthly newsletter, shares the highlights of CCD's on-going disability rights work. Email a subscription request to ccd@ccdonline.ca.