The Coalition of Persons with Disabilities doesn’t mind that establishing a disabilities advocate’s office will take time, as long as it’s “done right.”
Legislation to establish a disability advocate position has been passed in the House of Assembly and Executive Director of COD-NL, Nancy Reid says now the real work begins.
The current budget estimate for the office is $635,300.
Reid says what the office and the advocate’s role will look like will likely have to come from the advocate themselves.
The international symbol of access
“It has to be something that has to be somewhat designed by the advocate themselves. So when that individual is hired, that person will then have to figure out what their priorities are for the areas that they want to begin to investigate.”
Reid says she expects that once established the new advocate will also have to start consulting with the disabilities community “fairly quickly.”
The advocate will have the authority to investigate. She admits the work ahead is daunting.
“It’s massive, there are so many issues” says Reid. “I wish that person well, I really look forward to being able to work with them.”
