Abilities of Canadians with Disabilities at Vancouver Paralympics

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On behalf of the Honorable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honorable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced funding for the Paralympic Torch Relay National Educational Outreach Initiative of the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (ALACD).

The ALACD's National Educational Outreach Initiative will provide schools, communities, and young people across Canada with a better understanding of the needs of people with disabilities. This initiative will also promote the benefits of healthy communities, healthy lifestyles, and individual excellence; show support for Canadian Paralympic athletes; and encourage the participation of new athletes in the Paralympic movement.

"Our Government is proud to invest in people with disabilities in sport and physical activity programs," said Minister Moore. "The National Educational Outreach Initiative has built momentum and enthusiasm for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games and will leave a legacy of knowledge well after the Paralympic Flame is extinguished."

"The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as other Canadians," said Minister Finley. "That is why we ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This important step highlights how Canada is a world leader in helping people with disabilities."

"The Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada to create awareness and build excitement about the abilities of Canadians with disabilities around the 2010 Paralympic Games," said Leanne Squair, Chair of the ALACD. "Through the National Educational Outreach Initiative, the Alliance is working with our partners and provincial and territorial affiliates to organize demonstration events and make community and school presentations to inspire Canadians to celebrate the 2010 Paralympic Games."

The Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability is a national not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to the wellness of Canadians with disabilities through healthy active living. The Alliance, which was created in 1989, is a national network of more than 125 organizations dedicated to sport, recreation, and health, and it has a community reach of more than half a million Canadians. It is organized in every province and territory and has a strong outreach in Canadian communities to connect citizens with disabilities to local opportunities.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $96,000 to the ALACD. This investment will increase awareness of the Paralympic Torch Relay and the Paralympic Games through presentations, demonstrations, celebrations, and knowledge transfer of the abilities of Canadians with a disability and the Paralympic movement in general.

For more information on ALACD programs and activities across Canada, visit www.ala.ca/Content/2010Paralympics/Events.asp

For more information on the Paralympic Games and Torch Relay, visit www.canada2010.gc.ca