Disabled Persons Commission Act

Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the Disabled Persons Commission Act. 1989, c. 4, s. 1.

Purpose of Act

2 The purpose of this Act is to

(a) provide for the participation of disabled persons in the development of Government policies and programs relating to or affecting disabled persons;

(b) establish a central mechanism to ensure that the concerns of disabled persons respecting policy and program development and delivery are conveyed to the appropriate departments of the Government; and

(c) ensure that the concerns of disabled persons will be promoted in and considered by the Government, especially in matters of policy and where the concerns affect several departments of the Government. 1989, c. 4, s. 2.

Interpretation

3 In this Act,

(a) "Commission" means the Disabled Persons Commission established by this Act; and

(b) "Co-ordinating Committee" means the Co-ordinating Committee established by this Act. 1989, c. 4, s. 3.

Disabled Persons Commission

4 (1) There is hereby established a Disabled Persons Commission consisting of a Chairman and twelve members appointed by the Governor in Council of which

(a) a majority of members shall be persons who are disabled or are advocates for disabled persons or who are representatives of organizations representing disabled persons; and

(b) the remaining members of the Commission shall be chosen from among persons nominated by the departments of the Government providing services to disabled persons.

Representative appointments

(2) In making appointments pursuant to subsection (1), the Governor in Council shall endeavour to ensure that the members of the Commission represent the various regions of the Province.

Independence of members

(3) Each member of the Commission is an independent representative to the Commission and does not represent only the concern of one disability. 1989, c. 4, s. 4.

Term of office

5 (1) Each member of the Commission holds office for a term of two years and may be re-appointed.

Chairman and Vice-chairman

(2) The Governor in Council may, after consultation with the Commission, designate members of the Commission who are disabled persons as Chairman and Vice-chairman of the Commission.

Quorum

(3) A majority of the members of the Commission constitutes a quorum.

Expenses

(4) Each member of the Commission shall be reimbursed for such reasonable expenses incurred by the member in connection with the work of the Commission.

Place of meetings

(5) The Commission shall hold its meetings throughout the Province. 1989, c. 4, s. 5.

Objects of Commission

6 The objects of the Commission are to

(a) assist the Co-ordinating Committee in understanding, and advise the Co-ordinating Committee on, the needs and abilities of disabled persons;

(b) make the general public aware of the needs and abilities of disabled persons;

(c) make disabled persons and the able-bodied public aware of government programs that serve disabled persons; and

(d) make the able-bodied public aware of what it can do to facilitate the integration of disabled persons into the social and economic life of the community. 1989, c. 4, s. 6.

Duties of Commission

7 The Commission shall

(a) advise the Co-ordinating Committee on matters pertaining to disabled persons in the community, including the provision of technical aids and the Building Code as it pertains to disabled persons;

(b) identify and study issues of concern to disabled persons and recommend action where appropriate;

(c) promote opportunities for self-help for disabled persons in the context of the family and the community;

(d) review programs and policies affecting disabled persons;

(e) respond to requests from the Co-ordinating Committee for advice on specific issues;

(f) prepare an annual guide book on programs serving disabled persons, including both programs administered by the Province and by other organizations;

(g) submit to the Government through the Co-ordinating Committee an annual report outlining the Commissions activities and achievements; and

(h) advise the Co-ordinating Committee on which community in the Province has done the most in any year to improve awareness of the accessibility for disabled persons. 1989, c. 4, s. 7.

Report on certain matters

8 Where the Commission reviews, considers or inquires into any matter at the request of or with the approval of the Co-ordinating Committee, the Commission shall make a report to the Co-ordinating Committee with respect to that matter at the conclusion of its deliberations. 1989, c. 4, s. 8.

Co-ordinating Committee

9 (1) There is hereby established a Co-ordinating Committee consisting of the Minister of Community Services, the Minister of Health and Fitness, the Minister of Advanced Education and Job Training, the Minister of Government Services, the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the member of the Executive Council who is charged with the Administration of the Housing Act, and such members of the Executive Council as may be determined by the Governor in Council.

Chairman

(2) The Governor in Council shall designate one of the members of the Co-ordinating Committee to be the Chairman of the Committee.

Expenses

(3) The Chairman and each member of the Co-ordinating Committee shall be paid such reasonable expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties as are determined by the Governor in Council. 1989, c. 4, s. 9.

Object of Co-ordinating Committee

10 The object and purpose of the Co-ordinating Committee is to, in partnership with the Commission, facilitate the planning and development of services and programs for disabled persons by

(a) co-ordinating plans, policies and programs presented by the departments of the Government; and

(b) developing plans, policies and programs for and with disabled persons. 1989, c. 4, s. 10.

Executive Director

11 (1) The Governor in Council may appoint a person to be the Executive Director of the Commission after consultation with the Commission.

Remuneration

(2) The Executive Director shall be paid such remuneration as is determined by the Governor in Council.

Duties

(3) The Executive Director shall perform such functions and duties as are assigned to the Executive Director by the Commission. 1989, c. 4, s. 11.

Personnel

12 Such persons as are required for the administration of this Act and the regulations shall be appointed in accordance with the Civil Service Act. 1989, c. 4, s. 12.

Regulations

13 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations respecting any matter or thing the Governor in Council deems necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of this Act.

Regulations Act

(2) Regulations made pursuant to subsection (1) shall be regulations within the meaning of the Regulations Act. 1989, c. 4, s. 13.