Kathleen Martin Ginis
The next phase of the Canadian Disability Policy Alliance is part of a seven-year project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The project is led by Dr. Kathleen Martin Ginis, and will enhance the quantity and quality of community participation among Canadians living with a physical disability. More than 50 partners – ranging from community-based disability-related service groups to government organizations at every level, and from university researchers to non-profits and national charities – are committed to developing and implementing evidence-based tools and services to assist Canadians with disabilities to achieve full community participation.
“Canadians with physical disabilities do not fully enjoy the UN-protected basic right to ‘full and effective participation and inclusion in society’,” says Martin Ginis. “Canadians with disabilities consistently identify three areas where they feel the most restrictions, and where they’d most like to participate – in the workforce, in sports and recreation, and simply being able to move about their communities independently and with dignity.”
Martin Ginis’ project has been awarded $2,643,997 and was one of only fourteen chosen by SSHRC in the Canada-wide Partnership Grants competition.
“Our partnership is poised to generate new knowledge that can be turned into products, tools and services that will have a profound impact on community participation among the nearly three million Canadians living with physical disabilities,” says Martin Ginis. “The social and economic significance of these activities cannot be overstated – when people with physical disabilities are full participants in their communities, all Canadians benefit from a strong, more competitive society in which everyone can use their talents, skills and resources.”
For more information from the McMaster Daily News please click here.
For an overview of the project please click here.