BRAMPTON, ON. (Nov. 19, 2009) – Peel Regional Council has proclaimed Dec. 3, 2009 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) in Peel. This year’s theme, Positive Images of Disabilities, sets the stage for recognizing the achievements of persons with disabilities in the community.

“Improving accessibility of Regional services and workplaces in Peel is a priority of Regional Council to ensure all residents receive the same services,” said Regional Chair Emil Kolb. “Celebrating IDPD provides the Region an opportunity to engage residents and organizations in how we can work as a community to integrate accessibility into all services.”

This year’s IDPD event is a collaborative initiative of the Region’s Accessibility Planning Program and Region of Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee. The event, which will be held on Dec. 2, helps to raise awareness about accessibility issues and ways to eliminate barriers to accessibility in Peel. The day includes inspirational speakers and engaging roundtable discussions, as well as an overview of key Regional accessibility initiatives.

“Each year, IDPD allows for important discussions among persons with disabilities, Regional government, key stakeholders, staff and the public on eliminating barriers to accessibility in Peel,” said Accessibility Advisory Committee Chair William Goursky. “The community’s input is vital to the Region’s ongoing accessibility planning. I look forward to hearing our participants’ insights and ideas for making Peel an accessible place to live and work. ”

The public is invited to attend the event, which features remarks from Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services; Michelle Amerie, artist, sculptor, painter, photographer and writer; and Jeff Preston, aspiring community advocate and motivational speaker, and member of the Provincial Accessibility Advisory Committee. Karlene Nation, CTV Diversity Reporter, will be the Master of Ceremonies. The Regional Chair and Chief Administrative Officer will also provide remarks.

The event takes place Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009 at the Embassy Grand Convention Centre, 8800 The Gore Rd., Brampton, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members of the public, disability advocates, media and agencies providing human services are encouraged to attend.

To register, visit www.peelregion.ca/idpd or call Meenu Sikand, Accessibility Planning Specialist, at 905-791-7800, ext. 4778. Seating is limited.

For more information about the Accessibility Planning Program, visit
www.peelregion.ca/corpserv/makingway.

The Regional Municipality of Peel was incorporated in 1974 on the principle that certain community and infrastructure services are most cost-effectively administered over a larger geographic area. The Region of Peel serves more than one million residents in the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga and the Town of Caledon. For more information on the Region of Peel, please call 905-791-7800, or visit www.peelregion.ca.