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\VIIIT'1 I RI[, [SV[)IS)8,\>R . .1181,lPAGE 5 IYDP lays foundation for future By S. GREENAWAY Free~ Press Staff The first step for any community to aid its disabled citizens is to first talk to the disabled about their needs, Bill Thorenson told the 15o people gathered at last week's meeting of the Mayor's Task Force on the Disabled. Thorenson, the provincial co-ordinator of the Ontario International Year of Disabled Persons commit- tee said that 1981 should be used to "lay the foun- dations" for aiding disabled people in society for the next decade. Thorenson stressed that from the original motion put forward by the Libian em- bassador to the United Nations and seconded by the Canadian embassador in 1976 calling for 1981 to be recognized as the inter- national Year of the Disabled Persons, Canada has played a major role in its organization and execution. He said that while each in- dividual community might lose perspective of what is happening in other com- munities, together the entire effort "should make a big difference." "It is flot a year of giveaways," said Thorenson adding that while 18-20 groups have been funded federally it is really up to the individual communities to organize events through consultation with disabled citizens. As an example of such initiative he spoke briefly of the recent "People First" F estival of the Arts A great variety of Canadian craftspersons will be on hand for the First An- nual Whitby Festival of Arts and Crafts to be held May 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Iroquois Park Arena Com- plex in Whitby. Among the Canadian ar- tists present, there will be a display by two disabled aduits f rom the Lumpy Fac- tory in Peterborough. This will be the first time ever that the Lumpy Factory comes out of its operating quarters to demonstrate and sell its products. The lumpy character is a figurine madle out of asotir pioneer Mennonite craft is one that will prove in- teresting to see and own. Other crafts featured at the craft show will include metal sculptures, stoneware oïl lamps, teazle plaques, apple doils, and batik. Mayor Bob Attersley, Provincial Co-ordinator for the IYDP Bill Thorenson, Lillian Heaton Campkin, Altamae Eberlee, Co-Chairman for the Mayor's Task Force on the Disabled and Councillor Joe Drumm, Chairman of the Mayor's Task Force on the Disabled, are seen here with the provincial fiag designed for the International Year of Disabled Per- sons. Thorenson was the guest speaker at the Task Force's last meeting in the Whitby municipal council chambers and helped to design the f lag. The next Task Force Meeting will be on May 7. Ail members of the public are welcome to attend. facilities to aid the disabled across Ontario. Such services include those developed to aid autistic persons and the ad- dition of 52 more units with attendant care 'allowing handicapped people to live a normal life in the com- munity with attendants care. " This would raise to 300 the number of such units across Ontario. -You (the disabled> have to be out in the community keeping active and keeping your sense of humour, always pushing to convince people you are a person and not a disability," said Thorenson. The next general meeting of the task force has been set for May 7 at the council chambers in the Whitby Municipal Building on Rossland Road. Loa Arago Tm SHOOTS INTEREST RATEiS DOWN Our daring and resourceful hero shoots interest rates on Personal Loans down to sîze. Save on any Personal Loan. Talk ta the Loan Arranger at your local Victoria and Grey Trust Branch. Ask Us... Pronto! VKTORlA ~[fiAND GREY TRST Sînce 1844 Whitby: 308 Dundas St. WV. 668-9324 Tor. Line 683-7189 Member Canada Deposit Insuwance Corporation