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~Queen's Park Report by George W. Taylor, MPP Simcoe Centre About 800,000 Ontario citizens suffer from handicaps which existed at birth or resulted from accident or disease. These people may be physically or mentally disabled - lacking sight, hearing, speech or full use of their limbs. The United Nations General Assembly has declared 1981 the International Year of Disabled Persons as a Means of encouraging the disabled to take on a greater role in society. "Full participation and equality" is the theme for this International Year. Supporters Canada is an en- thusiastic supporter of events recognizing the Year and the Province of Ontario will be an active participant. The Ontario Government has plans already un- derway to further im- prove its extensive programming for disabled people. The Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services provides Bodies ¢ long-term financial assistance for those in need. Assistance programs ___ include allowances for the parents of disabled children, housing support, job training and projects to assist disabled people to become fully self- supporting. In other areas the Ministry of Education runs special education programs for' the disabled while the Ministry of Culture and Recreation ensures that the disabled have ac- cess to cultural events by encouraging com- munity centres to build in ramps and grab-bars that are necessary for the disabled. Other Ontario Government Ministries Health, Housing, Labour, Revenue and Transportation and Communications - have developed policies designed to encourage those disabled who have the ability to become self-supporting mem- bers of the community while providing a high standard of care for finally identified | Investigation has concluded into the identity of the two victims involved in a single-engine plane crash which occurred in Tay Township on Nov. 15. Identification _ proc- edures conducted at the Centre of Forensic Pathology in Toronto by D. W. Stoneman (D.D.S.) Department of Radiology, University of Toronto were suc- cessful in positively identifying the male victim' as Thomas Edward Hopkins, 46 of Thornhill, Ontario. Although the- initial identification by family Stolen snowmobile }, driven into tree On Dec. 16 shortly after 6:30 p.m., Brian Cadeau, ot Richard Street, Victoria Har- bour, parked his 1973 Ski-doo snow vehicle at Mike's Milk Store, Albert St., Victoria Harbour. Within 15 minutes his snow vehicle was stolen. At approximately 8:30 p.m., a resident of the Fifth Concession, Tay Township, snow vehicle had driven into a large tree on Granny Whites Sideroad near Concession 6, Tay Township. Inspection by police revealed the snow vehicle was in fact Cadeau's. In addition, the person or persons responsible damaged the engine, cowling, windshield and seat. Estimate of damage is undetermined. reported a' Did you know? 100 vears ago wage- earners in Midland received $30 a month if he was a_ skilled millwright or sawyer. members of a piece of jewelry tentatively established the identity of the female subject as one Huquette Hopkins, 40, insufficient evidence and the absence of previous dental history had prohibited positive identification being made. (0: Page 2, Friday, December 19,1980, those who cannot. Normal lives The vast majority of the disabled live in the community. They wish to live as normal lives as possible; they want and need the _ op- portunity to work and enjoy leisure activities like any other citizen. While a great deal of progress has been made in assisting the disabled and improving public attitudes towards their participation in com- munity life, much still remains to be done. For many, access to public buildings, em- ployment, housing, edueation, §communi- cations and other ser- vices that most people take for granted ~are either denied or in short supply to the disabled. Many disabled per- at the bridge in Wyebridge sons are no longer satisfied with being passive recipients of care. They wish to work with the community to overcome both the physical an attitude barriers that prevent them from leading as close to a normal life as possible. I believe that International Year of Disabled Persons will bring positive change to the life of the disabled in our communities and provide them with greater opportunities and understanding. Programs While the Ontario Government will be stepping up its programs for. the disabled there is only so much Government can do. The success of the International J dss Year Natural Foods *Weaving Peanut. Butter 1,99 i. Fresh ground into your own container Tues.-Fri.-12-6,, Sat.-10-6, Sun.1-6 G 526 4118 really depends on what happens at the com- munity level. Fun- damentally, the lives of disabled people can only become more satisfying and productive if in- dividuals take action. The Provincial Secretariat for Social Development is en- couraging the individual to take action. In a includes Buffet recent pamphlet they ask individuals' to discover more about disabled groups and associations in their neighbourhood, to urge their municipal council to officially declare participation in the International Year and to educate themselves about the disabled through personal Hats - Horns contact. The disabled are a valuable resource for any community. They have strength, en- terprise and initiative. Why not help increase their opportunities 'to help themselves and the community at large by participating in the International Year of Disabled Persons. Reservations only ~ IB Bar NAR) ® " AN Nu ~ Fi ( i ZF + CA Ee, Se ke DAS (OB TAOS 'i A" VW) Phone 361-1442 Entertainment ye Warrel BAND = ' "(Oo 0 BAOT* DECK YOUR HALLS... FORTHE SENIOR CITIZEN BUS TOUR Tues., Dec. 23/80, 7 p.m. HOME OWNERS» ' Christmas lights bus tour. You could win- Decorate the exterior of your home for the senior citizens First Prize: Dinner for 4 atCN Tower Second Prize :Dinner for 4 at Bavarian House Third Prize: Dinner for 2 at Bavarian House Please call: 526-2268 If you would like ; your home to be judged in the contest. WY" GY": © 10), 1s ( 27 y --s Works). OUSAS fe 6, ) KG) a Ny HW) SENIOR CITIZENS You are invited to go on a FREE bus tour of the area to see all the Christmas lights, courtesy of A.E. LePage VAY. Real Estate. Please call 526-2268 to make reservations. Pick up is at PMCL terminal, Bay St., Midland. 'f you cannot make it to the terminal, let us know when you make your reservations and alternate arrangements will be made. There will be coffee compliments of McDonald's to wind up the tour. ; w= AF FOSS. (Wo. f y = Oe JOT 'ee C 1) CSXRORG SY PASS,