December 19, 2005

Federal Candidates Asked to Take Position on Disability Issues

CHARLOTTETOWN: The PEI Council of the Disabled is asking candidates in the January 23 federal election to take stands on several disability related issues. Six questions covering issues specific to Islanders with disabilities such as poverty, accessibility, employment and transportation have been asked of all PEI candidates in federal race.

"The Council is asking candidates to make their stands known on issues of importance to voters with disabilities" says Barry Schmidl, Executive Director. "Sometimes a response, or a lack of response, can tell voters with disabilities who deserves to be elected on January 23rd, and a 2000 study showed that over 80% of Islanders with disabilities vote."

The full text of responses will be published on the Council’s web site at www.peicod.pe.ca as they are received. The first response has already been received to the survey sent out on Friday December 16th. The web site also has information on disability election issues, voter participation and additional election background.

The PEI Council of the Disabled was formed in 1974 by a group of concerned people with disabilities to speak out on issues such as housing, employment, education, transportation, human rights, and access to support services. The PEI Council of the Disabled promotes the full participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of Island life.

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For more information contact: Barry Schmidl, Executive Director, 892-9149
or visit the Council's website at www.peicod.pe.ca