Disability Alert takes rally for more supports to MLAs

RON RYDER
The Guardian

Disability Alert’s rally for increased disability supports moved to the steps of P.E.I.’s provincial legislature Tuesday.

Stephen Pate, the group’s founder, was flanked by supporters as he handed fact sheets to MLAs outlining the needs of disabled Islanders. Pate has been pressing for increases to the Disability Support Program, P.E.I.’s principal effort to meet the needs of residents with physical and mental challenges.

Health Minister Chester Gillan didn’t accept Pate’s handout but in the legislature he said government is not unaware of the needs of the disabled.

“The DSP is intended to meet disability specific needs,” he said.

“Social assistance and other income supports are separate supports that individuals may be able to access in addition to the DSP.

“This probably will never be enough. The DSP has support for all kinds of equipment, including scooters. However, need must be demonstrated.”

Liberal MLA Richard Brown said he was a strong believer in the DSP intent, when government separates supports from its social assistance program.

But he said the province has to do more to meet the needs that DSP identifies.

“There wasn’t an over-expenditure, there was an under-budget,” he said.

“When it comes to their own expenditures the sky is no limit. But when it comes to disability support there are limits.”

Pate said he is seeing a growing public awareness of disability issues and of government programs in the area. He said he plans to keep pressing until he sees a program driven by the principle of meeting eligible needs, without prior restrictions on money.

“I’ll be back here next Tuesday for the budget,” he said. “That’s when they tell me all my concerns will be taken care of. We’ll see.”

The Guardian article contains a lengthy comments section.