Disability group to make up for federal cuts

Last Updated: Monday, April 30, 2007 | 9:15 AM AT
CBC News

An advocacy group for people with learning disabilities in P.E.I. says it will have to step up its fundraising to make up for the loss of federal support.

The Learning Disabilities Association of P.E.I. (LDAPEI) says it will have to make up for $40,000 that it had been getting from Ottawa through the Destination Employment program.

That program was cut in the federal government’s budget last month.

Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, of which LDAPEI is a chapter, is a charity that relies primarily on the support of members, corporations, foundations and individual donors, but makes use of government funds when it can.

The loss of funding will affect about 18 Islanders each year who use the program to get training and new jobs, said LDAPEI executive director Sandra LeBlanc.

For example, Jeff Compston, 26, received more than $1,000 from Destination Employment to help pay for an assessment which showed him he has a learning disability.An advocacy group for people with learning disabilities in P.E.I. says it will have to step up its fundraising to make up for the loss of federal support.

The Learning Disabilities Association of P.E.I. (LDAPEI) says it will have to make up for $40,000 that it had been getting from Ottawa through the Destination Employment program.

That program was cut in the federal government’s budget last month.

Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, of which LDAPEI is a chapter, is a charity that relies primarily on the support of members, corporations, foundations and individual donors, but makes use of government funds when it can.

The loss of funding will affect about 18 Islanders each year who use the program to get training and new jobs, said LDAPEI executive director Sandra LeBlanc.

For example, Jeff Compston, 26, received more than $1,000 from Destination Employment to help pay for an assessment which showed him he has a learning disability.

“It gave me much more confidence. Before I thought maybe it was something I didn’t understand,” Compston said. “And after, I know.

“I know it’s not a problem I can control. It’s something I’ve learned to deal with and I can be successful despite of it.”

Compston will graduate from an accounting program at Holland College this spring.