Mr. Speaker, December 3, the international day of disabled persons, is a fine beginning to the third edition of Quebec's week of disabled persons.
Throughout Quebec, a number of different activities will focus on the theme “Independence through access—everyone stands to gain”.
For the disabled, access to facilities and to adapted transportation is fundamental, as is the right to adapted education and training leading to access to the labour market. For them, as for the rest of us, access is independence. Although much progress has been made, everyone will agree that much more remains to be done.
I would like to make particular mention of the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec. In its 20 years of existence, this organization has done much to encourage co-operation between the various organizations, thus helping to give the disabled the voice to which they are entitled.
“Independence through access—everyone stands to gain”. I certainly believe it.