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VANCOUVER – The B.C. government has provided the BC Wheelchair Sports Association with a one-time grant worth $225,000 to help athletes with a disability participate in sporting activities, announced Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance.
“The Province is strongly committed to building the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, including supports to enter the work force, as they are able, and supports to participate in a wide range of leisure activities,” said Richmond. “Supporting the BC Wheelchair Sports Association fosters a culture of participation, especially among our young people, in anticipation of the 2010 Paralympic Games.”
The British Columbia Wheelchair Sports Association (BCWSA) is using a portion of the grant money to purchase a new, modified passenger van that will transport athletes and equipment to events throughout the province. The association will also purchase up to 50 new sport-specific wheelchairs and parts to repair existing equipment.
“ActNow BC encourages all British Columbians to become more physically active and to participate in sports,” said Gordon Hogg, Minister of State for ActNow BC. “By investing in wheelchair sports, we’re providing opportunities for British Columbians with disabilities to become more active and for athletes to pursue excellence.”
The three types of wheelchairs the association will be purchasing are designed specifically for court sports, rugby and track sports. Sports wheelchairs differ significantly from stock wheelchairs due to their design, construction and functionality and can cost in excess of $3,000. The BC Wheelchair Sports Association offers a Wheelchair Loan Program so the cost of these chairs is not a barrier to new participants.
“Our ability to buy additional
sport-specific wheelchairs will allow for even more people to become involved
in the rewarding experience of sport,” said BCWSA executive director Kathy
Newman. “The new, modified van will make it possible for us to create awareness
about wheelchair sports opportunities throughout the province of B.C.”
On Dec. 3, the Province celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the United Nations’ International Day of Disabled People. This year’s theme is “Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities” – a goal the government fully supports through its many programs, including the $20-million Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities, the 10 by 10 Challenge to communities to increase the employment of British Columbians with disabilities by 10 percent by 2010, and 2010 Legacies Now’s Measuring Up Initiative and Accessibility and Inclusion Program.
Funding for the BC Wheelchair
Sports Association program builds on British
Columbia’s citizen-centred Disability Strategy. The government spends more than
$4.3 billion annually on programs and services to support persons with
disabilities. It also supports the
Province’s five great goals, including leading North America in physical
fitness and building the best system of support in Canada for persons with
disabilities.
More information about the BC
Wheelchair Sports Association can be found on their website at www.bcwheelchairsports.com.
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Contact: |
Richard Chambers Communications Director Employment and Income Assistance 250 387-6489 |
Jan Mansfield Communications Coordinator BC Wheelchair Sports Association 604 719-3828 |
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Donald McDonald Communications Director |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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