"It is just a few years from today and there has been a lot of positive changes for persons living with disabilities and their families in Canada.

We have a new Canadian Disabilities Act. Our government has signed the UN Protocol to Safeguard the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Across the country, there have been sweeping changes to disability benefits so no one is forced into a life of poverty.

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) uptake is at an all time high. Individuals are selecting their own supports instead of relying on supports that suit bureaucratic needs and timetables. The annual disability pride parade attracts thousands of visitors to cities across the country every year.

It is a new era for individuals with disabilities and their families."