Jack Layton and the New Democrats will:

Implement a Canadian Disabilities Action Plan based on the vision of an inclusive and accessible Canada. Our goal is to ensure the full participation of all persons with disabilities in every aspect of life.

Develop and implement accessibility standards and laws for all areas under federal jurisdiction.

Use federal government funding to leverage improvements to employment, public transit and services. For example, we will use universal design principles in federally-funded infrastructure initiatives.

Make the federal disability tax credit fully refundable and accessible to all CPP disability pensioners.

Establish a Canadian Disability Employment Fund to assist employers under federal jurisdiction with the costs of providing reasonable accommodation.

Establish specific targets within labour market agreements negotiated with the provinces and territories to assist those with disabilities.

Create a Canadian Disability Accommodation Commissioner to advise Parliament and the responsible minister on issues affecting persons with disabilities.

Support a pan-Canadian strategy to stop violence and abuse of disabled persons.

Establish nation-wide goals to ensure that every Canadian in need of non-acute care will receive an appropriate level of care, including home care.

Immediately implement the UN Covenant on the Rights of People with Disabilities, which Canada signed.