FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 26, 2000

Port Hope set to lose services for people with disabilities

PETERBOROUGH - About 1,200 people with disabilities are set to lose local access to the Ontario Disability Support Plan (ODSP).

The Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) plans to move the ODSP program and staff to Peterborough on March 3, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union has learned.

"People with developmental and physical disabilities don’t need the added struggle of travelling 50 kilometres to get assistance," said OPSEU staff representative Peter Dashfield. "This is a cruel cut that hurts some of the most vulnerable people in Northumberland County."

The Port Hope office, with eight staff, meets face-to-face with 20-30 clients and fields about 250 phone calls each day.

MCSS says it is moving the Port Hope office to make room for staff from the Ministry of Transportation. The Ministry says clients will be able to call the Peterborough office and arrange for field staff to travel back to Port Hope for appointments - at the new MTO offices, apparently.

"This is a case of less service, and less efficient service, for people with disabilities," said Dashfield. "It’s just plain wrong. The Ministry should forget about this plan and concentrate on providing the best service possible."

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For more information, call Peter Dashfield at (705) 748-9100 or 1-800-667-7860 

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