The Saskatchewan government has announced a $4.3-million financial boost for spinal cord injury research and disability funding in the province.
The money will go toward Saskatchewan's five-year Rick Hansen Institute Initiative – a group of projects that aims to improve the lives of people with disabilities in the province.
Provincial funding for the initiative will be administered by the government or a designated community-based organization. The Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation will distribute cash for spinal cord research on behalf of the province.
Increased provincial funding to the Canadian Paraplegic Association of Saskatchewan will go toward peer support and rehabilitation counselling.
In addition, the province says the funding will enable the development of outreach services to address a gap in supporting Aboriginal people with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities.
The funding announcement coincides with the 25th anniversary of Rick Hansen's "Man in Motion" world tour, which raised $26 million for spinal cord injury research, rehabilitation and sport in Canada.
