Monthly Archives: July 2014

Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation Updating New York’s Accessibility Signage and Logos

One of the largest concerns is that existing signage and language emphasizes the disability itself, rather than the person. The current universal symbol for a person with a disability represents an individual with a wheelchair, which will be updated on all new signage to portray a more active image (view here). Additionally, the word “handicapped” will be removed from signs, or any other communication, now using only the word “accessible.”

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/governor-cuomo-signs-legislation-updating-new-yorks-accessibility-signage-and-logos/

Presidential Proclamation — Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act

ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, 2014
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Over two decades ago, Americans — some in wheelchairs, some using sign language, and all with an abiding belief in our Nation’s promise — came together to strengthen our commitment to equality for all.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/presidential-proclamation-anniversary-of-the-americans-with-disabilities-act/

Ontario Should Consult People With Disabilities Before Making Laws to Protect Them

Unfortunately, with almost 10 years passed since its enactment, many Ontarians with disabilities (myself included) see the AODA as something the province wanted to do, but didn’t quite know how to achieve. This has become quite evident to anyone living with a disability, and that is where I would like to begin the discussion.

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/ontario-should-consult-people-with-disabilities-before-making-laws-to-protect-them/

Open Doors Organization will reveal the findings on international travel of its 2014 national survey of American travelers with disabilities at the World Summit Destinations for All

2 Press Releases

Open Doors Organization (ODO) is conducting its third nationwide survey of American adult travelers with disabilities. The findings on international travel will be revealed at the World Summit Destinations for All to be held in Montreal, October 19-22 2014.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/open-doors-organization-will-reveal-the-findings-on-international-travel-of-its-2014-national-survey-of-american-travelers-with-disabilities-at-the-world-summit-destinations-for-all/

Innovative Recommendations for Toronto Police Dealing with the Mentally Ill

Five important, off-the-beaten path ideas from retired Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci’s report on police use of force

Sammy Yatim was 18 when he was shot and killed by Toronto Police on a TTC streetcar last summer. By: Wendy Gillis News reporter, Published on Sat Jul 26 2014

Body cameras, the expansion of Taser use, training that focuses on de-escalation in the wake of retired Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci’s report on police use of force, these issues have stood out among the broad-ranging recommendations.

And for good reason. A possible increase in the use of conducted energy weapons and a significant augmentation of surveillance are both contentious issues, ones that should be extensively debated and explored. And an emphasis on de-escalation training is something experts and advocates have long been calling for.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/innovative-recommendations-for-toronto-police-dealing-with-the-mentally-ill/

Accessibility News July 26,2014 Update

Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/acnewsca

Inclusive Media and Design Inc is a proud supporter of Accessibility News.

Inclusive is ready to caption and video describe all your video for web, DVD, and computer desktop. They can also assist you in understanding and implementing Ontario’s AODA Integrated Standards’ media requirements. Consider having them check that any of your new web site content is compliant with an Accessibility Audit.

Visit http://www.inclusivemedia.ca to find out more.

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In this Issue

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/accessibility-news-july-262014-update/

Disabled Man Reports ‘Hurtful’ Comments to TTC 400 Says Booth Collector Called Him a ‘Diddler’

By Maryam Shah ,Toronto Sun
First posted: Sunday, July 20, 2014 06:09 PM EDT

Disabled man Kevin Rogers, 51, alleges a TTC collector verbally abused him, prompting Rogers to file a complaint with the TTC. (Maryam Shah/Toronto Sun)

TORONTO – Kevin Rogers simply wanted to ride the subway with his family to Ripley’s Aquarium on a sunny weekday.

Instead, he says he got an earful from a TTC booth collector who accused him of being a “diddler” in front of other people.

Rogers has been quadriplegic and in a wheelchair since a diving accident at the age of 20. The 51-year-old who says he has worked in disabilities training for 17 years is no stranger to taking the TTC daily, usually alone.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/disabled-man-reports-hurtful-comments-to-ttc-400-says-booth-collector-called-him-a-diddler/

Harper Government Supports Innovative Pilot Program Assisting Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder Obtain Employment in the IT Industry

Today, the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, together with the Honourable Mike Lake, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry and Member of Parliament for EdmontonMill WoodsBeaumont, announced an investment of $150,000 in support of a pilot program that is providing Information Technology (IT) skills training and career opportunities for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/harper-government-supports-innovative-pilot-program-assisting-individuals-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-obtain-employment-in-the-it-industry/

PRESS RELEASE : DUCERE TECHNOLOGIES LAUNCHES LECHAL Worlds first interactive haptic footwear

Ducere Technologies announced the launch of the world’s first interactive haptic footwear under their wearable technology brand ‘LECHAL’ (pronounced lay-ch-al, meaning “take me there” in Hindi).

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/press-release-ducere-technologies-launches-lechal-worlds-first-interactive-haptic-footwear/

No Rest for the Weary: More AODA Compliance Required in January 2015

Employers who still have less than fond memories of trying to comply with the requirements of Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 relating to Customer Service and Integrated Accessibility Standards are now facing a new challenge: complying with additional AODA requirements that come into force on Jan. 1, 2015.

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/no-rest-for-the-weary-more-aoda-compliance-required-in-january-2015/