Monthly Archives: November 2015

Deaf Advocates Angered Over Key Appointment

Protesters object as hearing person chosen to run agency that oversees schools for hearing-impaired
Verity Stevenson
The Toronto Star, November 10, 2015.
http://newspapers.web.ca/news/nr/en/The%20Toronto%20Star> , Nov. 10, 2015 A loud campaign advocating for a deaf superintendent circulated online and around the world, then didn’t get what it was fighting for. The Provincial Schools Branch (PSB), which oversees the provinces’ four schools for the deaf, announced last week it hired a hearing superintendent, Jeanne Leonard.

The announcement also said the branch hired Heather Gibson, who is deaf, in a new position called “assistant to the superintendents.”

Though that brings a deaf person to an administrative level previously dominated by hearing people, some in the deaf community say that’s not what they were asking for.

Read more at
https://www.accessibilitynews.ca/deaf-advocates-angered-over-key-appointment/

Sheltered Workshops a Blessing for Developmentally Challenged or Slave Labour?

There’s a growing controversy involving workshops that pay marginal wages and segregate people with intellectual disabilities from the rest of the community.

Louise Scott, a Colbrook manager, discusses their employee transition program.
By: Moira Welsh Investigative News reporter, Lucas Oleniuk Staff Photographer, Published on Mon Nov 02 2015

Anthony Guenter, 36, has autism. For the last seven-and-a-half years, Guenter has worked in the dishwashing room at Sodexo’s cafeteria at Loblaw headquarters in Brampton. He works from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. five days a week and earns more than minimum wage. His boss, Sean Callaghan, says Guenter is “reliable and a very positive influence on morale.”

Thousands of Ontarians with intellectual delays are working for pennies a day in warehouses, tucked away in industrial malls across the province.

Read more at
https://www.accessibilitynews.ca/sheltered-workshops-a-blessing-for-developmentally-challenged-or-slave-labour/

Cornwall a Leader on Accessibility Front

From the hallways of the flagship Benson Centre to new play structures in community parks, the City of Cornwall is showing a commitment to making things accessible to all residents.

Read more at
http://www.coaac.ca/cornwall-a-leader-on-accessibility-front/

Accessibility News November 7,2015 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.

The AODA Clock is Ticking

There are 9 years, 8 weeks, 1 day till a fully Accessible Ontario! Will you be compliant?

In this Issue

Read more at
https://www.accessibilitynews.ca/accessibility-news-november-72015-update/

Premier Kathleen Wynne Promised The Most Open Government In Canada, But Her Economic Development Ministry Asks AODA Alliance Chair to Pay $4,200 To Fully Answer His June 4, 2015 Freedom Of Information Application On The Implementation And Enforcement Of The Accessibility For Ontarians With Disabilities Act

Premier Wynne has promised that hers would be the most open and transparent government in Canada. Despite this, the Economic Development Ministry has asked David Lepofsky to pay a hefty $4,250 to get answers to important parts of his Freedom of Information application.

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/premier-kathleen-wynne-promised-the-most-open-government-in-canada-but-her-economic-development-ministry-asks-aoda-alliance-chair-to-pay-4200-to-fully-answer-his-june-4-2015-freedom-of-informati/

Wait Lists Growing for Autism Treatment in Ontario

The Canadian Press
Published Tuesday, November 3, 2015

TORONTO — Thousands more Ontario children with autism are on waiting lists for treatment than 10 years ago, and government figures suggest the number of kids receiving treatment may actually be dropping.

The NDP submitted a Freedom of Information request for the numbers of children with autism spectrum disorders on wait lists for Intensive Behavioural Intervention and Applied Behaviour Analysis and found dramatically increasing numbers.

In 2005-06, there were 753 kids waiting for IBI and now there are 2,192. In 2011-12, when ABA funding began, there were 2,784 kids on the wait list and now there are 13,966, though some children may be on both lists.

Read more at
https://www.accessibilitynews.ca/wait-lists-growing-for-autism-treatment-in-ontario/

Manitoba’s New Accessibility Rules Welcomed by Disability-Rights Advocate

New rules that require Manitoba businesses and organizations to be more accessible to customers with disabilities are now in effect, which a local advocate says will help open new opportunities.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/manitobas-new-accessibility-rules-welcomed-by-disability-rights-advocate/

Fake Cover Letters Expose Discrimination Against Disabled

The researchers, who sent résumés and cover letters on behalf of fictitious candidates for thousands of accounting jobs, found that employers expressed interest in candidates who disclosed a disability about 26 percent less frequently than in candidates who did not.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/

Wynne Government Commendably Announces Targeted AODA Enforcement Blitz on Workplace Barriers Aimed at Large Retail Establishments in Ontario

On October 5, 2015, the Wynne Government issued a News Release and Backgrounder announcing a targeted Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) enforcement initiative. We set out the Government’s announcement below. What does this mean for people with disabilities?

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/wynne-government-commendably-announces-targeted-aoda-enforcement-blitz-on-workplace-barriers-aimed-at-large-retail-establishments-in-ontario/

Blind Taxi User Was Doubly Victimized

B.C. Human Rights Tribunal member Jacqueline Beltgens has erred in ruling against guide-dog user Graeme McCreath. McCreath was not seeking a special “accommodation,” but rather the protection of his lawful rights.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/blind-taxi-user-was-doubly-victimized/