The Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario Calls On the Wynne Government to Agree to Create an Education Accessibility Standard Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Yet another major voice has joined our call for the Wynne Government to agree to develop an Education Accessibility Standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. On August 10, 2016, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario wrote Ontario’s new Accessibility Minister, Tracy MacCharles, to support our request that the Ontario Government create an Education Accessibility Standard. This new accessibility standard is needed to tear down the many barriers that impede students with disabilities in Ontario’s education system.

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/the-canadian-union-of-public-employees-ontario-calls-on-the-wynne-government-to-agree-to-create-an-education-accessibility-standard-under-the-accessibility-for-ontarians-with-disabilities-act/

Righting a Wrong

The legal duty to accommodate disabled employees is covered in the Canadian Human Rights Act. Brian McKenzie, director of training and employment services for CHS, advises Ontario employers to consult the two key pieces of legislation, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code, regarding the duty to accommodate. He also recommends that hearing-impaired workers contact CHS’ Employment Services department to assess accommodation needs.

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/righting-a-wrong/

Paralyzed Edmonton Toddler a Whiz in Homemade Wheelchair

It took a while for Evelyn to figure it out. Then one day Dad nudged her down the driveway and she was able to stop herself.

She now waves her arms when she knows she’s about to be put in her chair, and able to only speak a few words like “dada” and “uh-oh” tilts the chair back and forth, clicking the casters to show she’s excited.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/paralyzed-edmonton-toddler-a-whiz-in-homemade-wheelchair/

Becoming Disabled

Yet pride movements for people with disabilities like Crip Power or Mad Pride have not gained the same sort of traction in the American consciousness. Why? One answer is that we have a much clearer collective notion of what it means to be a woman or an African-American, gay or transgender person than we do of what it means to be disabled.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/becoming-disabled/

Accessibility News August 20,2016 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 8 years, 19 weeks, 2 days till a fully Accessible Ontario! Will you be compliant?

In this Issue

UMMS Works to Improve Web Text for People With Cognitive Disabilities

UMass Medical School’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center is conducting research to determine if simplifying text for people with cognitive disabilities improves their understanding of what they read online.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/umms-works-to-improve-web-text-for-people-with-cognitive-disabilities/

Pedestrian Crossover to Be Installed in Waterdown

The pedestrian crossovers, introduced by the province under the Highway Traffic Act this year, have a defined set of roadside signs and distinctive pavement markings. In some locations, the crossovers will have flashing beacons.

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/pedestrian-crossover-to-be-installed-in-waterdown/

New Book Released: Tapping Into Hidden Human Capital: How Leading Global Companies Improve their Bottom Line by Employing Persons with Disabilities

G3ict, the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies announced the publication of a new book authored by Debra Ruh, G3ict’s EmployAbility Program Chair.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/new-book-released-tapping-into-hidden-human-capital-how-leading-global-companies-improve-their-bottom-line-by-employing-persons-with-disabilities/

Send Us Your Feedback on the AODA Alliance’s Draft Brief to the Wynne Government’s “Pre-Consultation” on Health Care Accessibility Barriers Facing Patients with Disabilities

We welcome your feedback on the AODA Alliance’s draft brief to the Wynne Government on its “Pre-Consultation” on accessibility barriers that patients with disabilities face in Ontario’s health care system. We set out our draft brief below. It is 13 pages long.

We ask you to respond quickly. We need to hear from you by Wednesday, August 24, 2016, so that we can finalize our brief and submit it by the Government’s August 31, 2016 deadline. Send your feedback to us at aodafeedback@gmail.com

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/send-us-your-feedback-on-the-aoda-alliances-draft-brief-to-the-wynne-governments-pre-consultation-on-health-care-accessibility-barriers-facing-patients-with-disabilities/

The Top Five Mistakes That Exclude People From Your Event and How to Fix Them

Organising an event has its challenges at the best of times. Besides choosing the right venue or thinking of what catering to offer, accessibility plays an import role. Avoiding these 5 mistakes will guarantee an accessible event for everyone.

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/the-top-five-mistakes-that-exclude-people-from-your-event-and-how-to-fix-them/