February 2006 - Vol. 2, Issue 1 Our website: www.contaac.ca Message from the editor: Linda Crabtree - St. Catharines and Region of Niagara AAC, editor/publisher: Accessible Niagara guide and website. Hello everyone: We have 58 AACs with us and 173 members on our membership list representing all areas of Ontario. We are, of course, looking for more members and AACs to join us or people who would like to start an AAC in their city or town but haven't yet. If you can help spread the word that we exist, please do. If you have any anecdotes about problems related to voting please e-mail them to me at linda@lindacrabtree.com. We'd like to make sure Elections Canada know the problems we face when election time comes around. Also, we welcome Dorothy Macnaughton of Sault Ste. Marie as our information, research and resources officer. She joins me, Geof Collis (webmaster) and Louise Rolling (membership) in the running of the COAAC. To be on our discussion forum, please send a blank e-mail to accessontario-subscribe@topica.com. We've had some lively discussions lately about the election, charities and awareness training. In this issue: The Federal Election Accessibility Standards Council appointments AODA Alliance board selected Accessible Parking Permits Publications: Advancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities Inclusion by Design The Advocate - A government affairs advisory from the OMOD Success Stories: Barrie AAC updates: Barrie Sault Ste Marie St. Catharines Windsor As I See It - Opinion column Tracey Roetman Nomination of David Lepofsky for the Order of Ontario Q & A Resources The Federal Election At this time, we don't know too much about the new federal government and what they think about disability issues but thanks to Ian Greaves, Chair of the MS Society in Niagara and a member of the Niagara Falls and Niagara Region AACs, I am able to bring you a questionnaire sent to all of the parties by the MS Society of Canada. I'll just print the answers from the Conservative Party but you can log on to http://www.mssociety.ca/en/involved/socialact/elections-2006-and-you.htm for the entire survey with answers from all parties. January 9, 2006 Conservative Party of Canada response to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada election questionnaire 1. Do you support making a new income security and disability supports program a federal priority? A Conservative government would introduce a National Disability Act designed to promote reasonable access to medical care, medical equipment, education, employment, transportation and housing for Canadians with disabilities. 2. Do you support developing a disability benefits program that would allow ongoing part-time work and pay partial or reduced benefits in addition to the current CPP-D Program? A Conservative government currently would have no plans to change the CPP-D program. However, we would consider proposed alterations to the program that would enhance and improve the lives of those with disabilities and afford them the opportunity to increase their level of independence, participate more fully in society, and achieve their full potential. 3. Do you support providing dropout provisions for caregivers through the CPP program that are the same as the current child-care dropout provisions? Currently, we have no plans to change the drop out provisions in the CPP program. 4. Do you support extending the caregiver tax credit to spouses of Canadians who are disabled? We are implementing the Tax Relief for Caregivers in Budget 2005 which means that spouses can receive this tax credit under the Medical Expense Tax Credit. 5. What will your party do to expand home care coverage to include support for Canadians with chronic illnesses or disabilities? The Conservative party supports the homecare measures contained in the 2004 federal-provincial Health Accord. We would ensure that the federal government and the provinces follow through on the commitments they made at the 2004 conference, and ensure that the agreed-upon deadline of December 31, 2006 be met. 6. What will your party do to improve and accelerate access to beneficial therapies to the people who need them in a reasonable timeframe? A Conservative government will work with the provinces to develop a Patient Wait Times Guarantee to ensure that all Canadians receive essential medical treatment within clinically acceptable waiting times. Clearly and unequivocally embracing the Patient Wait Times Guarantee is the only way governments can preserve both the principles of the Canada Health Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 7. What will your party do to ensure that health research is well supported in Canada? The Conservative party recognizes the importance of health sciences research in enhancing the health of Canadians and as a dynamic economic sector in its own right. A Conservative government will foster an environment that encourages health sciences research and development of new health care technologies, in part through the provision of an adequate level of federal funding. A Conservative government will be open to innovations which would reduce waiting lists, improve the quality of care, and ensure better coordination and information sharing in the delivery of health. A Conservative government will not be afraid to implement new advances so that all Canadians can benefit from a modern effective health system tailored to meet their needs. Kind regards and thank you for your enquiry - The Conservative Party of Canada Report on the All-candidate meeting in Sault Ste Marie by Tracey Roetman The all-candidate debate on disability issues, one of five totally accessible to people with disabilities in Ontario, was held here in council chambers at the Civic Centre on the evening of Jan. 18. I'm happy to say that there were so many people in attendance, they overflowed into another room. It was announced that this debate was primarily on disability issues and not a forum to gripe (in my opinion, the implication was that persons with disabilities given the opportunity could not ask intelligent, informed questions). The moderator even had the courage to admit he was reluctant to do this. After the debate, it was evident that he was visibly moved by the experience as were many. Although he made many mistakes with wording, it was an event that none will soon forget. Glitches included: camera personnel blocking the ramp to the gallery; the closed captioning screen was located were there was no seating; the ramp and entrance to the gallery was in the way of the screen, so that every time someone went in or out, they blocked the closed captioning. The print was so small that even if you could strain your neck to see it, you would be hard-pressed to read it; our new FM system failed a number of times. These were, all in all, trivial things that can be worked out. I have to say it was a huge victory... for once you open the proverbial door and give people an opportunity to speak, it is impossible to close. The Liberal representative was misinformed by our provincial member of parliament and thought we already had a National bill in place. The Marxist-Leninist party representative repeatedly kept going back to housing as if that were the only issue we faced. Human Rights was brought up several times as the solution and we all know how effective and draining an answer that is. The First Nations candidate made a very moving opening statement on the struggles and preconceived uninformed bias he faced growing up and how he had to listen to the continual whispers. The NDP candidate was the most informed. The one thing that all candidates agreed on in the end is a National bill/act that enforces accessibility, equality, and consistent standards for all citizens. One major point: all candidates, and those involved, did some homework. Warren's World - For more on the election and a continuing dialogue on a new Canadians with Disabilities Act, go to Warren's World at www.warrensworld.ca. This is a site that grew out of a field placement Warren Rupnarian, a student who uses an electric wheelchair due to cerebral palsy, has accepted with the Ontario March of Dimes. Accessibility Standards Advisory Council appointments December 13, 2005 - McGuinty Government Launches New Accessibility Council TORONTO The McGuinty government's commitment to accessibility is getting a big boost today with the appointment of CITY-TV veteran David Onley and community leader Tracy MacCharles to lead the province's new Accessibility Standards Advisory Council, Minister of Community and Social Services Sandra Pupatello announced today. For more please go to: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/CFCS/en/newsRoom/newsReleases/051213.htm We congratulate the members which include: David Onley of Toronto, Chair, Tracy MacCharles of Pickering, Vice-Chair; Robert Bailey of Amherstburg; David Borthwick of Oakville; Tyler Campbell of Sudbury; Uzma Khan of Mississauga; Dean P. LaBute of Windsor; Mike Murphy of Kingston; Richard McGee of Kawartha Lakes; Judith Parisien of Alfred, Jutta Treviranus and Dr. Kathryn Woodcock of Toronto; Jeffrey Willbond of Ottawa. For further information, contact Sara Best at the Minister's Office, (416) 325-5219; Paul Doig, Communications Branch, (416) 314-5187 Update: Linda here - I asked Michael Sullivan, Policy Advisor at the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, Ministry of Community and Social Services, what is happening with the other committees and he replied, "I can tell you that the selection process for the customer service and transportation standards development committees is complete. We are currently in the process of confirming correct titles and contact information with successful candidates. The names of persons selected for the committees will be announced shortly on the Accessibility Directorate website at: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/accessibility/index.html. " So, keep checking that website and the papers for the next two committees. e-mail: michael.sullivan@css.gov.on.ca The AODA Alliance - We have written to the people putting together the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance (AODA Alliance) to suggest that we work together. They have put together a board of directors. Members include: Jean Beckett of Parry Sound, Eric Brittle of Alexandria; Kelly Duffin, Pres. and CEO of the Canadian Hearing Assoc., Catherine Dunphy, Gary Malkowski, John Rae, and Suzanne Share (one of our members), Sathish Subramanian and Dr. Doreen Winkler, all of Toronto; Jennifer Eastham and Richard Theberge of Ottawa; Bill Elms of Trenton; Joan Gallagher-Bell of Burlington; Joe Henry who lives in Milton and works as head of accessibility at Brock University in St. Catharines; James Hunsberger of Waterloo; Mark Nagler of Hamilton; Jim Stinson of Sydenham and Helena Spring. We'll be in touch often with the Alliance and I'm told their website will be up the week of their first meeting - Jan. 30. Accessible Parking Permits - from the press TORONTO, Dec. 1 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is moving ahead on its plan to make Ontario an accessible province by 2025 by improving the Disabled Person Parking Permit Program, Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar announced today. "As part of our commitment to make Ontario an accessible province, we have worked extensively with community groups, as well as medical and enforcement communities, to make sure the parking permit program works most effectively for the people who use it," said Takhar. "We've made significant changes to ensure that accessible parking permits are available to those who really need them." Effective January 16, 2006, the Disabled Person Parking Permit Program will be renamed the Accessible Parking Permit (APP) program. Improvements to the program include: List of 4 items o New measurable and observable mobility criteria to make it easier for medical practitioners to evaluate a person's eligibility and ensure only qualified applicants receive permits. o Improvements to application and production processes and technology to cut permit processing time in half, to approximately four weeks. o New permit security features to reduce misuse and fraud, so that available parking spots are freed up for those who really need them. o New Traveller Permits for use at Ontario airports to allow permit holders to take their regular permit with them and access designated parking at their destinations. list end Success Story a success story for the City of Barrie's Accessibility Advisory Committee. To assist in establishing a more accessible City of Barrie, the Accessibility Advisory Committee partnered with the Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled and supported their initiative to develop a database which provides the public with information on local businesses and their level of accessibility. The project involved hiring a student who visited local businesses and conducted a visual accessible audit. Once the data was collected, it was entered into a database which lists businesses and their accessibility based upon approach, parking, walkway/curb, entrance /door, washrooms and general assembly area. There are currently over 900 entries on the database. The database has been visited regularly and has been well received. It can be accessed by visiting www.scapd.on.ca/accessibility. Dan McGale Executive Director - S.C.A.P.D. Simcoe County Assoc. for the Physically Disabled, Barrie, Ont. AAC Updates - (in alphabetical order) Barrie November 12, 2005 City of Barrie Accessibility Advisory Committee Project Summary for COAAC December Newsletter One of the major concerns that the City of Barrie Accessibility Advisory Committee has encountered is accessible transportation within the city. Transportation has become an ongoing project for the committee. Some of the accomplishments that the committee has achieved to ensure better accessible transportation in Barrie are: Travel Incentive programs, which involve demonstrations of the kneeling buses within the public transit system. During Accessibility Awareness Week, the Committee plans one event focussing on Accessibility within the city. During 2004, an "Accessibility Open House" was held which included promoting the kneeling buses within the city's public transit system. In 2005, the committee focussed on promoting the kneeling buses and handed out two ride-free bus passes to BACTS users to promote the kneeling buses and provided a free trip on the kneeling buses to a local shopping mall for citizens from two senior complexes. Through various changes within the scheduling system of BACTS appointments and phone response time, scheduling is now reduced to seven days in advance. A computerized scheduling system for BACTS appointments will be installed during 2005. Eighty-three per-cent of the public transit system fleet is now accessible. All new bus purchases are accessible. Improved legibility of the transit maps by utilizing a larger font and better colour contrast. The Committee is currently working on a training video on how to use the BACTS system and the kneeling buses. Carol Soloduik - City of Barrie AAC - carolis@rogers.com Sault Ste. Marie Dorothy Macnaughton, who was and is one of Sault Ste. Marie's most dedicated, upstanding individuals has stepped down as chair of our AAC. Dorothy was named volunteer of the year last year and is the type of person that, no matter how busy, if she hears of someone who is sick or down, she is cooking meals and because of her low vision will ride the bus to deliver them. She will be sorely missed. Tracey Roetman, consultant - roetman@shaw.ca St. Catharines The Mayor's Advisory Committee of St. Catharines (MACOA) is currently working on awareness training for staffers and council members of the city. The committee now has a co-ordinator, Diana Lecinski, who will also work for the Region of Niagara Accessibility Advisory Committee. It is hoped that with Diana on board more will be accomplished than in the past. Linda Crabtree - St. Catharines AAC - linda@lindacrabtree.com Windsor The Windsor Accessibility Advisory Committee and Transit Windsor have developed their accessibility plans for 2005-2006. This year, the accessibility plans are focussing on informational and attitudinal barriers. Some of the highlights include: developing the capacity to produce multiple format documents in house and create a multiple format documents policy; improving access to council meetings through improved technology for hearing assistance in the chamber and closed captioning at home; improving access to employment by creating a barrier free job description development process to avoid including unnecessary job requirements that affect employees with disabilities; and improving signage and information delivery at bus stops for disabled transit users. The City is also committed to increasing Disability Awareness and Customer Service Training for corporate staff. WAAC has also commenced a process of exploring ways to expand transportation alternatives for people with disabilities in Windsor. With the assistance of a consultant from IBI Group, WAAC is hosting a Community Forum on Transportation for People with Disabilities including para-transit, conventional transit and accessible taxis. A report on that forum will be available in the new year. Melinda Munro, Diversity and Accessibility Officer, City of Windsor mmunro@city.windsor.on.ca As I See it Opinion Column Tracey Roetman - Sault Ste Marie For those of you who are struggling and wondering how are we going to get all of the tasks before us done; why this seems so difficult; and why staff support sometimes is so seemingly difficult to come by, I can only say that it takes long hours of commitment and determination to do what often seems a thankless job. The people with disabilities in the community want to know why things are not happening faster, and staff is insisting that it can't happen overnight. The problem as I see it is you have to know that you are the experts and regardless of what you're told, you are responsible to first, know the legislation, and second, implement it. You do not answer to staff, you answer to mayor and council. Get everything in writing, make sure that the minutes reflect your concerns, and amend all minutes before you accept them. When you run into roadblocks, remember what David Lepofsky said, "The media is your friend." Too often, we get sidetracked by issues that we cannot control and anger bubbles over; when this happens, we lose. Do not let it happen. I know how frustrating it is, but when you know you're right, you can be affirmative, relentless and so much more effective. Remember that when we are being diverted, nothing is getting accomplished. Chairs, take control of your meetings. If your AAC does not have an effective chair, members should take control of your meetings. I have seen both staff and members derail a meeting and waste time to the point where nothing gets accomplished. Lastly, celebrate your successes. We too often focus on all that we need to accomplish and fail to celebrate the good work we have achieved. PUBLICATIONS Advancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities this is the Government of Canada's third report detailing its progress on disability issues. It presents an overview of developments in Government of Canada disability policy and a profile of the expenditures on disability. This current report also includes a special focus on seniors with disabilities, which is so important as the general population ages. It's 98 pages long, so load up your printer and download this report free by going to: http://www.sdc.gc.ca/en/hip/odi/documents/advancingInclusion05/toc.shtml Inclusion by Design or How to Reach a Wider Audience How to better produce and share information through electronic networks, multi-media presentations, CD ROMS, videos or other means. Includes links to many other resources, including a Guide to Planning Inclusive Meetings and Conferences. http://www.hrma-agrh.gc.ca/ee/accom-amen/inclusion_e.asp The Advocate A government affairs advisory Published by the Ontario March of Dimes' Government Relations Department. This colourful recap of the year can be had by e-mailing the advocate@dimes.on.ca I asked when the Advocate will be published and the answer was, whenever there is enough news to do one. There's a good item on Warren's World in the present issue. ON-LINE 360 Magazine: The Accessible Lifestyle. Go to http://www.360mag.com Nomination of David Lepofsky for the Order of Ontario Linda here - The nomination deadline has been extended to the end of February but I'm going to get the nomination papers in within the next two weeks. We have more then 30 incredible letters and a half dozen or so great e-mails along with some press and David's book outlining the development of the entire ODA movement. The letters are a testament to the admiration, love and respect people from all walks of life have for David and his work, here and in Israel. It has been a pleasure putting this together. Let's hope the powers that be at the Ontario Awards office feel the same way we do. Q & A You asked Several queries have come to us that we passed on to Michael Sullivan, policy advisor for the Ontario Government. If you have a question regarding policy, please send it on and we'll print Michael's answer so that we can all learn. Names of individuals and AACs are not used. Question: What is happening regarding the potential for updates to the Ontario Building Code. I have emailed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing but then realized that perhaps this is something that the COAAC has an inside track on. Are there any plans for further amendments to the Building Code Act related to accessibility and barrier-free design? Answer: A public consultation on more than 40 proposed accessibility and barrier-free design changes to the Building Code was held in early 2003. The proposed changes are posted on the objective based code web site at: http://www.objectivecodes.gov.on.ca/obc2003/sheet_tech_p1.asp Building code technical advisory committees have reviewed the proposed changes and the public's comments and have made recommendations to the government. Subject to government direction, it is expected that the next edition of the Building Code will come into effect in late 2006 and will incorporate many of the recommendations of the technical advisory committees. Further proposals related to barrier-free access requirements for buildings may emerge as a result of the Built Environment Standards Development Committee to be established under the AODA. The Accessibility Directorate will work closely with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to support the work of this standards development committee. Question: I am chair person for the by-law and purchasing sub-committee of our AAC. This sub-committee has not had a meeting since April 2005, because the city clerk that was our support staff person left. I was told I could not call a meeting because they could not provide a staff support person. As of yet, they still have not appointed any person. I was of the understanding that a staff support person is not needed for a sub-committee to meet. My question is: Can a sub-committee have a meeting without a staff person? I would also like to know, can I have a meeting in my house or must all meetings be held where the AAC says? I am writing for this information at this time because I am deciding to resign from my AAC. Answer: The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 require that, in municipalities over 10,000 persons, there be an Accessibility Advisory Committee established where the majority of persons on the committee be persons with disabilities. Then the acts set out the roles and responsibilities of the committee. The acts do not require sub-committees, but they don't prevent them either. There are no requirements in our legislation about a sub-committee or the AAC having a staff person present at a meeting or the location where a meeting can take place. It is up to each municipality and its accessibility advisory committee to determine how it wishes to conduct meetings, but it is required to meet and fulfill its roles and responsibilities under the legislation. If the municipality is insisting that a staff person be present at the meetings of the AAC and sub-committees, then it should make it a priority to provide that person, because preventing the meetings to take place would seem to prevent the running of an AAC and thus defeat the purpose and a key component of the legislation. Michael Sullivan, Policy Advisor, Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, Ministry of Community and Social Services, Toronto Direct Line: 416-314-6047; Toll Free: 1-888-520-5828; Fax: 416-327-4080 E-mail: michael.sullivan@css.gov.on.ca Many thanks to those who contributed to this issue. If the COAAC is to continue, we need input from all member AACs. The COAAC eNewsletter can link us together and help us share information regarding what we did that proved good and worthwhile and what happened that was counterproductive. I'll publish every two months if the interest is there. You are invited to send in AAC updates similar to those in this issue. Our next COAAC eNewsletter will be published in early April or late March depending on the volume of information we have. We'd also like to hear from you if you have something to share such as a publication or CD you have found that would help us learn about all facets of disability. Our new Opinion Column will also allow members to make their opinions known on various topics related to AACs but please, no more than 400 words. Please know that the opinions in this enewsletter are not necessarily those of the editor unless stated or any of the people working on it. If in doubt about whether your item fits with our criteria, simply send your ideas to me at linda@lindacrabtree.com. There are no dumb questions and all ideas will be considered. Resources Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 English - http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/English/05a11_e.htm French - http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/French/05a11_f.htm Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001: English - http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/English/01o32_e.htm French - http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/French/01o32_f.htm Human Rights Code: English - http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/English/90h19_e.htm French - http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/French/90h19_f.htm