Access Board Issues Guidance on the International Symbol of Accessibility

Synopsis: Guidance addresses questions on use of alternative disability accessibility symbols, and explains how use of symbols other than ISA impacts compliance with ADA.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/access-board-issues-guidance-on-the-international-symbol-of-accessibility/

I’ve Spent Two Years at Ryerson, but I’m Still Learning How to Navigate It

“It is not the fact that I can’t walk that disables me, rather it’s the stairs between me and where I want to go; it’s the attitudes of those who consider me less capable because I can’t walk”

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/ive-spent-two-years-at-ryerson-but-im-still-learning-how-to-navigate-it/

Disability Art: How Do You Participate if Only Two Toronto Venues are Fully Accessible?

Victoria Lacey was at a fundraising gala for Spinal Muscular Atrophy research when she won floor tickets to a sold-out One Direction concert. She was ecstatic.

But her excitement faded months later when she called the Rogers Centre’s “guest experience” department to inquire about the arrangements for her to access the venue. She was told she couldn’t watch the concert from the floor because her power wheelchair would damage the turf.

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/disability-art-how-do-you-participate-if-only-two-toronto-venues-are-fully-accessible/

Canada’s former chief electoral officers eager for successor, laud proposed electoral legislative changes

Jean-Pierre Kingsley says he’s ‘disappointed’ the government has yet to name new chief electoral officer, despite knowing since June that they would need one.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/canadas-former-chief-electoral-officers-eager-for-successor-laud-proposed-electoral-legislative-changes/

Opinion: Strong partnerships key to fully accessible Canada

Another way the Foundation is helping to improve the accessibility of public places and spaces is our Signature Canada 150 Initiative launched last fall, called Access4All. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Canada’s milestone birthday. With funding support from the Government of Canada, the Foundation is offering grants of up to $30,000 to schools and community groups for at least 50 large-scale “Barrier Buster” projects and awareness building events that shed light on accessibility issues in communities across the country. The response to date has been overwhelming. I’m proud to share that we have awarded the first 20 grants, including six projects in B.C., and will continue to accept applications until March 31st.

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/opinion-strong-partnerships-key-to-fully-accessible-canada/

Huntsville’s Work-In-Progress Accessibility Plan Breaks Down Barriers

The No. 1 barrier is attitudinal the attitude that if one has a disability, they cannot participate in life to its fullest. Quite the contrary, we simply go about it differently. However, if access to the local bowling alley, hairdresser, restaurant washroom, community hall, church, wedding reception hall, theatre, council chambers, dentist’s office or curling rink is a set of stairs, has a back entrance through the kitchen or a narrow door width, then yes, I cannot participate or be included in events or services physically or
with any decorum of dignity.

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/huntsvilles-work-in-progress-accessibility-plan-breaks-down-barriers/

Accessibility News March 25,2017 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 7 years, 40 weeks, 3 days until a fully Accessible Ontario! Will you be compliant?

In this Issue

Deaf Community Under Stress as Canadian Hearing Society Strike Continues

For many in the Toronto’s Deaf community, workers with the Canadian Hearing Society provide essential support, from fixing hearing aids to interpreting at medical appointments, even helping to find employment. Since March, hundreds of CHS workers across the province have been on strike, and the effects are causing many clients to join staff on picket lines.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/deaf-community-under-stress-as-canadian-hearing-society-strike-continues/

E-Agenda Going Back to Tender

Gaskell said the reason was because Accela could not make the system work with the province’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), which says that web pages and other online documents belonging to government entities must be accessible for those with disabilities, including the ability to resize text, audio description for pre-recorded video content and captioning for live video.

At committee of the whole, Gaskell said that Accela did not come with any references citing that it could do the job, but made promises that it could.

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/e-agenda-going-back-to-tender/

UM Study Finds Longstanding Interpretation of Disability Data Incomplete

The findings contradict the long-standing assumption by researchers and policymakers who use HHS disability data that it represents only people with long-term disabilities. The RTC:Rural study clarifies the survey collects information from two important subgroups: those with permanent disability, and those experiencing a temporary disability at the time of the survey.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/um-study-finds-longstanding-interpretation-of-disability-data-incomplete/