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New Virtual Portal Aims to Help Lawyers With Disabilities Feel Less Isolated

More than 2,000 lawyers in Ontario self-identify as having a disability, data shows Julia Knope, CBC News
Posted: Sep 26, 2023

Peer Support Network for Lawyers Living with Disabilities website.
The Ontario Bar Association has launched a first-of-its-kind initiative called Peer Support Network for Lawyers Living with Disabilities, where lawyers can connect and share their lived experiences in a safe and confidential space. (Submitted by Ontario Bar Association)

As a lawyer living with a disability, a single mother, and a caretaker to someone with a disability, Kelly McDermott says achieving work-life balance can be challenging.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, it became near-impossible.

Read more at
https://www.accessibilitynews.ca/new-virtual-portal-aims-to-help-lawyers-with-disabilities-feel-less-isolated/

How the Workplace Can Progress on Disability Inclusion

While regulations are in place, Canadian employers lag in implementation

Read more at
https://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/how-the-workplace-can-progress-on-disability-inclusion/

Drinking Diet Sodas and Aspartame-Sweetened Beverages Daily During Pregnancy Linked to Autism in Male Offspring

In this case-control study, boys who had been diagnosed with autism were more than three times as likely as neurotypically developing boys to have been born to mothers who reported consuming one or more servings per day of diet soda, or comparable amounts of the leading artificial sweetener aspartame, during pregnancy or breastfeeding. No statistically significant association was found in female offspring.

Read more at
https://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/drinking-diet-sodas-and-aspartame-sweetened-beverages-daily-during-pregnancy-linked-to-autism-in-male-offspring/

Ford Government Froze Out the AODA Alliance and Any Other Cross-Disability Coalition from Membership on the Only Two New Standards Development Committees it has Ever Appointed Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities
https://www.aodaalliance.org aodafeedback@gmail.com Twitter: @aodaalliance YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aodaalliance

September 29, 2023

SUMMARY

Since taking office in 2018, the Ontario Government of Premier Doug Ford has appointed only two new Standards Development Committees under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). These Committees have the very important responsibility to make recommendations on how to strengthen any existing accessibility standards enacted under the AODA. The Government belatedly appointed both Committees years after the mandatory legal deadline for appointing them.

Read more at
https://www.accessibilitynews.ca/ford-government-froze-out-the-aoda-alliance-and-any-other-cross-disability-coalition-from-membership-on-the-only-two-new-standards-development-committees-it-has-ever-appointed-under-the-accessibility/

AODA Alliance Asks Candidates for Ontario Liberal Party Leadership for Commitments on Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities
https://www.aodaalliance.org aodafeedback@gmail.com Twitter: @aodaalliance YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aodaalliance

September 28, 2023

SUMMARY

After a break of a few weeks, we are back and ready for action. Get ready for lots of news and advocacy for accessibility for people with disabilities!

1. Asking Ontario Liberal Party Leadership Candidates for Strong Leadership on Accessibility for People with Disabilities

The AODA Alliance today wrote all five candidates who are running for leadership of the Ontario Liberal party. We ask them to make specific commitments to lead Ontario to become accessible for people with disabilities. We list the 10 commitments we seek. You can read that letter below. We will make public the responses we receive from any of these candidates.

Read more at
https://www.accessibilitynews.ca/aoda-alliance-asks-candidates-for-ontario-liberal-party-leadership-for-commitments-on-accessibility-for-ontarians-with-disabilities/

How Canada Can Make Better Progress on Disability Inclusion

OPINION: Canada has set an ambitious goal to become a “barrier-free society” by 2040. A new approach could help us get there

Read more at
https://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/how-canada-can-make-better-progress-on-disability-inclusion/

Walmart Sued by US Agency Over Test That Screened Out Disabled Workers

The U.S. agency that enforces workplace discrimination laws said on Wednesday that it had sued Walmart Inc (WMT.N) over allegations it fired hourly workers with disabilities who could not pass a computer-based test.

Read more at
https://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/walmart-sued-by-us-agency-over-test-that-screened-out-disabled-workers/

Opinion: TIFF Highlights Toronto’s Accessibility Challenges

Shining a spotlight on inaccessibility at TIFF screening venues By Emily Carlucci – Published September 17, 2023

The Toronto International Film Festival is an extravaganza that transforms the city into a hub of film enthusiasts, celebrities, and industry professionals every September. While TIFF is renowned for its cinematic offerings, focusing on the festival’s impact on the streets of Toronto can highlight the accessibility challenges surrounding TIFF and their broader implications for urban planning.

The accessibility challenge

TIFF attracts diverse audiences, including individuals with disabilities who face unique setbacks when navigating the festival and its surrounding streets.

According to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), venues and events like TIFF are required to be accessible. However, in practice, several accessibility issues persist in the event’s structure.

Read more at
https://www.accessibilitynews.ca/opinion-tiff-highlights-torontos-accessibility-challenges/

2023 AODA Compliance Report Deadline is Fast Approaching

September 11, 2023 Employment & Labour Relations Bulletin
Paul Boshyk, David Fanjoy

Another deadline under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) is fast approaching.

Businesses and not-for-profit organizations with 20 or more employees in Ontario, as well as designated public sector organizations, have until December 31, 2023 to file their latest accessibility compliance report.

An accessibility compliance report is an online, self-reporting mechanism that tells the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility whether your organization is complying with the AODA and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (“IASR”). It contains such questions as:

Read more at
https://www.accessibilitynews.ca/2023-aoda-compliance-report-deadline-is-fast-approaching/

  • Has your organization created and implemented written policies on how to achieve accessibility by meeting all applicable accessibility requirements in the IASR?

EU Commission Proposes Universal Disability, Parking Card

When people’s disability status is not recognised abroad, they cannot access the special conditions and preferential treatment, such as free and/or priority access, reduced fees or personal assistance, while visiting other Member States. To address this issue, the Commission proposes the creation of a standardised European Disability Card.

Read more at
https://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/eu-commission-proposes-universal-disability-parking-card/