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Accessibility News is devoted to accessibility issues relevant to living in Ontario.
Date posted to site:Friday, September 03
KAWARTHA LAKES - A blind city voter has lashed out at politicians who chose mail-in ballots for the Oct. 25 municipal election.
Geof Collis said he is "appalled" by the decision, which he says has "effectively discriminated against me and others, ensuring that my right to vote is neither private nor independent.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=607
Date posted to site:Friday, September 03
The McGuinty Government has just released a detailed summary of the contents of the proposed accessibility standard it is planning to pass into law. It is proposing a single integrated standard to address barriers in transportation, employment, and information and communication.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=609
Date posted to site:Friday, September 03
Pauline Baker has always found it hard to vote for St. Catharines politicians.
No, she's not particularly cynical about local politics.
The 68-year-old, who has multiple sclerosis and needs a scooter to get around, just has trouble getting into her local polling station.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=612
Date posted to site:Thursday, September 02
Conservatives Criticize Government's Failure to Implement More of Charles Beer's Recommendations
We update you on two letters to the AODA Alliance from the Ontario Government, and a news release from Ontario's Progressive Conservative Party. These all concern the fate of the Report earlier this year of the Government-appointed Charles Beer Independent Review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=603
Date posted to site:Thursday, September 02
Parking illiegally in a disabled spot can result in a $250 fine.
The City of Whitehorse will start issuing fines Wednesday to motorists who illegally park in disabled parking spots, including on privately-owned parking lots and shopping malls.
Read more at
http://www.coaac.ca/?p=417
Date posted to site:Thursday, September 02
Exclusive partnership with HirePotential, Inc. provides specialized training courses for national employers on The Accommodation Process, Disability Etiquette Training, OFCCP Compliance, Disability Awareness Training for Recruiters/Hiring Managers and Tax Credit Utilization
BEDMINSTER, N.J., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- GettingHired.com, the nation's largest disability employment portal, announced the signing of an exclusive agreement with HirePotential, Inc. to provide specialized training to major employers related to disability employment readiness. The series of courses, including specialized training on The Accommodation Process, Disability Etiquette Training, OFCCP Compliance, Disability Awareness Training for Recruiters and Hiring Managers as well as Tax Credit Utilization, will allow employers to be better prepared to take full advantage of hiring talented people with disabilities.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1670
Date posted to site:Thursday, September 02
Implementing the recommendations of a legislature committee would launch a new era of compassion, care and safety
What a cruel juxtaposition of events.
Last Thursday, a committee of the Ontario Legislature released a hard-hitting report on the need to fundamentally transform the province's mental-health and addictions system.
Then, on Sunday, as if to underscore the urgency of implementing their recommendations, Toronto Police shot to death 25-year-old Reyal Jensen Jardine-Douglas. The shooting is still under investigation, but his "crime" seems to have been to suffer from mental illness.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/press/health_articles.php?health=512
Date posted to site:Tuesday, August 31
David Wilcox, 52, was in a car accident 25 years ago that left him with brain damage and slurred speech. (CBC) The family of a Nova Scotia man with brain damage plans to file a complaint after he said he was humiliated by an Acadian Lines bus driver on Saturday.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1668
Date posted to site:Tuesday, August 31
The AODA Alliance has submitted a brief to Elections Ontario on a proposed accessibility standard for sites for polling stations and returning offices in provincial elections.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=598
Date posted to site:Monday, August 30
TORONTO - A co-founder of the Ontario Autism Coalition accused a Liberal provincial politician of suggesting she should have her autistic son jailed to get better treatment for him, but Greg Sorbara said his comments were misrepresented and he was set up.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/press/health_articles.php?health=510
Date posted to site:Saturday, August 28
Presto Systems, a part of the Ontario Government, has designed a Smart Carb system to let public transit passengers load their money on one Smart Card and then use that Smart Card for paying fares on different public transit systems in Ontario. Presto Systems told the AODA Alliance it is committed to ensure its Smart Card technology is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=594
Date posted to site:Friday, August 27
Autistic child denied transportation from clinic to school
OTTAWA-The Ottawa Catholic School Board discriminated against a five-year-old autistic boy when it denied him transportation from a private clinic to his school, says the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=592
Date posted to site:Friday, August 27
TIM HORTONS HAS NOW ENTRAPPED AND EMBARRASSED THE BEST AND BRAVEST OF THE TORONTO POLICE SERVICES. CTV caught Toronto Police flat footed and red handed parking illegally in parking required for people with disabilities, our veterans and maturing parents.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=588
Date posted to site:Friday, August 27
Organizations and individuals who advocate and serve on behalf of Canadians with disabilities are sharply critical of the planned acquisition of Canwest Global by Shaw Communications.
The group questions Shaw's failure to address accessibility needs in its $2 billion takeover of what it's calling Canada's second largest television system.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1666
Date posted to site:Friday, August 27
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Truth is, the going has been tough for a very long time for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Ontario. Faced with a deplorable shortage of funding for crucial services, thousands of families are sinking under the weight, exhausted and impoverished, left languishing on waiting lists that just keep growing.
Read mor at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/press/all_articles.php?all=508
Date posted to site:Friday, August 27
A human rights group for people with disabilities is calling for an inquiry if their questions about funding for accessible housing are not answered.
Ron Ross, president of Persons United for Self Help (PUSH), said there are more than 300 people in Thunder Bay who have been waiting for up to 10 years for accessible, supportive community housing and home support care. Many of them, ranging in age from 16 to 65, have been forced to live with relatives, in institutions or in what he called "inadequate" housing.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=590
Date posted to site:Friday, August 27
TORONTO - Ontario's "fractured" system for dealing with those struggling with mental health and addiction problems needs a "radical transformation" if people are to receive the help they need, according to a new report backed by members of all three major political parties.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/press/health_articles.php?health=509
Date posted to site:Thursday, August 26
Group urges hiring people with disabilities
People with disabilities make up 16% of a community's population, says an organization pushing to create more job opportunities for them.
"That's a pretty significant number of people who are precluded from the workforce," said Joe Dale, executive director of the Toronto-based Ontario Disability Employment Network which tries to help find employment for those with disabilities.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/press/all_articles.php?all=507
Date posted to site:Wednesday, August 25
BARRIE - Georgian College student Matthew Campbell identifies - and removes - barriers many of can't see.
That's because he's blind.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=583
Date posted to site:Tuesday, August 24
Will use Voter Assist Terminals in Oct. 25 municipal election
Voting in municipal elections in Ottawa is about to get much easier for people with disabilities.
Machines that allow people with disabilities more independence and privacy while voting will be introduced in this fall's Oct. 25 election.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=579
Date posted to site:Tuesday, August 24
Insider Higher Ed reported that advocates for the blind are worried that online education is becoming more and more inaccessible, especially as e-learning materials become more technologically sophisticated.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1661
Date posted to site:Monday, August 23
Health and social advocates say they are still waiting for promised Ontario government consultation on the design of a program to replace the special diet allowance that helps about 165,000 people on social assistance.
Many are worried the new, more restrictive program, announced in last spring's budget, has already been designed - without community input - and may be unveiled as early as next month.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/press/all_articles.php?all=506
Date posted to site:Monday, August 23
For those who have been closely following and in some cases, contributing valuable information that assisted us with our human rights complaint regarding accessible pedestrian signals, we are pleased to announce that the hearing will not proceed on August 23 2010 inasmuch as the parties have agreed to work together on the issues raised in the complaint.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1659
Date posted to site:Saturday, August 21
In a decision on June 16, 2010, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario found that the Toronto Police Services Board discriminated against a new recruit, Ariyeh Krieger, by not accommodating his mental disability to the point of undue hardship.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=560
Date posted to site:Saturday, August 21
Researchers at the Neil Squire Society in cooperation with the Canadian Association of the Deaf, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities are conducting a study to look at how emergency calls and emergency disaster alerts on cellular phones can be made more accessible.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1647more-1647
Date posted to site:Saturday, August 21
'The system for our kids is not working'
WATERLOO REGION - Stacey Berton-Young was grief-stricken when her son was diagnosed with autism.
Since then, desperation and fear have become a part of her daily life.
"Everything has been a battle and a wait list," she said.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/press/health_articles.php?health=505
Date posted to site:Friday, August 20
Associated PressMatthew Brady, 17, of Foxborough, Mass., poses for a portrait in his home while wearing ear phones and displaying an iPod, Friday.
Brady, who has some mild hearing loss, used to listen to the device while running on a treadmill with the volume turned up. A stunning number of teens have lost a little bit of their hearing _ nearly one in five _ and the problem has increased substantially in recent years, a new national study has found.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1642
Date posted to site:Friday, August 20
Neilburg couple says new money from Sask. government would be better spent on education
The Saskatchewan government is stepping up with a $2.5 million increase in funding for people dealing with autism spectrum disorder, money one Neilburg family says should be aimed towards the education system.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1640
Date posted to site:Friday, August 20
It's that time of year again!
You can nominate and put the spotlight on individuals and organizations in our community who promote inclusion of people with disabilities and excellence by their personal or corporate example.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/press/all_articles.php?all=504
Date posted to site:Thursday, August 19
OTTAWA, August 18, 2010 - Following many months of research, discussions and negotiations, the Board of Directors of Citizen Advocacy Ottawa is pleased to announce Lifetime Networks as a new program of Citizen Advocacy. Created by and for families who have a relative with a disability, Lifetime Networks facilitates the establishment and continuance of a loving and caring Personal Support Network in the lives of people with a disability. The program offers workshops on topics of interest to families who have a member with a disability and also features social activities that foster inclusion and provide opportunities for families to network.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/press/all_articles.php?all=503
Date posted to site:Wednesday, August 18
The City of Toronto recently released its "2010 Municipal Elections Accessibility Plan (Plan)". In the introduction of the Plan it is stated:
The Election's Accessibility Plan supports and strengthens the City's commitment and efforts to respond to the needs of persons with disabilities. The focus of this Plan is to ensure that electoral services are accessible to all electors and candidates, to identify and eliminate barriers for persons with disabilities and to create a positive voting experience.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=553
Date posted to site:Wednesday, August 18
Mom Saves Taxpayers Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Now Government Turns Their Back on Intelectually Disabled Daughter
My name is Roseanna Vachon and I have been advocating on behalf of adults with intellectual disabilities. I understand that you have been made aware of the Trillium Lakelands District School Board's (TLDSB) decision to cease bus transportation for our adults. My daughter, Brandy, has used the bus, post secondary for over 15 years. She is one of seven affected individuals.
For many years, I personally made these arrangements directly with TLDSB's Transportation Department for this yearly service.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=555
Date posted to site:Monday, August 16
The AODA Alliance has called on the Ontario Government to halt deployment of the Government-financed Presto System Smart Card technology for paying public transit fares in Ontario, until disability barriers that the AODA Alliance identified in this new technology are removed. The August 12, 2010 Toronto Star includes a prominent article reporting on this.
Read more at
http://www.aodaalliance.org/strong-effective-aoda/08122010.asp
Date posted to site:Thursday, August 12
Government Does Not Promise the New Leadership or Transformative Change that Charles Beer Recommended
On August 11, 2010, the McGuinty Government released a weak and inadequate final response to the Government-appointed Charles Beer Independent Review of the AODA. (5-page text set out below)
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=548
Date posted to site:Thursday, August 12
Most Americans fear blindness more than getting heart disease, the primary killer of both men and women in the United States, according to the findings of the f"Eye on Eyesightf" survey.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1635
Date posted to site:Wednesday, August 11
The Town of Cobourg was so pleased with how electronic voting went in the 2006 election that only cellphone and Internet options will be offered this fall's municipal election.
Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/?p=545
Date posted to site:Wednesday, August 11
THE transport minister has intervened to stop guide dogs and their blind owners from being ordered off buses because Muslim drivers or passengers consider the animals unclean.
The refusal, for religious reasons, to carry even guide dogs has become so widespread that it was raised in the House of Lords last week by Lord Monson, a crossbench peer.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1633
Date posted to site:Tuesday, August 10
By Ian Pouncey
4 Aug, 2010
Web accessibility for people with cognitive disabilities and learning difficulties is one of the most overlooked subtopics of general web accessibility, despite it affecting the largest numbers. A large part of it is that there are so many conditions to understand in this area (far more than say visual or hearing impairments) and a lack of educational information available for learning about it.
Read more at
http://www.badeyes.com/?p=241
Date posted to site:Tuesday, August 10
Keith Gillard taps away on his computer's Microsoft Egronomic keyboard at his home in Edmonton, Aug. 4, 2010. "Braille is not necessary to have a full and complete life as a blind Canadian," he says.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1631
Date posted to site:Monday, August 09
IN January 2008, the Access for Sight Impaired Consumers (ASIC) Board approved a motion to back the filing of a human rights complaint against the City of Richmond. The complaint seeks to resolve the City's unwillingness to provide access to public information in an audio format - specifically street names at controlled intersections equipped with an accessible pedestrian signalling (APS)device.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1623
Date posted to site:Monday, August 09
(New York - Ailsa Chang, WNYC) Anthony Trocchia used to go to Manhattan every weekend - to shop, go to the movies, people-watch in the park and visit his best friend in the East Village. But since the B39 bus was cut June 27, Trocchia has been to Manhattan only once.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1621
Date posted to site:Monday, August 09
Brisbane- research reveals thousands of Australians with disabilities are increasingly being subjected to hate crimes.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1625
Date posted to site:Saturday, August 07
Against a rising tide of public outrage, Western Fair has pulled the plug on plans to charge the disabled and their attendants admission to next month's fair.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/press/all_articles.php?all=502
Date posted to site:Friday, August 06
Hundreds on Twitter criticize airline for breaking Tanner Bawn's wheelchair
A terminally ill boy whose specialized wheelchair was broken on an Air Canada flight from Toronto to New York has been given it back after the airline had it fixed.
Tanner Bawn, 10, his aunt and his mother arrived at La Guardia Airport on Wednesday and discovered the boy's $15,000 custom wheelchair in pieces. The boy, a native of Kamloops, B.C., suffers from Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1616
Date posted to site:Friday, August 06
Written By: Cory Woodard
It is two days before I am supposed to move into my apartment and begin my third year of college at the University of West Georgia, but that may not be happening now as of yesterday. I have been looking forward to beginning this year and have had my classes picked out for months, tuning my schedule down to the perfect one. I even have plans to audition for the theatre department mid-August. The problem is not the tuition finances or other circumstances that normal college students may encounter- the problem is that I need a caregiver because I am in a wheelchair and cannot take care of myself without daily assistance.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1618
Date posted to site:Thursday, August 05
The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) is calling on the Federal Government to stop its attacks on Employment Equity.
"All fair minded Canadians object to recent insinuations that unmerited candidates from equity-seeking groups are taking over all the jobs of 'qualified white candidates', thanks to Federal Employment Equity measures", says John Rae, 1st Vice President of AEBC, a nationwide organization of blind and partially sighted Canadians. "If this were true, statistics would tell us that whites are no longer being hired by the federal public service, but no one has had the gall to suggest this," adds Rae.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1612
Date posted to site:Thursday, August 05
EMC News - The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, a national organization representing millions of Canadians who live with hearing loss, urges the federal government to immediately revoke its recent decision to eliminate the mandatory long form Canadian census questionnaire.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=1614
Date posted to site:Wednesday, August 04
Disability advocacy groups have major challenge ahead following cuts to the census and StatsCan's disability survey
Making the long-form census voluntary instead of mandatory is not the first change to the way Statistics Canada collects data since the Conservatives took office. Several surveys have been discontinued.
The Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS), Statscan's major data collection on individuals with disabilities, was cut by the government department that paid for it, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/press/all_articles.php?all=501
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