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The city, which put inclusivity at the center of its bid, has improved access for people with disabilities, but with the opening ceremony about 12 weeks away, obstacles remain. By Anne-Marie Williams
May 6, 2024
During a trip to Paris last November, Samantha Renke just couldn’t seem to find a taxi that could accommodate her motorized wheelchair.
“Every time I logged on, it just kept saying, ‘Unavailable, unavailable, unavailable,'” Ms. Renke said, recounting her struggle to book an accessible cab using the G7 taxi app. Eating out was also a problem for Ms. Renke, a 38-year-old British actress and disability campaigner who has a genetic condition commonly known as brittle bones: Too few restaurants had step-free access.
Paris Promised the Olympics Would Be Accessible. The Clock Is Ticking. full article
by Matt Kempner, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS
May 1, 2024
ATLANTA – The entrepreneurs who arrived for the awards ceremony in a vast Cobb County ballroom wore tuxedos and gowns, suits and vibrant colors. One woman sported an eye patch with a sparkly skull and cross bones, like a glam pirate.
Some rolled in on wheelchairs, relied on canes, or covered their feeding tubes with their evening wear.
Invited by a Georgia-based nonprofit, they came here recently from around the nation. Beyond starting businesses from scratch, they had something else in common: All have disabilities.
They All Started Companies. Some From Wheelchairs full article
Saul Ewing
May 1, 2024
On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published in the Federal Register a final rule on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities. These regulations are at 28 C.F.R part 35. The new regulation largely tracks the DOJ’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The new regulations will have a great impact on public entities, including all public colleges and universities.
The Clock is Ticking on Website Accessibility for Public Entities; Others Entities are on Notice full article
OTTAWA/VANCOUVER – April 29, 2024
The Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) has uncovered new research exploring the challenges that individuals with disabilities face in career advancement and career mobility; and identified ways that policies, programs, and services can support them in their employment journey.
People with disabilities experience greater social, economic and health disparities compared to those without a disability. Many experience barriers to meaningful employment, and once employed, face challenges in the work environment due to social stigma, lack of accommodation, and limited opportunities for advancement.
SRDC Releases New Research in Advancing Career Mobility for People with Disabilities full article
Drew Postey
Digital Journalist – CTV News Regina
Donovan Maess
Multimedia Journalist – CTV News Regina
Published April 25, 2024 1:16 p.m. EDT
Work to improve accessibility in Regina will move forward after unanimous approval from city council that will see a plan address issues from snow removal to transportation and employee training.
In all, the initiative known as the Regina Accessibility Plan, includes 17 recommendations on how to make the Queen City more approachable for everyone.
“This isn’t just a little bit of people, this is 30 per cent of the community,” mother Sarah Turnbull said.
‘We Can Be Proud’: Regina City Council Unanimously in Favour of Improving City’s Accessibility full article
JILLIAN ROBERTS
SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL
PUBLISHED April 24, 2024
As a practising psychologist, I wish there existed a single resource where Canadians could familiarize themselves with the diverse social assistance programs funded by our taxes. Many of the families I work with need to be made aware of the available governmental support or guided through how to obtain it. And as a mother of a child with special needs, I myself was keen to learn about the Canada Disability Benefit introduced in the 2024 budget. So here is an overview of how to obtain the CDB – and other disability supports.
Understanding and Accessing Canadian Disability Benefits full article
Antwaun Rolle says he’s raised concerns but nothing has changed CBC News
Posted: Apr 20, 2024
A University of Prince Edward Island [UPEI] student says he’s spent the past six years feeling frustrated about his inability to get around campus.
Antwaun Rolle has been at UPEI since 2018 and is graduating this spring with a political science degree.
He gets around using a wheelchair. He says 80 to 90 per cent of the campus is inaccessible to him without help.
“Sometimes it’s a little bit embarrassing, or sometimes I would feel like a burden because I didn’t want to always ask people,” said Rolle.
UPEI Student Frustrated by Lack of Wheelchair Access on Campus full article
Rosie Anfilogoff
The pandemic showed that remote learning is effective. It’s absurd that universities are going back to processes that exclude us
My route to university was never going to be simple. While my friends were flicking through university brochures and choosing Ucas options, I was signing
chemotherapy consent forms in the teenage cancer unit at Addenbrooke’s hospital and throwing up in its weirdly tropical island-themed bathrooms. Even before
then, my severe chronic illness made attending traditional university unthinkable – until the pandemic happened.
Higher Education was Easily Accessible to Disabled People During Covid. Why are We Being Shut Out Now? full article
Rachel Aiello
Senior Digital Parliamentary Reporter
Published April 17, 2024
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland revealed that the Liberals were finally ready to roll out funding for this federal income supplement.
The government has allocated $6.1 billion over six years and $1.4 billion ongoing, including the costs to deliver the benefit. This funding would provide for a maximum benefit amount of $2,400 per year.
Disappointment Widespread Over Budget’s Proposed $200-Month Disability Benefit Funding full article
Alana Pickrell
CTVNewsAtlantic.ca Journalist
Published April 16, 2024
Starting Tuesday, passengers inside the Greater Moncton Romeo LeBlanc International Airport will see more than just boarding passes and luggage thanks to a new worldwide initiative aiming to put accessibility at the forefront.
The airport has opted into the hidden disabilities sunflower lanyard program, an initiative that started in England in 2016, and officials are hopeful it will make a big impact for people travelling with hidden disabilities.
New Initiative Aims to Make Moncton Airport More Accessible full article
