Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Canada May 12 2022

Following the lead of the federal and Ontario governments, British Columbia and Manitoba have introduced expanded accessibility requirements for organizations operating in those provinces.

While human rights legislation in these jurisdictions already prohibit discrimination in employment and services on the basis of disability, accessibility requirements go further by reducing barriers to access and promoting equal participation with respect to public services and employment for individuals with disabilities.

Accessibility with a Plan: New Accessibility Regulations in British Columbia and Manitoba full article

Tue, May 10, 2022

A retired home economics teacher inspired to help others after visiting a loved one in hospital has turned her talent for sewing into a business creating items tailored to people with mobility issues, cancer patients, individuals with dementia, and others.

Brenda Donahue opened Caring Heart Creations at the Cape Breton Farmers’ Market in March after months spent visiting a family member in hospital. Though she’d worked at the market before selling baked goods and repurposed clothing and jewelry, Donahue said she felt like her new venture was something people really needed.

Cape Breton Woman Selling Homemade Items with Dignity, Accessibility in Mind full article

April 21, 2022
Disability Rights Caucus

OPSEU/SEFPO Disability Rights Caucus has chosen to honour one of our most valued members that had served on our caucus, also a member who cherished all injured workers and their plight towards fair and equitable treatment, John Rae.

John was totally blind most of his life and lobbied on eliminating existing barriers with an overarching goal of creating a fully accessible inclusive society where those with disabilities could participate with dignity both within their workplace and the broader society or and in their communities.

In Memory of OPSEU/SEFPO Activist John Rae full article

Ted Raymond
CTV News Ottawa Digital Multi-Skilled Journalist
Published April 10, 2022

Canadians living with disabilities say they’re being left behind by the Liberal government, after a promised disability benefit was not included in last week’s budget.

The Liberals promised in a Speech from the Throne in 2020 to create a Canadian Disability Benefit, modelled after the Guaranteed Income Supplement for Seniors. A bill to create the benefit was introduced in Parliament in June 2021, but it died on the order paper when the September election was called.

The Liberal re-election platform included a promise to reintroduce a Disability Benefit Act, and the benefit was included in the post-election mandate letter for Carla Qualtrough, as Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion.

Canadians With Disabilities Feeling Left Behind by Federal Budget full article

NEWS PROVIDED BY Special Olympics Canada

TORONTO, April 7, 2022 /CNW/ – Today marks another important milestone for Special Olympics Canada (SOC), the Government of Canada’s 2022 federal budget includes a renewal of $1.8M in incremental funding for SOC bringing their total annual commitment to $6.6M on an ongoing basis.

This sustainable funding lays the groundwork and provides stability for the 12 Provincial/Territorial Chapters that deliver Special Olympics programs across Canada.

As a national multi-sport organization, SOC is the sole organization providing year-round community sport, training and competition opportunities for Canadian athletes with an intellectual disability. Our programs reach athletes of all ages and abilities where they live. Each day of the week, from coast to coast to coast, Special Olympics programs impact communities large and small.

Special Olympics Canada Applauds Federal Government Supporting a Shared Vision of Sports for All Through Renewed Funding in 2022 full article

Saskatoon Police Service has removed the image, apologized on social media Daniella Ponticelli · CBC News · Posted: Apr 02, 2022

An image from a 2015 anti-gang awareness campaign by police in British Columbia is now drawing criticism over its use in a campaign in Saskatchewan.

On Monday, the Saskatoon Police Service officially launched its Drop Gangs initiative, which provides education and resources about the reality of gang life.

By Thursday, people on social media were calling attention to an image on the Drop Gangs website showing a man in a wheelchair with the text, “You wanna roll like a gangster?”

Saskatoon Police PSA Showing Gang Member in Wheelchair Sends Ableist Message, Disability Advocates Say full article

Friday, April 1, 2022

In December 2013, The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) became law, with the goal of making meaningful strides in accessibility by 2023. The AMA seeks to remove barriers to accessibility in the lives of all Manitobans, with a focus on barrier-free access to:

• customer service;
• employment;
• information and communications;
• public spaces; and
• transportation.

Of particular interest to employers is the Accessibility Standard for Employment, which was enacted on May 1, 2019. This standard is intended to eliminate barriers faced by the Manitoban labour force. To be compliant with the Accessibility Standard for Employment, employers must implement a number of policies and practices as prescribed by the regulations.

Manitoba Employers’ Accessibility Standards: May 1 Deadline Looms full article

Berea native wants to meet with local groups
Ms. Wheelchair Ohio
By Shannon Smith
Published: Mar. 29, 2022

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (WOIO) – A Berea woman has been crowned Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2022, and she’s using her new title to make sure people with disabilities have better access in the community.

Krista Allison earned her crown after a day-long event at the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel on March 12, which included private interview sessions and a public speech presentation.

Newly-Crowned Ms. Wheelchair Ohio Advocates for Better Accessibility full article

by Steven Aquino

In a press release published on Tuesday, Florida-based mobility startup Kalogon announced what it calls the “world’s first smart wheelchair cushion.”

Developed by ex-SpaceX engineers the aerospace company started by Elon Musk Kalogon describes the cushion as being designed to “assist in the healing and prevention of pressure ulcers or bedsores.” The company notes these injuries are the leading cause of preventable death for the more than 3 million Americans who use a wheelchair.

Kalogon’s claim to fame is the company’s engineers have developed wheelchair technologies that were endorsed by esteemed late physicist Stephen Hawking.

Mobility Tech Startup Kalogon Introduces Its All-New Connected Smart Cushion For Wheelchair Users full article