Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians
L'Alliance pour l'égalité des personnes aveugles du Canada
AEBC Activities Report for September 2011
In this month’s Activities Report:
1. Announcements
2. Reminders
3. Updates
4. Scholarship Call 2011
5. News Releases
6. Presentations and Correspondence
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS ARE DUE DEC. 31st FOR THE NEXT YEAR. Please
renew early to avoid disruption in receiving materials. An annual membership is
$5.00 per person per year, or you can join as a lifetime member for a one-time
payment of $50.00. You can pay by: PayPal account or credit card by renewing
online and completing the online membership form or one of the following:
-
Mail a cheque or money order payable to the Alliance for Equality of
Blind Canadians to our Kelowna address (PO Box 20262, RPO Town
Center, Kelowna BC, V1Y 9H2);
-
Pay your membership fee to your local chapter, if you are a member of
the chapter;
-
Call us at 1-800-561-4774 to pay your membership via credit card over
the phone, or
b.
Contact us by e-mail at info@blindcanadians.ca.
CCD AWARDS GRANTED DURING ACCESS AWARENESS WEEK 2010:
Annually, CCD presents the CCD Award to recognize an outstanding contribution
to the Canadian disability rights movement. Each CCD member group nominates
a recipient of the award. At CCD's Annual General Meeting, the recipients are
publicly recognized. The CCD member groups present the award to the
recipients. Congratulations to Donna Jodhan who received an award on behalf of
Canadians With Disabilities-Ontario and Robin East on behalf of the AEBC.
P.O. Box 20262, RPO Town Centre, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9H2
Telephone: 1-800-561-4774 / Email: info@blindcanadians.ca
Web Site: www.blindcanadians.ca
These awards were presented to the recipients in June 2011. Below is a
photograph of Donna and the award.
c.
d.
AEBC TOLL-FREE LINE: The toll-free line for AEBC is now being answered at
the office of your national president, Donna Jodhan. The way this works is that
the toll-free number is automatically re-directed to Donna’s business line, and the
AEBC pays only for the toll-free service. If you call toll-free line and hear the
message indicating you have reached Sterling Creations and the AEBC, it is
because the toll-free line has been re-directed to her business line rather than
her home phone for privacy reasons.
2. REMINDERS
a. We are constantly updating our database. If you have an email address, please
send your name, address, and email address in the body of the email to
info@blindcanadians.ca, which will be forwarded to our Program Assistant, Mary.
We will then send all future Activities Reports and communication to you by
email.
b.
The AEBC continues to recruit members for national committees addressing
these issues: (1) website accessibility, (2) access to library services, and (3)
access to point-of-sale devices and household products.
If you are interested in joining one of these committees, please contact these
following board members:
2
-
Website Accessibility: Cindy Ferguson
Library Services:
Rajesh Malik
Point of Sale
Amal Haddad
cferguson@blindcanadians.ca
r.malik@sympatico.ca
amal.haddad@rogers.com
c.
THE CANADIAN BLIND MONITOR is an AEBC news magazine published
annually. Its purpose is to raise and discuss issues and topics of interest to blind,
deaf-blind, and partially sighted persons as well as the general public. The
magazine consists of original and reprinted articles, information about AEBC, and
resource information. For more information, call Brenda Cooke at 1-800-5614774 and leave a message, or email bcooke@blindcanadians.ca.
d.
SEEKING YOUR STORY OF SUCCESS: In the fall of 2010, the AEBC
published a booklet focusing on what our members considered "success" in their
own life. It was about any aspect of life, employment, community involvement, or
conquering something important that has made your life better. We are still
collecting stories to put into a new edition and posted on the AEBC web page;
please submit your story to dsand@shaw.ca.
e.
Are you aware of our AEBC members’ listserv? We continue to offer a listserv
where AEBC members can receive and discuss information relevant to the AEBC
and blindness more generally. If you are not already a member, you can join on
our website (www.blindcanadians.ca). If you are a member, and you would like to
join our members’ listserv, contact info@blindcanadians.ca.
f.
AEBC NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT: As you are aware from our financial reports
at the annual general meetings, we have been running a deficit for the past four
years. We need your continued financial support, and ask that you consider
becoming a regular monthly contributor to AEBC. All donations are tax
deductible.
For
more
information
on
giving
options,
see
http://www.blindcanadians.ca/donations. Together, we can make a real
difference, and any amount you can contribute will be highly appreciated and
valued.
3. UPDATES
a. CHARTER CHALLENGE UPDATE: In July, there were three organizations that
sought intervention in the court case Donna Jodhan versus the Attorney General
of Canada. These were: the AEBC, the CCD, and the CNIB. To everyone's
surprise, only the AEBC was granted intervener's status and we are very proud
that our organization has been recognized in this manner. ARCH is representing
the interests of the AEBC in this matter.
The hearing dates have just been set for Nov15/16, 2011 in Toronto.
3
Below you will find the Federal Court's ruling with regard to the seeking of
intervener's status for the three organizations.
Federal Court of Appeal
Date: 2011-08-11
Docket: A 478-10 Ottawa, Ontario
August 11, 2011
Present: PELLETIER J.A.
BETWEEN:
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA
Appellant
and
DONNA JODHAN
Respondent
ORDER
WHEREAS the Proposed Intervener Council of Canadians with Disabilities seeks
leave to intervene in this appeal in support of the decision rendered by the
Federal Court; and
WHEREAS the appellant Attorney General of Canada has consented to the
granting of intervener status to the Proposed Intervener; and
WHEREAS the appellant’s consent is not binding on this Court and
WHEREAS the Proposed Intervener justifies its request for intervener status by
challenging the position taken by the Attorney General of Canada with respect to
the definition of the benefit in issue and the type of evidence needed to prove
systemic discrimination; and
WHEREAS the respondent's memorandum of fact and law deals with the
definition of the benefit in issue and the evidence of systemic discrimination at
paragraphs 86 to 109; and
WHEREAS the Proposed Intervener has not met the test set out in Canadian
Union of Public Employees v. Canadian Airlines International Ltd., [2010) J. PER.
226, in that the issues which it proposes to raise have been adequately
canvassed by the respondent, and it has not shown that the interests of justice
will be better served by its intervention;
4
NOW THEREFORE the motion for an order granting Council of Canadians with
Disabilities intervener status is dismissed without costs
“JD. Denis Pelletier"
JA
Federal Court of Appeal
Date: 2011-08-11
Docket: A-478-Ottawa, Ontario
August 11, 2011
Present: PELLETIER J.A.
BETWEEN:
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA
Appellant
and
DONNA JODHAN
Respondent
ORDER
WHEREAS the Proposed Intervener Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians
seeks leave to intervene in this appeal in support of the decision rendered by the
Federal Court; and
WHEREAS the appellant Attorney General of Canada has consented to the
granting of intervener status to the Proposed Intervener; and
WHEREAS the Proposed Intervener proposes to address four issues, three of
which have not been canvassed by the respondent, and whose analysis may
assist the Court in disposing of the appeal, namely, that the guarantee of equality
rights under subsection 15(1) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the
Charter) cannot be conflated with justifications of government that are to be
considered under section 1 of the Charter; that the proper test for equality is the
test set out in Andrews v, Law Society, [1989] 1 S,C.R, 143, and that the failure
to implement accessible websites constitutes a breach of Canada's obligations
under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Persons with
Disabilities as well as the principles of Universal Design; and
WHEREAS the interests of justice will be better served by the intervention of the
Proposed Intervener,
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NOW THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
I) the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians is granted intervener status in this
appeal on the following conditions:
a) that the Alliance accepts the Appeal Book as the full record in this appeal
and will not introduce nor seek to rely upon any new evidence, and will not
add to its books of authorities any material such as government reports that
are effectively new evidence (this condition is not intended to apply to the
"travaux préparatoires" for the United Nations Convention for the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities, to be considered as law rather than evidence);
b) that the Alliance will confine its submissions to the following three points of
argument, namely that:
i) section 15(1) of the Charter is a stand-alone test;
ii) the proper test for equality is set out in Andrews v, Law Society;
iii) barriers to online access are a violation of international law, but with
these submission limited to the United Nations Convention for the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
c) that the Alliance will serve and file a memorandum of fact and law which
does not repeat or restate any of the points of argument contained in the
memoranda of the existing parties to this appeal and that does not exceed 15
pages in length;
d) that the Alliance's memorandum of fact and law is to be served and filed by
September 14, 2011;
e) that the length of the oral submissions of the Alliance shall not exceed 45
minutes, or such other period as may be allowed by the panel hearing the
appeal; and
f) that the Alliance may not seek costs for its intervention in this appeal
against the appellant, the Attorney General of Canada, and the appellant, in
turn, may not seek costs against the Alliance unless it fails to respect these
conditions.
2) THIS COURT ORDERS that the style of cause is amended as follows:
BETWEEN:
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA
Appellant
and
DONNA JODHAN
Respondent
6
and
ALLIANCE FOR EQUALITY OF BLIND CANADIANS
Intervener
3) THIS COURT ORDERS that the Alliance is to be served with the necessary
documents to participate in this appeal by each of the parties. The appellant is
allowed to serve the Alliance with the 27 volume Appeal Book by means of a CDROM disk, as filed with the Cowl pursuant to the Order of Justice Evans dated
March 25, 2011,
4) THIS COURT ORDERS that the appellant shall serve and file its responding
memorandum of fact and law to that of the Alliance within 20 days of receipt of
the Alliance's memorandum of fact and law which shall be limited to 15 pages.
"J.D. Denis Pelletier"
J.A
Federal Court of Appeal
Date: 2011-08-11
Docket: A-478-10 Ottawa, Ontario, August 11, 2011
Present: PELLETIER IA.
BETWEEN:
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA
Appellant
and
DONNA JODHAN
Respondent
ORDER
WHEREAS the Proposed Intervener the Canadian National Institute for the Blind
seeks leave to intervene in this appeal in support of the decision rendered by the
Federal Court; and
WHEREAS the appellant Attorney General of Canada has consented to the
granting of intervener status to the Proposed Intervener; and
WHEREAS the appellant's consent is not binding on this Court; and
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WHEREAS the Proposed Intervener has identified that its members have an
interest in the outcome of the appeal, it has not identified any legal issue on
which it proposes to offer a perspective which has not been canvassed by the
respondent and which would be of assistance to the Court in disposing of the
appeal; and
WHEREAS a mere interest in the outcome of an appeal is not a sufficient ground
to grant a person intervener status;
NOW THEREFORE the motion for an order granting the Canadian National
Institute for the Blind intervener status is dismissed without costs,
"J.D, Denis Pelletier"
b. LIBRARY SERVICE UPDATE: In response to the great interest and immense
passion shown by members with regard to the present state of library services in
Canada as they pertain to the blind, partially sighted, and deaf/blind, the AEBC
and the CWDO have teamed up to give you an opportunity to have your voices
heard in a town hall style meeting on October 29. We feel that this would be an
excellent opportunity for you to ask questions and make comments to John
Rafferty of the CNIB. This meeting is opened to everyone and details of the
invitation are as follows:
You are cordially Invited to a Town Hall Meeting with John Rafferty, CEO
of the CNIB
Topic: Library Services in Canada
Purpose: to ask questions of, and provide input to, the CNIB on how best
to move forward on issues pertaining to the future of library services for
blind, partially sighted, and deaf/blind Canadians.
When: October 29 2011
Time: 1:00 pm Eastern Standard Time or 10:00 am Pacific Time
Location:
365 Bloor Street East, Suite 902, Toronto
The closest subway is at Bloor and Sherbourne
How Can I Participate?
- By teleconference:
- By phoning in:
- In Person:
Please RSVP to melanie.moore@cilt.ca no later than October 01
Indicating your name, email address, and preferred format for background
documents (MS word, text, or Braille)
8
Please also let us know how you would prefer to access the meeting so
that we can send you the relevant Internet access instructions if you
choose to attend via our conferencing system on the Internet, or the
phone in number if you choose to attend via phone.
There will be two sessions held on this date.
Session one will be for those who wish to attend in person and for those
who prefer to phone in. Session two will be for those who wish to access
the meeting via the Internet.
We would need to be able to determine the number of participants and
their preferences so that we can make adequate arrangements to
accommodate everyone.
If you have any questions or concerns then please send your queries to
Melanie
Moore
at
Melanie.moore@cilt.ca
or
to
me
at
djodhan@blindcanadians.ca.
Thank you!
The AEBC and CWDO believe that this may be the best opportunity that we can
create for you to have your voices heard. You are the stakeholders and rights
holders and it is all up to you to help make something positive happen. We are all
advocating for positive change.
Thank you!
Donna J.
Your National President
c. POINT OF SALE DEVICES - PIN AND CARD: The new AEBC contact for this
initiative is Amal Haddad, who may be reached by email at:
amal.haddad@rogers.com.
4. SCHOLARSHIP CALL 2011
The AEBC submitted its 2011 Scholarship Call to all post-secondary institutions
across Canada in early June. The application form and information may be found
below.
ANNOUNCING THE 2011 AEBC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
APPLICATION DEADLINE – November 1, 2011
INTRODUCTION
9
The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) is dedicated to providing blind,
deaf-blind, and partially sighted individuals with the opportunities they need to
compete on an equal basis with other members of Canadian society. Through public
education and advocacy, our organization works to improve the lives of these
Canadians by providing a forum for mentorship, discussion, and action on issues of
common concern.
Each year, the AEBC offers scholarships to recognize outstanding blind, deaf-blind,
and partially sighted post-secondary school students. This year there will be two
awards in total: 2 (two) $1,000.00 scholarships.
Each scholarship will be accompanied by a year's free membership to AEBC. They
are as follows:
1. The Alan H. Neville Memorial Scholarship in memory of an AEBC pioneer and
valued advisor (National) for $1,000.00; and
2. The AEBC Rick Oakes Memorial Scholarship in memory of a well-loved
contributor (National) for $1,000.00.
It is not necessary to submit separate applications, as applicants will be considered
for all scholarships for which they qualify.
CRITERIA
All scholarships are awarded on the basis of:
1. Academic performance;
2. Community involvement; and
3. Overcoming adversity.
While each criterion will contribute in the overall evaluation process, equal weight
will not be applied in determining a final score. Rather, each criterion will serve to
assist in distinguishing the exceptionalities and strengths of one candidate from
another in the awarding of scholarships.
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must meet all of these qualifications. Applicants not meeting one or more
of these qualifications will not be considered:
1. Blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted. Please note: Whatever an applicant's vision
level, he/she must meet the requirements for legal blindness, which is visual
acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye after correction, or a visual field of less
than 20 degrees.
10
2. Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, but foreign students studying in Canada
will also be considered.
3. Attending a post-secondary program (college, university, or vocational) within the
period of September 2011 to April 2011, with a full-time course load or at a 40%
course load when accompanied by an explanation. Students at undergraduate,
graduate (including doctoral levels as well as those in training programs),
educational upgrading, and enrolled in the performing arts are encouraged to
apply.
4. Exchange students studying abroad under a legitimate exchange program and
paying fees to a Canadian educational institution are eligible, as are students
who choose to study abroad for lack of a similar program in Canada, failure to be
accepted into a Canadian program, or the clear superiority of a program abroad.
MEMBERSHIP
Scholarship applicants and recipients need not already be members of the Alliance
for Equality of Blind Canadians. However, involvement in the organization is strongly
encouraged, as we seek to gain a stronger voice in Canada, and membership
benefits those who are blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted both collectively and
individually. Membership information can be found on our website at
www.blindcanadians.ca/membership.
AWARDS
The Scholarship Committee reviews all applications and selects the scholarship
recipients. Successful recipients will be notified of their selection by December 15,
2011. Scholarship monies will be sent to the recipients no later than December 31,
2011.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED
1. Completed Application form including Average Academic Grade.
Applicants are not required to submit a transcript of their marks. Instead, they are
required to obtain a current or most recent (if not in school currently) average
academic grade, calculated in percentage (e.g. 85%), from their academic
institution and note this grade clearly on their application form. Please note: The
application will not be considered if this average academic grade is not in
percentage form. If your program of study does not express in percentage
grades, please try to equate to a percentage scale or explain how grading is
done on your application. Very important: If required at a later date by the
Scholarship Committee, applicants may be requested to provide copies of official
transcripts.
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2. Personal Letter
In addition to the application form, applicants are required to provide a letter
describing themselves, including background on their visual condition, any
additional medical or disability information, onset of blindness or loss of vision.
Applicants should answer the question: “What barriers or obstacles have you
faced and conquered in your life which may include financial hardship, as a result
of your disability?” Applicants should also discuss their academic goals, interests,
hobbies, school and community activities, work experience, vocational goals and
service to their community, particularly as this pertains to service to other
persons with disabilities such as blindness, deaf-blindness or partial sight. Please
do not send a resume in addition to a personal letter.
3. Reference Letter
Applicants are also required to submit one current letter of reference (written in
the last twelve months) from an individual who can comment in detail on their
academic progress, personal strengths, community involvement and any other
aspects of their life in support of their application. The individual may be an
employer or supervisor, clergy member, Academic Advisor, Department Head,
Academic Planner, etc. This reference letter should be forwarded with the
application package.
4. Declaration
Applicants are required to confirm in a declaration at the end of the application,
that the information they have provided is correct and true to the best of their
knowledge, and that they meet the requirements for legal blindness. When
submitting this application electronically, applicants must put their name and the
date below the declaration statement. Please note: Anyone applying by email,
must put his/her name and the date below the declaration statement, for the
application to be considered.
HOW TO APPLY
The deadline for scholarship submissions is November 1, 2011. Please complete the
attached application form, make and confirm the declaration statement, sign and
date your submission, and include the relevant required reference and personal
letters.
Forward the attached Application Form, personal letter, and letter of reference in one
of these file formats: plain or rich text, Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, or Excel, or in
the body of an email, to scholarship@blindcanadians.ca.
12
If not applying on-line, keep in mind that Scholarship Committee members may be
blind, deaf-blind or partially sighted. If submission of an application in an accessible
electronic format is not possible--inaccessible formats include PDF and jpg files-please contact us either by email or by phone at (800) 561-4774 to discuss
alternatives. We would prefer to answer any questions regarding accessibility before
you send your application.
Incomplete applications, as well as any applications (complete, incomplete, or parts
of applications) received after November 1, 2011 will not be considered for
scholarship awards.
Scholarship Recipients will be required to provide their Social Insurance Number
when they accept their award.
REAPPLICATION
Previous applicants and recipients are eligible to reapply if qualified.
ALLIANCE FOR EQUALITY OF BLIND CANADIANS
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM
Please email your completed scholarship application forms and documentation to
scholarship@blindcanadians.ca unless otherwise discussed with the Scholarship
Committee.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name:
Street Address:
City:
Province:
Postal Code:
Home Phone:
Other Phone:
E-Mail Address:
Status in Canada (Canadian citizen, permanent resident, foreign student):
EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION
Name of School or Institution currently being attended:
Street Address:
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City:
Province:
Postal Code:
Name of school or institution you plan to attend between September 2011 and April
2011 (if different from your current school/institution):
Your Vocational Goal:
Major (if applicable):
Average academic grade of current academic year or most recent year of
attendance at an academic Institution, expressed as a percentage (required):
PRIVACY
The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) is committed to protecting the
privacy, confidentiality, accuracy, and security of any personal information that we
collect, use, retain, and disclose in the course of the programs we offer. If you have
any questions about protecting your personal privacy or our privacy policy, contact
our Compliance Officer by calling (1 800) 561-4774 or by e-mail at:
info@blindcanadians.ca.
DECLARATION
I certify that the information I have provided is correct and true to the best of my
knowledge, and that I meet the requirements for legal blindness: visual acuity of
20/200 or less in the better eye after correction, or a visual field of less than 20
degrees.
Name:
Date:
CHECKLIST
For applications to be considered complete all of the documents/information listed
below must be included; incomplete applications will not be considered.
1. Application Form (including average academic grade in percentage form);
2. Personal letter outlining such information as vision and medical background,
goals, interests, barriers, community activities etc. (No resumes please!) See
"Documentation Required" for more details.
3. Letter of Reference (from the last twelve months).
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4. Declaration Statement (name and date must be provided as acknowledgement
and confirmation).
Applications must be received no later than November 1, 2011
5. NEWS RELEASES
There have been no news releases since the last Activities Report.
6. PRESENTATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
1.
BROADCASTING AND TELECOM NOTICE OF CONSULATION – CRTC
2011-344
This brief was submitted to the CRTC on June 27th. Following is the details of
that communication.
A Brief Submitted to the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC)
Submitted by:
Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians / L'Alliance pour
l'Égalité des Personnes Aveugles du Canada (AEBC)
June 2011
INTRODUCTION
In its notice, CRTC 2011 344, the CRTC indicates that it is seeking submissions
about the impact of OTT services on the Canadian broadcasting system, and
related developments in telecommunications and that it wishes to hear from
Canadians about:

The capabilities of measurement and analytical tools to enable a better
understanding of OTT programming trends over time;

Trends in consumer behavior, including the current and projected
consumption of programming in the next five years, including Canadian and
non-Canadian programming;

Technological trends in consumer devices and network capabilities that will
influence the development of OTT programming;
15

The possibility that, in the near term, OTT services may cause replacement or
reductions in BDU subscriptions;

The opportunities and challenges for the Canadian creative industries
associated with OTT services;

The impact that OTT services might have on the acquisition and exhibition of
programming available to Canadians;

The impact of the growth of OTT services on consumers; and

Any additional issues or evidence relevant to the contribution of OTT
programming services to the achievement of the policy objectives of the
Broadcasting Act.
WHAT IS OUR PRIMARY CONCERN?
Today, Canadians with disabilities note that an increasing number of television
programs are being streamed over other delivery mechanisms, including the
internet, and that some are only available via the internet. Too often, the
described video component that may be provided through one's television is not
also provided via the internet. The AEBC believes the CRTC must reverse its
previous stance, and fully regulate the delivery of television programming,
regardless of where and how it is delivered.
WHO IS THE AEBC?
The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians / L'Alliance pour l'Égalité des
Personnes Aveugles du Canada (AEBC) is a national organization comprised
mainly of rights holders who are blind, deaf-blind, and partially-sighted. Our work
focuses on removing existing barriers and preventing the introduction of new
ones, improving public attitudes, and to providing input on public policy issues
that affect the daily lives of members of our community. For background on our
work, including some of our previous submissions to the CRTC, please visit our
website at: www.blindcanadians.ca.
WHY IS REGULATION SO NECESSARY AT THIS TIME?
As we have stated repeatedly in previous submissions to the CRTC, neither
voluntary guidelines nor relying upon the free market approach have adequately
addressed the needs of Canadians with disabilities in most areas of life, including
telecommunications. Most of the progress we have achieved has occurred
through the assistance of legislation or regulations. As a result, we again call
upon the CRTC to expand its use of its regulatory authority in this important area
of access to programming.
16
WHAT IS THE LEGAL BASIS FOR OUR RECOMMENDATIONS?
The legal basis for our call for increased regulation of the broadcasting industry
has long been present in Canada through provisions in the Canadian Charter of
Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Human Rights Act. These provisions
were further strengthened when Canada ratified the UN Convention On the
Rights of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD). Article 21 of the CRPD addresses
the provision of accessible broadcast and internet services:
Article 21 - Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information states:
Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that persons with
disabilities can exercise the right to freedom of expression and opinion,
including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas
on an equal basis with others and through all forms of communication of
their choice, as defined in article 2 of the present Convention, including by:
a.
Providing information intended for the general public to persons
with disabilities in accessible formats and technologies appropriate
to different kinds of disabilities in a timely manner and without
additional cost;
b.
Accepting and facilitating the use of sign languages, Braille,
augmentative and alternative communication, and all other
accessible means, modes and formats of communication of their
choice by persons with disabilities in official interactions;
c.
Urging private entities that provide services to the general public,
including through the Internet, to provide information and services
in accessible and usable formats for persons with disabilities;
d.
Encouraging the mass media, including providers of information
through the Internet, to make their services accessible to persons
with disabilities; and
e.
Recognizing and promoting the use of sign languages.
AEBC's EXPECTATIONS OF THE CRTC
The AEBC reiterates its position that the CRTC must use its regulatory power to
require all broadcasters and telecommunications providers to make all their
services fully accessible to persons with disabilities, regardless of how content is
transmitted - via satellite, through cable, over the airwaves or on the internet and
regardless of the type of device that is used by the consumer to receive the
content - television, computer, and smartphone. This level of access must be
achieved within the next ten years.
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CONCLUSION
The AEBC calls upon the CRTC to use its regulatory authority, in a manner
consistent with human rights principles, to ensure that Canadians with disabilities
will receive 100% access to television programming, regardless of how content is
transmitted and regardless what device a consumer uses to receive the program.
2.
TOUCH SCREEN USE AT MCDCONALD’S RESTAURANTS
This letter was sent to McDonalds on July 5, 2011. The details of that
communication may be found below. Since sending this communication, Donna
Jodhan has received a phone response from McDonalds’ Customer Service
Department in Vancouver advising that McDonalds has no intention of
introducing these touch screens for the immediate future.
As president of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC), a national
organization of rights holders who are blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted, I am
writing to you regarding an article entitled, "McDonald's Replaces Cashiers with
Touch-Screens" (reproduced below) which greatly concerns us and our
independence to order food at McDonalds.
The issue of touch screens is becoming an issue of increasing concern to
members of our community, as so many of them are not usable independently by
blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted individuals.
We would like to know if McDonalds has plans to introduce touch screens into its
Canadian operations and, if so, will these touch screens be usable independently
by blind patrons, i.e. will they provide speech output.
Accessibility is mandated by both the Ontario Human Rights Commission and the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
We look forward to hearing back from you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Donna Jodhan
President
McDonald's Replaces Cashiers with Touch-Screens
European restaurants test self-checkout model
By Cynthia Wilson
Investor Place May 16, 2011
18
McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) is trying to make fast food even faster. The Financial
Times reports that the worlds' largest fast food chain plans to replace many of the
cashiers at its 7,000 European restaurants with touch screen terminals that allow
customers to order and pay electronically. The move at McDonald's is similar to
what many consumers experience in supermarkets, retailers and gasoline
stations that have opted for self-checkout to save on labor costs. McDonald's
says the move is about making its restaurants there more convenient and
efficient - it's also clearly about keeping down costs. If the move proves
successful, you can bet competitors like Wendy's/Arby's (NYSE:WEN) and Yum!
Brands (NYSE:YUM) restaurants KFC and Taco Bell will be taking notice.
The decision is being driven by margin concerns. McDonald's is still growing
sales, reporting a 5.7% increase in FY1Q11 in Europe (where the cashier-free
order system is being tested) compared to the year ago period. But margins are
being eaten up by higher commodity costs - beef and dairy in particular.
Also, consumers everywhere are struggling to pay bills under the weight of rising
gasoline and food prices and a Big Mac or McCafe coffee is quickly becoming an
expense many cannot afford as often as they may once have. That may be even
more the case now that McDonald's has said it will raise menu prices to cover
rising food costs. Eliminating cashiers may help McDonald's stabilize menu
prices, or even cut some to help lure customers to its restaurants. It's not like
most of McDonalds' customers don't know what they want when they come in to
order.
By adopting a swipe and go payment system, McDonalds also can gather more
information about its customers, such as their ordering habits and what menu
items sell best to a particular demographic. However, some customers may not
like it or not have credit or debit cards. Likewise, some may sympathize with the
cashiers who lose their jobs. Many customers at stores from grocer Safeway
(NYSE:SWY) to big box giant Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) have gotten used to
checking themselves out - and considering the relatively small menu at
McDonald's compared to the produce section at a supermarket, they may not find
the self-check-out kiosks hard to use at all.
But while the ordering experience may not change, the labor market could feel an
impact. During the Great Recession many consumers had to turn to McDonalds one of the few employers still hiring - for employment. McDonald's itself recently
held a "national hiring day" to fill 50,000 jobs company-wide. There may be some
risk in rolling out a cashier-free system after touting the restaurant's footprint as
an employer. What's more, if there are not enough accessible employees around
to complain about when folks use the self-checkout for the first time, that could
really give customers the impression McDonald's is just looking to cut corners to
squeeze out a few more euros.
19
McDonalds didn't mention any immediate plans to make touch screen ordering
and payment more widespread in the United States. But if it's successful in
Europe, it won't be long before the U.S. consumers find themselves reading or
talking to a screen.
As of this writing, Cynthia Wilson did not own a position in any of the stocks
named here.
Source:
http://www.investorplace.com/41160/mcdonalds-nyse-mcd-touchscreen-menu-ordering/
3.
CNIB SURVEY
Earlier this summer, The AEBC was asked by Bill McKeown of the CNIB to
complete their advocacy survey and our responses to their questions are below.
a)
Does your organization provide vision rehabilitation service, advocacy,
or both?
*** Advocacy.
b)
If your organization primarily provides vision rehabilitation service,
what is your relationship with organizations whose primary mandate is to
advocate on behalf of blind and partially sighted people? How often do you
meet?
*** N/A
c)
If your organization primarily provides advocacy, what is your
relationship with organizations whose primary mandate is to provide vision
rehabilitation service to blind and partially sighted people? How often do you
meet?
*** We collaborate with other organizations on an as needed basis.
d)
Do you have written policies or procedures with respect to your
organization's role in advocacy? If so, please provide me with a copy.
*** We have several resolutions on our website at www.blindcanadians.ca
under governance.
e)
Does your organization have a funding arrangement with a vision
rehabilitation service organization or with an advocacy organization? If yes,
please describe.
*** No.
f) Does your organization have distinct roles for government relations (lobbying
for funding or organization supports) and advocacy (lobbying for social policy
20
change and human rights) or are these functions performed by the same
staff/volunteers?
*** These functions are performed by the same volunteers.
g)
What are the annual budgets for your organization's government
relations, advocacy, and vision rehabilitation service programs, as well as
your organizational budget as a whole?
*** We do not have any fixed budgets.
h)
Does your organization have a policy/bylaw that states your CEO
and/or Board Chair must be a blind or partially sighted person? If so, please
provide me with a copy.
*** Our bylaw states that all members of our board must be blind.
i) Does your organization believe that having a blind or partially sighted person
as the CEO and/or Board Chair impacts on your organization's credibility
when advocating?
*** As a member driven organization that represents blind, partially sighted,
and deaf/blind rights holders, we believe that when it comes to such things as
advocacy, discrimination, and barriers to accessibility, the interests of our
members are best represented by a board and Chair that are of the same
persuasion. We work to create an environment of equal opportunity and equal
participation in Canadian society. For who else can better understand the
concerns of our members than we ourselves?
j) When presenting to government for changes in social policy or funding what
role do blind and partially sighted people play?
*** The leading role is almost always taken by an individual who is blind,
partially sighted, or deaf/blind.
k)
4.
Please list three areas where your organization has had success with
advocacy. If you worked with a partner organization please include their
name.
*** The AEBC is extremely proud that despite not having had the backing of
funding from either government or other organizations, it has managed to
achieve several major accomplishments over its 20 year history. Some of
these include:
The AEBC played a leading role in helping to bring about the creation
of a non-drivers driver's license in Ontario.
The securing of adequate space for guide dogs on domestic flights.
The granting of intervener's status in the landmark case of Jodhan
versus the Government of Canada with regard to website accessibility.
ACCESS TO WEBSITES
21
In July, the CCD asked Donna Jodhan to submit a document concerning access
to websites for a new booklet they plan to publish. Please find the text of the
request below.
Memo: Seeking Your Help with a New CCD Publication
Date: 5 July 2011
CCD is planning to publish a booklet which will be a collection of personal
reflections on the accomplishments which have been achieved over the last 30
years by the disability rights movement. CCD will be distributing this booklet at
End Exclusion and it will also be published on the CCD web site. End Exclusion
has become a yearly gathering of the disability community where we celebrate
achievements and examine new initiatives.
CCD has brainstormed a list of accomplishments to give people some ideas of
possible topics to write about. Please see CCD’s flyer calling for submissions.
I am writing to you to invite you to submit a piece to this forthcoming
publication. CCD is also making a public call for submissions.
Due to your long involvement with CCD and the disability community, there is
undoubtedly any number of topics that you could address. I was hoping that
you would be willing to take responsibility for writing a one-page piece on
access to web sites. Of course, you may have another topic that you wish to
write about for this publication and I would be appreciative of any submission
that you choose to share with CCD for publication. I hope that you will take the
time over the summer to make a contribution to this booklet which will be a
significant part of our End Exclusion 2011 program.
The attached flyer provides some suggestions of questions that you might want
to address in your piece.
The deadline for submissions is 15 September 2011. This deadline has been
established to give CCD sufficient time to translate and print the booklet.
Below is Donna Jodhan’s submission to the CCD on August 28, 2011.
Access to Websites: The Golden Key to Communicating
It can easily be said that access to websites has and continues to be one of the
most important keys to communications on the Internet and as the
technological landscape continues to evolve, it is only reasonable to expect
that blind and partially sighted persons would want to be and remain a part of
this world.
We are living in an information society and a knowledge based economy and
the importance of accessible websites is becoming more vital because of the
22
need to be able to access and respond to information on a timely basis.
Websites give us the opportunity to do such things as: Request and respond to
information, complete online forms and applications, go online shopping, do our
online banking, plus much more.
It is one thing to have websites where we can do all of this but it is quite
another if these websites are not accessible. Accessible websites benefits
everyone; from the mainstream person to the one who is afflicted with a
disability that would range from being blind or partially sighted, to the one that
is print disabled, and to the one who has either a physical or learning disability.
What makes a website accessible? In a nutshell; an accessible website is one
that gives the visitor the opportunity to find whatever they seek in relatively
quick time and they can do this easily and without having to ask for assistance.
What can we do as a community to ensure that more websites are made
accessible to all persons? We can lobby our Federal Government to take the
lead by mandating all companies that provide services to make their websites
fully accessible. The Federal Government needs to lead by example. We can
work to create awareness among IT professionals re the benefits of designing
and developing accessible websites and we can help the mainstream person to
understand how accessible websites can help to improve communication and
why inaccessible websites can be a definite drawback to everyone’s ability to
communicate effectively.
Accessible websites are the bridges to our online world and without them we
are lost. We need them if we have any hope of being able to keep up with
technology and information on a daily basis. They are our life line to a world in
which the Internet dominates and will continue to do so for way past our time.
We need to keep all of this in mind as we continue our efforts to lobby for
greater access to more websites.
We have come a long way with regard to raising awareness but there is much
more for us to do. We need to keep up and increase the pressure for more
websites to be made accessible. Electronic communication has made it
possible for us to play a more significant role; much more than say a decade
ago. Let us not waste our efforts.
5.
STRENTHENING SOCIAL ASSISTANCE IN ONTARIO
This brief was submitted to the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance
in Ontario on August 31st. Following is the details of that communication.
A BRIEF IN RESPONSE TO: A Discussion Paper: Issues and Ideas
23
Submitted by:
Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians / L'Alliance pour
l'Égalité des Personnes Aveugles du Canada (AEBC)
August 31, 2011
INTRODUCTION
The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians / L’Alliance Pour L’Egalite des
Personnes Aveugle du Canada (AEBC) is pleased to have the opportunity to
comment on the Discussion Paper, Issues and Ideas. In this brief, the
organization intends to briefly add its voice to the work of the ODSP Action
Coalition, discuss a number of issues that are of particular importance to the
blind community, challenge the notion of employment as a "one size fits all"
panacea to chronic poverty, and to outline some of its proposals concerning the
need for a comprehensive Economic Strategy.
WHO IS THE AEBC?
The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians is a national organization, comprised
mainly of rights holders who are blind, deaf-blind, and partially sighted that is
active in the province of Ontario. Four of the seven individuals who volunteer on
the Board of Directors reside in Ontario, and two of AEBC's chapters are also
situated in this province. The work of AEBC focuses on removing existing
barriers and preventing the introduction of new ones; improving public attitudes;
and providing input on public policy issues that affect the daily lives of members
of the blind community. Reducing the level of chronic poverty that is the lived
experience of far too many of its members is a priority to the AEBC. For
background on the work of the AEBC, including some of its previous
submissions, please visit the website at www.blindcanadians.ca.
PURPOSE OF THIS SUBMISSION
Members of the AEBC have been participating in the ODSP Action Coalition for
several years, and are fully aware of its extensive and thoughtful submissions.
Therefore, this document will not simply reiterate what is contained in those
submissions on such topics as: the need to immediately raise the rates to provide
a more liveable level of income, treating social assistance recipients with
enhanced dignity and respect, reducing difficulties in contacting one's worker,
and streamlining administration and reduce the number of "stupid rules." These
issues are also of interest and concern to members of the AEBC.
In this submission, the AEBC will focus on a number of topics that are of
particular importance to Ontarians who are blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted
who are or who may become ODSP recipients.
24
LACK OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT ODSP
For many years, Section 1 of the Ontario Human Rights Code has provided:
Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services,
goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry,
place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual
orientation, age, marital status, family status or disability. R.S.O. 1990, c.
H.19, s. 1; 1999, c. 6, s. 28 (1); 2001, c. 32, s. 27 (1); 2005, c. 5, s. 32 (1).
Despite this clear provision, the AEBC still receives inquiries from ODSP
recipients who tell us they cannot obtain information, either about the Program
itself, or their own particular circumstances in a format they can read
independently. This results in violations of their privacy and human rights, and
can result in extensive delays in gaining access to critical, time limited
information.
The AEBC believes the ODSP must comply with its obligations under the Ontario
Human Rights Code and recommends that it provide all recipients the right to
access information in their preferred format - print, braille, audio, or electronic.
STREAMLINING THE ODSP APPLICATION PROCESS
It is generally acknowledged that the ODSP application process is too involved
and complex. It is even more difficult for applicants who are blind, deaf-blind, and
partially sighted, as the forms are not available in various multiple formats.
All individuals applying for ODSP must obtain and complete a Disability
Determination Package. Detailed medical information is required, which must
usually be provided by a range of medical specialists, who are already
overworked. Applicants may also face direct costs related to obtaining
information and assistance from medical professionals, which can easily range
from $50.00 to $120.00.
Medical practitioners are similarly left without adequate supports and many find
the package confusing and difficult to complete. Frequently, they do not
understand the forms or the perplexing grading systems that are used.
While eligibility must be determined, the AEBC recommends that the process be
streamlined and simplified. Forms must be provided in multiple formats and the
program should cover the costs for physicians to complete medical forms.
RAISE THE RATES FOR SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
25
Social assistance recipients live thousands of dollars below the poverty level.
Poverty is a primary cause of societal exclusion and poor health among
Canadians. This has been amply documented in numerous reports from Canada
and abroad. Ontario's Public Health Authorities have urged the provincial
government to raise the rates for several years so that people can afford to eat
nutritiously, yet the Ontario Government has introduced reductions to its Special
Diet Program. The rates must be increased, and should also be adjusted
annually for inflation, as determine by an independent Commission that includes
significant representation from social assistance recipients.
THE SEVERE CLAW BACK AS A DISINCENTIVE TO SEEKING WORK
The excessive nature of the "claw back" under Ontario's social assistance
programs represents a serious disincentive to those who wish to work. In BC, by
contrast, recipients keep the first $500 a month before any claw back is imposed.
The AEBC recommends that Ontario replicate BC's claw back model in order to
encourage more recipients to seek work.
THE NATURE AND VARIETIES OF DISABILITY
As the ODSP Action Coalition observes, "there is no clear dividing line between
people with disabilities who “can” and “cannot” work. No two such groups of
people with disabilities exist in reality. People with “severe” and “less severe”
disabilities are not equivalent categories to those who “cannot” and “can” work.
Like disability itself, the employability of people with disabilities is a dynamic
interaction that exists along a continuum determined by a number of factors,
including the health, age, education, skills, and past experience of the individual,
as well as the supports available to facilitate their employment, the degree of
accommodation available in the workplace, and the job opportunities available in
the labour market."
The AEBC would take this point at least one step further. Not only are no two
groups of persons with disabilities the same, often two individuals with the same
disability are very different. In the area of eyesight, for example, if one has 5%
residual vision, this does not indicate how usable that remaining vision may be
and whether that person’s vision is usable up close up or far away, nor does it
indicate what kind of coping mechanisms and alternative techniques that person
has developed to remain as independent as possible.
Some people with “very severe” disabilities are able to work full time. Some who
have what might be considered “less severe” disabilities are not. The real
question is to what extent are workplaces organized with persons with disabilities
in mind, and to what extent have employers developed a more positive attitude to
employing us and to providing needed accommodations, as have been required
by the Ontario Human Rights Code since the early 1980s.
26
CHALLENGING WORK AS THE PANACEA TO POVERTY
If one examines responses from the Government of Canada to poverty reports
from both the House of Commons and Senate, one could summarize these
responses in a single phrase - the solution to poverty is to get a job. The AEBC
must strongly challenge this one size fits all panacea. Examining the premise that
a job is the solution to poverty for persons with disabilities raises a fundamental
question: Where are all these jobs that social assistance recipients are expected
to go out and acquire? The AEBC simply challenges the thesis that these jobs
are out there and available! Where are they? The AEBC recommends the
Commission research and attempt to respond to this fundamental question.
"TRICKLE DOWN" ECONOMICS
The so called "trickle down" theory of economics postulates that in good times,
economic benefits will reach all groups in Canadian society. However, not only
has the so called "trickle" failed to reach the bulk of Canadians with disabilities,
more recent statistics show the reality is that wealth is being concentrated more
and more in the hands of an ever narrowing number of individuals. Canadian
history tells us that persons with disabilities have never known the boom times
that other Canadians once took almost for granted, and it is time for governments
to take new steps to help remedy the historic and chronic marginalization from
the mainstream of Canadian society.
THE CHANGING NATURE OF WORK
The world of work has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Twenty
or more years ago, it was suggested that emerging technology would be the
“great equalizer” for persons with disabilities, including the blind community. So
far, it has achieved that promise for some, but for many others, it has proven to
be a double-edged sword. New barriers now exist, including:
1.
Nowadays, it is assumed most workers will participate in several jobs
during their working lifetime. On average, it takes longer for a person with a
disability to obtain employment; thus, this barrier will have to be surmounted
over and over again during one’s working life.
2.
Technology has rendered obsolete several kinds of jobs that blind
workers often used to perform, e.g. telephone operator, receptionist,
darkroom technician, and transcriptionist. Many of these jobs no longer exist
or do not exist in the numbers they once did.
3.
Changes in technology take place at a fast pace, and often, needed
accessibility is not built in at the same time as new technology, thereby
requiring ongoing catch up.
27
4.
Some software that is used in the workplace is not accessible to
individuals using a screen reader to read and navigate a computer.
YET ANOTHER NEW BARRIER TO EQUALITY
The problem of finding work has been even further exacerbated by the recent
recession. Not only must social assistance recipients deal with persistent and
pervasive negative employer attitudes, need for expanded accessible
transportation, employer failure to provide proper workplace accommodations
short of undue hardship, and the number of individuals competing for available
jobs. In an effort to deal with the results of the recession, a number of retraining
programs were developed for workers who were EI eligible.
This represents one of those "new" barriers to equalizing the historic imbalances
that continue to confront persons with disabilities. Too many in the blindness
community do not have previous workplace attachment and, thus, are not eligible
for programs that require EI eligibility. This in turn puts in place yet one more new
barrier to the employment of persons with disabilities, many of whom could have
benefitted from training programs that were designed to provide Canadians with
current skills designed to lead to a job.
ONTARIO's NEW INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM
On June 24, 2011, the Ontario Government unveiled its 10-year Infrastructure
Plan for Ontario. It lays down the policies and principles that are supposed to
govern the billions of dollars of infrastructure spending by the provincial
government over the next decade. It requires that "all entities seeking provincial
infrastructure funding for new buildings or major expansions/renovations are to
demonstrate how the funding will prevent or remove barriers and improve the
level of accessibility where feasible."
This policy should result in increased access in such critical areas as education,
buildings, and the procurement of goods, services, and technology. The AEBC
commends the Ontario Government for building this important accessibility
requirement into its 10-year Infrastructure Plan. It is now critical for the Ontario
Government to develop a concrete action plan, which must include wide publicity,
and building in accountability measures to ensure that it is followed and makes a
difference in the lives of Ontarians with disabilities.
IMPROVING PUBLIC ATTITUDES
Over the past two decades, numerous awareness programs have been carried
out by governments, service agencies, and rights holder organizations such as
the AEBC. While some individuals have undoubtedly benefited from these
initiatives, taken together, statistics and personal stories reveal these past efforts
28
have failed to move the bulk of individuals with disabilities from the margins to
the mainstream of our society.
Today, blindness remains one of the most feared and misunderstood of all
disabilities. There is a chronic need to develop new messages and approaches
to improving public attitudes. There is a need to develop new awareness
programs and to give rights holder organizations and individuals with disabilities
a preeminent role in developing and carrying out these new initiatives. Blind
people know best the needs and aspirations, and are the best spokespersons.
The AEBC believes firmly in the phrase, "nothing about us without us."
CREATING AN ONTARIO ECONOMIC STRATEGY
To deal with the historic roots of poverty among persons with disabilities, The
Ontario Government must lead by example and forge a comprehensive
Provincial Economic Strategy for people with disabilities, This Economic Strategy
must be based on the tenets of full inclusion and universal design, and must be
developed through direct participation of people with disabilities who have real
life experiences of social assistance, rights holder organizations of persons with
disabilities, service providers, the private sector, labour, and all relevant
Ministries and levels of government.
The goals of the strategy must be both to alleviate the chronic level of poverty
that is the lived experience of far too many Ontarians with disabilities, and it must
also result in the creation of increased job opportunities for people with
disabilities that are appropriate for the individual. Such an Economic Strategy
must be comprehensive. It must not only focus on reducing poverty for families
with children, it must also include people without children, such as the majority of
ODSP recipients. Such a strategy would also allow Ontario to better meet the
objectives of the Canada-Ontario Labour Market Agreement for Persons with
Disabilities and the Canada-Ontario Labour Market Agreement.
These agreements are intended to provide a framework for the provision of
employment-related supports and services to people with disabilities, in the first
case, and to people who are not EI eligible, including people with disabilities
without employment earnings and/or receiving social assistance, in the second.
At the same time, the AEBC is concerned that the unique challenges facing
people with disabilities may be lost if the primary focus of any poverty reduction
strategy is helping people make the transition to work, as experience shows
clearly that many individuals are simply not going to become employed,
regardless how much they might wish to work. The changing nature of the
workplace has simply not responded to the idea of employing persons with
disabilities in significantly higher numbers. Any new Strategy must avoid the
introduction of forced work or "work fare" initiatives, as they do not contribute to
the dignity of recipients, nor do they work.
29
30
INCREASING LABOUR MARKETINVOLVEMENT
1.
A heightened level of government commitment: The Government of
Ontario must demonstrate a new level of urgency and leadership to the
ongoing and pervasive economic and unemployment plight of persons with
various disabilities, including Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind, and
partially sighted. The AEBC recommends that the Premier call together
leaders from business, labour, and organizations "of" persons with
disabilities to develop a heightened commitment, new strategies and
programs, and new partnerships.
2.
Scope of the economic strategy: Ontario's new Economic Strategy
must cover individuals who have both visible and invisible disabilities. It
must address the needs of persons with various levels of disability,
(including those who are considered "severely" disabled), and should work
actively to achieve employment and income rates among persons who are
blind and otherwise disabled that are roughly equivalent to those of nondisabled Ontarians.
3.
The federal role: As part of Ontario's new Economic Strategy, the
Government of Ontario should pressure the Government of Canada to
participate proactively, including expanding the Employment Equity Act and
Federal Contractors Program to reduce IN STAGES the coverage threshold
from 100 employees to not more than 20 employees, and these initiatives
should be strengthened to provide greater results regarding the
representation of persons with various disabilities, rather than as follows:
4.
Employment in the Ontario Public Service: One long-term employee in
the Ontario Public Service observed, "I can't move higher because I have
not had management experience, and I can't get management experience
without opportunities. I am in a position where I have found myself before no one knows what to do with me. [It is] very demoralizing."
To demonstrate a heightened commitment, Management Board must take
steps to transform the Ontario Public Service into a model employer. These
steps must focus on three major areas:
 Recruitment
 Retention
 Promotion
The Ontario Public Service (OPS) should lead by example. The OPS should
develop an aggressive proactive recruitment plan to increase the
representation of persons with various disabilities at all levels, including
persons who are blind, deaf-blind, and partially sighted; review job
descriptions to ensure that job requirements are current and job-related;
develop a targeted program of internships; maintain the Accommodation
31
Fund; conduct an ongoing awareness program with managers to remove
attitudinal barriers; and ensure that training is available to facilitate career
progression.
5.
Employer commitment: Blindness remains one of the least understood
disabilities. There is a need for an ongoing program to educate and gain
commitments from employers on a province-wide basis for the employment,
retention and advancement of workers with various disabilities, including
employees who are blind, deaf-blind, and partially sighted. Consumer
organizations such as the AEBC must be directly involved in developing and
delivering such programs. As rights holders who live with a disability on a
daily basis, this group knows best the needs and capabilities of those who
are blind, deaf-blind, and partially-sighted.
6.
Employment readiness programs: To help overcome the effects of
marginalization and lack of employment opportunities early in life, targeted
employment readiness programs must be made available to assist persons
with various disabilities, including individuals who are blind, deaf-blind and
partially sighted, to gain access to jobs in the regular labour market. Work
experience programs are particularly important for persons with limited
exposure to the labour market or who have lower levels of education.
Currently, the federal Employment Insurance Program (EI) offers some
retraining and other employment supports. However, these initiatives are
intended only for EI recipients. This has the effect of doubly penalizing many
individuals with disabilities who have not had the opportunity to accumulate
sufficient labour market attachment to qualify for EI benefits. The Ontario
Government should press the Government of Canada to extend eligibility to
include historically disadvantaged groups such as persons with various
disabilities, or to initiate new and targeted employment support programs.
7.
Accessible and usable technology: Information and Communications
Technology (ICT) that is fully accessible and usable will increase an
organization's bottom line and support the employment of all groups of
Canadians.
However, changes to existing ICT can make it impossible for current
employees, particularly employees who are blind, deaf-blind or partially
sighted, to use new technology, which threatens experienced employees
and prevents new hiring. Employers, especially governments at all levels,
should restrict purchases to ICT (devices and software) that are usable by
all employees.
8.
Workplace accommodations: Accommodating an employee with a
disability is a very individualized process. The affected employee, who often
knows best what is needed, must be directly involved. The technology and
32
solutions are known but often not used. Cost is usually far less than
expected, and large employers like the Ontario Public Service can bear
such costs. Federal, provincial, and territorial officials should discuss the
creation of a fund to assist smaller employers, but first and foremost,
employers must recognize and discharge their legal obligation to
accommodate employees, short of undue hardship.
9.
Expanding the OPS Accommodation Fund: Despite study upon study
over numerous years that recount extensive employer experiences that, on
average, the cost to accommodate an employee with a disability averages
about $500, employers, especially smaller employers, remain afraid of the
possible costs of employing persons with disabilities. The Ontario
Government should consider expanding the Accommodation Fund, which
covers accommodation costs for its own employees, to also cover broader
sector transfer payment organizations, and organizations in the broader
public and private sectors, with a focus on smaller employers.
10.
Employer incentives: While the AEBC supports measures that would
make it easier and more financially rewarding for social assistance
recipients to go to work, the organization’s experience is that the current
nature of work prevents many from attaining and retaining meaningful
employment.
Employment incentives alone are inadequate as an anti-poverty strategy.
Financial incentives to employers have proven to do little to encourage
employers to be more flexible and accommodating. They must be
accompanied by other measures, including an enhanced commitment to
employ persons with disabilities, including Ontarians who are blind, deafblind, and partially sighted, new awareness programs and more rigorous
enforcement of statutes, including the Ontario Human Rights Code.
CONCLUSION
Poverty reduction makes both social and economic sense. The AEBC believes in
an inclusive Ontario, where everyone can develop their talents and contribute to
thriving communities throughout our great Province. The AEBC wants an Ontario
with a vibrant economy where all Ontarians share in its prosperity.
Disability issues cut across virtually all levels of government, departments, and
sectors of Canadian society. To move forward, commitment and collaboration to
a comprehensive Economic Strategy are required. Employment initiatives are
needed but they alone will not achieve the intended results. They must be
accompanied by initiatives in other areas, such as regular raises in social
assistance rates, disability supports, training, housing, transportation, and the
removal of disincentives in income security programs.
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Disability needs are individual and a more positive climate must be created
where the individual is encouraged and supported to take risks and experiment.
Flexibility, consumer involvement, and coordination are the critical elements of
any successful initiative to address disability issues. Governments, business,
labour and the disability community must work collaboratively to find new
solutions. This work requires a long-term commitment. The AEBC is anxious to
play a role in realizing a new day for Canadians with various disabilities.
The AEBC urges you and your colleagues to consider our reality and develop a
comprehensive poverty reduction strategy that addresses both income and
labour market issues. It is time for people with disabilities to join the mainstream
and to enjoy a decent quality of life. No longer should we be subjected to a life of
poverty and marginalization in this affluent Province.
Increased investments in ODSP recipients through benefits, supports, and
accommodations will enable recipients to be more engaged in their households,
their communities, and the labour market. The net impact for government
includes increased tax revenue through income and consumption taxes as well
as decreased expenditures in areas such as health care and criminal justice.
The Ontario Government stated in the Throne Speech (November 2007), "The
Government of Ontario is committed to a Poverty Reduction Strategy with targets
and measures to ensure "opportunity that is accessible to all."
This commitment has created expectations for change and improvements, and
both recipients and the AEBC trusts the work of your Commission will help to
realize these commitments and expectations. The AEBC looks forward to
participating in the realization of this imperative. Persons with disabilities deserve
nothing less in 2011.
END of September 2011 Activity Report
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