| CARVIEW |
February 28, 2014
SUMMARY
The Independent Review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act’s implementation and enforcement, conducted by University of Toronto’s Law Dean Mayo Moran, has announced that it will be holding public hearings. These will be in Ottawa (March 18, 2014), Toronto (March 21 and April 29, 2014), London (April 9, 2014) and Thunder Bay (April 15, 2014). It will also be holding on-line consultations on Thursday, April 3, 9am-1pm and Tuesday, April 22, 9am-1pm.
by Linda Saxon
February 26, 2014
I am ambivalent about the recent Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario decision that both the landlord and tenant violated my right to equal treatment with respect to services and facilities without discrimination because of disability.
Following surgery on my left hand and wrist due to severe rheumatoid arthritis in 2010, it was difficult and/or impossible to open the door to the physiotherapy clinic I attended. I raised the issue with the clinic owner, a tenant in a strip mall, who suggested I contact the landlord, as it was his responsibility.
aMenu is stoked that The Eaton Chelsea Hotel is now participating on this Accessible Menu Directory site by posting not 1 but 5 of their Menus for Clients to access.
From their In-House Room Dining menu to their Monarchs Pub, patrons can access any of the five Menus from each menu in a number of different viewing options and they also offer a couple of their bar menus on iPads making them that much more accessible.
Check them out at
https://www.amenu.ca/in-room-dining-the-eaton-chelsea-hotel/
By Franz Kafka, as told to Victor Schwartzman
February 24, 2014
First the Ontario Government was forced to reveal a massive failure by businesses to comply with AODA. Then Minister Hoskins promised that maybe 500 businesses (of many thousands) would be held accountable (at some time in the future, perhaps the same future in which AODA will be implemented.)
Then came the revelation that the Government possibly could have prevented the compliance failures by implementing a plan it had sat on for two years.
February 19, 2014
aMenu is happy to announce that Tim Hortons can now be found on our Accessible Menu website.
aMenu offers a number of different viewing options and is also Mobile friendly, now you can decide what to order before you even get their.
View their menu at
https://www.amenu.ca/tim-hortons/
February 20, 2014
SUMMARY
The Toronto Star today reported on its front page that we revealed that the Ontario Government has since at least May 2012 been sitting on a detailed plan, prepared by public servants, for enforcing the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Below we set out that Toronto Star report, and a briefing note that details this plan. We forced the Government to reveal this plan through a Freedom of Information Act application last year.
For Immediate Release:
February 19, 2014
After great anticipation the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act statutory legislative review is now live for scheduling of presentations across Ontario.
The Institute of Canadian Justice much like its predecessors dedication at Beyond Ability International has already registered and will be providing a robust response and presentation on March 21, 2014 in Toronto to enable Ontario the first province in Canada to meaningfully embrace, education and enforce the charter, human rights and public safety based accessibility legislation.
Enforcement has lagged behind legislation when it comes to businesses developing and carrying through on plans to accommodate disabled customers, train staff and gather feedback from customers on their efforts – and report back to the province.
By: Laurie Monsebraaten Social justice reporter, Published on Thu Feb 20 2014
As Ontario scrambles to enforce its accessibility legislation for the disabled, government documents show the province had a detailed enforcement plan ready almost two years ago.
The June 2012 “briefing note” obtained through a Freedom of Information request outlines a two-year strategy to target 3,600 businesses, issue compliance orders, and conduct audits of violators.
February 18, 2014
SUMMARY
Here are upcoming priorities and events that we all need to be ready to address as events unfold over the next weeks.
1. We encourage you to give feedback to the Mayo Moran Independent Review of the AODA’s implementation and enforcement.
2. Get ready to raise disability accessibility issues during the winter and spring, during this lead-up to a possible spring Ontario general election.
By Cleisthenes, as told to Victor Schwartzman
February 17, 2014
Hello. You probably have not heard of me. What do they teach in school these days?
I am Cleisthenes, of ancient Athens, speaking to you through the miracle of this Internet, where apparently nothing ever dies.
I was not a brutal conqueror of nations. Nor was I an Emperor who ruled through an accident of birth. Quite the opposite. Back around 508 B.C. I was the legendary Father of Athenian Democracy. Moving from hereditary rule to true Democracy was an achievement which took hard work and dedication. I am proud of my legacy.
By Stacey Shackford
Feb. 11, 2014
It doesn’t take much to ensure a class is accessible to all students. In some cases, it’s simply a matter of making class materials available online before class and uploading fully accessible PDFs or Word documents, formats that screen-reading software can read.
Neurodiversity Working Group
In addition to the physical obstacles some students face are those that are hidden, including neurological disorders that can be just as debilitating.
The guide provides information about how to secure a domain name, network host, and install and maintain WordPress for both individuals and enterprises. The language is simple, lucid, for those who use a Screen Reader or those who dont.
Read more at
https://wordpressforbadeyes.com/badeyes-offers-beginners-guide-for-wordpress-first-timers/
February 12, 2014
SUMMARY
Ontario’s three major political parties with seats in the Ontario Legislature have each responded to the AODA Alliance’s by-election survey questions. We sought disability accessibility commitments in the run-up to the February 13, 2014 by-elections in the Thornhill and Niagara Falls ridings. We now make these party responses public. We set out the actual emails from the three parties, below, in the order they were received on February 11, 2014.
By Victor Schwartzman
February 10, 2014
Valentines Day shines upon us again
this year with no Government surprise
in the V. Day love it again sends to us.
Love? Not exactly. Ieuphonize.
No, screwed. Thats more how it feels
about promised access on disabilities.
2014 is halfway to AODA being real
politicians still spin spider-webberies.
One year ago the Government promised
disabled folks action so they could work.
Nothing happened for a whole year
those who hoped were treated like jerks.
February 7, 2014
SUMMARY
We have learned that to keep its year-old Throne Speech commitment for action to increase employment of Ontarians with disabilities in the private sector, the Ontario Government still has no prompt results in mind, and just more delays.
