August 31, 2010

SUMMARY

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. This brief, set out below, is three pages long. It may be our briefest brief ever!

Earlier this summer, Elections Ontario posted its proposed site accessibility standard on its website for public comment. Please send us an email, at aodafeedback@gmail.com if you would like a copy of the draft standard (about 12 pages). It is also available on the Elections Ontario website.

August 27, 2010

SUMMARY

Presto Systems, a part of the Ontario Government, has designed a Smart Card 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.

Autistic child denied transportation from clinic to school 

By Don Butler, The Ottawa Citizen August 26, 2010   

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.

In a decision released Thursday, the tribunal ordered the board to pay the boy, referred to only as M.O., $10,000 in compensation as well as travel expenses estimated at up to $3,000.

KAREN McKINLEY
08/26/2010

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
17:00 EDT, August 26, 2010

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.
Really, really dumb folks. Report to Superintendent Wes Ryan of
the Parking Enforcement – and Sgt. Blake of the Disabled Liaison
Unit for accessibility and sensitivity training.

Posted to Site August 25, 2010

BARRIE – Georgian College student Matthew Campbell identifies – and removes – barriers many of can’t see.

That’s because he’s blind.

A graduate of the W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind in Brantford, the 22-year-old Parry Sound man is now enrolled in Georgian’s computer systems technician program.

In addition to his studies, he’s completing his first co-op placement as an accessibility specialist in the information technology department.

Will use Voter Assist Terminals in Oct. 25 municipal election

Monday, August 23, 2010
CBC news

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.

Posted to site August 21, 2010
Year of Decision: 2010
Court:  

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.

Mom Saves Taxpayers Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Now Government Turns Their Back on Intelectually Disabled Daughter 
By Roseanna Vachon
August 17, 2010

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.   

By Michael Dytyniak, Summer Law Student
Posted August 17, 2010 

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.

August 12, 2010

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
https://www.aodaalliance.org/strong-effective-aoda/08122010.asp

Government Does Not Promise the New Leadership or Transformative Change that Charles Beer Recommended

August 11, 2010

SUMMARY

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)

Posted By CECILIA NASMITH, NORTHUMBERLAND TODAY
August 10, 2010

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.