Issue 3 | April 2018
Accessibility Tip
The Human Rights Code (Manitoba) states that service animals that “have been trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability” can accompany that individual with a disability in all public places.
(See also FAQ below).
Fig 1. Service animal with text: Accessibility is welcoming service animals. Open for everyone.
New ad campaign targets business and non-profit organizations about November 2018 requirements for accessibility.
The first standard, or regulation, under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act is now law. The Customer Service Standard Customer Service Standard requires that all organizations with at least one employee introduce policies and practices to support accessibility.
Visit www.AccessibilityMB.ca for information about the eight requirements for businesses and non-profit organizations.
Frequently Asked Question
What should my staff know about customers accompanied by a service animal?
Staff who work with the public should be aware that:
- Service animals (dogs) may remain with the handler wherever the public is welcome.
- Service animals are working animals, not pets, so petting and addressing the animal may be confusing or distracting to the animal. When in doubt, ask the handler for permission.
- Guide dogs typically wear a harness; other service dogs may wear vests.
- If it is unclear whether the customer is accompanied by a pet or a service animal, staff may ask whether or how the animal has been trained to assist the customer.
- Service animals must be under the care and control of their owners at all times. Staff may remind the handler that barking, wandering and other misbehavior of the service animal are not permitted. If the handler is not in control of the service animal, staff may ask them to leave.
Accessibility Standard Updates
Accessibility Standard for Employment
The Accessibility Advisory Council has submitted its recommendations for an Accessible Employment Standard Regulation to the minister responsible for The Accessibility for Manitobans Act, Honourable Scott Fielding, Minister of Families. As outlined in the Steps to Create a Standard, he may make final amendments to the proposed standard before forwarding it to the Cabinet and Lieutenant Governor in Council for approval.
Fig 2. Smiling woman with arms ending at her elbows on phone at computer
4 Year Review of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act
The Manitoba Government has appointed Theresa Harvey Pruden to conduct the mandatory review of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA). She brings to her task enthusiasm and expertise developed over several decades of government and community work in Manitoba.
Ms. Harvey Pruden’s mandate focuses on the processes and structures in place to support the AMA and regulations already enacted, including the standard development process and public sector accessibility plans. For more information, please see the Terms of Reference.
Ms. Harvey Pruden looks forward to meeting with a wide variety of stakeholders to learn what is working well and what could be improved to ensure the effective implementation of the AMA.
Please participate!
A Public Forum is planned for Wednesday, June 20, 2018, 8:30 am to Noon at the Viscount Gort, Royal B and C, Main Floor, 1670 Portage Avenue. Registration will begin early May via www.AccessibiityMB.ca/workshops.
If you wish to share your feedback by other means, please call the office at (204) 945-7613 or send an email to Tracy.MacMillan@gov.mb.ca.
Change Makers Making Change for Accessibility
The Customer Service Standard requires organizations and businesses to notify customers when services or features intended to create access or unavailable. (Section 9 (1) of the Customer Service Standard Regulation)
During the impressive Manitoba blizzard last month and subsequent Hydro outages, the University of Manitoba’s “service disruption” web page became the go-to place for updates on road closures, cancelled classes and other vital information.
Once again, experience shows, when you plan for accessibility, you plan for everyone!
Check out the U of M service disruption page here.
Challenge: Have you considered how to alert your customers and clients about service disruption, for example a broken elevator?
Save the Date!
“Open for Everyone” - Annual Manitoba Government Symposium on Accessibility
June 12, 2018, 8:30 am to Noon
Viscount Gort Hotel, Main Floor
Royal A and B, 1670 Portage Avenue in Winnipeg
“Regards croisés sur le handicap en contexte francophone” - Converging Perspectives on Disability in a Francophone Context
The University of Saint Boniface International Conference - June 12 to 15, 2018
The goal of the conference (in French) is inclusive and equitable citizenship for Francophones with disabilities living as a minority language group.
For more information, please visit: https://ustboniface.ca/rch2018/accueil or contact Dr. Maria Arentsen by phone at 204-237-1818, ext. 346, or by email: marentsen@ustboniface.ca
Stay tuned for details, by visiting www.AccessibilityMB.ca/workshops.
Upcoming Workshops
How Accessibility Legislation Affects You
Main Floor, United Way, 580 Main Street, Winnipeg
Wednesday, April 26, 2018, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Thursday, May 17, 2018, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Register for our free, two-hour workshops in Winnipeg and in other regions of the Province by request. At these workshops, you will learn how to develop policies and actions to ensure your organization complies with the Customer Service Standard.
Accessibility Tool Kit
New to the toolkit: Counter-top signs to promote your accessible services. Download “How to create accessibility” among the Tools in the Resource Section of www.AccessibilityMB.ca or call 203-945-7613 to obtain hard copies.
Fig 3. Sign with disability icons asks: How can we help? We can offer service in different ways.
This newsletter is available in alternate formats upon request.
You subscribed to this newsletter on the www.AccessibilityMB.ca website.
Disabilities Issues Office
630 - 240 Graham Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3C 0J7
Phone: 204-945-7613
Toll free: 1-800-282-8069, ext. 7613
TTY: 204-948-2901
Email: dio@gov.mb.ca
Follow and join the #AccessibleMB conversation on social media.
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