Issue 6 | November 2018

Training on Accessible Customer Service

Free online training on how to provide accessible customer service is now available!

The Accessibility for Manitobans: Everyone Benefits training video is divided into four modules, including an overview of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act, its relation to The Human Rights Code (Manitoba), and the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service. The target audience is employees and volunteers who create policies, manage, supervise or directly provide customer service.

Employees can take this training on an individual basis and then test themselves using The Knowledge Check for Learners. A group debrief is critical, so your employees can relate the content to your workplace and its organizational policies and practices. The Facilitator’s Guide will help you lead the discussion.

A number of Manitoba organizations provide excellent customized training and consultation, including tracking completion of training and providing certificates. Visit MB211 for a list of Manitoba non-profit organizations that offer training. Select People with Disabilities, followed by Accessibility Awareness.

Remember - November 1, 2018 was the deadline for businesses, small municipalities and non-profit organizations to comply with Manitoba’s Accessibility Standard for Customer Service. Use this checklist to review the accessibility of your services.

Accessibility Tip

Always ask permission before touching a person’s wheelchair or assistive device.  Assistive devices, like canes or hearing aids, enable people with disabilities to complete everyday tasks and activities when accessing goods, services or facilities.  Organize your space to make room for customers using larger assistive devices like wheelchairs or walkers.

Change Makers Making Change for Accessibility

Congratulations to this month’s Change Maker, Jocelynn Johnson, on her excellent TEDxWinnipeg presentation. 

Jocelynn, who lives with an invisible disability, wowed her Winnipeg audience as she broke down myths and misunderstandings about service animals by addressing common questions, such as:

• Why is someone who can see, but not hear, using a service animal?

• Why should you not address or pet a service animal?

To watch Jocelynn’s presentation, visit TEDx Talks video recording on YouTube.

Photo of Jocelynn Johnson at work as a geospatial analyst with the Manitoba government.

Upcoming Events

Free Workshops 

Thursday, November 15, 2018 (waiting list)

Tuesday, December 11, 2018 (waiting list)

Friday, January 18, 2019

Monday, February 11, 2019

Monday, March 18, 2019

The Disabilities Issues Office holds monthly workshops for employers to learn how to meet the requirements of the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service.

Register now to learn how you can develop policies and practices to comply with Manitoba’s accessibility law. For information about workshops held outside Winnipeg, please contact the DIO.

Frequently Asked Question

How will the Manitoba government monitor accessibility compliance?

A made-in-Manitoba compliance framework will provide a range of methods to make sure businesses are complying.  For now, the focus is on educating businesses and employees to help them comply.

The Manitoba government is planning to begin reviewing compliance through accessibility audits, beginning in 2019/20.

This newsletter is available in alternate formats upon request.

You subscribed to this newsletter on the 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 
Email: dio@gov.mb.ca

Follow and join the #AccessibleMB conversation on social media.