LATEST UPDATES
Minister’s Annual Plan: The Accessibility for Manitobans Act
The Minister’s Annual Plan for 2023/24 & 2024/25 is now available.
Today, nearly every Manitoban either has a disability, knows someone with a disability, or will have a disability in the coming years. The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) became law almost ten years ago, with a focus on eliminating barriers to accessibility. Now more than ever, it is important that all Manitoba businesses, non-profit organizations, public sector organizations, municipalities and citizens make accessibility a priority. This two-year plan outlines and supports three main goals:
- Enhance the accessibility legislation in Manitoba by implementing two new standards under the AMA and conduct an independent review of the act.
- Raise awareness of the AMA and celebrate achievements.
- Ensure all Manitoba businesses, non-profit organizations, public sector organizations and municipalities comply with the legislation.
Read the 2023/24 & 2024/25 Minister’s Annual Plan (PDF).
MAF 2023-24 Grant Program
The MAF Selection Committee submitted their recommendations for MAF grants in 2023/24 in May 16, 2023. These recommendations are currently being reviewed by the Minister responsible for Accessibility
All applicants will receive a decision letter of approval or non-approval once the Minister approves the final list of MAF project grant recipients in 2023/24.
Please stay tuned as communication about MAF grant recipients in 2023/24 will be sent in the next few weeks.
Manitoba Access Awareness Week 2023: How is Manitoba Making Web Information and Communication More Accessible
Join us for a free webinar on June 1, 2023
For the first time in 2023, the Province of Manitoba is proclaiming Manitoba Access Awareness Week (MAAW) in perpetuity.
Celebrated annually in conjunction with National Accessibility Week (May 28 to June 3) its purpose is to raise awareness of accessibility barriers experienced by Manitobans with disabilities and to promote removal of these barriers.
The Manitoba Accessibility Office will be celebrating MAAW 2023 with a zoom webinar on Thursday, June 1, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
The theme of the event is “Reducing Barriers to Web Accessible Information and Communications”. It will include four short talks from organizations that received Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF) grants in 2022/23 to complete activities enhancing web accessibility and experiences of end users.
- Andrew Boardman (Manoverboard) will speak about the Make-it-Accessible website and resources for Manitobans.
- Krystal Stokes (Victoria Lifeline) will talk about the Victoria Lifeline web refresh project, which created new content and resources for Manitoba’s senior and disability communities.
- Lisa Snider (Access Changes Everything) will present findings from a survey asking Manitobans about their experiences with digital online business platforms and the tips and best practices when providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities.
- Cindy Titus (Marymound Inc.) will share more about their new refreshed website.
The Manitoba Accessibility Office is taking this opportunity to spotlight several projects from the new Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF) grant program. The purpose of MAF is to support organizations across Manitoba to raise accessibility awareness, remove barriers, and support compliance with accessibility legislation and existing standards.
All thirty projects supported by MAF during 2022/23, address gaps or accessibility barriers, or improved delivery of the Accessible Customer Service, Accessible Employment and Accessible Information and Communication Standards.
To register for the webinar, please visit the Eventbrite page to sign up to attend. A zoom link to the event will be emailed to you prior to the event.
Five-Year Review of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act
The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) sets out a path to remove, reduce, and prevent barriers through the development of accessibility standards in fundamental areas of daily living.
The AMA was enacted in 2013, and affects all Manitobans – both people impacted by barriers in their everyday lives and people in a position to remove and prevent these barriers.
Sarah Lugtig has been appointed as the reviewer for the Accessibility for Manitobans Act five-year review. As a lawyer, Ms. Lugtig has worked as in-house counsel for the Manitoba Human Rights Commission and Legislative Counsel in Manitoba’s public service before 2020. Ms. Lugtig is currently involved part-time with Legislative Counsel for ongoing special projects. Under the AMA, the reviewer must consult with the public, specifically people with disabilities and representatives from disability organizations.
The AMA requires regular reviews to occur every five years. The first review of the AMA occurred in 2018/2019. The second five-year review is required to take place in 2023.
In-Person Public Forums
As part of this review, in-person public forums will be hosted. These public forums will be an opportunity for you to provide your input on The Accessibility for Manitobans Act.
Events:
Winnipeg - Bilingual
Date: May 15, 2023
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Location: Viscount Gort Hotel - 1670 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB Room: A and B
If you are unable to attend the Winnipeg in-person event and would like to join us virtually online, please contact mao@gov.mb.ca to receive access to a Zoom link to join the meeting online.
*Event registration not required.
This event will include small group discussions that will then be summarized and presented to the larger audience, and carefully captured for subsequent analysis.
An essential part of planning the forum is ensuring accessibility. This event will have accessibility measures such as Braille documents, ASL, Closed Captioning, the provision of personal care attendants and French interpretation services. To assist with our planning, please email mao@gov.mb.ca if you plan to attend this forum and require accessibility measures or French interpretation services.
Thompson
Date: May 2, 2023
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Location: Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre - 4 Nelson Rd, Thompson, MB
Brandon
Date: April 20, 2023
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Location: Keystone Centre - 1175 18th St Unit 1, Brandon, MB
If you are unable to attend the Brandon in-person event and would like to join us virtually online, please contact mao@gov.mb.ca to receive access to a Zoom link to join the meeting online.
Virtual Public Forum:
A Virtual Public Forum is planned to take place online over Zoom on May 16, 2023, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
The Virtual Public Forum will offer the opportunity to provide your perspective and feedback on The Accessibility for Manitobans Act.
ASL interpretation and Closed Captioning will be available and a recording will be available to those unable to participate in real-time in the near future.
Please contact mao@gov.mb.ca to receive access to the Zoom link to the Virtual Public Forum.
Provide Your Feedback Online:
EngageMB:
Visit the EngageMB website for an opportunity to provide feedback and participate in an online survey on the AMA.
Share Your Story:
We’re interested in hearing from all Manitobans, including people with disabilities, persons with long-term health conditions or illness, seniors, caregivers, family, friends, and natural supports and others interested in this area. Share your story by emailing MAO@gov.mb.ca.
Manitoba Government Accessibility Plan and Policies
The Manitoba Government Accessibility Plan (MGAP) (PDF) for 2023 and 2024 is now available. This two-year plan supports improving accessibility in departments across government, and outlines specific actions to make government workplaces, products and services accessible to all Manitobans.
The MGAP will build upon and strengthen efforts underway through the following six priority areas:
- Accessible Customer Service
- Accessible Employment
- Accessible Information and Communications
- Enhanced Training and Education
- Enhanced Accessibility of the Built Environment
- Leadership in Advancing Accessibility
The Manitoba government is committed to ensuring equal access for persons with disabilities who are recipients of government services, as well as for employees. The government is also committed to the principle of inclusion, which involves the prevention and removal of barriers to maintain dignity and equity for all people.
Under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA)(PDF), public sector organizations, including the Manitoba government, are required to update their accessibility plans every two years.
If you have questions about the MGAP, please contact accessibility@gov.mb.ca.
Second Intake of Manitoba Accessibility Fund closed at midnight on March 10, 2023
The Manitoba Accessibility Fund launched the second intake of the grant program at the end of January. Project applications must propose activities and initiatives that either remove barriers, raise awareness, and/or support compliance with accessibility standards addressing customer service, employment, information and communications or the Accessibility for Manitoba Act.
The intake period closed at midnight on Friday, March 10, 2023.
The MAF application guidelines, frequently asked questions, glossary of terms, application form and project budget estimate form are available at: https://accessibilitymb.ca/fund.html.
Please contact MAF@gov.mb.ca, if you have additional questions.
The Accessibility Standard for Information and Communications is Now Law in Manitoba
On May 1, 2022, the Accessibility Standard for Information and Communication became the third standard under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act.
Learn more about the Accessibility Standard for Information and CommunicationsNew - Why Make Your Print & Digital Documents Accessible? (WORD)
New - Why Make Your Print & Digital Documents Accessible? (PDF)
New - General Directions for Creating Accessible PDFs (WORD)
New - General Directions for Creating Accessible PDFs (PDF)
New - Accessible Excel Document Checklist (WORD)
New - Accessible Excel Document Checklist (PDF)
New - Tips for Creating Accessible Word Documents (WORD)
New - Tips for Creating Accessible Word Documents (PDF)
New - MAO Reminder List – Accessible Word Documents (WORD)
New - MAO Reminder List – Accessible Word Documents (PDF)
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022
Read the IDPD Proclamation (PDF)
The Minister's Annual Update 2022: Implementing Recommendations from the Accessibility Advisory Council's Five-Year Review of the Accessible Customer Service Standard for the period October 2021 to October 2022 is available online.
Minister's Annual Update 2022 (PDF)
The latest edition of Accessibility News has been published. Read the electronic newsletter:
2021/22 Minister’s Annual Report: The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA)
Each year the Minister responsible for Accessibility releases an Annual Report on AMA implementation.
Read the 2021/22 Minister’s Annual Report (PDF)New Online Learning Portal
The Manitoba government encourages organizations to meet their employee accessibility training requirements by completing standard-specific learning modules on its new online learning portal. Complete this free training anytime from anywhere.
Plain language content explains the requirements of the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service, with examples on how to achieve compliance, tips for best practices, and useful resources. Signify employee compliance with a certificate upon completion of the module.
To access the online learning portal, visit: AMALearningMB.ca.
Stay tuned for the LMS version (Learning Management Software) and a second module to support training for the Accessibility Standard for Employment.
Accessibility during COVID-19
Increasing numbers of Manitobans will receive COVID-19 vaccinations in the coming months. Nevertheless, safety measures to reduce the impact of COVID-19, and the return to work can present new barriers, especially for people with disabilities.
Learn more about accessible service, keeping employees safe, the impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities, as well as tips, tools, & resources.
View more information about Accessibility during COVID-19
Customer Service Standard Regulation Public Consultation & Review
The Accessibility Advisory Council hosted two online consultations on May 13, 2021 to hear from Manitobans about their experiences with the Customer Service Standard Regulation, the first accessibility standard established under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act.
The Council sought to understand how Manitobans face barriers to customer service, including how the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service affects Manitobans and their workplaces, universities, organizations or businesses.
Manitoba Accessibility Awards (MBAA)
The Manitoba Accessibility Awards recognize leaders in our communities who have shown their commitment to inclusion and equity for Manitobans with disabilities.
Congratulations to the 2020 MBAA Winners!
- Large business – Winnipeg Airports Authority, Winnipeg;
- Small business – Red Apple, Stonewall;
- Urban non-profit organization – Gateway Church, Winnipeg;
- Rural non-profit – Woodlands Pioneer Museum, Woodlands;
- Large municipality – City of Selkirk; and
- Small municipality – Rural Municipality of Victoria Beach.
All MBAA 2020 resources, including the webinar recording, PowerPoint, and transcript are now available online!
View more information about the Manitoba Accessibility Awards