Issue 11 | December 2019
Your Opinion Matters
The Accessibility Advisory Council (Council) is pleased to present its recommendations for an Accessibility Standard for the Design of Public Spaces and invites your feedback on its discussion paper with initial recommendations for this standard (PDF) (Word).
Please send your comments by February 14, 2020 to access@gov.mb.ca.
The Council would like to invite you to attend a public consultation in person or by webinar on January 15, 2020. Please register by January 14.
For more information, please see our events section, listed below.
Change Makers
Accommodations can benefit all workers
Congratulations to this month’s change maker Cory Beal, owner of Floodway Print Company. This four-person Winnipeg manufacturer specializes in custom screen-printing on t-shirts and other apparel. In collaboration with Reaching E-Quality Employment Services (REES), over the last few years Cory has successfully employed three people with disabilities.
Describe some ways in which you have accommodated people with disabilities?
Cory: “We don’t call them accommodations. We call them improvements. For example, the changes we made when we added a staff who was hard of hearing resulted in a better workplace for everyone:
- Work stations used to face the walls and corners. Now we face one another, which makes communication easier for all of us.
- By installing a doorbell with a flashing light, now we all know when someone is at the door - even when the machines are going and the music is blaring.
The employee who was hard of hearing is back at school. But the changes are here to stay.”
What did you learn from your experience?
Cory: “Abilities are more significant than disabilities. No matter who the staff person is, you build on the individual’s strengths.”
Cory’s challenge to Manitoba employers: “Think of the big picture, and how your business can benefit from having a diverse team!”
Do you know a Manitoba business or individual that deserves to be recognized as an accessibility change maker? Submit the name of your nominee and a brief description of why they are an accessibility champion to DIO@gov.mb.ca.
Accessibility Toolkit
New Accessibility is Good for Everyone Video
Listen to Manitobans with disabilities describe simple ways to remove barriers to accessing goods and services. Find out from Manitoba employers what they have done to become accessible for everyone. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Use these Discussion Questions to help generate conversation around accessible customer service at your next staff meeting.
Manitoba Grants Support Accessibility
The Manitoba government’s Building Sustainable Communities Program is accepting grant applications until January 15, 2020. Accessibility is one of several target areas. Non-profit and charitable organizations, municipalities (including planning districts) and Northern Affairs Community Councils are invited to submit projects up to a value of $75,000. Funds must be matched from other sources.
December 3 was International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Since 1992, the world has celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on December 3 by promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The theme for 2019 was ‘Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda’. When Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2010, Manitoba turned the focus of its celebration to provincial achievements in fulfilling the action-oriented articles of the Convention.
One of the highlights among Manitoba’s initiatives reflects the Convention’s Article 9, Accessibility. The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (enacted in 2013) calls on the provincial government to work closely with affected stakeholders to develop accessibility standards in key areas of daily living. On July 11, 2019, the federal government joined Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia in introducing accessibility legislation called the Accessible Canada Act.
Upcoming Events
Safety Comes 1st: New Accessible Employment Standard Seminar
Presented by the World Trade Centre (WTC) Winnipeg
Date: January 14, 2020
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: in-person at 219 Provencher Boulevard or online by webinar
For more information please contact WTC Winnipeg.
Accessibility Advisory Council presents a Public Consultation on the Design of Public Spaces Standard
Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Place: Viscount Gort Hotel, Main Floor (Royal ABC), 1670 Portage Avenue in Winnipeg
Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am (Registration begins at 8:30 am)
View the Discussion Document (PDF) (Word).
Register to attend in person or via webinar.
Training: Accessible Customer Service
Presented by WTC Winnipeg and the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities
Date: January 28, 2020
Time: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Location: in-person at 219 Provencher Boulevard or online by webinar
Please note that there is a cost of $35.00 for this training. For more information please contact WTC Winnipeg.
Free Workshops
Friday, December 20, 2019
Monday, February 3, 2020
The Disabilities Issues Office holds monthly workshops for employers to learn how to meet the requirements of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act. All workshops are held from 1 pm to 3:30 pm at 114 Garry Street in Boardroom 1D in Winnipeg.
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.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season
And a healthy and happy New Year!
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: mao@gov.mb.ca
Follow and join the #AccessibleMB conversation on social media.
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