Issue 17 | December 2020

Season's greetings from the NEW Manitoba Accessibility Office

On December 3rd, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Honourable Heather Stefanson, Minister of Families and Minister Responsible for Accessibility, announced a name change for the Disabilities Issues Office. To reflect the focus of its work, the office was renamed the “Manitoba Accessibility Office”. The vision and mission statements have also been updated:

Vision:  A fully accessible and inclusive Manitoba where all abilities are valued, diversity and independence are celebrated, barriers are removed, and human rights are protected.

Mission:  To achieve greater access and inclusion in Manitoba by promoting accessibility law and practices through education, awareness and collaboration with communities, organizations and business.

“Accessibility benefits every Manitoban,” said Stefanson. “Together, we are identifying and eliminating barriers that stand in the way of full inclusion and participation in our society for all. The Manitoba Accessibility Office will continue to be a critical resource for all Manitobans on these issues, providing guidance, resources and expertise.”

On behalf of the staff at the Manitoba Accessibility Office, we wish you the very best this holiday season and New Year.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

To mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Manitoba government has named the winners of the inaugural Manitoba Accessibility Awards. These awards recognize the recipients’ commitment to improving accessibility for all, Families Minister Heather Stefanson, announced on December 3rd. 

“Manitoba joins people across the world in promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, today and every day,” said Stefanson. “The 2020 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 Manitoba Accessibility Award Winners:

• Large business – Winnipeg Airports Authority

• Small business – Red Apple, Stonewall

• Urban non-profit organization – Gateway Church, Winnipeg

• Rural non-profit – Woodlands Pioneer Museum

• Large municipality – City of Selkirk

• Small municipality – Rural Municipality of Victoria Beach

The six winners of the Manitoba Accessibility Awards were chosen from dozens of submissions from across the province. In their submissions, each organization highlighted the importance of working in collaboration with community partners to overcome barriers, and especially with people who have lived experience with obstacles to accessibility. Stefanson noted that each organization has made accessibility a priority, resulting in progress that has benefited its entire community.

“True community accessibility requires the entirety of the supply chain effectively working together to ensure the services offered at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport reflect the diverse needs of our community,” said Barry Rempel, president and CEO, Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA). “WAA is proud of the leadership role we have been able to play through development of a local accessibility committee to guide informed decisions to offer a more accessible and inclusive airport environment to serve our community.”

“Do not view making your organization accessible as an insurmountable task, but start by candidly identifying barriers,” said Judith Olson, vice-president, Woodlands Pioneer Museum. “You will have taken the most important step. Removing one barrier at a time is absolutely achievable.”

For more information on the Manitoba Accessibility Awards, visit: accessibilitymb.ca. Stay tuned for the awards presentation video and winner profiles, which will be featured in Accessibility News and posted at this website in the coming weeks. 

Jobs & Training

Jobs with potential. Work with purpose. Available right now!

You can start a new, meaningful career path, as a disability support worker supporting Manitoba’s most vulnerable.

The Direct Service Provider “Rapid Recruitment Initiative” is looking to recruit Manitobans for entry-level full-time employment in the disability field. Direct service providers are needed to support adults with intellectual disabilities in their homes, at their workplaces and in other community settings.

Successful candidates also have access to a free accelerated-learning online course on the fundamentals of disability support that has been developed by Red River College.

For more information, please visit: https://www.disabilityrecruitmentmb.ca/                                                                                                                                                                         

British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) - Indigenous Disability & Wellness Gathering Nov 8-10, 2021

The 2021 Indigenous Disability and Wellness Gathering will be held in Victoria, BC and on the ancestral lands of the Lekwungen People. This is a celebration of BCANDS' 30th anniversary and the 7th anniversary of Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM).  

The Gathering brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments, leadership, service providers, community members and others to learn, connect, and collaborate in addressing the unique barriers Indigenous peoples with disabilities face.

 For more information & registration, visit: https://www.indigenousdisabilitygathering.com