Issue 20 | August 2021

           

Manitoba's Proposed Information & Communications Accessibility Standard Public Consultation 

The Manitoba government is seeking your feedback on its Proposed Accessibility Standard for Information and Communications during a 60-day period, as required by the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA).  Learn more about how standards are created.

The Accessible Information and Communications Standard Regulation will outline requirements for organizations to create, provide and receive information and communications in ways that are accessible for people with disabilities. The proposed standard aims to address barriers to accessibility of information and communication in Manitoba, for those most affected by the prevention and removal of those barriers. Similar to other accessibility standards, the goal of this standard is to promote greater independence and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Submit your comments using the Manitoba Regulatory Consultation Portal before October 5, 2021. If you require an alternate format of the regulation, please contact the Manitoba Accessibility Office.

Read the Manitoba government news release

                                                                                                                      

New Resource! 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.

The first module explains the requirements of the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service, with examples on how to achieve compliance, tips for best practices and useful resources. You can show that your employees are complying with the standard by downloading a certificate after completing the module.  

Stay tuned for the Learning Management Software (LMS) version and a second module to support training for the Accessibility Standard for Employment.

To access the online learning portal, visit:  AMALearningMB.ca                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Minister's Annual Plan 2021/22 & 2022/23

Since 2015, the Minister responsible for the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) has set out a Plan with priorities for AMA implementation.

As part of the plan, the Summary of Commitments sets out activities for your organization’s benefit and involvement, such as:

  • The Manitoba Accessibility Fund - this fund will support community and business initiatives beginning in 2022-23, with a targeted stakeholder consultation set for 2021-22, to ensure maximum impact of the new fund (Section 1)
  • consultation on the remaining three standards and enactment of these standards in 2023 (Section 3)
  • the second Manitoba Accessibility Awards in 2022-23 (Section 6)

View the Minister’s Annual Plan in English or French

                        

What is the Accessibility Compliance Secretariat?

A compliance framework related to the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) was released in 2020. The first step in this framework is to educate organizations towards compliance. Manitoba’s Accessibility Compliance Secretariat monitors compliance of accessibility legislation among stakeholders in the private, non-profit and public sectors.

The secretariat communicates about compliance matters with the public and the Manitoba Accessibility Office, the Accessibility Steering Committee, the Minister of Families, the Director of the AMA (currently the Deputy Minister of Families) and federal accessibility counterparts. Key activities of the Accessibility Compliance Secretariat include:

·         monitoring and overseeing compliance with accessibility requirements

·         spreading awareness about upcoming compliance deadlines

·         undertaking audits and reviews of policies and accessibility plans

·         helping the public to understand accessibility requirements

·         providing guidance to organizations on how to comply with the legislation (e.g., reviewing draft accessibility plans)

·         issuing Achieving Compliance Plans

·         responding to public concerns about alleged non-compliance

 

The Accessibility Compliance Secretariat continues to support organizations to comply with accessibility legislation. It ensures that organizations are given ample resources, information and expertise to guide them as they adapt to the AMA’s requirements. The secretariat monitors compliance, but it also seeks to create and maintain accessibility-oriented connections between Manitoba businesses, public and private sector organizations and non-profits.

To reach the secretariat, call 204-792-0263 or email accessibilitycompliance@gov.mb.ca.

                                                                                                                

Eye on the Community - Accessibility Champions

Manitoba Accessibility Aware Winner 2021 Profile

RM of Victoria Beach - Small municipality

                                               2020 Manitoba Accessibility Award Winner

The Rural Municipality (RM) of Victoria Beach goes above and beyond to identify, remove and prevent accessibility barriers in the community. Victoria Beach Mayor Penny McMorris explains:

“Accessibility means improving the ability of all persons with disabilities to achieve their best and to participate in and enjoy their surroundings in a safe and respectful manner.  Investing in and contributing to accessibility in our community brings tremendous benefits and rewards to our residents and visitors with disabilities and enriches the entire fabric of the municipality.”

McMorris and her Council credit their community’s enthusiastic Accessibility Committee for much of the progress since the community’s development of its first Accessibility Plan (required of public sector organizations by The Accessibility for Manitobans Act).  Some of the accessibility enhancements include ramps, automatic doors and upgrades to washrooms in public buildings.  Future improvements are incorporated into the RM’s yearly budget and include more accessible paths, beach access and enhancement to website accessibility.

Harold Wiens, one of many Victoria Beach residents who have benefitted from the scooter rental service and charging station, conveniently located at the Victoria Beach Parking Lot.

Victoria Beach is unique in Manitoba, and much of the world, in that it restricts vehicle use in a portion of the municipality during the summer months.  This presents unique challenges for residents who are unable to bike or walk around the community. The Rural Municipality does offer a taxi service and vehicle passes for residents who cannot get in and out of the taxis, which are available to take luggage from the community parking lot to cottages. Residents and visitors who can access taxis but still have difficulty getting around have enjoyed the recent addition of a mobility scooter rental service and covered charging station for mobility devices. These services are conveniently located at the community parking lot.

Photo Description: Harold Wiens, one of many Victoria Beach residents who have benefitted from the scooter rental service and charging station, conveniently located at the Victoria Beach Parking Lot.

                                 

New Opportunities for Outdoor Enthusiasts who Face Mobility Barriers

Save Our Seine recently celebrated its 30th anniversary of water stewardship by building an accessible dock - the first of its kind in Winnipeg.  The non-profit organization raised close to $200,000 ($75,000 from Manitoba’s Building Sustainable Communities Program) to build the dock, which is located at the John Bruce Bridge, near Bishop Grandin Boulevard and St. Anne's Road in Bois-des-Espris (Spirit Woods) Park.

The dock is built into the riverbank, allowing users to comfortably embark their watercraft from solid ground and then launch it into the river. The design is perfect for people with disabilities, families and people new to boating. It is also a welcome option for boaters who prefer not to retrieve their footwear from Winnipeg’s muddy riverbanks. “It was a very exciting journey,” said designer Bob Somer, Principal at Scatliff + Miller + Murray. “Most notably, it’s turned into a truly universal kayak launch. It’s simply better and easier to use for ALL.”

 

While Nichole Riese’s summer holidays typically include a canoe trip, advancing symptoms of ALS (or Lou Gehrig’s Disease) mean there will be no overnights in the Whiteshell this summer. Instead, there have been several trips to Bois-des-Espris.
“With a friend’s arm to lean on, I am am easily able to maintain my balance getting in and out of the canoe,” said Nichole.                                                                                                   
Picture description: A canoe sits in the accessible boat dock, allowing users to easily walk into the vessel. One person is helping another person out of the canoe. Two people stand by watching. 
                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                

                                                                                                                                                                                          
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Events, Opportunities, & Training

Events

Safe & Accessible Vaccine Clinic – Manitoba Possible & St. Amant     

Manitoba Possible                                                                                                                              

Manitoba Possible is pleased to partner with the St. Amant immunization team and the Rehabilitation Centre for Children to bring Manitobans with disabilities a safe, accessible and comfortable vaccine experience on Saturday, August 21, from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.

There will be food and entertainment on site, plus American Sign Language interpretation, Personal Care Attendants and Therapy Dogs.

Everyone is welcome to stop by, whether they intend to be vaccinated or not. If people have questions about the vaccine and whether it’s the right choice for them, staff will be available to answer questions. Manitobans 12 plus are eligible to be vaccinated for their first or second doses. The clinic will have 100 Pfizer doses and limited Moderna doses available.

Appointments are recommended, though drop-ins are welcome. To book ahead, and for more information, please visit manitobapossible.ca/covid19/vaccine-clinic or call 204-975-3037.

                                                                                                                                                                                              

Manitoba Possible "Financial Empowerment Lunch & Learn: RDSPs Explained - September 28, 12 to 1 PM 

Hosted by Angel Prefontaine-Gibson, Program Facilitator, Financial Empowerment Program, Manitoba Possible

Participants will learn about Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs) and how they may benefit you in the long run, from Justin McMahon and Adam Richard, Wealth Advisors with Assiniboine Credit Union. It’s free to attend!

How to Register: Contact Angel at 204-975-3103 or email at aprefontaine-gibson@manitobapossible.ca

Accessibility accommodations are available on request. This will be an online event, so a webcam and/or microphone will be needed. A Zoom link will be sent once you have registered.

To stay up-to-date on all Manitoba Possible Events, visit their new events calendar: https://www.manitobapossible.ca/events

                                                                                                                                                                                             

Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) 

Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) is an annual opportunity for Manitoba businesses, industry associations, community organizations, educational institutions, government bodies, and other groups to take proactive steps to increase employment success for Manitobans with disabilities

                                                                                                                                                                                         

        

This year, to celebrate DEAM, the Manitoba Tourism Education Council (MTEC) will be hosting a virtual employAbility Expo on Wednesday, October 20, from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M.

The event will include:

  • Keynote Presentation by Randy Lewis
  • Presentation by the Manitoba Accessibility Office
  • Virtual Exhibitor Booths – only 20 booths available!
  • Live Virtual Business Panel with Interactive Q&A
  • Door Prizes – over $500 in giveaways 

 

For registration and more information about the Expo, please visit: employAbilitymb.com

For more information about Virtual Exhibitor Booths, please contact Vanessa at: vhernandez@mtec.mb.ca or 204-957-7437. 

 

Opportunities

Explore Possible: Amplifying Voices of Disability

In April, Manitoba Possible embarked on a mission to amplify stories of lived experience in a new blog: Explore Possible.

The year-long pilot project aims to provide an accessible online space for Canadian writers with disabilities to share their stories. Manitoba Possible is searching for twelve Canadian writers with disabilities to share their unique perspectives. The project is open to Canadians of all ages, and people may submit their pitch at the Explore Possible homepage.

To learn more about Manitoba Possible’s goals for this project, read their program values and browse the stories they have already published!

                                                                                                                                                                                            

Training

Government of Canada & Rick Hansen Foundation - investing in a more inclusive workforce and stronger economy 

The Canadian economy has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and many sectors and Canadians have been disproportionally impacted. In response, the Government of Canada has a broad plan to support hard-hit sectors, help businesses adapt and thrive, and give Canadians the skills they need to find good, quality jobs as our economy recovers.

A Government of Canada investment of up to $7.5 million to the Rick Hansen Foundation for a project funded under the Sectoral Initiatives Program (SIP). With this investment, the Foundation will establish a new standardized profession of “accessibility professionals,” which will increase expertise and information on how to build accessible spaces in a way that includes people of all abilities.

This project is part of the Government of Canada’s investment of up to $36 million to create employment and career-building opportunities for persons with disabilities through the SIP. This funding will support projects that will help remove barriers, improve employer resources and provide training tools to Canadians with disabilities. It will support employers and industry stakeholders to develop strategies to attract and retain skilled workers, and build capacity through investments in training and human resources tools.

For more information, view a recording of the announcement here. You can also access the full news release here.                                                                                                            

 

           

This newsletter is available in alternate formats upon request.

You subscribed to this newsletter on the AccessibilityMB.ca website.

Manitoba Accessibility 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. 
 
 

Manitoba Accessibility Office