Issue 18 | January 2021
Welcoming 2021 as the New Manitoba Accessibility Office
We are looking forward to the New Year and new opportunities of 2021. The Manitoba Accessibility Office (MAO) remains committed to supporting all Manitobans in making our province more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
We extend a special welcome to Honourable Rochelle Squires, newly appointed Minister of Families and Minister responsible for The Accessibility for Manitobans Act.
Manitoba Government Accessibility Plans & Policies
We are proud to share the Manitoba Government Accessibility Plan for 2021 and 2022. The government is demonstrating its commitment to accessibility by fully implementing the requirements of the Customer Service and Employment Standards across all departments.
As Manitobans, we have a key role in removing barriers and providing accessible services to ensure that everyone can access critical goods and services.
New Reports Available - Design of Public Spaces Standard & Transportation Standard
The Accessibility Advisory Council (Council) wishes to thank the members of the Design of Public Spaces Committee and the Transportation Development Committee who provided the expertise, research, and recommendations that laid the foundation for the Council's Discussion Papers on Recommendations for a Design of Public Spaces Standard an the Transportation Standard.
Discussion Paper on Recommendations for Design of Public Spaces Standard
Discussion Paper on Recommendations for Transportation Standard
Manitoba Grants Online Funding Opportunity - The Building Sustainable Communities Program
The Building Sustainable Communities grant helps build thriving sustainable communities that provide a high quality of life for Manitobans. The grant leverages investments in community development by local governments, non-profit organizations and others. Projects to improve accessibility are eligible.
- Building Sustainable Communities program prioritizes increased community participation and enhancement of public use of community facilities. This includes increased reach, accessibility, diversity or use of a facility or space.
- Please note that costs to make websites accessible are eligible (and have received funding in the past) under the Building Sustainable Communities Capacity Building projects.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- municipalities and local authorities such as planning districts and Northern Affairs Community Councils
- non-profit organizations
- charitable organizations
When are the application deadlines?
The application intake for the program is now open and the submission deadline is February 28, 2021.
What do we fund?
Eligible community development projects include:
- planning activities
- organizational capacity building
- community or regional initiatives
- community, culture or recreation capital infrastructure projects
How much may we fund?
- Up to 50 per cent of eligible expenses to a maximum of $75,000.
- For capital projects with eligible project cost of over $150,000 (larger capital) up to 50 per cent of eligible expenses to a maximum of $300,000.
For more information, please visit: https://www.gov.mb.ca/grants, then select "Grants by Name" and then "B' for the "Building Sustainable Communities Program".
2021 Accessibility Awareness Dates
- National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) - May 31 to June 4, 2021
- Manitoba Access Awareness Week (MAAW) - May 31 to June 4, 2021
- Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) - Month of October
- Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) - Month of November
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) - December 3, 2021
What You Need to Know: Accessibility & COVID-19
During COVID-19, it is particularly important to consider accommodations of people with invisible disabilities and health conditions.
For example, some staff may require accommodations for ongoing work from home. For information on accessibility guidance during COVID-19, visit accessibilitymb.ca/covid19.html
Manitoba Possible - Parking Permits Program
The program is regulated by Manitoba Infrastructure and administered by Manitoba Possible. The program ensures that when a person has difficulty walking more than 50 meters they can park in one of the specially designated parking spots in lots across the province.
Anyone who needs the full-time assistance of a mobility aid such as a wheelchair, walker, cane, or crutches is eligible for a parking permit. Temporary permits are also available to allow you to use designated spaces during your recovery period (as certified by your health care professional).
For more information about the program, please visit: https://www.manitobapossible.ca/parking-permits
Spotlight: 2020 Manitoba Accessibility Award Winners
Read more about the 2020 Manitoba Accessibility Award Winners who shared the news with their communities:
City of Selkirk - Large Municipality
- "Selkirk Recognized as Inclusive Community with 2020 Manitoba Accessibility Award" as featured in the "MySelkirk Blog"
Gateway Church, Winnipeg - Urban Non-Profit Organization
Eye on the Community - Accessibility Champions
“New wheelchair skis help people with mobility issues get around. Reluctant to go outside in the winter in his wheelchair due to fears of getting stuck, Allen Mankewich collaborated with the Plain Bicycle Project in Winnipeg to bring in skis for wheelchairs.”
To learn more, visit the article: https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/wheelchair-skis-helping-winnipeggers-with-mobility-issues-1.5261195
(Image source: CTV News Winnipeg via Plain Bicycle)
Community Jobs & Training, Events, Grants & Scholarships, & Resources
Jobs & Training
Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities (MLPD) - Creating Accessible Employment Webinars | January 27, February 24, & March 24 at 12 p.m.
With support from the Manitoba government, the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities is offering a series of webinars to support the Accessibility Standard for Employment.
With a focus on the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, this one hour webinar targets individuals who are responsible for recruiting, hiring, developing and implementing policies at their workplace or organization.
This is an opportunity to go beyond basic accessibility education and reconsider policies and practices in your workplace that do not comply with new accessibility standards. Hear from a presenter with a disability who has experience as a career coach in the disability community.
Webinars will be held on Zoom and accommodations will be provided as requested.
Webinar registration:https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/creating-accessible-employment-tickets-137005949483
For more information or registration assistance, please contact: accessibility@mlpd.mb.ca
The Manitoba government is grateful to a number of disability organizations that offer training to support accessibility legislation, including Manitoba Possible, Community Futures Manitoba and the Independent Living Resource Centre. For a complete listing, visit MB211.ca.
SCE Lifeworks - Project SEARCH Applications Due January 29th
 Project SEARCH Winnipeg is for high school students (labeled with an intellectual disability or autism) whose main goal is employment and will benefit from career exploration.
The cornerstone of this program is immersion into a large business or organization. Students learn employability and job skills while participating in a variety of worksite rotations with the goal of competitive employment.
Work experience placements occur based on the student’s experiences, strengths and skills, as well as site host need. Students are supported by a team including a certified Teacher and Skills Trainers.
For more information, please visit: http://www.lifeworks.mb.ca/projectsearch.html
Rewarding Jobs in the Service Sector - Available Right Now!
 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.You can start a new, meaningful career path, as a disability support worker supporting Manitoba’s most vulnerable.
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/
Supporting Employment & Economic Development (SEED) - Webinar: Non-EIA Rent Assist
Did you know that you can receive Rent Assist even if you are not receiving Employment and Income Assistance?
Join SEED’s webinar where a representative from the Government of Manitoba’s Rent Assist program will share information and answer questions.
When: Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Time: 6-7 p.m.
Register online at https://seedwinnipeg-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpd-GtpzwtEtNwpnA3dkGt6OcTRv75F_p2
Call 431-813-4357 if you require assistance to register. Community members and service providers are welcome to attend.
For more information, including other webinars offered by SEED, please visit: http://seedwinnipeg.ca/
Housing for Health - 1st Annual Fit Cities Fit Towns Canada Conference (Virtual)
The built environment is a social determinant of health. How do we plan and design neighbourhoods to ensure people are able to live, move, play, and access services/amenities conveniently? The 1st Annual Fit Cities Fit Towns Canada Conference (virtual) is brought to you by Dr. Karen Lee and Housing for Health in the Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta.
1st Annual Fit Cities Fit Towns Canada Conference (Virtual)
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. MST.
The Conference will feature two international/national keynotes with local panelists on two topics:
(1) Improving Public Realm for Health and Wellbeing
(2) Improving Social Connections in our Communities
Participants at this conference will gain increased knowledge on the impact of community environments on health, particularly today's most common/important/costly health issues, and on innovative strategies to improve them. The presentations and discussions will help to enhance healthier planning, development, design, and construction in towns and cities provincially and nationally.
For more information on the Fit Cities Fit Towns Canada Conference, or to sign-up to be notified when online registration opens, please visit: https://www.ualberta.ca/department-of-medicine/divisions/preventive-medicine/housing-for-health/conference.html
Grants & Scholarships
Manitoba Grants Online - Access Manitoba government grants
Manitoba Grants Online is a new one-stop portal for non-profit organizations to access a variety of government grants. Manitoba Grants Online currently features grant offerings from four departments - Municipal Relations, Agriculture, Sustainable Development and Sport, Culture and Heritage. Please visit the site in the future for access to even more grants from other departments as they join the portal.
Jordan's Principle Scholarship - First Nation's Child & Family Caring Society & Norway House Cree Nation
Are you a First Nations student studying children’s health or children’s disabilities at a Canadian post-secondary institution (returning fall 2021)? Do you demonstrate a commitment to Indigenous children’s health and community service as well as academic commitment and achievement? You are welcome to apply for the Jordan's Principle Scholarship!
Scholarship Amount & Eligibility
This $5000 scholarship will be paid to the successful applicant by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada. The scholarship is open to First Nations students studying children’s health or children’s disabilities at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
Applicants must submit the complete application package by 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on March 31, 2021
For more information, please visit: https://fncaringsociety.com/jordansprinciple-scholarship-application
Resources
We have included a few notable resources below. For a complete listing of Accessibility & COVID-19 Resources, please visit: http://accessibilitymb.ca/covid19.html
Government of Canada - Accessible Resources for Returning to the Workplace
The Government of Canada has produced practical safety guidelines for employees with disabilities and their managers in times of emergencies of public health crisis. These guidelines address accessibility barriers that may exist when returning to the workplace.
For more information, please visit: https://accessible.canada.ca/resources/best-practices-accessibility-returning-work
First Nations Health Managers Association (FNHMA) - A Pandemic Tool for First Nations Communities
From FNHMA, get instant access to your own free professional Pandemic Planning Tool specialized for First Nations Communities. Plan your pandemic response or complement what you already have in place. This document can improve the help you can provide to your community, while enhancing your knowledge, skills and abilities.
For more information, please visit: https://fnhma.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/A-Pandemic-Planning-Tool-v6.pdf
Osgoode Hall Law School & Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Alliance - Tips for Parents of Studentswith Disabilities on How to Advocate for Your Child's Needs at School
Osgoode Hall Law School Visiting Professor, David Lepofsky gives practical tips to parents of students with disabilities in Ontario or other Canadan provinces on how to advocate for your child’s needs at school.
To access the practical tips, please visit: https://youtu.be/TtadvCvcGC0
For more information, please visit: aodaalliance.org/education
This newsletter is available in alternate formats upon request.
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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.
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