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Issue 40 | December 2023 |
This newsletter is available in alternate formats on request. |
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Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities |
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The Government of Manitoba, along with the Manitoba Accessibility Office, is proud to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities each year on December 3.
First proclaimed in 1992 by The United Nations General Assembly, International Day of Persons with Disabilities promotes an understanding of disability issues and calls for supporting the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The Manitoba government joins people across the world in promoting the rights and well-being of people with disabilities in every aspect of life, including political, social, economic and cultural. |
In recognition of this day, the Manitoba Accessibility Office hosted a free online webinar on Thursday, November 30. The webinar featured a presentation from keynote speaker Carly Fox, a queer, disabled, neurodivergent, disability advocate based out of Ottawa, Canada. Her presentation included a discussion to celebrate the progress towards realizing provincial accessibility legislation, reflecting on and challenging the persistence of systemic ableism and touched on how to inspire the future of accessibility. |
If you missed this online webinar and would like to view it online or learn more about International Day of Persons with Disabilities, please visit AccessibilityMB.ca. |
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Upcoming Compliance Deadline for Designated Organizations - Accessible Information and Communication Standard |
The Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation was enacted on May 1, 2022 under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act. The purpose of this standard is to remove and prevent barriers that exist digitally, in-print, or through interaction with technology or people. The Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation requires organizations to consider the ways in which Manitobans of all abilities interact with or access information, including websites. |
As of May 1, 2024, all designated organizations will have to comply with the Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation. These designated organizations include: |
Manitoba's 10 largest municipalities: Winnipeg, Brandon, Dauphin, Flin Flon, Morden, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, Steinbach, Thompson, and Winkler Health authorities including Shared Health, Cancer Care, and regional health authorities Educational institutions, including The Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, adult learning centers, private vocational institutions, public and independent schools, and universities and colleges Municipal and regional libraries Government agencies as defined in section 1 of The Financial Administration Act
The Manitoba Accessibility Office and the Accessibility Compliance Secretariat have developed several tools that can help organizations prepare and ensure that they are compliant with the standard. |
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A training module on the Accessible Information and Communication Standard is also currently in development. This module is expected to be available on the AMA Online Learning Portal in advance of the May 1, 2024 compliance deadline.
For more information regarding The Accessibility for Manitobans Act and its regulations, including documents with practical tips for creating accessible documents, please visit the Manitoba Accessibility Office website. |
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Manitoba Accessibility Fund 2024/2025 |
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The Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF) grant program will be launching its next intake on Monday, January 8, 2024, closing Friday, February 16, 2024. Grant applications may request up to a maximum of $50,000 from MAF to complete their proposed project.
All eligible organizations are invited to submit a project application in 2024/25.
Organizations are allowed to submit one application per intake, but may be listed as partners on the applications of other project submissions. Relevant information about the MAF grant program for 2024/25 and how to apply will be made available online in early January 2024 at AccessibilityMB.ca.
Please contact MAF@gov.mb.ca, if you have additional questions. |
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Spotlight on Manitoba Accessibility Fund Projects |
The Manitoba Accessibility Fund is proud to spotlight these amazing projects this month: Deaf Centre Manitoba and Epiphany Lutheran Church |
Deaf Centre Manitoba |
Deaf Centre Manitoba (DCM), Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization which recognizes the value of Deaf Culture and American Sign Language (ASL). The organization coordinates and provides resources, and programs that enhance the development of the Deaf community. DCM Inc. was the recipient of a grant sponsored by the Manitoba Government through the Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF) 2022-2023. The MAF grant allowed DCM Inc. to undertake three activities: A workshop on Deaf Awareness, workshops on mental health supports for the Deaf community and the provision of V-News and V-blogs on social media. |
The Deaf Resource Centre (DRC) located at DCM designed a Deaf awareness workshop for participants focusing on accessible customer service and employment, as well as Deaf culture, terminology, communicating with persons who are Deaf and using ASL. Stakeholders and public sector organizations also participated. DCM Inc. collaborated with the core team and networks and organizations by hosting two mental health workshops for people who are hard of hearing, Deaf, Deaf-Blind and representatives from government that provide mental health services. These workshops provided ASL-English Translation, Notetakers and Deaf-Blind Accessibility Interpreters. MAF funding enabled DRC to expand the provision of ASL V-News and blogs in 2022-23. Indigenous and People of Colour ASL signers were employed to create ASL V-News and V-blogs on social media and the website, along with ASL resources and services.
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The above-mentioned activities promoted compliance with the Accessible Information and Communication Standard, increased awareness of Deaf culture and ASL among community organizations and service providers and enabled persons who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind and hard-of-hearing to have equal opportunities to participate in awareness events and access news information through ASL videos posted on social media, in blogs and on websites. Going forward, DCM and DRC plan to continue these activities to promote accessible information and communication for the Deaf and hard of hearing communities, as well as organizations offering accessible customer service and employment.
Article submitted by Deaf Centre Manitoba. |
Epiphany Lutheran Church |
Epiphany Lutheran Church is located on Treaty 1 Territory and has been serving the community of Fort Richmond, Winnipeg and Manitoba for over 61 years. Our vision is to create a caring Christian community that has an active, vibrant worship and ongoing learning that inspires faith and serves all people. Our mission is encouraging spiritual growth and having a community for everyone. Our building is currently home to Epiphany Lutheran Church, two childcare centers (Epiphany Children’s Centre and Aviceena, a Muslin based childcare center). We host two other church communities and have a vivant outreach Ministry. |
Epiphany Lutheran Church is a proud 2022 recipient of the Manitoba Accessibility Fund. Our organization strives to raise awareness about the prevention and removal of barriers and have developed tools and resources to support AMA standards. The $2,000 MAF grant was used to purchase OWL Technology, Zoom Subscriptions, and microphones for our building. This technology allows our members and tenants of Epiphany the ability to stay connected including participating in church services, meetings, book clubs, bible studies, counselling services, youth sessions such as confirmation classes, and care team/outreach team meetings. |
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Epiphany continues to increase accessibility within our building by raising awareness, developing tools and making changes to our building to support the members it serves. We thank the Minister responsible for Accessibility, the Manitoba Accessibility Office, and the Province of Manitoba for their support to our Epiphany community.
Article submitted by Jennifer Palichuk, Epiphany Lutheran Church. |
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Abilities Manitoba Gains Global Recognition at the Shorty Impact Awards |
Congratulations to Abilities Manitoba and their marketing and public relations agency, UpHouse on winning gold at the Shorty Impact Award in the Disability Awareness category. Together Abilities Manitoba and UpHouse created a series of videos called Barrier Town. These videos detail that barriers are in place all around us. Barriers can prevent people, everywhere from fully accessing and engaging with organizations and businesses. |
Funding for this video series was proudly provided by the Manitoba Government through the Manitoba Accessibility Fund. |
To learn more about the Barrier Town campaign or to view the videos, visit Abilities Manitoba’s website. |
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In the News: |
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CBC’s Marketplace accompanied a passenger on a roundtrip with Air Canada from Toronto to Charlottetown where hidden cameras captured a multitude of issues. Di Virgilio, the passenger, agreed to let Marketplace document her journey to raise awareness of the ordeal people who use wheelchairs go through when getting on flights.
Read the full article |
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A new report released by the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba, found First Nation adults with disabilities in Manitoba aren't provided supports and services they need, particularly on-reserve. The 117-page report, called “Supporting the Gifts of First Nations Adults Living with Exceptionalities”, makes 31 recommendations in several areas, including healthcare and social service systems, community infrastructure and resources, education, employment and caregiver support.
Read the full article |
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The Government of Canada is consulting Canadians on the new Canada Disability Benefit. Canadians are invited to share their thoughts on benefit details, such as eligibility and benefit amount, which will help inform the development of the regulations for the Canada Disability Benefit.
Read the full article and provide feedback |
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Events: |
The Manitoba Employment Equity Practitioners Association (MEEPA) are partnering with Manitoba Hydro to host an in-person event on December 4 |
Join the Manitoba Employment Equity Practitioners Association (MEEPA) and Manitoba Hydro for their in-person event, “Project Search: Opportunities to Diversify Your Workplace”. This event is in honour of Indigenous Disability Employment Awareness Month (November) and International Day for Persons with Disabilities (December 3). |
Event Details: When: Monday, December 4th from 8:30 am to Noon Where: Manitoba Hydro Place (360 Portage Avenue) Registration Fee: MEEPA Members are free, guests $25 per person
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Funding Opportunity: |
Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund – Mid Size projects |
This funding opportunity aims to make communities and work places across Canada more accessible for persons with disabilities. It will fund projects that create more opportunities for persons with disabilities to take part in community activities, programs and services, and access employment. Application period: October 18, 2023, to December 13, 2023, at 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) Funding amount: Between $500,000 and a maximum of $3,000,000 for a project that is up to 2 years in duration Who can apply: Not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, and governments
Learn more about the application process by visiting Canada.ca |
Awareness Dates: |
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