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Issue 39 | November 2023 |
This newsletter is available in alternate formats on request. |
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This November, Celebrate Indigenous Disability Awareness Month |
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Indigenous Peoples across Canada experience a disability rate that is significantly higher than that of the general population. Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) brings awareness of the barriers and the issues that Indigenous Peoples living with disabilities and their families face every day. In spite of these barriers, there is much to celebrate. IDAM highlights the achievements of Indigenous Peoples living with disabilities and recognizes the significant and valuable contributions they make to our communities, socially, economically and culturally. |
IDAM was created by the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) in 2015. Following the recommendation by the United Nations International Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Manitoba joined British Columbia, Saskatchewan, the Assembly of First Nations, and many other organizations and communities across Canada in the recognition of this celebratory month. The acknowledgment of the month was the first Indigenous disability-specific awareness initiative to be recognized on a global level. |
Celebrate IDAM this November |
Get involved today by recognizing the valuable contributions that Indigenous Peoples with disabilities make to their communities.
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SAVE THE DATE: |
2024 Indigenous Disability & Wellness Gathering
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In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Indigenous Disability Awareness Month, Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC) and the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANS) will be hosting the National Indigenous Disability & Wellness Gathering November 19-21, 2024. |
This gathering brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous leadership, service providers, governments and communities to learn, share and collaborate in addressing and dismantling the unique barriers Indigenous Peoples with disabilities face. |
The 2024 Gathering will be held in Victoria, British Columbia at the Victoria Conference Centre.
Visit the Indigenous Disability and Wellness Gathering’s website to learn more about this event and to register. |
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Spotlight on a Manitoba Accessibility Fund Project |
This month’s featured Manitoba Accessibility Fund Project is the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres. In 2023, the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centers received a grant to develop and distribute accessibility policy toolkits. Once developed and distributed, these toolkits will promote equal access for persons with disabilities. |
Enhanced Accessible Information and Communication on the way for the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres |
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The Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres (MAFC) represents the 11 Friendship Centres across Manitoba. Each Friendship Centre is a community-controlled, status-blind Indigenous organization providing a safe and welcoming space for Indigenous people living in urban areas. The Friendship Centres are the oldest and most significant provincial-wide network of community hubs offering urban Indigenous people programs, services and support. Centres provide a wide range of services and programs, including addressing racism, counselling and advocacy services, delivery of programming for Governments, and promoting health, wellness and cultural identity. |
The objective of our project is to develop and distribute an accessibility policy toolkit for Friendship Centres across Manitoba, which will promote equal access for persons with disabilities. The toolkit will include principles from the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres (MAFC) and AMA Guidelines to ensure that it meets the needs of Friendship Centres in the region. The toolkit will provide a comprehensive and user-friendly resource for staff and volunteers to create and implement accessibility policies that are compliant with AMA Standards. |
By developing an accessibility policy toolkit, our project will help the Friendship Centre movement in Manitoba to enhance accessible information and communications. This is because the toolkit will provide guidance on creating accessible policies that address issues related to information and communication. For example, the toolkit will include information on how to provide accessible formats for written materials, such as large print or braille. It will also provide guidance on creating accessible websites and social media content, which are important channels for communicating with community members and stakeholders.
Article submitted by the Manitoba Associations of Friendship Centres. |
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Welcoming a new Minister responsible for Accessibility |
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On October 18, 2023, the Hon. Nahanni Fontaine was sworn in as minister of families, minister responsible for accessibility and minister responsible for gender equity. |
Minister Fontaine was first elected as the MLA for St. Johns in 2016. She is a member of the Sagkeeng Anishnaabe First Nation, holds a bachelor of arts in environmental studies and international development from the University of Winnipeg, as well as a master's degree in native studies, women's studies and critical theory from the University of Manitoba. |
The Manitoba Accessibility Office welcomes Minister Fontaine into her new role and looks forward to working closely with her as we continue work to make Manitoba more accessible for everyone. |
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Working with Large Private Sector Organizations to Ensure Compliance with Accessible Customer Service Policies |
The Manitoba Accessibility Compliance Secretariat works with private, public and non-profit sector organizations to promote and track compliance with accessibility legislation. Manitoba currently has three accessibility standards enacted. Because these standards are regulated, most organizations in Manitoba need to meet the conditions outlined under each standard that apply to their organization. |
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The Accessibility Compliance Secretariat monitors compliance with the Accessible Customer Service Standard. The standard requires organizations with 50 or more employees to have a written accessible customer service policy, and to make their policies available to clients and service recipients upon request. |
Since 2021, the secretariat has been auditing large companies in the private sector to ensure they adhere to this specific requirement. When a large organization shows possible non-compliance with this condition, an Achieving Compliance Plan (ACP) is issued. |
An ACP explains the specific conditions of the accessibility standard the company must meet, and a date the company is expected to adhere to the outlined conditions. The secretariat also provides free tools and resources to help the organization to comply with the standard. In 2021/22, the compliance rate with the requirement to have a written policy among the 252 companies reviewed was 28% (or 70 out of 252 companies). A year later, on March 31, 2023, the compliance rate of companies that were in scope increased significantly to 67% (or 146 out of 217 companies). |
Several Manitoba companies have appreciated the help provided to assist them to develop and enhance their Accessible Customer Service Policy: “Thank you for this information as it relates to achieving compliance within our organization. I appreciate the checklist that you have provided.” ~Company from the financial sector. “Thank you very much for meeting with us on Friday and for providing suggestions and advice on this topic. Please find attached our Accessible Customer Service Policy as requested. We look forward to any further advice/recommendations your team might have.” ~Company from the grocery retail sector. “Thank you again for the time and feedback, very appreciated.” ~Company from the entertainment industry.
For additional information and guidance to help your organization create an accessible customer service policy, please review the Sample Accessible Customer Service Policy (PDF).
To reach the Accessibility Compliance Secretariat, contact accessibilitycompliance@gov.mb.ca or call (204) 792-0263. |
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Save the Date: |
Celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities |
Join the Manitoba Accessibility Office for a free webinar in celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Presentation: Celebrating Success, Challenging Systematic Ableism and Inspiring the Future of Accessibility Key Note Speaker: Carly Fox, Disability Advocate When: November 30, 2023 at 1:00 - 3:00PM Where: Virtual via Zoom
This event will have accessibility measures such as American Sign Language interpretation (ASL), live closed captioning and French interpretation services.
A recording of the webinar will also be available to those unable to participate in real-time.
Visit AccessibilityMB.ca to learn more about this event.
Presented by: The Manitoba Accessibility Office |
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In the News: |
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In a colourful and tradition-filled ceremony honouring the seven Indigenous nations in Manitoba, Premier Wab Kinew was sworn in today as premier of Manitoba, alongside the 14 other members of his cabinet.
Read the full news release |
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The Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) has released its third annual report. The report includes 10 new recommendations for potential improvements to the disability tax credit (DTC) and its administration.
Read the full report |
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Accessibility Standards Canada’s office was built to be the most accessible workplace possible. We want to set the standard for fully accessible office spaces that accommodate the needs of their employees, including people with disabilities.
Read the full article |
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Funding Opportunity: |
Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund – Mid Size projects |
This funding opportunity aims to make communities and workplaces 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 Date: |
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