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Issue 45 | May 2024
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This newsletter is available in alternate formats on request.
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Celebrate Manitoba Access Awareness Week
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Manitoba Access Awareness Week runs May 26 to June 1, 2024. Originally recognized in the 1980s, Manitoba Access Awareness Week (MAAW) is celebrated annually each June. This weeklong awareness celebration promotes accessibility and inclusion.
It also acknowledges the people who are working to prevent, identify and remove barriers to accessibility, while also raising awareness about accessibility issues within the province that affect people with disabilities and many others.
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Join the Manitoba Accessibility Office in Celebration of Manitoba Access Awareness Week for a series of FREE WEBINARS
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This year, the Manitoba Accessibility Office is proud to present four webinars in celebration of the week. Presentations will take place throughout the week and all feature topics related to achieving accessible information and communication
within your organization.
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FREE WEBINARS:
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Webinar #1: Kick-Off to Manitoba Access Awareness Week Featuring an Overview of Requirements under the Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation
Date: May 27, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Presenters: Monika Bonsor, The Manitoba Accessibility Compliance Secretariat
Register
to Attend
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Webinar #2: Getting Started with Accessible Communications and Marketing
Date: May 28, 2024
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Presenter: Kelly Thibodeau
Register
to Attend
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Webinar #3: WCAG Requirements and Working with Web Developers to Create Accessible Websites
Date: May 29, 2024
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Presenter: Andrew Boardman
Register
to Attend
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Webinar #4: Why Accessibility Audits are Important and What’s Involved in the Process
Date: May 30, 2024
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Presenter: Lisa Snider
Register
to Attend
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These webinars 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 on
AccessibilityMB.ca to those unable to participate in real-time.
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Public Sector Organizations* Will Soon be Required to Meet Accessible Information and Communication Standards
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The Manitoba government will soon require Manitoba public sector organizations to make information and communication more accessible, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for accessibility, announced today.
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“So much of our world revolves around access to information and Manitobans should not face barriers when accessing it digitally, in print or through interactions with technology or people,” said Fontaine. “The accessible information and
communication standard removes barriers and ensures we all strive to identify, reduce and remove barriers for everyone, including the one-in-three Manitobans with a disability.”
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As of May 1, Manitoba public sector organizations will have to comply with the accessible information and communication standard regulation under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA). The standard improves accessibility by:
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building on existing requirements of the Human Rights Code;
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requiring websites and web content to follow globally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 standards to a minimum level AA;
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requiring organizations to provide information in an accessible format or through a communication support if requested;
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requiring organizations to develop a feedback process, implement policies and practices to enhance accessibility and provide training to relevant staff; and
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setting specific requirements for supporting the purchase of accessible library resources within public libraries and supporting accessible material for students at educational institutions.
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The minister noted an online training module on the requirements of the standard is available on the Manitoba Accessibility Office’s AMA learning portal. Presented in plain language, the training includes examples of how to comply, tips
for best practices and other useful resources.
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The accessible information and communication standard regulation is the third standard under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act. For more information or to take the training, visit
AccessibilityMB.ca.
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For more information on WCAG guidelines, visit
www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/glance/.
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*Which Organizations are Required to Comply with the May 1 Deadline for Accessible Information and Communication Standard?
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As of May 1, 2024, designated Manitoba public sector organizations must comply with the Accessible Information and Communication Standard under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act. These organizations include:
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Manitoba’s 10 largest municipalities; Winnipeg, Brandon, Dauphin, Flin Flon, Morden, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, Steinbach, Thompson and Winkler;
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Health authorities including Shared Health, Cancer Care, and regional health authorities;
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Educational institutions, including the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, adult learning centres, private vocational institutions, public and independent schools, and universities and colleges;
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Municipal and regional libraries; and
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Government agencies as defined in section 1 of The Financial Administration Act.
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Manitoba businesses, non-profit organizations and small municipalities will have to comply with the standard by May 1, 2025.
Visit
AccessibilityMB.ca to ensure your organization is meeting the requirements of the standard.
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Accessibility Online Training
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Did you know the Manitoba Accessibility Office offers FREE training on enacted accessibility standards?
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This free training online is available anytime from anywhere. All courses are presented in plain language and include content to explain the requirements of each of the standards. You will find examples on how to achieve compliance, tips
for best practices and other useful resources.
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Upon successful completion of a module, you will receive a certificate of completion. Certificates can be used to show completed training, provided to employers and used by employers to track employee progress.
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Training is currently available on:
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Accessible Customer Service Standard Regulation
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Accessible Employment Standard Regulation
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Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation
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Download Accessibility Training Modules
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The Online Learning Portal features downloadable standard-specific modules that can be used within your organization's internal Learning Management System. Modules are available for download to all Manitoba businesses and organizations
at no cost. Each organization must accept a Terms of Use agreement prior to gaining access to be able to download the learning modules.
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Spotlight on a Manitoba Accessibility Fund Project
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This month, the Manitoba Accessibility Fund is proud to spotlight Shift Accessibility and their accessibility project.
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Shift Accessibility
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Shift Accessibility is a general contracting construction company specializing in accessible home modifications. Home renovations can accommodate the needs of older adults who would like to age in place, as well as people living with disabilities.
Shift Accessibility offers a wide range of services to make a home more accessible. Accommodations can include accessible showers, grab bars, wheelchair ramps, stair lifts, aging in place design and more. They also work with Occupational Therapists who can
identify which changes are most beneficial for clients’ particular situation.
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With the support of the Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF), Shift Accessibility hosted a half-day workshop for Occupational Therapists to learn about accessible home modifications. The goal was to build the relationship between the healthcare
and construction industries. The workshop featured Marnie Courage from Incluzia who works closely with Shift Accessibility to give her expertise. The event included two workshops and an ask the experts question period.
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The workshop offered Occupational Therapists an opportunity to learn about the role they play in suggesting home modifications, including what they should be looking for, who they should be reaching out to and how to properly advocate
for their clients within the construction industry. It also taught them what can be done to enhance accessibility in their clients’ homes and who they can go to for advice on home modifications. Real-life examples were presented by construction specialists
in the question period.
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After attending this workshop, Occupational Therapists gained an understanding of what could be done to help improve the accessibility of their client’s homes, how to provide home assessments and how to communicate client’s needs relating
to home modifications going forward.
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~Article provided by Shift Accessibility.
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Accessibility Policies and Accessibility Plans. What is the Difference?
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An accessibility plan is a document outlining the measures an organization
has taken and will take to identify, remove, and reduce barriers to accessibility, while an accessibility policy identifies and documents statements, practices, and measures for each individual standard regulation which has
its own specific requirements for compliance.
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Accessibility Plans
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Under the
Accessibility for Manitobans Act, public sector organizations must develop an accessibility plan and update it every two years. Public sector organizations include the Manitoba government, municipalities, colleges and universities, school divisions, crown
corporations and health authorities.
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A unique feature of accessibility plans is the requirement for consultation. Public sector bodies must consult with persons disabled by barriers or representatives from organizations of persons disabled by barriers when developing or updating
their accessibility plans.
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An accessibility plan must also:
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review the progress made in advancing accessibility over the past 24 months;
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list the future priorities and action items for accessibility over the next 24 months;
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identify necessary updates to policies and procedures; and
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be made publicly available and in an accessible format upon request.
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Fun Fact: Under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, two or more small municipal councils can work together to prepare a combined accessibility plan.
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Accessibility Policies
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Public sector organizations and any Manitoba employer with 50 or more employees are required to document their accessibility policies. Each regulation identifies specific requirements for its individual policy to meet compliance.
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Some points on policies:
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the policies must be made publicly available and in an accessible format upon request;
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customer service policies must outline what the organization does to provide goods and services in an accessible way;
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employment policies must outline what the employer does to identify, remove, and prevent barriers that affect Manitobans who are working or looking for work;
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information and communication policies must outline the removal and prevention of barriers that exist digitally, in print, or through interactions with technology or people.
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Want More information?
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In the News:
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A new cross-Canada project is looking for children living with autism in the province to participate in a new study that will determine why some children do better than others and create a national best practice guide for treatment.
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A different approach in the Winnipeg School Division to the way some learners receive additional support could mean more students with disabilities in traditional classrooms next year.
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Saskatchewan recently became one of four Canadian provinces that recognize sign languages as official languages with the passing of the Accessible Saskatchewan Act or Bill 103 in December.
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Funding Opportunities:
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From the Ground Up - Safe Healthy Communities for ALL Program (formerly Building Sustainable Communities Program) is accepting applications for funding. The program supports community renewal efforts, community capital projects (including
projects to increase accessibility) and children and youth initiatives. It focuses on community led response and revitalization efforts including capacity building, wellness and safety, community economic development, social inclusion, housing coordination
and children and youth initiatives. Eligible applicants include:
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The application deadline is May 31, 2024.
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For further information, consult the
Program Guidelines or contact Community Development Branch, Municipal and Northern Relations at:
FGP@gov.mb.ca.
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Community Programs and Projects:
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Manitoba Possible. Residential Immersive Life Skills
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The Residential Immersive Life Skills program combines in-class learning with real-life experiences and residential accommodations. This holistic approach ensures comprehensive and practical learning to guide youth through the pivotal
transition to adulthood.
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Have YOUR say in a Barrier-Free Canada!
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New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) has been commissioned by Accessibility Standards Canada to aid their research in identifying, removing, and preventing accessibility barriers.
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We invite you to complete an online survey or participate in an online interview about accessibility. Your participation could improve accessibility standards for Information and communication technologies, the built environment, and transportation.
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Eligibility:
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you are at least 18 years of age
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you are someone with disabilities or care for someone with disabilities
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you are someone experienced with accessibility (e.g. teacher, trainer, academic researcher)
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you are someone who manages a disability program for an organization
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Contact:
If you want to participate in our study, please email
Andrew.urquhart@nbcc.ca with “Go Barrier Free” in the subject line.*
Please respond to this call for participation before August 31, 2024. **
*Study has been approved by NBCC’s Research Thics Board
**Some exceptions can be made after this date
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Important Dates:
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Visit
AccessibilityMB.ca to find out when your organization is required to comply with the standard.
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May Awareness Dates:
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