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Issue 41 | January 2024 |
This newsletter is available in alternate formats on request. |
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Celebrating the Successes of 2023 and Looking Towards the Future of Accessibility in Manitoba |
The New Year is a time of hope and excitement. It’s also a time to take pause and reflect on the successes of 2023. The past year was eventful for the Manitoba Accessibility Office, full of great accomplishments, successes and learnings. |
Highlights from 2023: |
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As we reflect on the successes of 2023, we are also looking forward to the start of a new year and the many projects already in the works for 2024! |
Mark Your Calendars: |
January 1, 2024: Enactment of the Accessible Transportation Standard Regulation January 8, 2024: Manitoba Accessibility Fund grant program next intake period opens May 1, 2024: Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation compliance deadline comes into force for public sector organizations, government agencies and large municipalities May 26 to June 1, 2024: National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) and Manitoba Access Awareness Week (MAAW) October 2024: Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) November 2024: Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) December 3, 2024: International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)
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Stay tuned for other important announcements throughout the year.
On behalf of the Manitoba Accessibility Office, may this New Year bring happiness, joy and success. Happy New Year! |
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The Manitoba Government Releases Five-Year Review of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act |
The second independent review of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act was tabled by Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for accessibility on December 5, 2023. Independent reviews, such as this, help to identify ways to make real, impactful change to eliminate barriers and make life more accessible for all Manitobans. |
The Accessibility for Manitobans Act became law over 10 years ago to provide a clear and proactive process to identify, prevent and remove barriers for people living with disabilities. Under the act, the minister must appoint a person to review the effectiveness of the legislation every five years. |
In February 2023, the Manitoba government appointed Sarah Lugtig Riezebos to conduct the second review. The consultation process included public forums, focus groups, document reviews and an online public survey. Federal and provincial governments, businesses, community organizations and individuals with lived experiences were consulted. |
The final report outlines 27 recommendations and 27 sub-recommendations focused on improving the implementation of the act. The report recommends improvements to areas such as Manitoba government leadership and its accountability framework, as well as a collaboration process to help the act reach its full potential in making life better for Manitobans. |
The Manitoba government is carefully reviewing the report and recommendations to determine priorities and develop a path forward in the continued goal of making a barrier-free province for all.
To read the full report, visit AccessibilityMB.ca |
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New Accessibility Standard Enacted: Accessible Transportation Standard |
A regulation under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act that addresses barriers to public transportation is now law in Manitoba. |
The Accessible Transportation Standard Regulation addresses barriers to accessible public transportation and sets out a clear path for improvement. Under the standard, conventional transportation providers, paratransit providers, schools and vehicles-for-hire are required to meet specified obligations as follows: |
conventional transit and paratransit operators must implement accessibility measures, policies and practices and make these documents available to the public; transit operators must be trained on the safe use of accessibility equipment, emergency preparedness and response procedures; buses must meet minimum accessibility design requirements, including maintaining and clearing snow from bus stops during the winter months; Manitoba school boards and independent schools must provide accessible school transportation services for all students and if not available provide access to an alternative method of transportation; and municipalities with vehicles-for-hire bylaws must meet minimum accessibility requirements and report on these activities.
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Obligated organizations will have until January 1, 2027, to comply with the accessibility requirements set out in the standard. Transit operators will have an additional 15 years to upgrade existing buses to meet the outlined accessible design requirements. Any new buses purchased on or after January 1, 2027, will have to meet accessible design requirements. |
The Accessible Transportation Standard is the fourth standard under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act.
To view the standard or for more information about the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, visit AccessibilityMB.ca. |
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Manitoba Accessibility Fund 2024/2025 Program |
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The Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF) grant program will be launching its next intake Monday, January 8, 2024, to 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. |
Join the Manitoba Accessibility Office for the Manitoba Accessibility Fund Informational Webinar |
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Please contact MAF@gov.mb.ca, if you have additional questions. |
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Spotlight on Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF) Projects |
The Manitoba Accessibility Fund is proud to spotlight the Manitoba Choral Association’s MAF project this month. |
Manitoba Choral Association |
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Manitoba Choral Association (MCA) supports, strengthens, and promotes the interests of the choral community across Manitoba and has been living out our vision of “A voice for every choir - A choir for every voice” for more than 47 years. Our organization currently serves a membership of over 5,000 choir directors, singers, music students, choral enthusiasts, and organizations across the province from our office in Winnipeg. We provide programs, professional development opportunities, services, and resources to the choral community in Manitoba, also known as “The Singing Province.” |
In May 2023, MCA held a workshop focusing on the topic of Accessibility for Choirs as part of our first-ever BEYOND Choral Symposium, thanks to funding from the Manitoba Accessibility Fund. The symposium was a professional development opportunity for choral leaders, directors, teachers, students, and singers to come together to explore new ways of thinking about choir. The Accessibility for Choirs session was facilitated by Jenel Shaw, Executive Director of the Arts AccessAbility Network of Manitoba. Her presentation revolved around anti-ableism and the choral arts: focusing on how to remove barriers in choir rehearsals and performances, accessibility for the Deaf, blind, and disabled communities, and imagined what an accessible choral event could look like. Participants asked questions and discussed these topics. We provided ASL interpretation for the session and recorded it to make available to the wider community. |
Through participant feedback, we know that this session made a big impact. Participants gained a better awareness of the barriers that the Deaf, blind and disabled communities may face when accessing choral activities, specifically in the context of participating in choir and choral events as singers and audience members. It was a great starting point for many of them as this topic has never really been officially covered in our sector. For instance, there is a misconception that people who are Deaf cannot attend or enjoy choral concerts. Jenel shared an example of a choir with members who are Deaf that is thriving in Newfoundland. |
We feel this project was very helpful for MCA and the choral community. Together we have gained a better understanding of barriers to accessibility for the Deaf, blind, and disabled communities, how to prevent and remove these barriers and how to better comply with The Accessibility for Manitobans Act and its standards as well. This knowledge will guide MCA’s activities going forward and will serve as a strong foundation to continue to educate our members about this topic.
~Submitted by Jenny Steinke-Magnus, Executive Director, Manitoba Choral Association. |
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What We Do and What’s New at the Manitoba Accessibility Compliance Secretariat |
At the Manitoba Accessibility Compliance Secretariat (ACS) we monitor and enforce The Accessibility for Manitobans Act by ensuring that the accessibility standards are followed under provincial law. |
What We Do: Responsibilities of the ACS |
No two days at the ACS are the same. One day we might be tasked with facilitating an educational workshop for businesses on accessible customer service standards. On other days we might reach out to large employers to provide resources on how to comply with the requirements of an accessible employment policy. Our average duties also include reviewing and providing feedback on: |
accessibility plans for municipalities and school divisions accessibility policies in the public, non-profit, and private sectors accessibility complaints from individuals in our community
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Let’s put these tasks in perspective. Our province is home to 10 cities, 127 towns, villages, and rural municipalities, 37 school divisions, thousands of businesses, and a range of post-secondary institutions, crown corporations, health authorities, non-profit organizations, and most importantly, you, our fellow Manitobans. For the ACS, there is always material to review and respond to. |
What’s New: The ACS in 2024 |
In our new strategy outlined in the Ministers Annual Plan for 2023/24 and 2024/25, the ACS plans to develop relationships with associations and unions. We believe that collaborative partnerships with these organizations will help raise awareness of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act, the accessibility standards and further promote compliance. |
In September of 2023, our office increased in size. In addition to our assistant director, the ACS now employs two permanent full time accessibility compliance officers. For 2024, our small team will continue to emphasize education as a means of enforcement, while raising awareness of accessibility regulations in Manitoba. With increased staffing the ACS is now better equipped to monitor compliance with accessibility standards throughout the province, making Manitoba more accessible for everyone. |
Look for the new Compliance Corner in future editions of Accessibility News!
To reach the Accessibility Compliance Secretariat, contact accessibilitycompliance@gov.mb.ca or call (204) 792-0263. |
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In the News: |
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Many people using Transit Plus say they’re left stranded in the city, due to drivers not following protocols around their disability. Users and advocates are calling for change to help close the gaps in its service.
Read the full article |
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On December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Statistics Canada released new findings from the 2022 Canada Survey on Disability (CSD). The new data shows that 27% of Canadians aged 15 years and older have one or more disabilities that limited them in their daily activities.
Read the full report |
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To cover all the bases before year’s end, the AODA Alliance takes a moment to review the progress with the Accessible Canada Act and the Canada Disability Benefit Act.
Read the full article |
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