This newsletter is available in alternate formats on request.
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The Manitoba Accessibility Office had a busy 2024 full of achievements and successes. As we move into the New Year, let’s pause and celebrate some of these accomplishments.
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Work to improve accessibility across the province is not complete and the office remains committed to making Manitoba more accessible for all. The office will harness the momentum of these successes and carry that energy forward as we move into a new year. Stay tuned for all the exciting activities, projects and initiatives 2025 has in store.
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Apply for a Manitoba Accessibility Fund Grant
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The Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF) grant program opens January 6, 2025. Grant applications may request up to a maximum of $50,000 from MAF to complete proposed projects. All eligible organizations are invited to submit a project application.
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To qualify, organizations must have been in operation for one year before application and may include:
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- registered charities
- non-profit organizations incorporated and registered with the Companies Office
- non-profit organizations that have a bank account and can verify activity for at least one year
- local businesses or corporations based in Manitoba providing services to Manitobans that are registered with the Companies Office
- on-reserve businesses and organizations that meet all other eligibility requirements
- municipalities and local authorities such as planning districts and Northern Affairs Community Councils
- universities, colleges and school divisions
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Organizations are limited to submitting one application per intake but may be listed as partners on the applications of other project submissions.
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All MAF applications must fulfill at least one of the following objectives in support of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act:
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- raise awareness about removing barriers encountered by persons with disabilities, such as the development of accessibility guides that are tailored to the specific circumstances of members
- develop tools, resources and training to support compliance with regulated accessibility standards under the AMA
- remove barriers to information and communication electronically, in print and in person. This can include the establishment of a centralized pool of funds to facilitate ASL interpretation or to make websites accessible.
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The application deadline is February 14, 2025.
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Information about the MAF grant program for 2025/26 and how to apply is available online at AccessibilityMB.ca. Please contact MAF@gov.mb.ca if you have additional questions.
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Webinar: Making Your Organization More Accessible with the Assistance of the Manitoba Accessibility Fund Grant Program
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- Date: January 8
- Time: 1:00 - 2:30 PM
- Where: Virtual via Zoom
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This session will also be recorded and posted online if you’re unable to participate. American Sign Language and closed captioning will be available.
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Webinaire : Rendre votre organisation plus accessible avec l’aide du Programme de subvention du Fonds pour l’accessibilité du Manitoba
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- Date : 9 janvier
- Heure : De 13 h à 14 h
- Endroit : séance virtuelle sur Zoom
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Webinar recordings will be made available to those unable to participate in real-time on AccessibilityMB.ca.
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The New Manitoba Government Accessibility Plan for 2025/26
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The MGAP includes 43 actions that will support persons with disabilities in accessing and receiving services, information, and assistance that are responsive and respectful of their needs. The actions were informed by valuable feedback from Manitoba public servants, including persons with disabilities and disability-serving organizations.
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In the new plan, you can also learn about the status of actions and achievements from implementing the MGAP for 2023/24.
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Support Persons - What to Know
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This means if an organization provides its goods and services at a particular location, its practices must recognize that the person disabled by a barrier and their support person should be permitted to enter the location together. It also means that the person disabled by a barrier must have access to their support person at all times while onsite.
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What is a Support Person?
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A support person is an individual who accompanies a person who is disabled by a barrier to:
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(a) support the person in obtaining, using or benefiting from a good or service provided by an organization
(b) assist the person in addressing their communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs
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What should your Business or Organization know about Support Persons?
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Organizations should know that if a support person is required to pay an amount to be provided entry, such as at a movie theater or museum, the organization must ensure that advanced notice is given of the amount the support person must pay, if any.
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Remember: Welcome support persons but speak directly to the individual receiving services. If a person’s confidential information will be discussed, get prior consent from the individual to have the support person present.
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2024 Order of Canada Recipients
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The 2024 recipients of the Order of Canada were announced on December 18, 2024.
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Disability champion Orland Backstrom was among the list of honoured recipients. As president and CEO of SCE LifeWorks, he brought Project SEARCH to Canada, which allows high school students with disabilities to access real work placements. He has played a pivotal role in fostering a more inclusive society.
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Congratulations to Orland and all the other 2024 recipients of the Order of Canada.
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Assiniboine Park Conservancy has become the first Canadian zoo and park to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, marking a step towards enhancing inclusivity and accessibility for visitors with hidden disabilities.
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Kirby Cote was just 16 when she made history at the 2000 Summer Paralympic Games in Sydney, setting two world records and winning two gold medals. As one of Canada’s most decorated Paralympians, she’s now making waves off the podium. Recently inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Kirby joins CBC to share how she and her team at Accessible Sport Connection are transforming Manitoba’s sports landscape by breaking down barriers for persons with disabilities.
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Some Apple AirPods wireless headphones can be used as hearing aids with a new software update. It’s a high-profile move that experts applaud, even if they only reach a small portion of the millions of Americans with hearing loss.
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Remembering Laurie Beachell
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The Manitoba Accessibility Office was saddened to learn of the death of Laurie Beachell on December 7, 2024. Laurie was a dedicated champion of disability rights serving as the National Coordinator with the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) from 1984-2015. When Laurie joined the CCD, the focus of the organization was on the implementation of the 130 recommendations of the Obstacles Report of the Special Parliamentary Committee on the Disabled and the Handicapped, the first such report to be issued by Canada’s Parliament.
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In 1985 Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the section that focused on the guarantee of equality, was proclaimed. The CCD, under the leadership of Laurie, participated in several court challenges aimed at holding the Canadian government accountable for its promise of equality for persons with Disabilities. Laurie was also passionate about poverty elimination and disability rights, which included working with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to ensure it was accessible to persons with disabilities.
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Our office is grateful to Laurie for his work in 2020 to develop a position paper on the establishment of the Manitoba Accessibility Fund. This paper was utilized to seek community input on the nature of the fund and was presented to the government. Laurie will be missed for his dedication to disability and human rights as well as his tireless work on behalf of the disability community.
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Introducing the Voices of Inclusion: Oral Histories of Indigenous Disability project
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In November 2024, Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC) / B.C. Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) proudly announced the launch of the Voices of Inclusion: Oral Histories of Indigenous Disability project in recognition of the 10th anniversary of Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM).
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Through this important multi-year oral history initiative, they aim to capture, preserve, and highlight traditional understandings of disability from an Indigenous perspective to foster greater awareness of the roles these understandings can play in advancing positive change in the lives of Indigenous Peoples with disabilities.
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The research team will be working nationally to identify, connect and learn from Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers and community members interested in sharing their insights into historical and traditional perspectives of disability through recorded video interviews.
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If you are interested in potentially working with IDC/BCANDS on this initiative, please visit bcands.bc.ca.
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For more information about the project, contact Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC) / B.C. Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) at telephone 613-915-1902 or by email idccapacity@bcands.bc.ca.
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Canadian Centre for Housing Rights Conducting Research to Improve Housing for People with Disabilities
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- Are you a disabled adult who is having problems finding accessible and affordable housing?
- Have you had problems finding housing in the past?
- Have you ever been evicted?
- Are you homeless?
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The purpose of this research is to improve housing for people with disabilities. The Canadian Centre for Housing Rights wants to interview disabled people 18 and over living in British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Ontario. Confidential interviews will take about 60-90 minutes and may be done in two sessions, in person, by Zoom or by phone.
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Participants will be given $50 in recognition of their time and the value of their experience. Accommodations will be provided upon request.
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This research has been approved by University of Winnipeg’s Research Ethics Board (protocol number: HE 25740).
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