Dear friends,
Barrier Free Canada-Canada Sans Barriers would like to thank you once again for your continued support and words of encouragement for it is only with you and through you that we as an organization can continue to thrive and to encourage others to speak up, speak out, and engage each other in meaningful discussion and constructive criticisms, feedback, and suggestions.
A Word from the President – Penny Bennett
Dear BFC friends:
Fall is here and here also is your BFC newsletter. Currently BFC is looking to transition into new areas to broaden our horizons and meet the needs for advocacy and collaboration among groups of people who experience challenges that are solvable with the right accommodations in place. The covid period seems to have put Canadians into a phase of inaction due to the years of lying low and doing less advocating together. BFC needs to lead the way to bring back some enthusiasm for speaking out and seeing improvements to expedite the removal of barriers. If you are looking for an opportunity to work with us to remove barriers, we invite you to reach out to us. If you know of anyone who has a passion for this important work, please share who we are with them and provide our email address to that person. barrierfreecanada@gmail.com.
The laws protect our rights and assist us in continuing to improve life for all Canadians and this requires a lot of advocacy work. We can not become complacent because the decision makers need to continuously be pushed into action.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Every year, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) is celebrated on the 3rd of December as a way of promoting equality for people with disabilities in all areas of society. Please see the below link for more information:
Removeable Barriers in Other Countries
Australia
Melbourne Institute
The Breaking Down Barriers project seeks to inform and shape policy and practice to break cycles of poverty and disadvantage in Australia.
In partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation, the project addresses the need for accessing better data that will allow an increased understanding of the extent, nature, and causes of socio-economic disadvantage. It also encourages solutions that will enable program development and policy innovation that can make a real difference to individuals and to broader communities.
Does poverty in childhood beget poverty in adulthood in Australia?
This report explores the intergenerational transmission of disadvantage, providing evidence that experiencing poverty as a child can impact future outcomes.
Spatial and Community Dimensions of Income Poverty
This report captures the dynamic state of poverty in Australia, highlighting the extent to which community poverty rates have changed over time.
Measuring Individual Poverty
This report captures family income and sociodemographic measures for individuals, which sheds light on the poverty faced by Australians at a household level.
Dynamics of Income Poverty in Australia
Incomes of Australians have on average risen substantially over the last three decades and continue to trend upwards. However, some in the community continue to be left behind
From Partnered to Single
This report explores the impact that a relationship breakdown can have on disposable household income and an individual’s vulnerability to experiencing poverty.
Data Visualisations
We have developed industry leading data visualisations to interact and engage with the data behind the Breaking Down Barriers report series.
These visualisations allow us to bring the BDB reports to life, by communicating the research narrative in a unique and hands-on way.
Shared Data Environment
The Breaking Down Barriers shared data environment (BDB-SDE) will enable comprehensive research by allowing more people to access and link key datasets to better understand entrenched and persistent disadvantage in Australia.
Foundation Fellows Training Program
The Breaking Down Barriers Foundation Fellow Training Program is designed to bring university graduates with an interest in data analysis and a passion for evidence-based policy to work side-by-side with our world class researchers on policy-relevant research.
The Foundation Fellow position is a two-year program with a focus on developing key skills and experience whilst adding value to Melbourne Institute research projects. The knowledge gained over this program will also be relevant for the Foundation Fellow’s future career aspirations in academia and/or industry.
https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/
Switzerland removing barriers travel access – Barrier-free travel – for people with disabilities, senior citizens and families with small children
Are you in a wheelchair? Perhaps you need assistance, support or nursing care during your holiday? Or are you looking for information on tourism activities in Switzerland that are accessible with a baby buggy? Please see the following link containing more information!
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ca/planning/transport-accommodation/barrier-free-travel/
Canada:
CN Tower: Everyone is welcome here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tP5-S2MXbA
Upcoming Disability Related Events
The Ability Hub Casino Night Fundraiser! – Saskatchewan – December 1, 2022
In honor of the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, The Ability Hub is hosting a Casino Night Fundraiser on December 1st, 2022 to raise funds for our Skill Development Programming. The Casino Night Fundraiser will consist of casino tables and a walk around magician from Kinakin Entertainment, Mathew Murray the Comedian, a large silent auction, local food from Living Sky Cafe, drinks, music and prizes! Your ticket includes 25 play casino chips and access to a gourmet charcuterie board from Living Sky Cafe. Please see below link for more information!
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-ability-hub-casino-night-fundraiser-tickets-436126033707
Durham Accessibility Conference – Ontario – December 3, 2022
Carion Fenn Foundation presents our 1st Annual Durham Accessibility Conference, on Saturday December 3rd, 2022 at 11AM Eastern in partnership with the Abilities Centre at 55 Gordon Street, Whitby, ON L1N-0J2 Canada, focusing on persons with a disability and fair access to services in recognition of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Our Conference is FREE to the public with access to Accessibility educational information, inclusion support and bringing the community together to better understand Accessibility needs, laws and promote fair access to services to break down barriers. Together We Are Stronger®
Click the link for more information
Tech in Jobs and Jobs in Tech – British Columbia – November 24, 2022
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/tech-in-jobs-and-jobs-in-tech-tickets-423817879687?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Empowering Ourselves: Thriving in This New Reality, 2022 International Day of Persons with Disabilities virtual Event – Alliance for Equality of Persons with Disabilities – December 3, 2022
Penny Bennett, BFC president will be part of the panel discussion for this event and BFC is one of the partners. We would welcome your thoughts of what you learned from this conference
International Day of Persons with Disabilities – City of Toronto (online) – December 3, 2022
Talk it up! Guest Speaker: Manitoba Possible – Winnipeg, Manitoba
Disability Inclusion: Opportunities, not Obstacles – December 7, 2022 (online event)
Social Media Initiatives
The BFC Advocating for Change Facebook group continues to have ongoing active chatter and posts. We have a total of approximately 369 members.
If you are interested in making your voice heard, please join our Facebook group, BFC4change at the following address:
Contact Us
If you are a person who would like to stay up-to-date in the disability world, we would like to invite you to contact us in one of the following ways:
Email: barrierfreecanada@gmail.com
Webpage: www.barrierfreecanada.org
Facebook: at https://m.facebook.com/barrierfreeca
Respectfully submitted by Charlene Young, Lorne Mackenzie, and Penny Bennett