Ontarians with Disabilities Sub-Committee
League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada
205 Hilda Avenue #1511
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
M2M 4B1
416.229.9790
e-mail: owdlhrbbcanada@hotmail.com
Website: www.bnaibrith.ca
January 5, 2017
Attention: Donna Jodhan
Re: Our Letter of Support:
Canadians With Disabilities Act
To the Steering Committee for a Barrier Free Canada,
On behalf of our Ontarians with Disabilities Sub-Committee League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada, we wish to add our support for a strong Canadians with Disabilities Act legislation that the BFC/CSB is advocating.
Our committee, since 1998, has been consulting and working on access and barrier prevention design. We also act as advocates for persons with disabilities with all levels of governments and media. We provide resources for information on assistive and mobility devices.
Since it’s inception, as a member of the AODA Alliance committee participating in the legislative process, we realize that having a strong, enforceable and effective Canadian Disability Act is essential for all our citizens with disabilities. Our future, providing opportunities with access, dignity and progress is a humanitarian necessity. These mandates, allowing full participation, depends on having an effective CDA enacted.
In support of our common goals, my committee offers its assistance in any way that will advance the introduction and passage of a strong and effective CDA legislation in the Canadian Parliament.
Yours truly,
Edward “Eddie” Rice
Chairman: OWD-LHR-BBC
October 19, 2016
Donna Jodhan
Steering Committee Member
Barrier Free Canada
Dear Ms. Jodhan,
Re: Braille Literacy Canada (BLC) support for Barrier Free Canada.
It is my pleasure to express the support of BLC for the effort to enact strong and effective disability legislation at the federal level.
BLC serves as the governing body for Braille in Canada. We strive to promote access to braille and awareness of its value as the primary means of literacy for blind Canadians. We believe that disability rights legislation at the Federal level will be instrumental in addressing existing barriers and ensuring equal access for Canadians with disabilities in the years to come.
BLC endorses the principles set out by Barrier Free Canada, and it is our hope that the Federal government will enact comprehensive legislation that will protect the rights of all Canadians with disabilities.
Sincerely,
Jen Goulden
President
Braille Literacy Canada
C/O CNIB
1929 Bayview Avenue Toronto ON M4G 3E8 cnib.ca inca.ca
info@blc-lbc.ca
Charitable Registration no.: 889010799 RR0001
Braille Literacy Canada ● c/o 1929 Bayview Avenue ● Toronto, ON ● M4G 3E8
Ms. Donna Jodhan
Steering Committee Member
Barrier-free Canada
September 28, 2016
Dear Ms. Jodhan,
I am proud to offer my support to you and those working to achieve barrier-free communities across Canada.
As Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality (Halifax), I am passionate about improving the inclusiveness and accessibility of our city. Endorsing the principles of Barrier-Free Canada is an important step toward creating a more liveable community for all residents.
In Halifax, we are optimistic that the Province of Nova Scotia and our federal government will each demonstrate their commitment to enhancing the rights of persons with disabilities through progressive accessibility legislation in the near future. We are committed to ensuring our municipality will be an avid partner in bringing about further positive change that makes it easier for everyone to live a fulfilling life in Halifax, above and beyond the work we have already begun.
I appreciate the good work of your oranization and I wish you well as you continue your advocacy on behalf of Canadians with disabilities.
Kindest regards,
Mike Savage
Mayor
AUTISM CANADA
See the Spectrum Differently
Registered Charitable Number
13160 7657 RR0001
September 2, 2016
Attention: Donna Jodhan
Steering Committee – Barrier-Free Canada
Re: Letter of Support of Barrier-Free Canada
It is with great pleasure I write this letter to Barrier-Free Canada to express our support to enact strong and effective disability legislation at the federal level. We are confident by coming together as a united front, we will deliver feedback that will benefit all Canadians living with a disability.
Autism Canada has been the hub of knowledge and understanding about Autism Spectrum Disorder in Canada since 1976. Our mandate is to work collaboratively with our provincial and territorial organizations, associations and societies to champion ASD priorities. We curate the exchange of information between individuals with ASD, families, professionals, researchers, governments and the public. Autism Canada actively encourages the sharing of best practices and programs, and advocates passionately for Canadians living with autism.
Autism Canada looks forward to working with you and other agencies to see the introduction of legislation that will ratify a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act.
Yours truly,
Laurie Mawlam
Executive Director
Autism Canada
Past Chair and Treasurer
Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance (CASDA)
Deaf & Hear Alberta
www.deafandhearalberta.ca
63 Cornell Road NW
Calgary, AB T2L OL4
Phone/Fax: (403) 284-6200
Toll-free: (866) 471-2805
TTY: (403) 284-6201
On the behalf of the Deaf & Hear Alberta, I am pleased to write this letter endorsing the growing demand for a Canadians with Disabilities Act to become an effective Canadian Disability legislation at a federal level.
Many people, organizations and governments across Canada believe in including people with disabilities in all walks of life. They are working together to make access and inclusion a reality. They want to end all forms of barriers and help people with disabilities get the supports they need to participate fully in Canadian life just like everyone else.
We are a provincial wide- non-profit organization offering accessibility advocacy to ensure communication barriers are removed to have full inclusion with the society in general. While serving a primary audience of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Canadians, we have witnessed the development of disability legislation in different levels within provincial and federal jurisdictions in Alberta. As a member of the Access Design Committee ensuring that City of Calgary and Edmonton is providing best barrier-free solution to remove barriers to all persons with disabilities to have full inclusion within their communities.
Canada needs a very strong, enforceable and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act that includes a barrier removal process, private sector and labour market strategy as well as an amendment to the Official Languages Act to include both American Sign Language (ASL) and langue des signes quebecoise (LSQ), and communication supports such as real time captioners and sign language interpreters.
We may be aware that Canada and 151 other Member States and the European Community signed and ratified the landmark new Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations. The treaty aims to eradicate discrimination against persons with disabilities in all areas of life including employment, education, health services, transportation and access to justice.
To meet this goal, Deaf & Hear Alberta supports a plan developed by Barrier-Free Canada to make certain full communication access and inclusion happens. We ask this federal government to introduce, and pass, a strong enforceable and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act. Therefore, we support the initiatives working towards this conclusion and support the movement to ensure there is strong effective legislation to support persons with disabilities across the country.
Sincerely,
Rytch Newmiller
Accessibility Services Manager
Deaf & Hear Alberta
Charitable registration #10070-9409RRO001
Enhancing the lives of Deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing persons by removing barriers and building bridges to communication.
CELA
Center for Equitable Library Access
April 18, 2016
To the Barrier Free Canada Steering Committee,
On behalf of the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA), I am pleased to express our support of Barrier Free Canada and their efforts to promote the Canadians with Disabilities Act and the need to enact strong and effective disability legislation across Canada.
CELA is a national not-for-profit organization that works to remove barriers by providing Canadians with print disabilities access to reading materials and media in the accessible format of their choice, including audio, braille, e-text and described video. We partner with public libraries across the country to serve those with low vision, learning disabilities or physical conditions which make accessing traditional print and media challenging.
All persons with disabilities in Canada deserve the equal opportunity to fully and meaningfully participate in all aspects of life. We at CELA believe deeply in the need to provide equitable access to information and literature as a means to ensure all Canadians can fully engage in our culture and our collective public conversations. We look forward to the day when strong and effective legislation eliminates the barriers faced by Canadians with disabilities.
Sincerely
Michael Ciccone
Executive Director, Centre for Equitable Library Access
A PDF version of this letter is available here.
Québec Accessible
March 9, 2016
Montreal, Quebec
Re: Québec Accessible supports Barrier-Free Canada
Dear Barrier-Free Canada,
Our organization, Quebec Accessible, hereby formally endorses your initiative advocating for a strong federal accessibility law for people with disabilities.
Quebec Accessible is a grassroots initiative advocating for a strong provincial accessibility law to reduce the barriers facing people with disabilities in Quebec.
Over the past several years, an increasing number of people and organizations have highlighted the need for a stronger legislative framework to promote the rights of people with disabilities in Canada. Other countries have adopted strong laws to reduce the barriers facing people with disabilities. A strong Canadian accessibility law would help make our communities more accessible and inclusive. This law must have clear deadlines for barrier-removal and efficient oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance.
Québec Accessible hereby joins its voice to the movement calling for a strong federal accessibility law.
Sincerely,
Founding members of Québec Accessible:
Melanie Benard
Michel Lemay
Pierre Lemay
Laurence Parent
Marie-Eve Veilleux
Website: www.quebec-accessible.ca/
The Every Canadian Counts Coalition
229 Colonnade Road
November 19, 2015
Steering Committee
Barrier-Free Canada
RE: Every Canadian Counts Coalition| Support for Barrier Free Canada
Dear Steering Committee members,
First, The Every Canadian Counts Coalition is pleased to fully support your call on the federal government to honour its commitment to enact a National Canadians with Disabilities Act; and secondly, we support the vital on-going efforts thereafter as Barrier Free Canada advocates for effective supports for people with disabilities resulting from the legislation.
Every Canadian Counts is committed to the creation of a national disability supports program so that people with long term AND CHRONIC Disabilities are guaranteed the supports they need so they can participate and be included in Canadian society to the best and fullest of their abilities.
We appreciate the leadership your committee is taking on these important and urgent issues.
Sincerely,
Bill Cowie
Chief, Every Canadian Counts Coalition
Access for Sight-Impaired Consumers
October 25, 2015
Ms. Donna Jodhan
Barrier-Free Canada
Dear Ms. Jodhan,
I write on behalf of the Access for Sight-Impaired Consumers Board which has unanimously endorsed the principles of Barrier-Free Canada. While our primary mission is to promote independent access for people who are blind, deafblind or partially sighted, we add our voice to all those urging the Federal Government to enact strong and effective legislation that will eliminate the barriers faced by Canadians with disabilities whether those be physical, sensory, communication disorders, learning disabilities, intellectual or mental disabilities or mental health condition.
We applaud the leadership of Barrier-Free Canada in defining and advancing the principles upon which a Canadians with Disabilities Act can be based. We offer both our commitment and available resources in assisting your organization in achieving its goal.
Sincerely,
R. E. (Rob) Sleath
Chair, ASIC
Easter Seals Canada
40 Holly St, Suite 401
Toronto, ON M4S 3C3
October 1, 2015
Donna Jodhan
Steering Committee Member
Barrier Free Canada
Re: Easter Seals Canada’s Letter in Support of Barrier-Free Canada
With enthusiasm, Easter Seals Canada expresses complete support of Barrier-Free Canada’s federal and legislative initiatives of creating a more inclusive Canada.
We at Easter Seals Canada echo the goals and principals of Barrier-Free Canada. Our mission is dedicated to fully enhancing the quality of life, self-esteem and self-determination of Canadians living with disabilities. This includes providing programs such as fully accessible summer camps for kids with disabilities and support in removing financial barriers to adaptive equipment, travel, and entertainment. We believe that full participation in the democratic process is essential to advance the interests of people with disabilities, which is why in 2015, Easter Seals Canada partnered with Elections Canada to promote their accessible voting tools and services. Our programs, services, and partnerships resonate the principals of Barrier-Free Canada.
Easter Seals Canada fully endorses Barrier-Free Canada’s continuing efforts to enact a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act with the goal of realizing a barrier-free Canada for all Canadians with disabilities.
Sincerely,
-Signed-
Dave Starrett
President & CEO
Easter Seals Canada
A PDF version of this letter is available here.
Spinal Cord Injury Alberta
Lesions Medullaires Alberta
Formerly Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta)
305 – 11010 101 Street, Edmonton, AB T5H 4B9
T: 780-424-6312
F: 780-424-6313
TF: 1-888-654-5444
E: edmonton@sci-ab.ca
W: http://www.sci-ab.ca
22 September 2015
Steering Committee
Barrier-Free Canada
RE: Spinal Cord Injury Alberta
Support for Barrier Free Canada
Dear Steering Committee members,
On behalf of Spinal Cord Injury Alberta, it is my pleasure to express our support to enact strong and effective disability legislation at the federal level.
Spinal Cord Injury Alberta works with people who have spinal cord injury or other physical disabilities across Canada to ensure that we live in an accessible and inclusive society. Disability legislation at the federal level will contribute to breaking down existing barriers and preventing new ones from being created.
Spinal Cord Injury Alberta fully supports our federal Parliamentarians in introducing a Canadians with Disabilities Act.
Sincerely,
Teren Clarke
CEO
Spinal Cord Injury Alberta
A PDF version of the letter is available here.
Citizens With Disabilities – Ontario
www.cwdo.org
“Together We Are Stronger”
c/o Green and Associates Law Offices 712-170 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa ON K1P 5V5 807-473-0909 (voice) or cwdo@tbaytel.net
September 15, 2015
CWDO Supports Barrier-Free Canada and its Campaign for a Federal Canadians with Disabilities Act.
Citizens With Disabilities – Ontario (CWDO) is committed to the rights of all persons to participate fully in the civil, cultural, economic, political and social life of their communities. CWDO actively promotes the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of persons with disabilities through community development, social action, and member support and referral. Our primary activity is public education and awareness about the social and physical barriers that prevent the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in Ontario. Our members have various disabilities – mobility, vision, hearing, mental health, learning and developmental disabilities. People with disabilities represent about 15% of Ontario’s population and are protected from discrimination under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Our members have seen the direct benefits of having a law in place that directly supports their rights at the provincial level; however, they have also encountered the barriers created by the lack of a federal law that directly addresses their needs and sets concrete requirements. The creation of a Canadians with Disabilities Act would put increased emphasis for inclusive design and accessibility of public services by people with disabilities as a national priority. It would require organizations such as crown corporations and federally regulated organizations to implement accessibility standards and leverage the buying power of these organizations to ensure universal design principles are emphasized in the procurement of new Information & Communication Technology Systems, Services, Information and environments.
The Canadian federal government should be leading the way in removing barriers for its citizens with disabilities and not lagging behind provincial governments such as Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and British Columbia who all either have or are in the process of moving toward provincial accessibility legislation.
Citizens With Disabilities Ontario (CWDO) is a proud supporter of Barrier-Free Canada and its campaign for a federal Canadians with Disabilities Act.
Sincerely,
Pat Seed
Chairperson
An accessible PDF version of the letter is available here.
September 13, 2015
Re: StopGap Foundation – Support for Barrier Free Canada
Dear Steering Committee members,
As president of the StopGap Foundation I am proud to submit this letter of support for a Canadians with Disabilities Act. We believe that the proposed principles are perfectly aligned with; a) our vision of creating a world where every person can access every space and b) our mission to help communities discover the benefit of barrier free spaces by providing support to create them.
Our Community Ramp Project has proven that the removal of physical barriers helps to give everyone the opportunity to become fully engaged in their communities regardless of ability. Our brightly coloured ramps have increased awareness about the value of a business that everyone can access. From entryways to websites, providing barrier free access opens the door to a larger customer base and upholds the human right to equal access.
Following Ontario’s lead in establishing a disabilities act it’s time for the country as a whole to follow suit. We’ve blazed the trail here in Ontario, precedence has been set, and in our opinion there’s no reason for further delay.
Sincerely,
Luke Anderson
Friday, September 11, 2015 5:08 PM
Dear Donna,
On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff and volunteers associated with our organization, I wish to express our support for the principles behind the concept for a CDA and the movement to see in enacted federally.
Sincerely,
Teren Clarke, BN, MM (Mgmt)
Chief Executive Officer
Spinal Cord Injury Alberta
305, 11010 – 101 Street
Edmonton, AB T5H 4B9
Main: (780) 424-6312
Fax: (780) 424-6313
To empower persons with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities to achieve independence and full community participation.
July 30, 2015
Coalition for Barrier free Canada
Unifor is proud to lend its support to Barrier-Free Canada and its campaign for a federal Canadians with Disabilities Act.
When people face barriers to entering our public buildings, businesses, the services they need or even their places of work, they are prevented from being full participants in our society. They can be denied the goods and services they need to lead a fulfilling life, while finding employment is made all the more difficult.
By no measure can this be acceptable. Ontario and Manitoba already have access laws, which have helped citizens in their provinces. Nova Scotia and British Columbia are considering similar moves. A federal Canadians with Disabilities Act, however, would be a big step forward on this issue.
First, and most fundamentally, a federal act would ensure access for those with disabilities to all federal government and Crown corporations, as well as to the buildings of federally regulated companies such as Via Rail, Air Canada, Bell Canada (all represented by Unifor) and the banking sector. The importance of increasing access to such buildings in helping those with disabilities live their lives more fully cannot be underestimated. As well, a federal act would push more provinces to pass their own access laws.
This movement has made great strides over the last 20 years. Unifor has likewise worked to improve the lives of our members with disabilities, ensuring they have access to any needed workplace accommodations so they can continue to earn a living and live their lives in dignity.
A federal Canadians with Disabilities Act would extend such rights to all Canadians. Thank you for your good work.
In Solidarity,
Jerry Dias,
Unifor National President
July 21, 2015
Dear Steering Committee, Barrier-Free Canada
RE: DeafBlind Ontario Services’ Letter of Support: Canadians with Disabilities Act
On behalf of DeafBlind Ontario Services, I am pleased to express our full support of the Canadians with Disabilities Act to enact strong and effective disability legislation across Canada.
DeafBlind Ontario Services supports individuals who are deafblind to live and thrive within the community. Deafblindness is a complex disability that combines varying degrees of both hearing and visual loss, making it unique to each individual and requiring specialized support.
DeafBlind Ontario Services endorses the principles put forward by Barrier Free Canada. Strong legislation from the federal government is essential to protect the rights of Canadians with disabilities, especially those with less visible disabilities like sensory loss.
To that end, DeafBlind Ontario Services developed Accessibility Guidelines for Sensory Loss in 2015. The guide provides information and guidance to architects, designers and service providers in understanding deafblindness, and how to create spaces that are user friendly and inclusive for individuals with varying sensory losses. The second edition of this guide is gaining momentum and is available for free on our website at www.deafblindontario.com.
We join Barrier-Free Canada and encourage the federal government to enact a strong, enforceable and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act.
Sincerely,
Roxanna Spruyt Rocks
Chief Executive Officer
July 14, 2015
Ms. Donna Jodhan
Steering Committee – Barrier-Free Canada
LETTER IN SUPPORT OF BARRIER-FREE CANADA:
Dear Donna,
On behalf of all of us at Community Living Toronto, we wish to offer our support for the principles of a Canadians with Disabilities Act, promoted by Barrier-Free Canada.
A national Canadians with Disabilities Act is consistent with our mission of people with intellectual disabilities having every opportunity to not only be included in their community, but to belong. A national Act would create accessibility for everyone.
We look forward to the introduction of legislation in the Parliament of Canada to enact a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act to achieve a barrier-free Canada for all persons with disabilities.
We would be very pleased to work with you and our national partners toward this realization. Please contact Karen Bell, Manager Policy & Stakeholder Relations at 647.729.1179 or kbell @ cltoronto.ca who would be happy to discuss how we could help support a national accessibility act.
Sincerely,
Garry W. Pruden
Chief Executive Officer
David R. Layton
President
June 26, 2015
Communication Disabilities Access Canada
Dear Donna Jodhan,
Re: Barrier Free Canada
On behalf of all of Communication Disabilities Access Canada (CDAC), I offer our support for the principles of a Canadians with Disabilities Act promoted by Barrier-Free Canada.
CDAC is a national, not-for-profit organization that promotes accessibility for people with speech and language disabilities, not caused by hearing loss. There are half a million Canadians who have speech and language disabilities that significantly impact on their ability to access goods, services and opportunities. There is ample research that attests to the significant communication barriers experienced by this population. Many of these barriers can be addressed through stronger, more inclusive legislation, clearer guidelines and educational resources that support businesses and organizations to communicate effectively with people who have speech and language disabilities.
The accessibility requirements of people with speech and language disabilities, not caused by hearing loss are currently omitted or inadequately represented in existing provincial accessibility legislation. We support the need for a national Canadian with Disabilities Act that mandates the inclusion of all people with disabilities, including people with speech and language disabilities to equal access to goods, services and opportunities. Such an Act must address not only the removal of barriers, but the provision of appropriate supports that people with speech and language disabilities need in order to effectively communicate in critical situations such as healthcare, emergencies, education, legal and justice services.
We support Barrier-Free Canada in making Canada accessible for all people with disabilities.
Sincerely,
Barbara Collier Reg. CASLPO. F. ISAAC
Executive Director
http://www.cdacanada.com
June 22, 2015
Steering Committee Members
Barrier-Free Canada
Dear Committee Members,
I am writing to express my full support of Barrier-Free Canada’s initiative to create and implement federal legislation to ensure accessibility, inclusion and equal opportunity for Canadians with disabilities.
Today, there are more than four million Canadians who live with some form of disability. By 2030, this number will grow to 1 in 5 Canadians. This is a substantial number of people who face daily physical, social, economic and attitudinal barriers that limit their potential and full participation in life. While we have made much progress, Canadians with disabilities continue to experience physical barriers that make it impossible to carry out common activities that others take for granted, attitudinal barriers that limit access to employment and equal participation in society, and economic and social barriers that prevent them from being more actively involved in their communities. These barriers also create an unsustainable economic burden. By removing these barriers, Canada will benefit from the participation of citizens who have much to contribute.
Accessibility and inclusion are human rights deserved by all Canadians.
Since its inception almost 30 years ago, the Rick Hansen Foundation has been committed to raising awareness of the amazing potential of people with disabilities. The Foundation is focused on eliminating barriers for people with disabilities by changing attitudes, creating accessible spaces and inspiring an inclusive society.
I strongly support the creation of federal legislation to make accessibility and inclusion a reality throughout Canada, for the benefit of Canadians with disabilities, their families and a stronger nation. A Canadians with Disabilities Act would be a fantastic 150th birthday present to help build our country, whose constitution clearly envisions Canadians with disabilities as equal and contributing citizens.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen, C.C., O.B.C.
Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hansen Foundation
June 22
Hi, my name is Lucio D’Intino and I am writing to you today concerning the rights of and for disabled persons in Canada from coast to coast.
I am the president of the Quebec Federation of the blind in Montreal QC and have been the president and on the board of directors for over 12 years. At the Federation, our membership consists of blind persons and or visual impaired persons. We organize activities for our members on a monthly basis.
Being on the board of the Federation I have attested and have learned firsthand about the situation of disabled persons whether it would be financially, mentally or intellectually. Our members are mostly persons whom have never been given a chance to better themselves simply because of the discrimination that is out there. They are on very low incomes because the province or the country for some reason or another cannot help them more by giving them an allowance that would be at least equal to the poverty line. They struggle constantly day by day and month by month trying to make ends meet and a lot of the times, much to my dismay or dislike, the choice sometimes has to be between food or medication and most of course would choose the food just to be able to survive.
The employment choice is very limited to say the least because the moment they hear that you have a disability, the door gets closed immediately. I do have to say that with proper training, I can guarantee you that some blind or visually impaired persons can probably do a better and more efficient job than a sighted person. The only thing that we are missing is the opportunity to be able to show the world that we can but that chance never comes.
We ask that the government takes a moment to look over these laws and rules and benefits to all disabled persons and yes of our war veterans and military persons including our seniors. The benefits that they receive is lower than the low income allowable and they have to try to survive on it. When will the government realize that by helping these people and may I say citizens of Canada whom have done so much for this country and for us by giving them their equal share of the pie so that things may actually improve for them and for the government as well especially in health services.
My members at the Federation have to budget each and every penny in order to have to have the opportunity to attend our activities and that is the only way. We try to give them a quality of life which otherwise would not be possible and to give them the right to be able to live with a bit of enjoyment in their lives.
Again, we urge the government to start to take these points in consideration and to make some changes to the laws and rules. Since we are speaking of the visually impaired and or blind persons and of the government. This being an election year, we ask that you rectify the problems that blind or visually impaired persons have had in the past by modifying the voting card as well. We ask that you please consult an organization or disabled person or persons who can tell you first hand some of the problems that we have had in the past with elections.
We are of course citizens of this great country and we believe that we should have the same right as any other Canadian person.
Yours sincerely,
Lucio D’Intino
June 16, 2015 4:42 PM
Hi Donna,
Great to hear from you and I am pleased to send this email as confirmation that SPH Planning & Consulting Limited supports all initiatives of Barrier-Free Canada.
I personally support this initiative, including as President of SPH Planning & Consulting Limited if you would like to include corporate support.
Sincerely,
Shane Holten
Monday, June 15, 2015
Donna Jodhan
Steering Committee for Barrier-Free Canada
Re: AEBC’s endorsement for Barrier-Free Canada.
Dear Ms. Jodhan:
The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) is a national charitable organization dedicated to promoting the increased inclusion of blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted Canadians in all aspects of social life, from employment to participation in elections. Our members are comprised of blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted consumers and supporters from across Canada, who participate in working groups and committees, engage in local and city-based chapters and engage in public awareness and education activities on a daily basis.
On behalf of the members and the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, I am pleased to advise Barrier-Free Canada that a proposal endorsing the Barrier Free initiative to have all Canadians and national political parties enter into a discussion around the ultimate adoption of the Canadians’ Disabilities Act in the next session of Parliament was adopted at the AEBC National Conference and Annual General Meeting, held in Halifax, Nova Scotia between May 1st – May 3rd, 2015.
Yours sincerely,
Dar Wournell
National President
Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians
June 12, 2015
Attention: Donna Jodhan
Steering Committee – Barrier Free Canada
Re: Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) support for Barrier Free Canada
Dear Ms. Jodhan,
As National President of CCB it is my pleasure to offer support for the principles for a Canadians with Disabilities Act promoted by Barrier Free Canada. This support has recently been approved by our Board of Directors and our Advocacy Committee is busy spreading the word.
CCB is mandated to improve the quality of lives of persons living with vision loss. We also believe that by improving barriers for vision impairments can help others living with disabilities, seniors, etc. now and into the future to have a barrier free Canada.
We look forward to working with you to see the introduction of legislation in Parliament to enact a Canadians with Disabilities Act. What better time than now with a fall election quickly approaching!
Yours truly,
Louise Gillis
National President, Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB)
June 10, 2015
Guide Dog Users of Canada, (GDUC) supports the plans, goals and enitiatives of Barrier Free Canada. We add our support to the goal of a barrier free Canada through a Canada disability act.
Our membership currently is made up of 89 individuals who have a guide dog, have had a guide dog or are waiting to be trained at a guide dog school. We are a not-for-profit national organization.
On June 10th, 2015, the board voted to send our support to be a member Of Barrier Free Canada.
Penny Leclair
President
Guide Dog Users of Canada
Monday, June 01, 2015 12:29 PM
The Coalition of Persons with Disabilities – NL supports the creation of national legislation to remove barriers for persons with disabilities. There are currently many barriers affecting persons with disabilities’ choices, opportunities and quality of life. Legislation can be a critical tool in supporting inclusion by helping remove these many physical, communication, technological and systemic barriers throughout Canada.
Kim White, Manager of Strategic Initiatives
on behalf of Kelly White, Executive Director, Coalition of Persons with Disabilities – NL, 709-722-011
Thu, Apr 2, 2015 at 3:54 PM
Dear Ms. Jodham,
It is my pleasure to advise you that The Low Vision Self-Help Association was pleased to learn of your Barrier Free Committee and voted unanimously to endorse the concepts and principles.
The Low Vision Self-Help Association has been continuously active since 1988 and is located in West Island, Montreal Quebec.
Best regards,
Irene Lambert
(past president, program director)
One Reply to “From other supporting organizations”
Comments are closed.