News | Leave a Comment on The Accessible Canada Act Promises a Barrier-Free Canada for People with Disabilities. Will it Deliver?

The Accessible Canada Act Promises a Barrier-Free Canada for People with Disabilities. Will it Deliver?

December 3rd marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day when we commit to creating a more inclusive and accessible society for people of all abilities. This year, it coincides with the conclusion of the House of Commons hearings on Bill C-81—the Accessible Canada Act. Introduced last June, this piece of legislation has been decades in the makingContinue reading The Accessible Canada Act Promises a Barrier-Free Canada for People with Disabilities. Will it Deliver?

Article Submissions | Leave a Comment on The Accessible Canada Act Represents a Shift in Mindset – From Reactive, to Proactive

The Accessible Canada Act Represents a Shift in Mindset – From Reactive, to Proactive

By Ian Fine, Executive Director of the Canadian Human Rights Commission The past few years have seen many changes at the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC). Under the leadership of our Chief Commissioner, Marie-Claude Landry, we have focused on putting people first by bringing changes to how we work and how we serve Canadians, withContinue reading The Accessible Canada Act Represents a Shift in Mindset – From Reactive, to Proactive

News | Leave a Comment on Disabled Passengers Say New Rules Present Some Greater Barriers to Air Travel

Disabled Passengers Say New Rules Present Some Greater Barriers to Air Travel

Tracy Odell recalls with a mix of pride and pain the sunny spring day two years ago that her daughter got married in California. Pride in the milestone. Pain at having to miss it. Airlines, she said, effectively failed to accommodate her disability, a problem that thousands of Canadians continue to face despite new rulesContinue reading Disabled Passengers Say New Rules Present Some Greater Barriers to Air Travel

Article Submissions | Leave a Comment on Sharing My Hopes for the Accessible Canada Act Contributed by Penny Leclair

Sharing My Hopes for the Accessible Canada Act Contributed by Penny Leclair

Since this new act relates to federal jurisdiction, my hopes for the difference it should bring to my life, as a senior who is deafblind. I often must travel with a guide or with my guide dog. For purchasing a ticket I must do this via phone, and under-go lengthy processing time. This is notContinue reading Sharing My Hopes for the Accessible Canada Act Contributed by Penny Leclair

Article Submissions | Leave a Comment on Promoting Lifelong Learning Skills for a Barrier-free Canada

Promoting Lifelong Learning Skills for a Barrier-free Canada

I came to Canada in September 2005. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) had just been passed. I was a student; a woman of colour; and in a wheelchair with a fractured knee. Toronto welcomed me and I felt included. Fourteen years later, the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) was passed on June 21,Continue reading Promoting Lifelong Learning Skills for a Barrier-free Canada