Latest news with #Accessibility
National Post
5 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Leading Labour Groups and Deaf Organizations Question Canadian Hearing Services Rating as Strike Drags On
Article content TORONTO — With Deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing Ontarians still desperately without services, community allies, labour groups, and elected leaders have delivered an open letter to Accreditation Canada questioning the high rating received by Canadian Hearing Services (CHS). Article content The letter reads, in part: 'The situation at CHS has been deteriorating for years, a decline felt not only by workers but also by clients. […] These problems are not minor. They are structural. And they are the result of a leadership model that has consistently prioritized executive pay and centralized control over staff well-being and service delivery.' Article content Along with hundreds of community members, high profile signatories include: Article content Marit Styles, Leader, Ontario NDP Laura Walton, President, Ontario Federation of Labour Fred Hahn, President, CUPE Ontario JP Hornick, President, OPSEU/SEFPO Tamara Witcher, President, OSSTF D30 representing workers at E.C. Dury, Robarts and Sir James Whitney Schools for the Deaf Patricia Grenier, President, Northern Ontario Association of the Deaf Brad Evoy, Executive Director, Disability Justice Network of Ontario Sherry Caldwell, Founder, Ontario Disability Coalition Les Sicoli, Representative, Ottawa Deaf Seniors Article content CHS first sought the stamp of approval from Accreditation Canada, a respected standards body in the medical community, when Julia Dumanian took over as CEO. Coming from the hospital sector, Dumanian brought a medicalized model to CHS which clients have noted severed ties between the Deaf community and the agency while treating Deafness as a disability instead of an identity. Article content The letter ends with a plea for Accreditation Canada to take into account labour relations at an agency that is currently experiencing its second prolonged service disruption under Dumanian's leadership. Article content 'What does it mean for an agency to receive exemplary standing when Deaf clients are saying they're not having their needs met? It's not just this strike, which CHS forced on workers and CHS has shown zero interest in resolving. For years, CHS has been moving in the wrong direction, putting distance between itself and the Deaf community while undervaluing the very workers who deliver their critical services,' said Fred Hahn, president of CUPE Ontario. 'That sentiment among the community CHS is meant to serve should make Accreditation Canada question the agency's rating.' Article content Workers at Canadian Hearing Services, represented by CUPE 2073, have been on strike since April 28. There have been no talks since May 21 with CHS refusing to return to the table. Members remain focused on a fair, multi-year deal that provides stability for workers and improved services for Deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing Ontarians. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content Article content
CTV News
31-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Independent Living Sudbury Manitoulin's night market runs until 9 p.m.
Reporting live from downtown Sudbury CTV's Ian Campbell is at Independent Living Sudbury Manitoulin's night market event, joined by several of its members. The market rungins until 9 p.m. on Friday as a part of National Accessibility Week celebrations.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cramlington and Killingworth MP calls bus services 'unreliable'
A Labour MP has slammed bus services in her constituency as "unreliable" and "inaccessible".Cramlington and Killingworth's Emma Foody surveyed hundreds of constituents which found broad dissatisfaction with services in the in the House of Commons, Foody said the government's upcoming Bus Services Bill needed to put passengers "back in the driving seat".Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell, said the bill would devolve more powers locally to improve transport options. "The villages and towns across my Cramlington and Killingworth constituency rely heavily on our bus services," Foody said."Despite this, my Big Bus Survey that I've been running recently shows that local people too often have found buses to be unreliable, inaccessible and they don't take them to the places they need to go." 'Affordable and reliable' Powell replied the Bus Service Bill will give local areas the power to have "affordable and reliable bus services".The bill will give local authorities control over routes, timetables, connections and fares, according to the Local Democracy Reporting will also lift the ban on councils establishing their own bus companies and ensure that lifeline bus services cannot be removed or changed without councils reviewing their ability to serve communities."I have seen what happens with local areas like mine in Manchester having those powers," Powell said."It has massively increased the number of people using bus services and has brought in extra funding from doing so."The Conservative Party has previously called on the government to explain how local authorities would fund the proposals. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Accessibility flag raised at Essex County building to mark National AccessAbility Week
A locally designed accessibility flag was raised Monday at the Essex County administration building to mark the beginning of National AccessAbility Week. The flag features the word 'Accessibility' beneath a stylized figure in a wheelchair facing right, with seven chevrons pointing in the same direction — representing the county's seven local municipalities moving forward together on accessibility. 'We are raising this flag to raise awareness about the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in our region,' said Essex County Warden Hilda MacDonald, who is also mayor of Leamington. 'It acknowledges that we've made much progress but still have considerable work to do.' Accessibility flag Accessibility flag raising in Essex County, Ont., on Monday May 26, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) MacDonald praised the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee for its efforts, including the launch of the inaugural Accessibility Fest-for-All event last year in Colchester. The festival is returning this fall, on Sept. 12, at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg. 'Fest-for-All is an incredible event that brings accessibility advocates and organizations together in common cause,' MacDonald said. 'It's an opportunity to learn and inspire, and a chance to connect communities and champion inclusivity.' Dennis Sanson, chair of the accessibility committee, said the county wasn't just raising a flag Monday — but raising awareness. 'Any kind of visibility, any kind of public event — especially in the age of incessant media — it's an important part of what we do,' Sanson said. Flag raising Accessibility flag raising in Essex County, Ont., on Monday May 26, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) Sanson encouraged Essex-Windsor residents to take part in Red Shirt Day of Action for Accessibility and Inclusion on Wednesday by wearing red and sharing photos using the hashtags #RedShirtDay and #RedForAccessAbility. He noted the committee's ongoing work, particularly in the areas of barrier-free building and outdoor inclusion — from accessible trails to better fishing and hunting access for people with disabilities. 'There are still lots of opportunities to engage different parts of the community,' he said. 'It's been interesting to see more people come forward who want to help build those connections — especially in outdoor recreation.' Sanson said the flag-raising was also a chance to connect with the public, away from screens. 'It's an opportunity for people to come together and take time out of the work schedule. person to person, as opposed to of seeing something that's online,' he said. 'Every time we host something like this, I meet new potential partners.' Sanson explained, 'It's an opportunity for us to make accessibility more accessible.' Sanson gave the region's accessibility efforts a 'B+ and moving right along,' praising the work of his committee colleagues, including Vice-Chair Debbie Alexander, Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kimberly DeYong, Julie Miles, Rachel Jewell, Diana Kirkbride and Sherrie Currie. MacDonald said it's important municipalities recognize and act on the need for more inclusive communities — particularly as populations age and accessibility needs grow. 'We want everyone to feel that they're welcome and included,' she said. 'To be aware of barriers and to do something about them — I think it's incumbent on us.' MacDonald also acknowledged recent discussions around flag-raising policies in neighbouring Windsor. The city is reviewing its current process amid debate over which flags should be flown at city hall. 'In the Municipality of Leamington we've always had a policy where we've limited the flags to certain ones, and here at the county, same thing,' she said. 'We do upper levels of government, we do Indigenous flags, we do the Pride flag and we do the accessibility flag. Those decisions were made by administration. They were not political decisions, and I think that has served us well.' While flag policies vary across jurisdictions, MacDonald said consistency helps municipalities avoid controversy and remain focused on messages of unity. 'There's always that fear of not being inclusive, and yet sometimes certain flags create controversy in our community. So perhaps it's just best not to have too wide of a policy that you get into trouble.' The Accessibility Fest-for-All event is free for individuals, organizations and accessibility-minded businesses to attend or participate in. Those interested must fill out an online registration form by June 5 at
Zawya
22-05-2025
- General
- Zawya
Dubai Culture launches ‘Close to You' initiative to empower people of determination
Dubai, UAE: Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has launched its 'Close to You' initiative to support employees who are People of Determination by improving satisfaction, promoting personal and professional development, and encouraging active participation in Dubai's cultural scene. This effort is part of Dubai Culture's commitment to social responsibility and aligns with the Dubai Government's 'My Community... A City for Everyone' initiative, which aims to make the city fully inclusive and accessible for People of Determination. As a first step, the Authority held the inaugural annual meeting of its People of Determination Council at Al Safa Art & Design Library. Department heads, employees of determination, and their families gathered to foster open dialogue and engagement. Participants shared innovative ideas and practical solutions to expand accessibility measures and discussed how to bring them to life. The session also examined ways Dubai Culture can further build a more welcoming work environment that reflects the aspirations and needs of its diverse team. Dubai Culture earned ten Autism-Friendly Certifications (AFC) from the Dubai Autism Center. These recognitions underscore the Authority's success in delivering on all aspects of an inclusive space: staff preparedness, facility adaptations, and tailored services for People of Determination.
