Citizens With Disabilities - Ontario
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URGENT & CURRENT News
Citizens With Disabilities - Ontario
February 21, 2014
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in this update...
(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.

CWDO is proud to be Ontario's representative at the Council of Canadians with Disabilities since June, 2009.

 
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Have Your Say About Accessibility Standards 
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The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) was last reviewed in 2010.

Since then, a new regulation has been added creating standards for  information and communications; transportation; employment; the built environment, purchasing and kiosks (including point-of-sale devices).

Now the AODA is being reviewed again and CWDO is preparing its own response. We want to hear from you!

Please take a few minutes to answer our survey on the AODA.  

CWDO Takes a Stand 
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CWDO has been writing decision makers to make them aware of issues and concerns that impact arm members.  These include: 

Links to our letters are posted on the front page of our website.  

 


100% of Toronto Taxis to be
Wheelchair-Accessible by 2025
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If you ever wanted proof that a municipal advisory committee has influence, this is it.  Toronto's Disability Advisory Committee made a compelling case for requiring all taxis to become wheelchair accessible over time - a recommendation that won the day despite vitriolic protests by some members of the taxi industry.

Kudos to Toronto's city council for voting to do the right thing!

The end of  discrimination by the taxi industry is finally in sight!

New Tax Benefits
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It's tax time again!

Are you aware of your current tax benefits?  These include:
  • automatic calculation of your eligibility for a GST/HST credit
  • new eligible expenses added to the medical expense tax credit:  
    • one for specialized therapy like applied behaviour analysis (ABA)  
    • one for service animals trained to assist individuals in managing severe diabetes
To learn more about benefits available this year, read the CIBC's tax information sheet.


Adaptive Technology Advancements 
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At the end of January 2014 the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) and its wireless carrier members announced their readiness to implement the Text with 9-1-1 (T9-1-1) service for the Deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or speech impaired (DHHSI) community in Canada.
 
This would mean that 9-1-1 call centres would be able to converse with a deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or speech impaired persons during an emergency, using text messaging. To read more about 9-1-1 text messaging
 
Settled Class Actions
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Did you live at Rideau Regional Centre or Southwestern Regional Centre between 1963 and 2009?

There are lawsuits about what happened to people who lived at Rideau or Southwestern. The lawsuits have settled. If you lived at Rideau or Southwestern, you will want to read this important information.  

If you are seeking legal advice or information, please contact ARCH by phone or TTY:
  • Telephone: 416-482-8255 Toll-free: 1-866-482-2724
  • TTY: 416-482-1254 Toll-free: 1-866-482-2728
If, due to your disability, you are unable to contact ARCH by phone or TTY, please email ARCH.

 

People You Should Know 
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Ottawa: Oliver Lumley-Pfeil is a five-year-old who has cerebral palsy. He uses adaptive communications technologmounted on the front of his power wheelchair. It has infrared lighting that follows Oliver's eye movements.  

 

Read more about Oliver's unique communication system. 

Get Your Exercise ON!
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Do you think you are too disabled to exercise?  Think again!

 

How many of these 2 Minute Exercise routines can you try?  

From the Arthritis Foundation.  

 

OPWHL Celebrity Game
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The Ottawa Power Wheelchair Hockey League (OPWHL) is hosting a Celebrity Power Wheelchair Hockey game. Some of the celebrities who will be coming include Stuntman Stu as the Master of Ceremonies and Stu Bowden will be the commentator and Ottawa's Mayor, Honourable Jim Watson. There will also be representatives from CTV, Team 1200, the Carleton Ravens, Rogers TV and two Paralympians.  

For more information on this Celebrity Game please contact Donna Haycock  or call her at 613-225-9204 (Voice)

 

Access 2 Entertainment
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If you need an attendant to go with you to theatres or other attractions, have you considered getting an Access 2 Entertainment card?    

 

Access 2 Entertainment cards cost $20 for processing but are valid for five years.  

 

It's valid in partnering theatres and designated attractions across Ontario.

 

Accessible Subway Information
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Toronto: Written descriptions are available for all TTC subway stations.

To access these descriptions from the TTC Home page, click on the Subway/RT pictogram, choose a subway line (YUS, BD, SRT, Sheppard), a station and then the station description tab, which takes you to the written description of that station.  Each description details the overview of the station, entrances, levels and the means of moving between levels.

TTC station descriptions.  Click on any station, then on the link to "station descriptions." The description for the Finch station will open from this link.

Showcasing Ability at the Pride Festival

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 Toronto: Come out and enjoy a fantastic event in the heart of Toronto. The Pride Festival 2014 (June 20th to 29th) including the parade will be both the biggest and most accessible parade of the day. Come out and enjoy the fun!  

 

 

Accessible features include accessible risers, interpreters, mobility to those who need assistance, wheelchair and walker rentals,  a booth for people to sit at, parade assistance (if people are participating) and viewing stages for entertainment,  just to name a few.  

 

If you're interested in getting more information or want to participate, contact Marjorie Richards or go to the Pride Toronto Accessibility Team Facebook page. 

 

 

Whaat?! Department
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What's wrong with this picture?  Someone with a disability is well educated, able and qualified to work.  Her satisfied employer wants to keep her working in their non-profit organization. 

But no one is able or willing to pay for the workplace attendant support needed!  Now, yet another person with a disability faces unemployment and possibly ODSP in the future.

What a waste of human potential!

Could a new standard for accessible employment under the AODA change all that? Please complete our survey and have your say on the AODA.

Watch the full Global News report on this huge gap in employment supports.

 

Health News
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Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham say that high-intensity strength training produced significant improvements in quality of life, mood and motor function in older people with Parkinson's disease. Read more about the benefits of strength training.

 


 

We Need Your Support to Work for You  

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You have the power to keep CWDO alive and working for YOU.

CWDO has no staff, and all our activities are carried out by volunteer board members and individual CWDO members. With your help, we could do much, much more.
 

Please consider funding CWDO.



CWDO is non-profit, but not a charity, so tax receipts can not be issued.

Time and talent are valuable contributions, too! Please get involved!

Together we are stronger. 
Quick Links...
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Together we are stronger
Contact Information
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Email us at [email protected] or call 807-473-0909 (voice)
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