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The Ontario government has just released three more accessibility standards - all in one regulation.

 

The new standards cover information & communications, employment, and transportation.

 

Details and links are on our Accessibility Standards Committee page.

All CWDO members are cordially invited to attend our 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 21, 2011, starting at 7:00 pm EDT. 

 

Meeting Overview

Our Annual General Meeting gives members a chance to learn about what CWDO has accomplished over the year, and to participate in elections and other matters that define the organization.

The agenda this year will include:

• 2010-11 Accomplishments Report (to follow)
• 2010 Financial Statements in PDF format
• 2010 Financial Statements in WORD format

 

Elections At the AGM

The Nominating Committee will propose a slate (list) of Directors representing various provincial ridings throughout Ontario, a cross-disability perspective, and diversity from within its membership.

For 2011-12, Directors will be appointed to fill vacancies.

 

Nominations

Members may nominate individuals to the board of CWDO. Self-nominations are also most welcome.

•  Online Nomination Form (to follow)
•  Nomination Form in WORD format
•  Nomination Form in plain text

 

Please forward your completed nomination form by June 10, 2011 to:

Chair, CWDO Nomination Committee

Or Email to: membership@cwdo.org and put NOMINATIONS in the subject line.

Or call our voice line at 807-473-0909.

 

AGM Documents

Please click on the following link to have access to documents regarding CWDO’s AGM. The AGM package includes:

• Agenda
• 2010-11 Accomplishments Report (to follow)
• Bios of Board Members
• Draft Minutes of June 17, 2010  AGM
• 2010 Financial Statements in PDF format
• Financial Statements in WORD format

 

How to Join In

We hold our meetings on-line, using the IDEAL conferencing system. Participants can talk on line (headset required) or type their comments. IDEAL Instructions are provided here.

 

For more information about how to log on to IDEAL please contact Pat Seed at: membership@cwdo.org and put IDEAL in the subject line. If you require an Interpreter or Captioner to participate online, please contact us as soon as possible so we can arrange for this accommodation.

 

The AGM is open to CWDO members only. To apply for membership or to update your information, please complete and submit a Membership Form and send it to CWDO’s Membership Committee at: membership@cwdo.org.

 

Thank you for your support of CWDO.

 

Together we are stronger!

All CWDO members are cordially invited to attend our 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 21, 2011, starting at 7:00 pm EDT. 

 

Meeting Overview

Our Annual General Meeting gives members a chance to learn about what CWDO has accomplished over the year, and to participate in elections and other matters that define the organization.

The agenda this year will include:

• 2010-11 Accomplishments Report (to follow)
• 2010 Financial Statements in PDF format
• 2010 Financial Statements in WORD format

 

Elections At the AGM

The Nominating Committee will propose a slate (list) of Directors representing various provincial ridings throughout Ontario, a cross-disability perspective, and diversity from within its membership.

For 2011-12, Directors will be appointed to fill vacancies.

 

Nominations

Members may nominate individuals to the board of CWDO. Self-nominations are also most welcome.

•  Online Nomination Form (to follow)
•  Nomination Form in WORD format
•  Nomination Form in plain text

 

Please forward your completed nomination form by June 10, 2011 to:

Chair, CWDO Nomination Committee

Or Email to: membership@cwdo.org and put NOMINATIONS in the subject line.

Or call our voice line at 807-473-0909.

 

AGM Documents

Please click on the following link to have access to documents regarding CWDO’s AGM. The AGM package includes:

• Agenda
• 2010-11 Accomplishments Report (to follow)
• Bios of Nominees (to follow)
• Draft Minutes of June 17, 2010  AGM
• 2010 Financial Statements in PDF format
• Financial Statements in WORD format

 

How to Join In

We hold our meetings on-line, using the IDEAL conferencing system. Participants can talk on line (headset required) or type their comments. IDEAL Instructions are provided here.

 

For more information about how to log on to IDEAL please contact Pat Seed at: membership@cwdo.org and put IDEAL in the subject line. If you require an Interpreter or Captioner to participate online, please contact us as soon as possible so we can arrange for this accommodation.

 

The AGM is open to CWDO members only. To apply for membership or to update your information, please complete and submit a Membership Form and send it to CWDO’s Membership Committee at: membership@cwdo.org.

 

Thank you for your support of CWDO.

 

Together we are stronger!

Read and comment on our members' blogs:

• Mobility Plus Left Me Minus Mobility - member Fiona Watson's blog documenting her struggle to be accommodated on specialized transit.
• "We asked CWDO's President, Terry Green, to write a blog.  "Keep it brief" we said.  Being a lawyer, he wrote a brief instead.  So we worked with him a bit. (Everyone is trainable.)   Find out what's on Terry's mindthis week."
• Jeffrey Stark's Blog "Jeffrey's Soapbox" covers topics of technology, accessibility, adaptive technology and disability.

 

 

CWDO welcomes blogs from members.  Contact us if you are interested in writing one.

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

On March 11, 2010, Canada ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

• Link to CBC News Article on Ratification.

• Link to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada News Release.

The United Nations (UN) has developed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  Canadian representatives played a leadership role in developing the Convention.  Now that Canada has ratified it, we will be expected to live up it.

What does the Convention do for us?

Until now, people with disabilities have not been mentioned in other core human rights conventions, such as those setting out the rights of women, children and others.  Until now, people with disabilities were "invisible" when it came to declarations of human rights.  Now we are finally named and recognized.

The Convention does not grant us new rights but it explains how people with disabilities need to be treated in order to exercise the same human rights granted to other people.  This is to be done with respect to the following principles set out in Article 3 of the Convention:

1. Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one’s own choices, and independence of persons;

2. Non-discrimination;

3. Full and effective participation and inclusion in society;

4. Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity;

5. Equality of opportunity;

6. Accessibility;

7. Equality between men and women;

8. Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities.

News Releases

• Council of Canadians with Disabilities News Release
• People First News Release
• Easter Seals News Release

Information on the UN Convention

• Official version of the Convention in HTML format

• Implementation Toolkit

Alternate Formats

• Easy to read version of the Convention in PDF format
• Easy to read version in HTML format
• Audio version (courtesy government of New Zealand)

Consultations

• CWDO's response to the Canadian Government's Consultation on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Human Right Monitoring Canada: Toronto Monitoring Site Fact Sheet

Voting

• Read CWDO's submission on proposed amendments to Bill 231, the Election Statute Law Amendment Act, 2010.  It was presented to the Legislative Committee on March 24, 2010.
• Elections Canada Ordered to Stop Using Inaccessible Polling Stations by Canadian Human Rights Tribunal when Disabled Voter forced to crawl to polling station on seat of his pants (February 12, 2010)
• Services for Electors who Require Assistance at the Polls (February 17, 2010)

Humane Treatment

• Mental Disability Rights International Report, Torture not Treatment: Electric Shock and Long-Term Restraint in the United States on Children and Adults with Disabilities at the Judge Rotenberg Center -
  Urgent Appeal to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture (Word format | PDF format)

Disability Rights Declaration

The ODSP Action Coalition is asking individuals and groups to endorse their Disability Declaration. The Declaration sets out some of the rights that people with disabilities have according to the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, and then states what changes the Ontario government needs to make to ODSP to fulfill those rights. Although Canada has not yet ratified the Convention, the Coalition believes it is important for people with disabilities and organizations that work with them to use it in articulating how and why their needs must be met.

To endorse the Disability Declaration, please send a message indicating your support to the Coalition co-chairs, Nancy Vander Plaats and Kyle Vose; by email: vanderpn@lao.on.ca, or by snail mail c/o Scarborough Community Legal Services; 695 Markahm Rd; Suite 9, Scarborough, ON M1H 2A5. Please include your full name, address and organization (if any) on your message. If you have any questions contact Kyle at 647 885-9272, or Nancy at 416 438-7206.

Websites

• Disability Rights Promotion International (D.R.P.I.)
• International Disability Alliance
• United Nations Enable Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities
• U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• International Day of Persons with Disabilities - December 3, 2009

Reports

UN Disability Rights Bulletin (October 2009)

• UN Disability Rights Bulletin in WORD format
• UN Disability Rights Bulletin in PDF format

The Ontario Human Rights Commission’s 2008/09 Annual Report:

• English OHRC Report
• French OHRC Report

News

DPI Disability Convention Daily Update - September 2, 2009 Second Conference of States Parties of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  Click here to read what happened at the Conference.

The International Disability Alliance now has a new website, designed to be fully accessible for users with screen readers and related software. As a related effort, they will be also starting work on a new IDA Facebook page.

Last updated September 6, 2010

Fashion
 

Some interesting things are starting to happen with regard to fashion and body image.

If you know of anything else we should post here, please contact us at membership@cwdo.org and put "Fashion" or "Body Image" in the subject line.

New!

• What is sexy? The gutsy Jes Sachse challenges convention in photos appearing in TTC stations. 

  Read This isn’t an American Apparel ad and form your own opinion.

• Canadian Fashion Designer, Izzy Camilleri offers a new and revolutionary line of adaptive clothing has been specifically designed for a "seated clientele."  Her wesite notes: "Much time, research and new thinking has gone into each and every piece. The transformed cuts of the collection have been created for the sitting position of a disabled person, which not only follows the line of the body, but also eliminates fabric bulk from front, sides and back. The designs were created with both function and fashion in mind. These must-have modern basics are ready-to-wear and do not require adaptation. The collection is contemporary and current, yet timeless and classic. Other features make dressing easy for both wearer and assistant."

  Check it out yourself at:  http://www.izadaptive.com/

• Hear what a customer had to say on CBC's Metro Morning, on the opening of IZ Adaptive, Izzy Camilleri's new clothing store.

With more member involvement, we could do more!

 

We always welcome new members who share CWDO’s mission and values. We share information and meet as needed, using the IDEAL online conferencing system.

 

Please review our IDEAL Conference^® instructions to find out how to participate on a Committee.

Updated May 20, 2011

Resources

• “Assumptions” Digital Story 

  This clip was produced by Anne Harland as part of a digital story telling photography course for women with disabilities and differences.  We all make assumptions about others based on our own life experiences. Sometimes assumptions are helpful. Many times they are not. The physical challenges faced by those with a disability are many but they can usually be overcome. It is the attitudinal barriers that are difficult to deal with because they ultimately isolate and break the spirit.

Websites

 

 

 

 

TYLER BARKER  - York Region, Ontario

Interests: Ttransportation, Direct Funding, Attendant Services, Employment, Mobility issues

Background: Tyler is a 25-year-old from Aurora Ontario.  He is currently on the Aurora Accessibility Advisory Committee.  This committee advises the town of Aurora on how to make the community more accessible and more inclusive for all   Tyler is also member of the Canadian Paraplegic Association and the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy.

 

Tylers main focus is to help improve and make recommendations to help improve policies and/or accommodations for people with disabilities in Ontario. Tyler enjoys watching his beloved Maple Leafs.  He also enjoys reaching out and being involved in his community. One of his goals is to study disability studies at Ryerson University.

 

 

 

ERICA CARSON - Ottawa, Ontario

Interests:  Disability pride and identity, youth with disabilities, arts and culture, gender and sexuality

Background: Erica is a Carleton University student in the Bachelor of Arts Honours program in Women and Gender studies. She is a woman living with a physical disability who learned early on the importance of self-advocacy. During her years at Carleton she has found her passion within the field of disability studies and intends on doing her Masters Degree in Disability Studies. Since her involvement as one of the central organizers of the Youth Activist Forum in 2011, Erica has realized the critical importance of introducing youth with disabilities to the disability community in which they can feel empowered. She believes that she can bring a passion and unique vision to Citizens with Disabilities - Ontario. She appreciates that she will gain a tremendous amount of knowledge about issues and challenges that many other people with disabilities encounter.

 

 

 

CINDY GORLEWSKI - Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Interests: mobility issues

Background: Cindy has a BA-BPHE from Queens, a B.Ed. from U of Toronto and an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. She represented Canada at the International Olympic Academy in 1983. Cindy worked in amateur sport and was a flight attendant for Air Canada, before finally settling down to teach French with the York District Catholic School Board. While teaching, Cindy worked with special needs children and with those children requiring individual education plans. Cindy is presently on leave, using herexperience with limited mobility to be active in advocating for accessibility. She has chaired the Newmarket Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) since 2003, she sits on the York Regional AAC and facilitates workshops to educate others about accessibility awareness. Cindy also sits on the Newmarket Heritage Committee.
 

 

MELISSA GRAHAM - London, Ontario (on leave of absence)

Interests: mobility issues, mental health, accessible housing, affordable housing, recreation, young adults with a disability

Background: As a person with a disability, fighting for awareness and access has continually been a part of Melissa's life. Her particular interest lies with youth and young adults with disabilities, and their struggles to find a voice in an environment that's still adapting to them. As a recent social work graduate, Melissa finds herself advocating for this voice in her field and volunteer experiences. "The really lucky people don't always have the best of everything. They are the ones who make the most of whatever life throws them." ~ Anonymous  

 

 

TERRANCE J. GREEN - Ottawa, Ontario

Interests: strategic planning, education, housing, recreation, transportation

Background: Terrance has advocated for over four decades, with advocacy groups, and on his own, to enhance and protect the rights of people with disabilities. Starting in Nova Scotia with the Canadian Council of the Blind, and a newspaper called Touchstone, uncovering and removing barriers. Employed with Transport Canada, he received an award of excellence for his work in equity in human resources planning.
1992, in Ottawa, most of his activities were issue driven; i.e., municipal and Provincial elections, transportation, education, and audible pedestrian signals.

In 2001, as a lawyer, his areas of interest became access to justice, transportation, education, and community or social participation.
 

 

 

CHRISTINE KELLY - Ottawa, Ontario

Interests: mobility issues, mental health, attendant services

Background: Christine Kelly is a PhD Candidate in the School of Canadian Studies at Carleton University where her research examines attendant services in Ontario from feminist and disability studies perspectives. Christine is actively involved in the field of disability studies and has published articles in academic peer-reviewed journals on topics related to disability, gender, and attendant services. Christine has developed and taught undergraduate courses related to disability in the Pauline Jewett Institute of Women and Gender Studies at Carleton University. At Citizens with Disabilities - Ontario, Christine was one of the central organizers for the unique 2011 Youth Activist Forum. Christine has extensive research, volunteer and policy experience related to disability.

 

 

 

STEFANIE MARINICH-LEE - Toronto, Ontario

Interests: strategic planning, human rights, employment, mobility issues and all issues of concern to CWDO
 

Background: Stefanie has dedicated both her professional career and volunteer associations toward the advancement of services and rights for people with disabilities.
 

Prior to entering law school, Stefanie had a career in the financial industry where she held a variety of managerial positions. While there, she contributed to many panels and delivered workshops on the inclusion of people with disabilities.
 

While attending Osgoode Hall Law School, Stefanie was accepted into the poverty law program and worked at the Parkdale Community Legal Clinic in the Family Law division. Stefanie completed her articles of clerkship at ARCH: Disability Law Clinic focusing on disability litigation. Once called, Stefanie was a Policy Advisor at the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario where she was the sole advisor for the Minister's Accessibility Advisory Council of Ontario.
 

Stefanie then had a sole practice for a number of years, then moved into the role of Employment Equity Consultant and was Manager of the Access Centre for Students with Disabilities at Ryerson University.
 

Stefanie's volunteer activities have spanned from working overseas with abused and abandoned children in Grenada, to numerous Treasurer and Director positions on various non-profit boards.
Currently, Stefanie is the Co-chair and a founding member of CWDO. She serves on CCD's Human Rights Committee and sits on the Law Society of Upper Canada's Disability Working Group. Stefanie has also been appointed to the Employment Standards Committee for the AODA.

 

 

ANN MARTINDALE - Toronto, Ontario

Interests: Aging with a disability; Arts and Culture; Assistive devices; Attendant services; Accessibility; Education; Employment; Housing; ODSP/Income Security; Transportation

Background: Ann is 47 years old and was born in Toronto. She was diagnosed with Epilepsy at the age of 29, and with Osteoarthritis in her mid-thirties. Ann has served as Epilepsy Toronto's representative on the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) of the Toronto District School Board. She is a member of the Arthritis Society's Canadian Arthritis Patients Alliance (CAPA), and the AODA Alliance. Ann has previously served on the Board of Directors of Epilepsy York Region for a period of 4 years ending in April of 1999. Ann is currently serving as Epilepsy Ontario's representative on the Board of Directors of the ARCH Disability Law Centre. She is a certified Health Care Aide, but due to the physical limitations imposed by severe Osteoarthritis, she is no longer able to work in that field.
 

 

 

TERRIE MEEHAN - Ottawa, Ontario

Interests: mobility issues, accessible housing, affordable housing

Background: Terrie is a mother of three and has a long history of social activism. She has a strong interest in disability, anti-poverty and anti-homelessness activism and strives to work on lessening the injustices she sees in all three areas. As a person with "ability challenges," Terrie sees barriers as things to erode. Terrie prefers working on solutions.

 

 

DOUG MILLMAN - Huntsville, Ontario 

Interests: hearing, mental health, learning disabilities, education, built environment, recreation, creative arts
 
Background: Doug is a retired engineering technologist with 35 years experience in reviewing both the public and the private built environment. He is using his background as a voting member of the AODA Committee for the Built Environment. Also at the present time, Doug is a Director of CWDO; and Chair of  the Mental Health Committee.
 

He independently performed the Site Plan Review for the Huntsville Accessibility Advisory Committee. Previous Board positions have included a nursing home and a not-for-profit daycare centre, which is unique in the area as admitting all disabled children.  Doug's other current board positions include Muskoka-Parry Sound Community Mental Health Services, Muskoka Human Resources, and Huntsville People for Inclusive Communities.  Committee responsibilities include part-time facilitator for the Muskoka Chapter of People First and the Huntsville Sustainability Plan's Committeee for Inclusive Active Living and Recreation.  He works as a volunteer in local schools teaching math to students with intellectual, developmental, and learning disabilities.

 

 

MELANIE MOORE - Hamilton, Ontario

 

Interests:  parenting, advocacy work and housing
 
 

Background: : Melanie is the General Inquiries specialist at the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto.  She coordinates a new initiative called Strength-based Parenting Initiative (SPIN).  Previously, Melanie was CILT’S Community Development Worker.

As a Social Worker, Melanie has been able to do pre employment work, Life Skills training and advocated on behalf of persons with disabilities.

 

Melanie is a blind parent and uses a guide dog named Vaughn.   She is a member of several advocacy groups such as the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) and Citizens With Disabilities - Ontario (CWDO).   

 

Personally, Melanie loves  spending time with her family and playing the piano, knitting, hiking and making sure she participates in Life Long Learning.

 

 

 

 

PAUL OBEROI  -  Markham, Ontario

Interests:  Education, mental health, learning disabilities and encouraging youth to become active

Background:  Paul Oberoi is a strong proponent of disability rights and activism from a social model perspective. He first got interested in rights advocacy in his first job working as a relief counselor for homeless youth where an individual with a disability was turned away because it was deemed inaccessible. Paul graduated from Ryerson University in the BA Disability Studies Program in 2009 before moving into an educator emphasis role. He worked as an Educational Assistant while completing this undergrad. In 2010 Paul graduated from York University’s Primary/Junior Teachers College. In the Fall of 2011, Paul will be going to OISE to start his Masters in Education, focusing on the impact of post-traumatic stress syndrome in soldiers returning from the war.

 

 

 

TRACY ODELL - Toronto (Scarborough), Ontario

Interests: mobility issues and all other disability issues to some extent, including learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, and attention deficit disorders with and without hyperactivity (ADD and ADHD)

Background: Tracy Odell is a life-long advocate for independent living and the right of people with disabilities to live in the community. Tracy has assisted in founding numerous supportive housing programs with attendant services, is credited with the establishment of "Nurturing Assistance," has published articles and appeared in videos to raise awareness of issues relating to disability.

She is currently a board member and member of the Executive of CWDO. Tracy has a Masters degree in Critical Disability Studies, and a B.A and B.Ed. in English and Special Education. Working full time and self-managing her attendant services, Tracy lives with her husband, two daughters, granddaughter and assorted pets in Scarborough.

 

 

 

SANDRA SALAMON - Thunder Bay, Ontario

Interests: mobility issues, inclusion

Background: Sandra has learned that you don't get things for free in life, you have to fight for them. Because she has a disability, she has to fight harder.

Sandra believes it is much easier to fight for your rights when you are in a group. She has worked along with many groups which fight for the rights of persons of disability and strive to make all of our lives better. She is involved with groups such as Persons United for Self Help, Northwestern Ontario; Handicapped Action Group in Thunder Bay; the Canadian Paraplegic Association; DisAbled Women's Network; and the National Educational Association of Disabled Students. One of the main themes in each of these organizations is that it is always better to have the support of a group of people than to try and do something alone.

 

 

 

PAT SEED - Thunder Bay, Ontario

Interests: strategic planning, technology, marketing, information technology and communications, aging and disability, attendant service quality committee, built environment, education, employment, fundraising, housing, mental health, recreation, and transportation

Background: Pat holds her B.A. in Speech Communications. She has taught and continues to teach Speaking with Confidence and Public Speaking to Broadcasters and other Professionals. She is also a professional Public and Motivational Speaker, as well as a Writer.

Pat is totally blind from birth. She originally used a white cane for mobility, but has been travelling with Guide Dogs at her side since November of 1996.
 

Pat has worked for Bell Canada and Confederation College. She also was employed as the Information and Referral Coordinator of the Thunder Bay Independent Living Resource Centre for seven and a half years.
Pat began her Professional volunteering career for non-profit organizations, her Parish church, and other organizations in 1980. She still volunteers today and is now a Consultant and Resource person in many areas for many organizations.
 

Pat is currently the Senior Technical Support and Resource Person for IDEAL Registered Online Conferencing, A member of the Steering and Logistics Committees for the Thunder Bay Leadership Forum 2007, a member of the Business Women's Network of Thunder Bay, as well as many other organizations. "If you think you can, you might; if you Know and Believe you can, you Will!" © May 2004 by Pat Seed

 

 

JEFFREY STARK - Kanata, Ontario

Interests:  IT, assistive/adaptive technology and accessibility

Background:  For the last 20 years, technology has been Jeffrey’s focus both professionally and personally. Professionally, Jeffrey is widely respected as an expert in his field of interest and has been a guiding voice in a number of accessibility initiatives in Canada. He has provided training for developers, publishers, technicians and a wide variety of other audiences across Canada on topics such as accessible application design, web accessibility and adaptive computer technology. Jeffrey manages a program which continues to be a driving force in the fields of accessibility and adaptive computer technology and has been internationally recognized for the unique services provided to persons with disabilities, injuries and ergonomic requirements.
 

In his personal life, Jeffrey has been advocating for accessibility and inclusion within Canada. Jeffrey strongly believes in the need for institutionalization of accessibility requirements into all areas with an IT component. There are internationally recognized standards that developers need to follow in order for a system to be accessible. This is a little like the accessibility standards in the build environment (i.e. doorways have to be a certain width to accommodate a wheelchair, ramps, signage, contrasting colors etc). The same exists in web content, applications and other systems. Accessibility means that people with and without disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with information, services and applications. The adoption of accessibility standards, guidelines and best practices ensure that systemic barriers are eliminated prior to individual accommodations.
 

Jeffrey is very aware of the technology that is deployed across Canada in the general public. He regularly volunteers his technical services in the general public to persons with disabilities and families of persons with disabilities who require technological accommodations.

 

 

 

DALE STEVENSON - Ottawa, Ontario

Interests: mobility issues, technology, recreation, political activism

Background: Dale has varied experience of disability through academic studies, working in the disability community and for the federal government. Currently, He is in the process of writing his Master’s thesis in Disability Studies at the University of Manitoba where he is exploring the masculinity of men with disabilities. Within the disability community, he is involved with Paralympic sport, volunteerism, and political activism. Further, Dale has gained research experience / accessible web design with: the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies, and Human Resources and Social Development Canada. He has recently gained some experience with Accessibility Advisory Committees and is looking forward to the implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. As a person with a disability he brings a valuable perspective to his role with CWDO.

 

 

JOHN SZCZYGIEL - Ottawa, Ontario

Interests: Technology, captioning, law and human rights

Background: John is currently enrolled in Carleton University, majoring in Law and Human Rights with a minor in Women & Gender Studies. Over the years, he has volunteered as a mentor to ‘Make The Cut’ and ‘PMC Intro’ for new students coming to Carleton University, or to any post secondary education institution. Mentors for these events work to educate students on how to utilize services on their prospective campuses. As an assistive technologist he taught students how to effectively use Kurzweil and Dragon software. Currently he is volunteering with the Paul Menton Center as a Captioner and an Assistive Project Manager, managing captioned movies, their transcriptions and the storage of them.  His goals for the future are to assist in the growth of CWDO and network with other persons involved in captioning across the country, to allow for captions to be more readily accessible to professors and students in the university and college setting.

 

 

 

 

SAMANTHA WALSH - Toronto, Ontario

Interests:  Aging with a disability; arts and culture; accessibility; education; employment; housing; mental health; ODSP/income security; recreation; transportation

Background: Samantha has experience with activist work, political organization and social justice movements. She also has an extensive disability studies background. Samantha is trained in an anti-oppressive framework for group organizing and brings both lived experience of disability as well as professional work with people with intellectual disabilities.

 

 

 

SOUSAN ZARIBAF - Toronto, Ontario

Interests: Aging with a disability; Arts and Culture; Attendant services; Accessibility; Employment; Housing; Recreation

Background:   As a college student, Sousan formed a Union for Students with Disabilities, organized meetings with administrators and teachers to discuss accessibility on campus, and secured improved services for students with disabilities in the classroom. She served on the Board of Directors of Aldebrain Attendant Care Services of Toronto as Secretary, promoting accessible housing for many years. Sousan participated in successful negotiations with the Ontario Ministry of Housing to secure approval for funding to start construction of an apartment building which integrated wheelchair accessible units with support services in a public community setting. She met with Ruth Grier, then Minister of Health, to advocate the great need for social housing in Toronto.
 

Since commencing employment at TD Canada Trust, Sousan has been an active participant in the Bank's advocacy and employment diversity programs, recently serving on a panel organized by TD to speak to 50
employers from all industries, explaining the tangible advantages in hiring more persons with disabilities.

 

 

Updated July 8, 2011

Citizens With Disabilities – Ontario incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in May, 2005.

Our Vision

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. 

Our Mission

Citizens With Disabilities - Ontario (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 has a number of board members, located all across Ontario. 

Click here to read our Board members’ bios.

 

CWDO is proud to be an Full Member of the Council of Canadians With Disabilities.

How CWDO Operates

CWDO’s first and most powerful way of connecting with our members all across Ontario is through this website. Members can contribute to CWDO’s position papers, presentations, research and advocacy work on our website. 

Check out links wherever input is requested.

CWDO organizes its work and priorities through a number of committees. A great deal of discussion takes place between meetings by email.  Committees are as active as their members. Committee meetings are held in virtual space on the IDEAL Conference Centre. 

Our supporters make the IDEAL Conference Centre free for CWDO business.

Our board of directors meets monthly, in the IDEAL Conference^® centre. The board is governed by CWDO’s By-law and has established a Code of Ethics and Operating Protocols.

Members’ Code of Ethics and Operating Protocols

• Code of Ethics
• Operating Protocols

Our Bylaw

 The Bylaw of the organization was approved at CWDO's 2008 Annual General  Meeting.  and ratified by the whole membership in the summer of 2009.

• To vote on the Articles, click here.
• To
  review the entire Bylaw, click here.

Annual General Meetings

Citizens With Disabilities – Ontario (CWDO) hosted its 3rd Annual General Meeting on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 7:00 pm EST.  For more information, see: AGM 2009.

Our Annual General Meetings are held in virtual space, in the IDEAL Conference^® meeting centre. We held our First Annual General Meeting in June 2007. 

CWDO’s Accomplishments

Our accomplishments are listed in our Accomplishments Report provided at each Annual General Meeting.

• CWDO
  Accomplishments Report 2008-09  
• CWDO Accomplishments Report 2007-08

How We are Funded

CWDO is currently a not-for-profit organization. We are in the process of applying for registered charitable status, as we are very active in educating politicians, governments at all levels, and the general public about what matters to our members.

Membership is free.  However, some members contribute financially to CWDO, if they can. Join the growing ist of organizations that are supporting
the work of Citizens With Disabilities - Ontario.

We received start-up funding through the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD).  We are proud to be the Ontario representative at CCD, since June, 2009.

Advertisers pay a fee for their promotion on our website. CWDO tries to ensure that our advertisers and/or their products and services exemplify CWDO’s mission.

Please support our advertisers by visiting their links.  

Volunteer board members and other supporters donate their time, talents and sometimes their cash to further CWDO’s goals. 

Last Updated February, 2010

IDEAL CONFERENCE CENTRE

This is the place where it happens live!  Whether you are attending a committee meeting, hanging out in the Members’ Lounge or attending a webinar, you will do it through our virtual online Conference Centre.

• Go to the IDEAL Conference home page
• Go to member's lounge
• Go to Conference Rooms
• Check out upcoming webinars
• Test your microphone
• Conference room tutorial and help pages
• Schedule of live practice sessions <Link to Schedule of live practice sessions>

Want to share?

CWDO makes its virtual, on-line conference rooms available to groups for a monthly or hourly fee.  We offer reasonable rates for non-profit, charitable organizations with similar aims and values.

To inquire about renting a conference room email to membership@cwdo.org. Please write RENTAL in the subject line.

A webinar is a seminar on the web.  CWDO is currently planning a number of webinars, some of which will allow members to input into the content.

On this page you will find a list of webinars, dates and times as they are confirmed.

Webinars are held on line, in our IDEAL Conference Centre.

• Planned Webinars
• Archived Webinars

Presenters Welcome!

Interested in presenting a topic that you are knowledgeable and passionate about?  Let us know.  Email us at membership@cwdo.org and write PRESENTATION in the subject line.

CWDO will provide orientation training and support so your presentation will go smoothly, and be accessible to all our members.

Join Us!

Our Vision

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. 

Our Mission

Citizens With Disabilities - Ontario 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.

Become a Member

We are over 1,700 strong and growing!  CWDO welcomes individual and organizational memberships from people who believe in our goals. You can join at any time. Please complete a Membership Application Form and email it to membership@cwdo.org.

• Online Membership Application Form
• Membership Application Form (WORD)
• Membership Application Form plain text

Support CWDO

Currently, CWDO membership is free.

However, there are costs involved with the many things we do. Your voluntary contribution will help CWDO to:

1. Keep the website up and running
2. Develop position papers
3. Educate the public and decision makers about issues that affect people with disabilities
4. Write briefs
5. Make presentations
6. Participate in events to raise awareness
7. Host a booth at People in Motion and other Expos highlighting accessibility
8. Provide equipment for members to participate in IDEAL Conference^® sessions.
9. Purchase services to accommodate members attending our meetings and events, such as ASL interpreting

Donate to CWDO

CWDO is a not-for-profit organization. We do not have charitable status at this time, and therefore, cannot issue tax receipts. 

Your contributions to continue our work are gratefully accepted, and put to good use.  You can make a contribution in any amount you choose, through PayPal. There is no charge to you for using their service, and it is very secure.

Please consider making a contribution to CWDO to help us help you remove barriers to full participation.

Together we are stronger!

Advertise with Us!

CWDO has a variety of ways we can help you reach potential markets for your business.

1. Advertisements on our website
2. Dedicated sponsorship of specific events or projects
3. Promoting your CWDO Member Discounts for your products and services

Contact us to advertise.

Recipient of CWDO's 2009 Partnership Award

CWDO is pleased to acknowledge the significant contribution made by the BMO Financial Group in support of webinars on Registered Disability Savings Plans.  This webinar will be presented again, live, on November 10 at 10 am EST.  For further information, go to our Planned Webinars page.

Visit Our Sponsors

Please visit our sponsors, and give them your business, if you can.  The organizations below have contributed to Citizens With Disabilities - Ontario:

Laws & Standards

Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07

This regulation is the first accessibility standard to be enacted under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Additional standards are expected to be passed into law related to Information and Communications, Employment, Transportation, and the Built Environment. For further information, go to http://www.accesson.ca

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005

This is Ontario’s law requiring accessibility, through standards and sanctions, by the year 2025.

Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001

This is the original law requiring accessibility, primarily through planning.  This Act sets out requirements for the government and broader public sector.

Ontario Human Rights Code, revised 1982

This law requires that there be no discrimination on the basis of several protected grounds.  Disability is one of the protected grounds. Disability is broadly defined under the Code, and everyone inOntario is required to provide accommodation to the point of undue hardship.

Ontario Human Rights Commission Policies

This website of the Ontario Human Rights Commission includes several publications that help to interpret the Code with respect to disability.

Disability-Related Policy Web Site

This comprehensive website can link you to specific policies and laws that relate to your family, health, school, work, or general human rights.

Accessibility

• CWDO's Response to Ontario's proposed new Integrated Accessibility Regulation (October, 2010)

• CWDO's Position
  Paper on Telecommunications (September,
  2008)

• 
  CWDO's Response to AODA Transportation Standard (April 24,
  2008)

• 
  CWDO's Position Paper on Public Washroom Provisions for
  Incontinence (April, 2008)

Attendant Services

• CWDO's Position
  Paper on Attendant Services (December, 2007)

Human Rights

• CWDO's Submission on Amendments to the Ontario Elections Act (March 24, 2010)
  

• CWDO's Response
  to Federal government consultation on the UN Convention
  of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
  (submitted July 31, 2009)

• CWDO's Statement
  re HRTO Rules of Procedure (May 23, 2008)

Ontario Budgets

• CWDO's Submission to Ontario's 2011 Budget Pre-Consultation (February 1, 2011)
  

• CWDO's Submission to Ontario's 2009 Budget Pre-Consultation (January, 2009)
  

Citizens With Disabilities – Ontario incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in May, 2005.

Our Vision

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. 

Our Mission

Citizens With Disabilities - Ontario (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 has a number of board members, located all across  Ontario. Click here to read our Board members’ bios.

CWDO is proud to be an Full Member of the Council of Canadians With Disabilities.

How CWDO Operates

CWDO’s first and most powerful way of connecting with our members all across Ontario is through this website. Members can contribute to CWDO’s position papers, presentations, research and advocacy work on our website.  Check out links wherever input is requested.

CWDO organizes its work and priorities through a number of committees. A great deal of discussion takes place between meetings by email.  Committees are as active as their members. Committee meetings are held in virtual space on the IDEAL Conference Centre.  Our supporters make the IDEAL Conference Centre free for CWDO business.

Our board of directors meets monthly, in the IDEAL onference^® centre. The board is governed by CWDO’sBy-law and has established a Code of Ethics and Operating Protocols.

Members’ Code of Ethics and Operating Protocols

• Code of Ethics

• Operating Protocols

Our Bylaw

 The Bylaw of the organization was approved at CWDO's 2008 Annual General  Meeting.  

• To review the entire Bylaw, click here.

Annual General Meetings

Citizens With Disabilities – Ontario (CWDO) hosted its 4th Annual General Meeting on Thursday, June 17, 2010  at 7:30 pm EST.  For more information, see: AGM 2010.

Our Annual General Meetings are held in virtual space, in the IDEAL Conference^® meeting centre. We held our First Annual General Meeting in June 2007. 

CWDO’s Accomplishments

Our accomplishments are listed in our Accomplishments Report provided at each Annual General Meeting.

• CWDO Accomplishments Report 2009-10
• CWDO Accomplishments Report 2008-09 
• CWDO Accomplishments Report 2007-08

How We are Funded

CWDO is currently a not-for-profit organization. We are in the process of applying for registered charitable status, as we are very active in educating politicians, governments at all levels, and the general public about what matters to our members.

Membership is free.  However, some members contribute financially to CWDO, if they can. Join the growing list of organizations that are supporting the work of Citizens With Disabilities - Ontario.

We received start-up funding through the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD). We are proud to be the Ontario representative at CCD, since June, 2009.

Advertisers pay a fee for their promotion on our website. CWDO tries to ensure that our advertisers and/or their products and services exemplify CWDO’s mission. Please support our advertisers by visiting their links.  

Volunteer board members and other supporters donate their time, talents and sometimes their cash to further CWDO’s goals.