💻 Flora Bazie, Accessibility Expert

The Ontario Disability Dilemma Read the full article at: https://lnkd.in/gFWQMYTg Summary: The fourth AODA review states that Ontario accessibility is in crisis and the Ontario AODA progress report 2022 states that accessibility awareness and AODA enforcement are achieving goals. However, reconciling these two reports is challenging. Ontario government ministers and deputy ministers have not been educated in the implementation of AODA standards, which has resulted in a growing gap of prosperity in Ontario. It is estimated that 97.9% of businesses are small businesses, with more than 74% of these having less than 10 employees. Since those with less than 20 employees do not have to report on their AODA activities, most Ontario organizations believe that they are exempt from complying with the AODA regulations. 1. The AODA is currently failing People with Disabilities as the province has no meaningful enforcement and lacks significant knowledge skills. An online public directory providing information on AODA issues, actions taken and outcomes, would allow stakeholders to work closer together in finding solutions. 2. the Ontario Community Infrastructure program supports municipalities in modernizing their infrastructure. Yet, disabled Ontarians continue to struggle with inadequit digital services and a muted community voice in the municipal decision making process. 3. Large member organizations like business, entrepreneur and consumer associations must be held accountable for AODA compliance, even if they have less than 20 employees. Accessibility gaps in society occur when small businesses source products and services from third party vendors that do not have accessibility standards. 4. The ministry for economic development must be held accountable in making digital communications accessible, and ensuring public money is not used to create new barriers. In 2022 Ontario had an unemployment rate of 6.0% for the general population, 22% for those with a disability, and 72% for those with vision loss. Far too many Ontarians with vision loss continue to be dependent on social assistance or forced into the shadow economy. 5. The education ministry is not accountable to anyone for not integrating accessibility standards into the core curriculum. Each year graduates of computer science and business continue to broaden the prosperity gap by introducing new accessibility barriers. This trend is at the core of Ontario's productivity decline. January 2025 will pass, but the painful reality of the AODA dilemma will remain. The solution is simple, ENFORCEMENT. Leaders of each provincial ministry must be educated and held accountable for their actions. Willful denial of the law should always have consequences. Very disappointing, but working together we can get Ontario back on track to be a more inclusive and competitive society.

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Part 3 Solution The most aggreges violation of AODA regulations is in the Ontario private sector. With more than 80% of companies in Ontario having less than 20 employees, the monitoring and enforcement of AODA regulations is overwhelming, since they do not have to report on their activities. These small companies are dependent upon business associations for guidance and third party vendor for business solutions, which is lacking when it comes to the AODA standards. Integration, the third AODA principle, is inclusive when the barriers between passive and active participation are removed. Inclusion focuses on creating environments that adapt to and embrace diversity, while integration often implies that individuals need to adapt to the existing environment. That is, accommodating does not necessarily remove the Barriers to full participation, innovation, availability and affordability. Creating alternative text content to accommodate the needs of blind persons is not sustainable by a small business in the long term, but creating accessible communication formats, from the start, will assimilate all people into the business process without the need for special services. Small business ventures, and not for profit organizations that support them, must be held accountable for their AODA inclusive best practices. For the most part, the Ontario private sector is bombarded with misleading and false information about accessibility innovative solutions and inclusion diversity strategies. The Ontario MSAA provides general information about the AODA regulations, but there is a huge gap in the education of accessibility implementation. Deploying digital tools, that are inexpensive and require minimal training like Accessibility AI Overlays, tend to violate AODA communication standards and foster ignorance of disability needs. This is not a long term growth prosperity strategy for the province. Business, entrepreneur and consumer associations have the power to advocate for their members and the disability community. These associations, although may have less than 20 employees, must be held accountable to the thousands of business members by providing guidance in the purchase of workplace tools that comply with AODA standards. When small business owners procure digital tools, they must ensure that they have been designed with accessibility in mind. Accommodating for individual diversity needs is more costly than assimilating individuals by adopting inclusive business values. If the Ontario MSAA is unable, or unwilling, to enforce AODA compliance in the small business sector of Ontario, then the disability community must find a way to provide business associations with support resources and incentives, that will empower small business owners to advocate for disability rights. Shifting responsibility to the business associations will create an environment of collaboration.

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Part 4 Solution Equality, the fourth human rights principle, is satisfaction that is measured by quality performance indicators in bridging the barriers between chaos and stability. Stability is satisfaction. There are two enforcement social-economic policies that must be considered. First, the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade must be held accountable for online accessible funding forms to include entrepreneurs with disabilities, and recipients of financial incentives must be given a framework of training and AODA mandates in creating products and services. This provincial ministry is given responsibility for supporting an innovative economy that can provide jobs, opportunities, and prosperity for all Ontario residents, but has failed to consider the needs of the disability community. Second, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development must be held accountable for employment standards in providing training and career resources that comply with the intended goals of the AODA regulations. This ministry tends to shift responsibility of disability employment programs to charitable and not for profit organizations. Small businesses must not be forced to depend upon charitable services to meet AODA employment standards. If the Ontario MSAA is unable, or unwilling, to enforce Ministry accountability, then the disability community must mount a collaborative effort to apply compliance pressure on the Ontario government. Enforcement cannot be mandated if there is no accountability and no framework for AODA implementation guidance.

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The Enabling Accessibility Fund - Small Projects Component is now accepting applications! This funding opportunity, offered by Employment and Social Development Canada, aims to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities across communities and workplaces nationwide. Key Details: Application Period: July 23, 2024 Funding Amount: Up to $125,000 for projects lasting up to 2 years Who Can Apply: Not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, indigenous organizations, municipal and territorial governments Make a Difference Today: Whether you're improving access to community activities, programs, services, or employment opportunities, your project can create meaningful change. Act now to empower persons with disabilities and build a more inclusive Canada! Apply Now and Transform Accessibility: https://lnkd.in/gusAcXx #Accessibility #FundingOpportunity #InclusiveCanada

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“Accessibility overlays are for non-disabled people by non-disabled people. The only way to properly address accessibility issues is at the product development level: carefully considered designs and well written code. Adding a single line of JavaScript to your website or app is not the answer.” Thanks for sharing Dennis!

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📣 BC employers! Check out this great learning opportunity on how BC's draft Accessibility Standards will impact your business. Untapped Accessibility Accessible Employers #BC #BritishColumbia #employers #SME

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The draft standard on Plain Language by Accessibility Standards Canada is now open for public review. They need your feedback. The purpose of the standard is to foster clear, accessible, and inclusive communication to ensure information is easily understood by everyone. https://lnkd.in/gdZPrFHz Image Description: Scrabble tiles spread across a blue background. A strip of maze-like illustrations on the left. Text at the bottom reads: Public Review: Draft Standard on Plain Language. Government of Canada logo.

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Canadian Hearing Services' new blog series - Breaking Barriers: Navigating Accessibility Requirements for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals. Have a read and tell me what you think.

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Folks, if you work in anything remotely close to #Service or #Digital, Service Design is a #MustLearn!! #GCEmployees, I recommend taking advantage of this #LearningAndDevelopment opportunity. #GCDigital #DigitalGC #DigitalGov #ServiceDesign #DesignThinking #UserExperience #UX #UXDesign #ServiceInnovation #CustomerJourney #DesignLearning #ExperienceDesign #UserCenteredDesign #DesignStrategy #ServiceExperience #Prototyping #DesignSprints #ResearchAndDesign #ServiceBlueprint

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Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID) #rci #melborne #university check pdf to understand the eligibility criteria It focus on empowering people with disabilities and fostering inclusive communities. There isn't a single, universal program to join, but many organizations work on CBID initiatives. CBID programs are often community-driven, so specific details and programs will vary depending on your location. Focus on identifying organizations working in your area and contacting them directly.

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Be sure to join the webinar if you have questions about BC’s draft accessibility standards. We will be there!

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Developing Your First Accessibility Plan is a resource from Untapped Accessibility and Disability Alliance BC that spotlights inclusive best practices to guide organizations to develop an accessibility plan, committee, and public feedback mechanisms. https://ow.ly/Ax0H50P860U

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Done! I've submitted my feedback to Accessibility Canada on its draft plain language standard. If you care about plain language in Canada and haven't submitted your feedback, you have a few more hours: it's due at 11:59 Pacific Time. It can be a detailed process, so if you're just reading the draft now, may I suggest you pick one point you would like to see changed and tell them about it? We don't have many chances to influence government policy or standards, and this is an important one. Make this your moment! https://lnkd.in/e759SA85 #PlainLanguage #GovernmentWriting #TechnicalWriting #PlainLanguageAcademy @PLAIN @PlainCanadaClair

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🚀 Exciting News for BC Accessibility Advocates! 🚀 As part of this year’s AccessAbility Week, taking place May 26th to June 1st, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has announced that the funding for the Accessibility Projects Grants has been renewed by the Province. Disability Alliance BC - Accessibility Projects This program offers grants to non profit organizations in British Columbia dedicated to enhancing accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. Whether it’s developing new programs, enhancing facilities, or increasing community engagement, this grant is a fantastic resource to drive positive change. Organizations may apply for up to $40,000 for year-long community engagement projects that will support lasting change for the more than 900,000 people (24.7% of population over age 15)[1] in BC living with disability. Projects will focus on one of the following objectives: Accessible employment; Accessible emergency planning and response; Accessible arts, culture and tourism; Accessible sports and recreation; Accessible education and learning; Accessible community participation 📅 Applications Open: Friday August 2nd 📅 Application Deadline: Friday September 13th, 2024 at 12pm Pacific Time 📌 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/d93CrgES These grants are a tremendous opportunity for organizations to enhance accessibility, foster inclusion, and make a tangible difference in the lives of many. If your organization is committed to creating accessible environments, don't miss out on these funding opportunities! #Accessibility #Inclusion #GrantOpportunity #CommunityDevelopment #DisabilitySupport #InclusiveDesign #Canada #BritishColumbia

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𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 ⁉️ Indigenous Data Sovereignty isn't just about data - it's about self-determination, cultural preservation, and community empowerment ‼️ ➡️ At The Keeping Place, we're committed to supporting Indigenous communities in reclaiming control over their data. Learn more about our mission: www.thekeepingplace.com #DataSovereignty #IndigenousKnowledge #Empowerment

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“It is removing barriers for all different groups.” -Paul Tingley Episode 1 of the Accessibility Ally Podcast we heard from Paul Tingley who is a Business ACCESS-Ability Officer with the Government of Nova Scotia. https://lnkd.in/gvgr_s-h Image Description: This image shows the quote written in the description. It is here to show the title of the podcast, and display the quote. #podcast #accessibilityallypodcast #accessibility

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How to measure and evaluate housing affordability? CMHC researchers, in this paper, approach from "housing hardship" perspective and explore the Census 2021 results. The housing hardship measure reflects the adequacy of households' income after spending the shelter costs. Here are the main findings: ◼️ 50.3% of subsidized renters faced hardship in 2021 despite lower rents. ◼️ Hardship rates fell from 13.2% in 2016 to 7.8% in 2021, likely due to pandemic benefits. ◼️ Vulnerable groups—including lone-parent, Indigenous, and racialized households—still experience disproportionate hardship. These insights highlight the need for robust policies beyond lowering shelter costs. 🔗 Read more in our report: https://ow.ly/JTMg30sI5Xq

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