CNIB’S advocacy team is conducting research about the accessibility of insulin pumps for people who are living with diabetes and sight loss.

As part of the research, they are launching a survey that will help everyone better understand the accessibility issues people face when administering insulin.

Responses welcome from people living with diabetes and sighte loss, their caregivers, medical professionals, people working int eh insulin device industry and anyone who has a connection to sight loss and diabetes. If you have diabetes and sight loss but currently administer insulin through a method that is not a pump, they would also like to learn more about your experiences throug this survey.

Although CNIB is a Canaian organization, they also welcome responses from people living outside of Canaa o the picture can be as omplete as possible of how this issue is affecting the international community.

Information about the survey and how the information collected will be used to advocate for change is included in the lin to the survery below:

https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/Y5H5LPT

Thank you in advance for your participation and for joining the international movement to make insulin pumps more accessible for people who are blind or partially sighted.

Le sondage dans la français, ici

https://fr.surveymonkey.ca/r/Y5PM5G6

(Le français suit l’anglais)

The Privy Council Office (PCO) has asked us to share two Notices of Appointment Opportunities for the positions of Member of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council (NSERC) and Member of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Links to the postings on the Governor in Council (GIC) website are below.

You are kindly asked to circulate these postings amongst your networks and associations. Please note that while candidates are encouraged to apply by the “application review date” of July 20, 2020, this is not a closing date for the process and applications may be considered up until an appointment is made.

While PCO asked us to share these two notices, other opportunities are available at the main GIC page: https://www.canada.ca/en/privy-council/topics/appointments/governor-council.html 

Selection processes are open to all Canadians, to provide them with an opportunity to participate in their democratic institutions by serving as GIC appointees. The aim is to attract qualified candidates who will also help to reflect Canada’s diversity in terms of linguistic, regional, and employment equity groups (i.e., women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities) as well as members of ethnic and cultural groups.

Thank you for your assistance in sharing these opportunities.

Regards,

Jennifer Thomas
Director, Knowledge, Integration and Partnerships Division

Office for Disability Issues

Employment and Social Development Canada

jennifer.thomas@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Mobile telephone: 613-808-9430

Member, NSERC:

https://pcogic.njoyn.com/cl3/xweb/XWeb.asp?tbtoken=ZV1dRxkXCBxxYgQFMCdTCFM9dBZEcFQpLiUuQC4kXkhYIlkMExFaKEIfXzYeemdzcwkbURdTSXYqWA%3D%3D&chk=ZVpaShw%3D&clid=52106&Page=JobDetails&Jobid=J0120-0493&BRID=48219&lang=1

Member, SSHRC:

https://pcogic.njoyn.com/cl3/xweb/XWeb.asp?tbtoken=ZV1dRxkXCBxxYgQFMCdTCFM9dBZEcFQpLiUuQC4kXkhYIlkMExFaKEIfXzYeemdzcwkbURdTSXYqWA%3D%3D&chk=ZVpaShw%3D&clid=52106&Page=JobDetails&Jobid=J0120-0497&BRID=48217&lang=1

---

Le Bureau du Conseil privé (BCP) nous a demandé de partager deux avis de possibilités de nomination pour les postes de membre du Conseil de recherche en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada (CRSNG) et du Conseil de recherche en sciences humaines (CRSH). Ci-dessous, vous trouverez les liens vers les annonces sur le site Web du gouverneur en conseil.

Nous vous demandons de bien vouloir faire circuler ces annonces au sein de vos réseaux et de vos associations. Veuillez noter que, bien que les candidats soient encouragés à présenter une candidature d’ici « la date d’examen des demandes », soit le 20 juillet 2020, cette date ne représente pas une date limite pour le processus et les candidatures peuvent être examinées jusqu’à ce qu’une nomination soit faite.

Bien que le BCP nous ait demandé de partager ces deux annonces, d’autres possibilités sont également affichées sur la principale page Web du gouvernement en conseil : https://www.canada.ca/fr/conseil-prive/sujets/nominations/gouverneur-conseil.html. 

Les processus de sélection sont ouverts à tous les Canadiens afin de leur donner la possibilité de participer à leurs institutions démocratiques à titre de personnes nommées par le gouverneur en conseil. Le but est d’attirer des candidats qualifiés qui contribueront également à refléter la diversité du Canada en ce qui a trait aux langues, aux régions et aux groupes visés par l’équité en matière d’emploi (c.-à-d., les femmes, les Autochtones, les personnes handicapées et les minorités visibles) ainsi que les membres de groupes ethniques et culturels.   

Je vous remercie pour votre aide à partager ces possibilités.

Salutations distinguées,

Jennifer Thomas
Directrice, Division de la connaissance, de l’intégration et des partenariats

Bureau de la condition des personnes handicapées

Emploi et Développement social Canada

jennifer.thomas@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Téléphone mobile: 613-808-9430

Membre du CRSNG :

https://bcpgec.njoyn.com/cl3/xweb/XWeb.asp?tbtoken=ZV1dRxkXCBxxYgQFMCdTCFM9dBZEcFQpLiUuQC4kXkhYIlkMExFaKEIfXzYeemdzcwkbURdTSXYqWA%3D%3D&chk=ZVpaShw%3D&page=JobDetails&clid=52106&JobId=J0120-0493&BRID=48219&BPAC=&lang=2

Membre du CRSH :https://bcpgec.njoyn.com/cl3/xweb/XWeb.asp?tbtoken=ZV1dRxkXCBxxYgQFMCdTCFM9dBZEcFQpLiUuQC4kXkhYIlkMExFaKEIfXzYeemdzcwkbURdTSXYqWA%3D%3D&chk=ZVpaShw%3D&page=JobDetails&clid=52106&JobId=J0120-0497&BRID=48217&BPAC=&lang=2

Hi!

The COVID-19 pandemic, as you may well know, is taking a particularly heavy toll on Canadians with disabilities.

So now, more than ever getting approved for the Disability Tax Credit or CPP Disability makes a huge difference to the lives of disabled Canadians and their families.

We think your team and those you are helping can benefit greatly from the guides and resources on our website so I wanted to bring it to your attention, hoping you can share them with your community:

Disability Tax Credit Guide

CPP Disability Guide

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, or if you are looking for more information.

P.S. We are offering a $1,000 scholarship to young Canadians with disabilities who are pursuing post-secondary education at an accredited Canadian institution.

Read about last year’s recipient, Katarina V., a young woman from Surrey, BC living with ASD.

Regards,

Norman Richardson

P: 1-844-800-6020  (Toll-Free)
E:  Norman@disabilitycreditcanada.com  
W: Disabilitycreditcanada.com

Read the newsletter here

Expression of Interest – Candidates

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CENTRE FOR EQUITABLE LIBRARY ACCESS (CELA/CAEB)

Since October 2019, under the direction of our Executive Director Rina Hadziev, CELA has made significant strides to improve the user experience of the CELA website, develop new partnerships and continue expanding the collection of accessible materials and services CELA offers. As a board we have been very pleased with the progress thus far and look forward to the remainder of her term. We are grateful to the Greater Victoria Public Library for allowing Rina to devote this year to CELA, and it is with mixed emotions that we prepare for her return to her position there in the fall. Rina will be available to serve as a resource for the incoming Executive Director.

In order to ensure a smooth transition for our patrons, partners and staff, a sub-committee of the Board of Directors of the Centre for Equitable Library Access has been tasked with determining the market interest in the soon to be vacated position of Executive Director.

Interested individuals and/or organizations are encouraged to submit an expression as outlined below.

The Board is open to a secondment or non-traditional arrangement. The staff are decentralized and thus there is no requirement to be based in the Greater Toronto area. A successful candidate could be hosted by a public library; and will likely develop some local administrative and accounting support structure.

The job descriptions and operating requirements are below. Please submit or ask questions of the sub-committee through jobs@CELAlibrary.ca

Please download the full job descriptions below, available in either English or French.

Deadline to Apply: July 17th 2020

If you are interested in helping to ensure that Bill C-81 lives up to its promises and that we are true to our commitment to create an accessible Canada, then please read on! BFC-CSB needs to hear from you! We are seeking board members!

Barrier-Free Canada/Canada Sans Barrieres (BFC/CSB) advocates to the Canadian Parliament to enact a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA) to achieve a Barrier-Free Canada for all persons with disabilities. To this end, BFC/CSB is seeking Directors for its Board who have the skills, knowledge and abilities to work as part of a non-partisan team toward and through the next stage of the ACA’s development into a meaningful and progressive piece of Human Rights legislation.

BFC has proudly achieved its earlier mission to collaborate with others to ensure the safe passage of Bill C-81. On May 1, 2019, Barrier-Free Canada presented on behalf of Canadians with Disabilities to the Senate Standing Committee, and we were part of Minister Qualtrough’s Parliament Hill public celebration on June 20, 2019, as well as being in-person witness to the Royal Assent ceremonies when Bill C-81 was acclaimed on June 21, 2019.

BFC’s ongoing mission is to work with the Canadian Government and other stakeholders to ensure that the ACA Framework legislation continues to develop into the dynamic, inclusive, and fair support system all Canadians need in this “Just Society”.

Position

Director (BFC Board of Directors)

Authority

Directors will carry out tasks and assignments which they agree to accept and/or that are delegated by the Board.

Responsibility

Report to the Board of Directors, Directors will assume responsibilities which they agree to accept and/or that are delegated by the Board.

Qualifications and Skills

To be eligible for election to the Board of Directors, an individual must:

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Not have been declared incapable by a Court in Canada or elsewhere; and
• Not have the status of a bankrupt.

Members of the Board may, but are not required to be, representatives of member organizations.

Members of the Board may, but are not required to, have a disability.

Board members must:

• have a demonstrable commitment to the purpose, mission, and values of BFC;
• be able to dedicate 1-2 hours per week (on average) to board work over the course of your term;
• have regular access to a computer with an Internet connection and e-mail, and possess basic computer skills to use typical office applications (e-mail, Microsoft Word, etc.) for day-to-day administrative tasks;

Have the ability to:

• think independently and critically (including using research data, asking questions, challenging unsubstantiated information)
• use logic and reasoning to identify issues as well as the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• be objective at all times about what is best for the whole of the organization and the community of Canadians with disabilities rather than what is best for a particular constituency
• understand the need to base decisions on what is good for the organization, and accept accountability for group decisions so that the Board of Directors speaks with one voice;

Nomination, Election, and Term of Service

Prior to each meeting of members, the Board appoints a Nominations Committee (comprised of the President and at least two others) which will prepare a list of candidates for nomination. In assessing a particular nominee for consideration, the Nominations Committee may consider, among other demographic factors, his or her education, experience, and accomplishments; attendance, preparation, and active participation at past board meetings and general membership meetings; availability and commitment for the proposed term of office; and past performance reviews and assessments.

Except where an election is held to fill the unexpired portion of a term, newly elected directors shall be elected for two-year (2) terms.

General Duties

Directors are expected to:

• Gain a good working knowledge of BFC-CSB’s mandate, mission, bylaws and operating procedures;
• Hold basic knowledge of standard legislation to support people with disabilities. This includes the Accessible Canada Act (Bill C-81), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0), the Canadian Human Rights Act, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and basic Universal Design theory;
• Prepare for all meetings and conference calls in advance and actively participate in all of them;
• Attend at least 75% of board meetings, which are typically held on a monthly basis by teleconference;
• Participate in email discussions which take place between formal meetings;
• If they are a representative of an organization, keep their organization informed about BFC’s activities and act as an information conduit for the exchange of relevant news and information between the organizations;
• To the extent that they may be a member of, or otherwise connected to, a particular disability community, they should use their best efforts to facilitate open information-sharing with those communities;
• Represent positively the interests of Barrier Free Canada in all interactions and communications with third parties. Directors may attend external meetings in a representative capacity, and will in that context be an ambassador for BFC;

Serve as a role model by:

• assisting People with Disabilities in advocating for their rights, directly or indirectly. We believe that sharing resources and embracing educational opportunities will assist individuals in gaining a stronger sense of empowerment and strength to face barriers;
• taking all available opportunities to share the vision, mission and values of the organization and promote BFC-CSB’s webpage, Facebook and other social media channels;
• Maintain confidentiality and respect privacy rights as appropriate.

To contact us:

Please send an email to info@barrierfreecanada.org.
Put the words “Director Posting” in the subject line.
And please include a description of why you would like to be considered for membership to our board.
Please include a phone number where you can be reached.
All emails will be responded to.

Please find below an accessible PDF of  a CBM Resource document on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities within Climate Change Plans.

https://www.canada.ca/en/transportation-agency/news/2020/06/new-accessible-transportation-for-persons-with-disabilities-regulations-now-in-force.html

Starting today, persons with disabilities have new protections under the Canadian Transportation Agency’s (CTA) Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR).

The ATPDR require transportation service providers to:

• ensure that aircraft, trains, ferries, buses and terminals (such as airports) are accessible by complying with specific technical requirements;
• meet communication needs of travellers with disabilities;
• provide accessible services; and
• make border and security screening more accessible.

https://otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/accessible-transportation-persons-disabilities-regulations