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Empower U: Learn to Access Your Disability Rights Training on Canadian Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Optional Protocol (OP) training aims to increase awareness of how to address discrimination using more familiar Canadian human rights laws such as Human Rights Codes and the newer international Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This is training for persons with disabilities by persons with disabilities. The training is part of a project funded by Employment and Social Development Canada and implemented by the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) in collaboration with Canadian Multicultural Disability Centre Inc. (CMDCI), Citizens With Disabilities – Ontario (CWDO), Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities (MLPD) and National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS). Read more.
CCD Chairperson's Update - June 2014
CCD Council and Annual General Meeting
The CCD National Council of Representatives met in Winnipeg for the Council meeting and Annual General Meeting, 6-7 June 2014.
CCD welcomed new members to the Council table:
- Jerry Weir (COD NL),
- Lois Miller (NSLEO).
UN Special Rapporteur on Disability Visits Canada
CCD was honored to have Shuaib Chalklen, Special Rapporteur on Disability, attend the Council meeting.
Mr. Chalklen shared his perspective on key challenges facing people with disabilities around the world.
Manitoba Organizations Host Gathering - On 5 June 2014, the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities, the Manitoba Human Rights Commission and the Disabilities Issues Office (Government of Manitoba) collaborated to host a meeting for the Special Rapporteur with local community members, Commission staff and Government of Manitoba staff.
Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) Tour - On 5 June 2014, CCD organized a tour of the CMHR for Mr. Chalklen. Tony Dolan, Vangelis Nikias and Laurie Beachell accompanied Mr. Chalklen on the Museum tour.
Following his visit to Winnipeg, Mr. Chalklen travelled to Ottawa with Steve Estey, Chairperson of CCD's International Development Committee. While in Ottawa, they met with Canadian NGOs addressing international human rights issues.
UN Conference of States Parties
Steve Estey attended the Seventh Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 10-12 June 2014. The thematic discussions for the meeting were:
- Incorporating the CRPD provisions into the post-2015 development agenda;
- Youth with disabilities; and
- National implementation and monitoring.
Human Rights Officials Engage with Civil Society
On Tuesday, 3 June 2014, Vangelis Nikias, Manager of CCD's CRPD Awareness Project, participated in a consultation with the Continuing Committee of Officials on Human Rights. CCD's comments focused on the following points:
- During the CRPD negotiations, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) -government collaboration was positive and of value. It contributed mutual confidence and useful NGO input.
- During the development of Canada's First Report on the CRPD, CCD was consulted on the report outline. It would have been better if we had also been consulted on the content.
- We believe that the value of organizations of people with disabilities and government collaboration can be picked up again by working together for CRPD implementation under Article 33.
Carter Case
In October, the Supreme Court of Canada will hear the Carter case. The Carter case seeks to strike down the Criminal Code's prohibitions against assisted suicide and euthanasia, but only for persons with disabilities. CCD and the Canadian Association for Community Living applied to the Supreme Court of Canada to be co-intervenor in the Carter case.
Poverty, Employment and Labor Market Summit
On behalf of CCD, Dr. Michael Prince participated in Dignity for All's gathering, which was held 9-10 June 2014. Dr. Prince's presentation was titled "Employment Equality for Canadians with Disabilities."
Update on Canada Post
On 25 June 2014, CCD had a conference call meeting with Susan Margles, Canada Post Vice-President of Government Relations and Policy, to continue the conversation about how barriers will be created if the corporation ends door-to-door mail service.
Tony Dolan Speaks at Human Rights Conference
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers Human Rights Committee invited Tony Dolan, CCD Chairperson, to speak at their National Human Rights Conference, which was held in Ottawa 19-22 June 2014. Tony explained CCD's stance on accessible postal service. Researcher Caryl-Anne Stordy discussed her research into the impact of Canada Post's plan on the accessibility of the mail system.
Let's Talk TV
CCD made a submission to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) consultation about the future of television in Canada. CCD urged greater regulation of the broadcast industry in support of increased accessibility for persons with disabilities. CCD has found voluntary measures to be ineffective for delivering access.
CURA Team Met
On 12 June 2014, the CURA team met by conference call to share their plans for the remainder of the project. Check out the team's research reports.
New Member
In June, the CCD Human Rights Committee welcomed a new member, Prof. Aloke Chatterjee, B.Sc., LL.B., LL.M.