Contents
Access 
U.S. Access Board Seeks Public Comment on Final Specification for Low Transfer Surface Height of Medical Diagnostic Equipment 
U.S. Access Board Webinar: Designing for Children 
Accessible Transient Lodging Webinar Available in Archives 
Government of Canada Announcements 
Canada's second Voluntary National Review 
NOTICE: Opens Aug. 1, 2023 - New Horizons for Seniors Program 2023–2024 Call for Proposals 
Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) 
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Newsletter 
Newsletters 
Cooperation Canada 
EASPD Newsletter 
Fighting Blindness Canada 
Seniors 
Message from the Minister 
Transportation 
First Ride on Canada's NEW TRAINS with @viarail canada and new accessibility features. 
Webinars 
Event with disabled storytellers: "What is home?" 
Opportunities 
Researcher - MDC 
Canada Disability Benefit 
 

Access

U.S. Access Board Seeks Public Comment on Final Specification for Low Transfer Surface Height of Medical Diagnostic Equipment

Click on the following link to access the information online: https://www.access-board.gov/news/2023/05/23/u-s-access-board-seeks-public-comment-on-final-specification-for-low-transfer-surface-height-of-medical-diagnostic-equipment/

U.S. Access Board Webinar: Designing for Children

Children with disabilities need accessible design that differs from design for adults with disabilities, such as the dimensions of sinks and drinking fountains, dining surfaces, water closets and toilet compartments, and handrails. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Standards provide requirements that ensure daycares, preschools, elementary schools, play facilities, and children’s museums are designed with accessibility for children with disabilities. The next webinar in the U.S. Access Board's free monthly series will take place Thursday, August 3 from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. (ET) and review the scoping and technical requirements in the ADA and ABA Standards for spaces and elements specifically designed for use by people with disabilities who are 12 years old and younger. Presenters will discuss accessibility requirements for toilet rooms, classrooms, play areas and components, and ground surfaces. Special guest speaker Bill Botten will present and impart his knowledge from decades of accessibility advocacy for children and recreation.

For more information or to register, visit Great Lakes ADA Center’s Designing for Children webinar webpage. All webinars include video remote interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning. Questions can be submitted in advance of the session or can be posed during the live webinar. Webinar attendees can earn continuing education credits. The webinar series is hosted by the ADA National Network in cooperation with the Board. Archived copies of previous Board webinars are available on the site.

Accessible Transient Lodging Webinar Available in Archives

f you missed the U.S. Access Board’s webinar on accessible transient lodging last week, you can access the webinar recording and presentation materials in the archives. This webinar addressed accessibility requirements for hotels, motels, and other types of transient lodging facilities. Presenters reviewed requirements in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Standards for dispersion of compliant guest rooms and suites with mobility and communication features, guest accommodations, such as sleeping areas, bathrooms, kitchens and kitchenettes, storage, signage, fire alarms, and phones, and other common amenities, such as check-in counters, fitness centers, swimming pools and spas, bars and restaurants, and conference rooms. This webinar included video remote interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning. The webinar series is hosted by the ADA National Network in cooperation with the Board. Other archived copies of previous Board webinars are also available on the site.

Government of Canada Announcements

Canada's second Voluntary National Review

Greetings,

We are happy to inform you that Canada’s second Voluntary National Review (VNR) – A Continued Journey for Implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals – is now available our website.
We would like to thank you for your contributions to Canada’s progress of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

On July 19, 2023, at 9:00 am ET, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, will present Canada’s VNR at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, taking place in New York.

You may watch the presentation at the following link:

• United Nations TV

Do not hesitate to reach out to the SDG Unit if you have any questions.

Best regards,

Mercedes Morin
The Sustainable Development Goals Unit
Employment and Social Development Canada
Government of Canada
Programme2030-2030Agenda@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

NOTICE: Opens Aug. 1, 2023 - New Horizons for Seniors Program 2023–2024 Call for Proposals

On August 1st, 2023, the Government of Canada will launch the annual New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) Community-based stream 2023-2024 Call for proposals (CFP) to invest in projects across Canada. This program is offered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Please note that the online Application for Funding Form and the Applicant Guide will only be available on the NHSP Funding Page  as of August 1st, 2023. It is important to note that you cannot submit your application before the CFP is officially launched.

Organizations will have a total of six (6) weeks to submit their applications, from August 1 to September 14, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). To learn more information about NHSP, please visit the NHSP Page.
Eligible projects must meet the CFP criteria, including:

• be no longer than 52 weeks
• request no more than $25,000
• meet at least 1 program objective
• seniors will lead or play a vital role in its planning and/or delivery
• seek to benefit seniors and communities
• demonstrate cost effectiveness

The NHSP supports projects that address the following objectives:

• promoting volunteerism among seniors and other generations;
• engaging seniors in the community through the mentoring of others;
• expanding awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse;
• supporting the social participation and inclusion of seniors; and,
• providing capital assistance for new and existing community projects and/or programs for seniors.

Organizations will be invited to apply for funding that supports the 2023-2024 program’s national priorities:
Supporting healthy ageing, including:

• addressing social isolation, including through supporting seniors’ digital literacy;
• addressing ageism; and,
• supporting mental health and dementia.

Preventing senior abuse, including:

• providing measures to reduce crimes and harm against seniors including elder abuse; and,
• developing educational material to prevent unscrupulous practices, financial fraud and scams from happening to seniors. 
• Celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion, including:
• promoting intergenerational mentoring and engagement;
• advancing Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and helping to secure a better quality of life for Indigenous seniors; and,
• collaborating with diverse communities notably by serving members of the following vulnerable groups: low-income seniors, Indigenous Peoples, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, members of official language minority communities (OLMCs), seniors who primarily speak languages other than English or French, members of racialized and newcomer groups, persons with disabilities, veterans and seniors living in rural or remote areas.

Supporting financial security, including:

• helping seniors navigate and access government services and benefits and providing support to file their taxes; and,
• supporting financial empowerment of seniors.
• In addition to regional information sessions, technical support sessions will be provided to organizations during the application period and can be requested through Service Canada.

We encourage you to follow Seniors in Canada on Facebook and on Twitter or access canada.ca/seniors  to obtain the most up-to-date information about the benefits, programs and initiatives available to seniors.

Additionally, we are asking you to please comment, like and share our content to help spread the word about the 2023-2024 NHSP Community-based projects CFP and other important seniors-related announcements. Feel free to use #SeniorsInCanada to join the conversation.  

We invite you to watch the message from the Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera.

Get notified of funding opportunities from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) by signing up to receive email notifications. To receive regular updates from the Minister of Seniors, sign up here!

Please note that a Call for Concepts for the Pan Canadian stream of the New Horizons for Seniors Program will be launched on October 4, 2023. The theme of the Call for Concepts will be increasing the social inclusion of vulnerable populations of seniors and will support concepts that use a collective impact approach. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.

If you are interested in attending a virtual Information Session, register here:
General Sessions: New Horizons for Seniors Program Events | Eventbrite

Regards,
New Horizons for Seniors Program – Western Canada and Territories Region
270 - 220 4th Avenue South-East
Calgary AB  T2G 4X3
Service Canada / Government of Canada 
ESDC.WT.BDSB.NHSP.VAN.GD-GD.VAN.HNPS.DGSVP.WT.EDSC@servicecanada.gc.ca/ Tel.: 1-855-312-0400

Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD)

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Newsletter

Click on the following link to access the newsletter online: Woman with anorexia wants to die by euthanasia. (mailchi.mp)

Click on the following link to access the newsletter online: https://mailchi.mp/epcc.ca/psychiatrists-do-we-offer-hope-or-death-643739?e=59924ae386

Click on the following link to access the information online: Doctor offers euthanasia to suicidal patient. (mailchi.mp)

Newsletters

Cooperation Canada

Click on the following link to access the newsletter online: https://mailchi.mp/cooperation.ca/july-13-2023-members-insights?e=a800a3de9e

EASPD Newsletter

Click on the following link to access the newsletter online: EASPD Newsletter

Remembering Doreen Demas, a Past President of DAWN Canada

Click on the following link to read an obituary of Doreen Demas, who represented the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities on the CCD Council and who also served on the CCD Executive: DEMAS DOREEN - Obituaries - Winnipeg Free Press Passages.

Seniors

Message from the Minister

Dear friends,

On July 1, we celebrated Canada’s history and the 40 million Canadians who make up our beautiful country. No matter what our age is, our faith, where we were born, the colour of our skin, what language we speak, or who we love, we know that it is our differences and our commitment to celebrating our diversity that makes us stronger as a country.

As Canada’s Minister of Seniors, I am committed to identifying ways our government can improve the quality of life for older Canadians. As we enter July, I have a few things I am thrilled to share.

I recently visited London, Ontario, to announce funding for New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) projects. During my visit, I discussed some of the challenges facing older Canadians, and I look forward to connecting with more communities and individuals across the country. This August, the NHSP community-based stream will open its next call for applications, and you can read more about that in this newsletter.

I would like to remind you that on July 5, the one-time Grocery Rebate was delivered to eligible Canadians by direct deposit or cheque. I am pleased to say that on average, eligible seniors received $225. You can read more below about the Grocery Rebate and how we’re making life more affordable for older Canadians.

Lastly, as extreme heat events are expected to increase during the summer months, I encourage you to check out the Health Canada webpage on how to protect yourself from the health effects of extreme heat. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and knowing what symptoms to watch out for can save lives.

There are more announcements to come this summer, so be sure to stay tuned!
In this issue of my newsletter, you can read more about:

• New Horizons for Seniors Program; London, Ontario Announcement
• New Horizons for Seniors Program Community-based Stream 2023 Call for Proposals
• Making life more affordable for older Canadians

Please take a moment to share this link with friends and colleagues so that they can sign up to receive my updates.

Thanks for reading and sharing.

Kamal Khera
Minister of Seniors

New Horizons for Seniors Program; London, Ontario Announcement

On June 27, I announced an investment of $255,417 to fund 14 community-based projects supporting seniors in London, Ontario. This funding was awarded through the most recent call for proposals through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).

Our government invests approximately $50 million per year to support NHSP community-based projects. In Budget 2022, an additional $20 million was proposed over two years for an expanded program to support more projects that improve seniors’ quality of life and help them to continue participating fully in their communities.

New Horizons for Seniors Program Community-based Stream 2023 Call for Proposals

Like many countries around the world, Canada has a growing population of seniors. By 2057, people over the age of 65 will make up one quarter of Canada’s population, and our government is working hard to respond to seniors’ diverse needs.

One of the ways we are doing this is through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). NHSP has been funding community projects across Canada that prioritize seniors and meet one of the following objectives:

• promote volunteerism among seniors and other generations
• engage seniors in the community through the mentoring of others
• expand awareness about important issues such as elder and financial abuse
• support the social participation and inclusion of seniors
• provide capital assistance for new and existing programs for seniors

The NHSP demonstrates the Government’s commitment to connecting and empowering seniors in communities across every region of the country.

I am thrilled to invite every eligible organization to participate in the upcoming call for proposals for community-based projects, which will be opening on August 1!

Using a simplified application process, organizations are invited to submit proposals for projects that meet at least one program objective, involve seniors in program planning or delivery, and seek to benefit seniors and communities.

I encourage you to visit the New Horizons for Seniors Program website for more information on eligibility and how to apply, or contact your regional Service Canada Office. You can also watch my NHSP Community-based stream Call for proposals pre-launch video.

Make sure to stay tuned as August 1 approaches. I look forward to seeing the amazing projects that will be rolled out in many communities!

Making life more affordable for older Canadians

Making life more affordable remains a top priority for our government. Even though global inflation is going down, many Canadians are experiencing challenges when it comes to the rising cost of living, particularly at the grocery store. That is why Budget 2023 lays out our plan to support seniors.

Budget 2023 delivers new targeted inflation relief to the Canadians hardest hit by the rising cost of living. On July 5, the one-time Grocery Rebate was delivered to 11 million eligible Canadians by direct deposit or cheque. Seniors can expect to see an average of an additional $225 dollars in their bank account. Budget 2023 also expanded on the Canada Dental Plan. We’re moving forward with our plan, which will make life more affordable for 9 million Canadians, including seniors, and ensure they have access to the dental care they need starting at the end of the year.

To learn more about this year’s Budget, check out Budget 2023: A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future or read the Budget 2023 news release.

Transportation

First Ride on Canada's NEW TRAINS with @viarail canada and new accessibility features.

This video of the new and improved accessible VIA Rail Car reflects advice provided by a focused group of people with a variety of disabilities from disability organizations. There were limitations preventing them from taking on some of the suggestions because we had to stay within the dimensions of a current railcar.

The 15-minute video focuses on many additional features, including features our group recommended for people with a variety of disabilities. These included ambient noise control for people with hearing sensitivity and those on the spectrum, a seating area with a table for those using a wheelchair or having a service animal, an impressive, fully loaded bathroom with a baby changing table, sharp disposal, and accessible amenities.

Is it fully accessible? I would have to say probably not, but I don't believe a train car can be made fully accessible for every person. However, this version of the train car is much better than the last version of their accessible trains.

Please share with all Council members.

Many thanks,
Tracy Odell
https://youtube.com/watch?v=B1f2WhsmYkY&feature=sharea

Webinars

Event with disabled storytellers: "What is home?"

July 26 online event, 7 pm EST:  What is home?

The Center for Public Integrity will host an event featuring disabled storytellers. For this panel discussion, four people with disabilities will share their stories around the theme: “What is home?”
https://publicintegrity.org/inside-publici/live-events/what-is-home-event-featuring-disabled-storytellers/?fbclid=IwAR0WDygblpacrI1viHSKGx5vp9lvK1fFetnwekP8cO7mPqnH9Ii8Y6l3J5

Beth A. Haller, Ph.D.
Co-founder/Co-director, Global Alliance for Disability in Media and Entertainment, www.gadim.org 
Web page: http://bethhaller.wordpress.com/
Author, Representing Disability in an Ableist World (2010): http://www.media-disability.net/
Co-editor, The Routledge Companion to Disability & Media (2019): https://www.routledge.com/The-Routledge-Companion-to-Disability-and-Medi...
Professor Emerita, Mass Communication Dept., Towson University, Towson, Maryland, USA
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Opportunities

Researcher - MDC

I’m reaching out to you about an opportunity that you may be interested in or know someone who else who might be.

The opportunity stems from the recently approved settlement of the class action brought forward on behalf of Manitoba Developmental Centre survivors by David Weremy. Part of this settlement includes an opportunity to engage a researcher who could participate in a tour of MDC (after it closes) along with survivors and to select ‘artifacts’ that are considered ‘significant’ that could be used in a community display or installation. There is a modest budget for this work ($10,000) that would include: 

• Any advance research and planning undertaken by the researcher and their team
• Transportation and accommodation for the researcher and their team
• Costs associated with removing and storing any artifacts selected by the researcher
• Any costs incurred above $10,000 would not be payable by Manitoba government through the settlement. This may include exhibition costs, which would likely need to be borne by perhaps the researchers’ organization or the museum exhibiting the artifacts.
• The researcher could take photographs during the course of their visit, for inclusion in any exhibit

All artifacts chosen would still be property of the gov't, and displayed on loan at a museum or other site

I’m playing a bit of a liaison role between the class action lawyers who are in Ontario with the disability community surrounding this opportunity and was asked to reach out to people who might have this expertise, interest and passion. You are one of those people that came to mind. Would you be at all interested in learning more? Could I pass along your contact information to lead person on this file? Again, I have no authority on the ultimate selection beyond referring some people who may be interested and fit some of the qualifications. I am reaching out to a few others as well, full disclosure. I do hope that once a selection is made that the successful party might start with engaging with the community of survivors of MDC to better understand their stories and what might be meaningful. Thoughts? Any interest or ideas?

Leanne Fenez
leanne@abilitiesmanitoba.org
Quality Lead
Abilities Manitoba
www.abilitiesmanitoba.org
Pronouns - She/Her

Canada Disability Benefit.

Hello with them telling us it's going to be 12-18 months before we see any of the Canada Disability benefit I have created a petition to request emergency support for disabled people can u please sign and share this
https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-4514
Jeffrey Salisbury
aaron158@msn.com]

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