CCD Urges Federal Election Candidates to Run Accessible Campaigns

For Immediate Release | September 1, 2021

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), a national non-partisan human rights organization of people with disabilities working for an accessible and inclusive Canada, is calling upon all Federal Election candidates to run barrier-free campaigns.

For people with disabilities to make an informed choice when casting their ballot they need full access to candidates’ campaigns.

Some features of an accessible campaign include: candidates’ literature available in alternate media, provision of ASL/LSQ at campaign events, barrier-free access to campaign offices, designated accessible parking for people with disabilities.

“Candidates running in the Federal Election can demonstrate their personal commitment to an accessible and inclusive Canada by ensuring that their campaigns are fully accessible to voters with disabilities,” states Heather Walkus, CCD 1st Vice Chair.

“It is important to note that there is no limit to the amount that candidates or registered parties may spend on accessibility expenses. An accessibility expense is not an election expense, so it is exempt from the election expenses limits, states Jewelles Smith, CCD Communications and Government Relations Coordinator. (See ss. 376(3.1), 430(1), 477.49(1) of the Canada Election Act.) [1]

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For More Information Contact:

Jewelles Smith, Communications and Government Relations Coordinator, jewelles@ccdonline.ca

Heather Walkus, 1st Vice Chair, heather@ccdonline.ca

About CCD

CCD is a national non-partisan human rights organization of people with disabilities working for an inclusive and accessible Canada.

Mission

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) is a social justice organization of people with all disabilities that champions the voices of people with disabilities, advocating an inclusive and accessible Canada, where people with disabilities have full realization of their human rights, as described in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Mandate

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) unites advocacy organizations of people with disabilities to defend and extend human rights for persons with disabilities through public education, advocacy, intervention in litigation, research, consultation and partnerships.  CCD amplifies the expertise of our partners by acting as a convening body and consensus builder.