Weekly Email Digest for Information Sharing Purposes September 25 - October 13, 2023

Contents

Access 
Announcing the 2023-2024 Buildings Without Barriers Challenge | Rick Hansen Foundation 
Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way 
U.S. Access Board Webinar: Accessible Bathing Rooms (November 2) 
Employment 
Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) Employment Standard Feedback Survey 
You are invited to attend the Disability and Work in Canada 2023 (DWC 2023) Conference which will be held In-Person and virtually (plenary room only) over two days on November 29 & 30th. 
Government of Canada 
Mistreatment of Older Persons – Federal Policy Definition 
Recruitment of Policy Leaders - 2023-2024 Campaign Launch 
Newsletters 
Canadian Council of the Blind 
CLEO | On The Radar - Rent increases in 2024 and a reminder about the rules 
Cooperation Canada Newsletter 
Fighting Blindness Canada | Your October vision research updates are here! 
EASPD Newsletter 
Every Canadian Counts 
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition 
Ontario Human Rights Commission Newsletter 
Webinars 
Navigating Employment Opportunities in Higher Education: An Honest Conversation 

Access

Announcing the 2023-2024 Buildings Without Barriers Challenge | Rick Hansen Foundation

Click on the following link to access the information online: Announcing the 2023-2024 Buildings Without Barriers Challenge (rickhansen.com)

Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way

Click on the following link to access the information online: Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-WayArchive (accessibilityonline.org)

U.S. Access Board Webinar: Accessible Bathing Rooms (November 2)

Click on the following link to access the information online: Accessible Bathing Rooms (accessibilityonline.org)

Employment

Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) Employment Standard Feedback Survey

As you know, the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) is dedicated to advancing equitable employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and influencing policy to create an inclusive Canada.

We are currently seeking input on the Standard on employment, open for review until October 17th, 2023. This gathered input will inform the Standard's development.

The Standard comprises nine sections covering various aspects of employment, from structural support and policy to culture, recruitment, retention, and disability management.

CCRW’s key recommendations include emphasizing disability confidence, shifting focus from representation targets to genuine inclusion strategies, and advocating for a federal centralized accommodation fund.

You can read our brief in full here - CAN-ASC-1.1 Standard on employment CCRW Summary and Recommendations

We would appreciate you providing feedback and suggestions on the draft standard and their recommendations through our online survey our survey here.

Feedback might include editorial, spelling punctuation, technical, or general comments to improve the standard.

You can also provide feedback directly through the Accessibility Standards Canada website.

To view our recommendations on the Standard in either ASL or LSQ, please visit our YouTube channel or navigate directly to the playlist here: CCRW's Recommendations on the Standard on Employment in ASL and LSQ

We at CCRW thank you for your feedback in advance and as we seek collaborative efforts to refine the Standard on employment and promote inclusivity for all.

Samira Ahmadzai sahmadzai@ccrw.org

You are invited to attend the Disability and Work in Canada 2023 (DWC 2023) Conference which will be held In-Person and virtually (plenary room only) over two days on November 29 & 30th.

The theme for this year’s conference is the “Livelihoods and influencing the future of work for people with disabilities: A focus on rights, and quality of life.”

To register, click here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/723583556897?aff=oddtdtcreator. The deadline for the early bird rate is October 30th.

Registration categories and pre-tax amounts:
*Each ticket option includes a Pay it Forward option. By choosing a “Pay It Forward” ticket you will receive access to the ticket of your choice, and you will also pay a portion forward so that one ticket will be provided at no cost to a someone who may not have the financial means to attend.
1. Early Bird Full Conference (In person) - $350 - Open till October 30th
2. Early Bird Student Rate (In person) - $250 - Open till October 30th
3. Early Bird Virtual (Plenary room) $50 – Open till October 30th
4. Regular Full Conference - $400- open from October 30th
5. Regular Student Rate - $300 - open from October 30th
6. Regular Virtual (Plenary room) $75 open from October 30th
Subsidies are available for persons with disabilities. Please contact info@DWCStrategy.ca for assistance.

Take advantage of our discounted room rates!
Novotel Ottawa ( $199 per night)
Booking link: https://book.passkey.com/go/CCRW2023

Please note the rate is available from 11/28/2023 to 11/30/2023. If you would would like to book extra nights please call the hotel directly. Booking Code: 1172702

The Westin Ottawa ($339 per night)
Booking Link: https://www.marriott.com/events/start.mi?id=1679856023607&key=GRP

Please note the rate is only available from11/28/2023 to 11/30/2023. If you would like to book extra nights, you will need to make a second reservation under a regular rate or call the hotel directly.

For any questions or if you require any assistance with the registration process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the DWC Conference team at info@DWCStrategy.ca.

Kind regards,
DWC2023 Conference Team

Government of Canada

Mistreatment of Older Persons – Federal Policy Definition

In summer 2021, the Government of Canada held a series of consultation activities inviting Canadians to share their thoughts on a federal policy definition of the mistreatment of older persons (also known as elder abuse or senior abuse).

The Government of Canada heard different perspectives from stakeholders, experts, Indigenous communities and organizations, and Canadians.

Today, we are pleased to release the publication of the What We Heard Report, detailing the input received through these consultations.

In addition, through the analysis of various definitions and following the Government of Canada’s consultations, a federal policy definition of Mistreatment of Older Persons has been developed.

The Government recognizes that there is no single accepted definition and the definitions and terms relating to the mistreatment of older persons may vary across jurisdictions. The federal policy definition will not replace these jurisdictional definitions. Furthermore, the policy definition will not be a legal definition and will neither be included in nor inform any Criminal Code amendments.

The mistreatment of older persons is often rooted in ageism. Setting a federal policy definition is an important vehicle for culture change and public awareness. We believe that by working with stakeholders, partners, experts, Indigenous communities and organizations, other levels of government and Canadians, we can lay the groundwork to better address the mistreatment of older persons.

To stay up to date on future consultation activities and news related to seniors, follow the Seniors in Canada Facebook page.

Thank you,

For regular updates, please follow:
Twitter: @ESDC_GC
Facebook: Seniors in Canada
Engagement unit / Unité d'engagement
Human Rights Program / Programme des droits de la personne
Canadian Heritage /Patrimoine Canadien
Engagement DroitsFPTRights (PCH) FPTRightsEngagementDroitsFPT@pch.gc.ca

Recruitment of Policy Leaders - 2023-2024 Campaign Launch

The Government of Canada’s annual flagship Recruitment of Policy Leaders (RPL) program is seeking accomplished persons from diverse backgrounds with the potential to lead positive change and develop creative solutions to Canada’s most challenging policy issues, such as the fight against climate change, criminal justice, the digital economy, food security, foreign policy, health, international trade, national security, promoting gender equality, reconciliation, and more.

This competitive program seeks individuals with: policy-relevant experience (e.g., from NGOs, Indigenous organizations, government, academia, think tanks, the private sector, etc.); demonstrated leadership, initiative and/or community engagement; and a record of research achievements. Candidates must hold (or complete by December 31, 2024) a Master’s degree or a PhD in any discipline, or a law degree combined with an undergraduate degree in any discipline.

This year, the RPL campaign will accept applications from October 17 to 31, 2023. For more information and to apply, please visit www.canada.ca/recruitment-policy-leaders. For further details on the program, eligibility requirements and additional application periods (from November 2 to 30, 2023) for candidates self-identifying as Indigenous and/or as persons living with disabilities, please consult the attached promotional brochure. 

Assessment accommodations are available at any stage of the hiring process to help candidates demonstrate their abilities to their fullest capacity.

To hear more from alumni of the program, please follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. You can also visit our GCwiki page, which contains links to recorded presentations and video profiles of alumni, as well as information for webinars taking place over the coming weeks. We encourage all prospective applicants to attend a webinar to learn more about the application process. Details and registration links will soon be available on our GCwiki page.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact the Public Service Commission of Canada at CFP.RLP-RPL.PSC@cfp-psc.gc.ca.

Newsletters

Canadian Council of the Blind

Click on the following link to access the information online: World Sight Day Press Release "Specsavers and the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB)" (mailchi.mp)

Click on the following link to access the information online: White Cane Magazine Fall/Winter 2023 (mailchi.mp)

CLEO | On The Radar - Rent increases in 2024 and a reminder about the rules

Click on the following link to access the information online: outreach.cleo.on.ca/civicrm?civiwp=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fmailing%2Fview&reset=1&id=1050

Cooperation Canada Newsletter

Click on the following link to access the information online: Cooperation Canada's Newsletter | Infolettre de Coopération Canada (mailchi.mp)

Fighting Blindness Canada | Your October vision research updates are here!

Click on the following link to access the information online: Your October vision research updates are here! (mailchi.mp)

EASPD Newsletter

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