The Parallax View

par·al·lax

n.
A change in the apparent position of an object relative to more distant objects, caused by a change in the observer's line of sight towards the object.

I've been very critical of The Federal Government's foot dragging on a range of issues facing people with disabilities.  So I was nearly blown away by yesterday's list of cabinet appointments.  The idea that there is now a Ministry of Sport and Persons with Disabilities is a very good sign and should be the new beginning we have sought for so long.

The long list of cabinet members shows a willingness to rethink government that well might restore Canada's reputation for fairness and equality.  We will all be watching carefully (and critically), but change is in the air and we're hopeful.

The name 'Sport and Persons with Disabilities' reflects a basic tension.  I like the association and feel strongly that sport has provided one of the few opportunities for excellence.  But therein lies the heart of the issue - are limitations inherent or caused by arbitrary barriers?  Should government be thinking about my disability or the barriers that cause it?  So 'Sport and Access' or 'Sport and Equality' would have been more to my liking, but a distinction without a difference for most people.

In any case, the full realization of equality will take the participation of many ministries - Labour, Justice, Transport, Health, and others.

Carla Qualtrough, the new minister, surely gets it.  I'm not a big fan of BC's accessibility efforts - accessibility is a matter of right, not subject to negotiation - and their timeline is ridiculously long. But Qualtrough has the right credentials and if Trudeau follows through on his promises, the stage is set.

Trudeau's answer to the question "Why gender balance in cabinet?", "Because it's 2015" says it all in seven syllables.

Canada has compared badly with the US in the area of disability rights, but now that we've got:

• A Sikh Minister of Defense
• A  First Canadian Justice Minister 
• A  gay President of Treasury Board
• A Sikh Minister of Economic development
• An astronaut(!) Transport Minister
• A wheelchair-using Minister of Veteran's Affairs
• An Afghan-born Minister of Democratic Institutions
• A scientist Minister of Science
• A Paralympian Minister of Sport and Disability
• A thing called the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
• And other breathtaking choices

we've shown the world what Canada is and wants to be.  Expectations are high.

East Coast Rules

Congratulations to Liberals on their overwhelming victory!  And even more kudos to all Canadians who have now committed to this platform plank:

• To eliminate systemic barriers and deliver equality of opportunity to all Canadians living with disabilities, we will consult with provinces, territories, and other stakeholders to introduce a National Disabilities Act.

Although Liberals did not commit to implementing the Optional Protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, they may do so anyway, and if not, a national disabilities act is a better idea.

As long as it isn't modeled on Ontario's failed Access for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, which flunked its five-year review not to mention its ten-year review and has a ludicrously long timeline.  By granting sweeping exemptions, it trivializes Charter rights.

Better it should be modeled on the forthcoming Access for All Nova Scotians legislation, which is focused on fair and equitable treatment for all, mindful of the promises of the Charter.  It is intended to be a courageous piece of civil rights legislation, more aptly named than the Americans with Disabilities Act, but equally far-reaching.

I have an abiding distrust of anybody who claims to know the needs of people with disabilities.  I've seen a thousand roll-under sinks where I couldn't reach the soap and ten thousand dangerous curb cuts.  So I was disappointed but unsurprised to see that newly-minted MP Andy Fillmore had a step at his campaign HQ on Quinpool.

Except for the little sign 'Ramp Available on Request'

Those four words make a difference.  There's a sign like that at Hali-Deli and Argyle Fine Art. They get it.  There isn't one at Epicurious Morsels or Jennifer's of Nova Scotia, both run by people who share Stephen Harper's parsimonious vision of Canada.

It'll be a tedious process, with foot dragging (and knuckle dragging), so here's a place to begin.  Put it on your calendar:

Halifax Accessibility and Inclusive Design Meetup

Wednesday November 4th at 6:30PM

Lindsay Children’s Room, Halifax Central Library

Accessible Media Inc. is hosting our first Accessibility and Inclusive Design Meetup in Halifax. AMI’s Accessibility Officer, Robert Pearson has hosted these events previously in Toronto and Vancouver as a means to promote a greater understanding of digital and media accessibility as well as inclusive design. This group is about regularly bringing together the accessibility community to share ideas, best practices, our experiences and hopefully to raise the bar when it comes to inclusion.

We look forward to starting the conversation to build, develop and grow the accessibility community on the east coast. Bring your questions, thoughts and curiosity about accessibility and inclusive design and how they can be used to serve the needs of persons with disabilities. This will be an open forum discussion to start and we will then plan out more meet-ups in the months to come.

Attendance is free, snacks and refreshments to be provided. Please RSVP to confirm your attendance via the meetup website: http://www.meetup.com/a11yHFX/events/222923289/

Contact Ryan Delehanty ryan.delehanty@ami.ca with any questions.

Some useful information, please!

Last time we learned the puzzling news from Statistics Canada that Nova Scotians are about twice as likely to have a "disability" as Quebeckers.

This bulletin from the agency so reviled by the Harper government makes me want to know more.

"The Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD) collects information about adults whose everyday activities are limited due to a condition or health-related problem." is the lead sentence in the survey.  This alone is enough to send me into orbit.  The emphasis is on you and your problems, rather than the gratuitous barriers you waste so much time overcoming.  

The introduction goes on to say that the CSD is different from previous surveys because it "uses the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework of disability. This framework defines disability as the relationship between body function and structure, daily activities and social participation, while recognizing the role of environmental factors."  If you have the patience to read the WHO document, you will find a few nuggets of truth among the misspellings.

It describes the Social Model of Disability in some detail: disability demands a political response, since the problem is created by an unaccommodating physical environment brought about by attitudes and other features of the social environment.  And the WHO acknowledges the complex and evolving interaction between health, the individual and the environment.

But the CSD seems preoccupied with the medical aspects of "disability".  You might think the questions are designed to evoke a clinical classification of the 11 types of disability and 4 levels of severity.  Once Statistics Canada has decided which of the 44 boxes you belong in, the work is done, thank you very much.

For all the lip service to "environmental factors" the word "barrier" appears only twice in the 350 questions of the survey.  There is hardly a disability without its corresponding barrier.  A step, the lack of a Braille menu, conventional expectations, stupid rules, timed tests - these are barriers.  Take them away and a person we so glibly call "disabled" simply isn't.

That's the basic problem with the survey.  So when Statistics Canada says "The data will be used to plan and evaluate services, programs and policies." people facing barriers need to be wary.  

Here's a bit about the survey.  

• It's automated and conducted mostly by telephone

• Its a sample survey - candidates are selected from the National Household Survey (itself a sample) based on their answer to questions related to limitations

• The total sample size for the CSD was 45,443 individuals

• Perversely, people in institutions (Statistics Canada call them "collective dwellings") were excluded

• With some caveats, the overall response rate was 74.6%
• Is there a Braille version of the report?  Of course not!

• Questions were of the following types:

Type of Question	Percent of questions
Disability screening	12%
Main cause	3%
Aids and Assistive devices	29%
Medications	1%
Care giving	8%
Education	5%
Past education	4%
Educational Experience	5%
Educational background	1%
Labor force status	2%
Employment details	6%
Unemployed people	4%
Not in labour force	6%
Retirement	2%
Workplace training	2%
Employment modifications	4%
Labour Force Discrimination	1%
Getting Around the Community	2%
Source of Income	4%
Total	100%

So no questions about assets, housing, government services, income amount, recreation, infrastructure, to name a few.  2% on "getting around the community", which includes transportation.  Ridiculous.

Now it gets serious.  In Nova Scotia, we're embarking on legislation to eliminate barriers.  We need to know what they are, how they work, how to make them go away.  Barriers arise in all aspects of life.   To be sure, we need to know something about individual circumstances, but the elimination of barriers doesn't require the answer to questions like this:

Do you have any emotional, psychological or mental health conditions?  These may include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, anorexia, as well as other conditions.

or this:

Do you think you have a condition that makes it difficult in general for you to learn? This may include learning disabilities such as dyslexia, hyperactivity, attention problems, as well as other conditions. 

I need to say it again.  The problem is barriers, not the people who encounter them.  Buried in the Canadian Survey on Disability are about 20 questions that might inform the process of eliminating barriers.  Not perfect, but helpful.  So please, Statistics Canada, what do Nova Scotians say about the following:

Why do you not have assistive devices? (Applies to various "disabilities")

1. Cost (too expensive to purchase)
2. Not covered by insurance
3. Not able or willing to upgrade from current aid/device
4. Don’t know how/where to get aid/device
5. Not available locally
6. On a waiting list
7. Available aids cannot be adapted for respondent’s situation
8. No reason stated

How much did you have to pay out-of-pocket in the past 12 months for aids, devices and specialized equipment?

1. Less than $100
2. $100 to less than $200
3. $200 to less than $500
4. $500 to less than $1,000
5. $1,000 to less than $2,000
6. $2,000 to less than $5,000
7. $5,000 or more

In the past 12 months, were you ever unable to get prescription medications you were supposed to take because of the cost?

1. Yes
2. No

How much did you have to pay out-of-pocket in the past 12 months for the help you received? Please exclude amounts for which you have been or will be reimbursed

1. Less than $500
2. $500 to less than $1,000
3. $1,000 to less than $2,000
4. $2,000 to less than $5,000
5. $5,000 to less than $7,500
6. $7,500 to less than $10,000
7. $10,000 or more

Because of your condition, [do/did] you require adapted or modified building features to attend school?

1. Yes
2. No

[Do/Did] you require... ?

1. accessible classrooms
2. adapted washrooms
3. accessible residences
4. accessible buildings, excluding residences
5. other feature
6. none of the above

[Do/Did] you need...?

1. recording equipment or a portable note-taking device
2. a computer or laptop with specialized software or other adaptations to help with your condition
3. a device for playing audio books or e-books
4. magnifiers
5. CCTV’s (Closed circuit television readers)
6. large print reading materials
7. Braille reading materials or manual brailler
8. a cell phone or smart phone with specialized features to help with your condition
9. a teacher’s aide or tutor
10. a sign language interpreter
11. attendant care services
12. a modified or adapted course curriculum
13. extended time to take tests and exams
14. other aid or service
15. none of the above

What is the highest certificate, diploma or degree that you have completed?

1. Less than high school diploma or its equivalent
2. High school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate
3. Trade certificate or diploma
4. College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma (other than trades certificates or diplomas)
5. University certificate or diploma below the bachelor's level
6. Bachelor's degree (e.g. B.A., B.Sc., LL.B.)
7. University certificate, diploma or degree above the bachelor's level

What is the main reason you usually work less than 30 hours per week?

1. Temporary illness
2. Disability or health condition
3. Caring for own children
4. Caring for a (adult) family member
5. Other personal or family responsibilities
6. Going to school
7. Economic conditions
8. Could not find work with 30 or more hours per week
9. Job is part-time/ contract, more hours not available
10. Don’t want to work more than 30 hours
11. Other

Do you believe that your condition makes it difficult for you to change jobs or to advance at your present job?

1. Yes, very difficult
2. Yes, difficult
3. No, not difficult

Why do you believe that your condition makes it difficult for you to change jobs or advance at your present job?

1. Discrimination or stigma because of condition
2. Condition limits number of hours that can be worked
3. Condition limits ability to search for a job
4. Cannot obtain required supports or accommodations
5. Adapting to a new work environment would be difficult
6. Other
7. None selected

Some people have encountered barriers which have discouraged them from looking for work. Please think about your own experience and indicate which of the following situations apply to you.

1. Your expected employment income would be less than your current income
2. You would lose additional supports such as drug plan or housing
3. Lack of specialized transportation
4. Your family responsibilities prevent you from working
5. Your past attempts to find work have been unsuccessful
6. Your family or friends discourage you from working
7. You have experienced discrimination in the past
8. You feel your training or experience is not adequate for the current job market
9. There are few jobs available in your local area
10. You experienced accessibility issues when applying for work
11. Other reason
12. None selected

Did any of the following prevent you from taking work-related training courses?

1. Location was not physically accessible to you
2. Courses were not adapted to the needs of your condition
3. You requested courses, but were denied them (by employer)
4. Your condition
5. Inadequate transportation
6. Too costly
7. Too busy
8. Other reason
9. None selected

Because of your condition, do you require any of the following to be able to work?

1. Job redesign (modified or different duties)
2. Telework
3. Modified hours or days or reduced work hours
4. Human support, such as a reader, Sign language interpreter, jobcoach or personal assistant
5. Technical aids, such as a voice synthesizer, a TTY, an infrared system or portable note-taker
6. A computer or laptop with specialized software or other adaptations such as Braille, screen magnification software, voice recognition software or a scanner
7. Communication aids, such as Braille or large print reading material or recording equipment
8. A modified or ergonomic workstation
9. A special chair/ back support
10. Handrails, ramps or widened doorways or hallways
11. Adapted or accessible parking
12. An accessible elevator
13. Adapted washrooms
14. Specialized transportation
15. Other equipment, help or work arrangement
16. None of the above

In the past five years, do you believe that because of your condition, you have been: refused a job interview / job / promotion?

1. Yes
2. No

What are the reasons you have difficulty using public transit or specialized transit service?

1. Service is not available when you need it
2. Booking rules don’t allow for last minute arrangements
3. Difficulty getting to or locating bus stops
4. Difficulty getting on or off the vehicle
5. Difficulty seeing signs or notices, stops or hearing announcements
6. Overcrowding
7. Difficulty requesting service
8. Difficulty interpreting schedules
9. Difficulty transferring or completing complicated transfers
10. Your condition or health problem is aggravated when you go out
11. Too expensive
12. Other reason

In 2011, did you receive income from the following sources: Wages and salaries? /  Income from self-employment? / Workers’ Compensation? / Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit? / Quebec Pension Plan Disability Benefit? / Benefits from Canada Pension Plan excluding disability benefits? / Benefits from Quebec Pension Plan excluding disability benefits? / Long Term Disability (private plan)? / Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance Disability Benefit? / Veterans Affairs disability pension benefit? / Provincial, Territorial or Municipal Social Assistance or Welfare? / Employment insurance (or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan)?

So that's your assignment, Statistics Canada.  You, too, could be useful.

Gus Reed

Federal NDP Strategy for the Disabilities Community

National Strategy for the Disabilities Community

Whereas Canadians with disabilities have witnessed an erosion and the elimination of many services across the country and a declining quality of life; and

Whereas in 2001, 3,601,270 persons, or 12.4% of the Canadian population reported having activity limitations; and

Whereas two million Canadian adults lack the disability supports they need; and

Whereas half of the children with disabilities who need specialized aids do not have all the aids they require; and

Whereas 50% of the homeless people are people with disabilities, and that 40% of those rely on food banks to make ends meet; and

Whereas the unemployment rates among people with disabilities exceeds 60%; and

Whereas the federal government has moved away from regulation to mere voluntary compliance on accessibility in transportation; and

Whereas the federal government has been cutting back employment programs and scaling back accessibility in transportation and in health; and

Whereas people with disabilities are highly marginalized, yet are completely invisible and have been largely ignored through successive governments; and

Whereas this crisis needs to be addressed through an effective income strategy and better access to all services and employment, that would allow people with disabilities to live above the poverty line in this country; and

Whereas an income and a high employment policy should be supplemented by legislation in support of a full access strategy and of a higher income strategy; and

Whereas a National Disability Act would establish a law under which the federal government is bound to continually maintain and develop measures that secure not just the equality, but the dignity of all human beings with disabilities; and

Therefore be it resolved

that the New Democratic Party of Canada support a comprehensive set of policy measures to secure the dignity of persons with disabilities, recognize their contribution to the welfare and richness of the community; and


Be it further resolved

that these policy measures include,

A comprehensive new investment package that would combat the poverty and exclusion of persons with disabilities and their families, which would include reasonable and achievable targets over a 5 year period to,

1) reduce by half the annual income gap between Canadians with and without disabilities
2) reduce by half the poverty rate of adults with disabilities
3) reduce by half the Labour market participation gap between Canadians with and without disabilities
4) reduce by half the non-reimbursed costs faced by persons with disabilities,

A comprehensive Canadians with Disabilities Act, which would work with other income and high employment strategies to produce the sea change required to enhance the opportunities of persons with disabilities, removing obstacles to more easily find work, shelter, access a better quality of life, and achieve full equality and inclusion,

Be it further resolved

that the Canadians with Disabilities Act build on existing rights or enforcement bodies and
1) help enforce accessibility for all areas of federal jurisdiction
2) improve access to employment, accommodations and public transportation which are regularly available to persons without disabilities
3) build an effective and accessible complaint mechanism that would allow the disability community to fully vett issues of accessibility and equality
4) establish a National Disability Employment Fund which would help support the cost to employers of providing reasonable accommodations
5) create a National Disability Accommodation Council which would advise the Minister of Social Services and the Commissioner on policy issues as well as on the Administration of the National Disability Employment Fund

Be it further resolved

that the New Democratic Party support the development of a long term disability strategy and action plan that will address the lack of disability related supports and the poverty and the unemployment of Canadians with disabilities; and

a long term disability strategy developed collaboratively between all levels of government a specific strategy to address the issues of Aboriginal peoples with disabilities federal leadership to ensure the full and equal participation of Canadians with disabilities in all aspects of Canadian life

Note from the webmaster: Your Society received this policy statement on November 23, 2007 as an attachment to this email:

Hello,

On behalf of Alexa McDonough, thank you for your email regarding the NDP position regarding persons with disabilities. For your information, I have attached the resolution that was passed by the Federal Party at the last convention regarding this important issue. Thanks once again and please don't hesitate to be in touch if you have any additional questions.

Sincerely,
Lee Bennett
Assistant to Alexa McDonough, MP Halifax
Tel (613) 995-7614
Fax (613) 992-8569
http://www.alexahfx.ca/