May 8, 2017
Manitoba Access Awareness Week, June 4 to 10, is proclaimed annually to raise awareness about the barriers faced by persons with disabilities and to promote their removal. Businesses and the general public are welcome to attend learning events and on-site visits that showcase accessibility in practice.
One of the events planned for that week by Barrier-Free Manitoba, will feature a keynote presentation by David Lepofsky, one of Canada’s leading disability rights advocates, on the hard won lessons he and others from Ontario’s disability communities have learned about working to ensure the full and timely implemention of the historic 2005 Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act (AODA).
The AODA was the first accessibiilty-rights legislation to be enacted in Canada and provided the model for the 2013 Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA). Manitobans have a lot to learn from what has worked and what has not worked for disability advocates in Ontario considering they have eight more years of experience under their belts. The event will also include time for questions and answers.
David has long been one of Canada’s leading disability rights advocates. He worked to ensure that disabilities were included in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms some 35 years ago and he spearheaded the effort to secure passage of the historic 2005 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). He now applies his considerable expertise and energies to ensuring the full and timely implementation of the AODA and the passage of a strong and effective federal Canadians with Disabilities Act. He is also active in supporting advocates from other provinces in their work to secure accessibility-rights legislation.
David is a captivating and compelling speaker. His presentations offer hard truths with an incredible mix of humour and inspiration.
5:30 pm to 7 pm
Wednesday, June 7
Canadian Museum for Human Rights
As an added bonus, the museum is offering the public free admission to its galleries that night so you can visit the many wonderful human rights exhibits after the event at no cost.
Please note that there is a maximum capacity of 120 people for this FREE event and that you will need to register if you want to attend. We will also need to know of any accommodations that you require by no later than May 30th so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
To avoid disappointment, please register early using one of two options:
1. Register on line via Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/promise-of-accessibility-rights-legislation-lessons-from-ontario-tickets-34118968754
2. Register by phone by calling Brenda Deamel (at SCE LifeWorks) during work week hours at 204.775.9402.
