ARCH Disability Law Centre 425 Bloor St. E. Ste. 110 Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R5 Tel.: 416-482-8255 Toll-free: 1-866-482-2724 Fax: 416-482-2981 Toll-free: 1-866-881-2723 TTY: 416-482-1254 Toll-free: 1-866-482-2728 www.archdisabilitylaw.ca ARCH Alert August 8, 2008 - Are You Interested in Being on ARCH’s Board? - Participate in Survey on Barriers to Accessing Tribunals - New System for Making Human Rights Complaints in Ontario Now in Effect - Accommodation in Ontario’s New Human Rights System - Ontario Child Benefit Comes into Effect - ARCH Advocates for Accessible Telecommunications - Legal Rights for People who use Service Animals - Community Announcements Are You Interested in Being on ARCH's Board? by the ARCH Nominations Committee The ARCH Nominations Committee is now preparing its Nominations Report, to be presented at ARCH's Annual General Meeting. We would like you to consider volunteering on the ARCH Board or suggesting others who could make a valuable contribution on it. The ARCH Board is composed of thirteen directors who serve two-year terms. Our By-Law provides that a majority of the members must be persons with disabilities and a majority must be individuals who come from an ARCH member organization. Directors may be re-elected for subsequent terms. This year we will be electing six directors. ARCH is looking for individuals who are committed to defending and advancing the equality rights of persons with disabilities and in providing leadership and support to ARCH's staff. The nominating committee hopes to recommend to the membership a group of people whose combined skills and experience will provide strong oversight both with respect to policy and clinic administration. ARCH would also like to continue our practice of having board members from around the province, as ARCH is a provincial organization. This is an active volunteer board commitment. The Board is responsible for the oversight of ARCH, including the planning and monitoring of its activities and development of policies governing our operations. The Board also has the responsibility to ensure that we are meeting the requirements of our funders. Prospective board members should be ready to attend monthly board meetings, in person or by telephone, and participate on standing and ad hoc committees. Board members also attend community or Legal Aid Ontario events on behalf of the Board. Please let us know of your own interest or any suggestions of candidates you may have by August 25, 2008. Please mail, fax or e-mail a statement of interest, including a brief r‚sum‚, to: ARCH Nominations Committee c/o Yangtzee Tamang, Operations Assistant ARCH Disability Law Centre 425 Bloor Street East, Ste. 110 Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R5 Fax: 416-482-2981 Toll-free Fax: 1-866-881-2723 e-mail: tamangy@lao.on.ca *** Participate in Survey on Barriers to Accessing Tribunals by Viktoria Prokhorova, summer student ARCH is conducting an overview of the barriers experienced by people with disabilities at Tribunals in Ontario. If you had or are waiting to have a hearing and/or mediation at the Social Benefits Tribunal, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal or the Landlord and Tenant Board and you have a disability, we need you to tell us about your experience at the above Tribunals. We ask that you complete our confidential survey. Your responses to questions in this survey will have a direct impact on ARCH's work in making the justice system more accessible for people with disabilities. The deadline to complete the survey is August 25th, 2008. To complete the survey, please go on-line to http://archdisabilityl.survey.sgizmo.com or phone Viktoria at ARCH Disability Law Centre Toll-free at 1-866-482-2724 or TTY at 1-866-482-2728. *** New System for Making Human Rights Complaints in Ontario Now in Effect by Laurie Letheren, Staff Lawyer The Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, came into effect on June 30, 2008 and changed the way in which complaints of discrimination under the Ontario Human Rights Code [Code] are handled. The Ontario Human Rights Commission [Commission] will no longer accept complaints of discrimination. All new applications alleging discrimination are to be filed with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario [Tribunal]. What should you do if you have a complaint with the Commission now? If you had a complaint that was filed with the Commission before June 30, 2008 and has not yet been finally determined meaning it was not resolved, withdrawn, settled or dismissed, you have to take some steps so that your complaint can be moved to the Tribunal. You have two options in moving your complaint to the Tribunal. Option One You can drop your complaint with the Commission and have it moved to the Tribunal between June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2008. If you have it moved before January 1, 2009 your complaint will be handled as part of the Tribunal's "expedited process". The Tribunal states that the expedited process "is designed to be less formal and more expeditious than traditional adversarial or court-like procedures but, at the same time, ensure that applications are dealt with fairly and on their merits." For more information on this process see the Tribunal's notice to the community called "Tribunal's Initiative for Managing Outstanding Commission Caseload" at: http://www.hrto.ca/NEW/word/notice_to_the_community.doc If you have received notice that your complaint is going to be dismissed by the Commission you may wish to act quickly to have that complaint transferred to the HRTO. Option Two You can continue your complaint with the Commission until January 1, 2009 and, if your complaint has not been finally determined by that time, you can then file an application with the Tribunal. If you choose this option, your complaint will stay at the Commission up to June 30, 2009. The Commission will continue to mediate, investigate, and decide whether a complaint will be referred to the Tribunal for a hearing until December 31, 2008. If your complaint has not been withdrawn, settled or finally dealt with by the Commission by December 31, 2008, you can then file an application with the Tribunal by June 30, 2009. Many people who had filed complaints with the Commission have now received letters from the Commission telling them that their case will not be investigated before December 31, 2008. The letter explains that the person who filed the complaint can now choose one of the two options discussed above. The Commission's website states that: The Commission will help you by giving you information about your options and how to start the process (for example, what forms you need to fill out). The Commission will also give you a copy of your complaint, and the contact information for the respondent(s) that the Commission has on file. For more information about how the Commission will assist you, see: http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/commission/mission/options If you do not move your complaint to the Tribunal by June 30, 2009, you will no longer be able to do so. Your complaint will not be dealt with by the Commission and you cannot file a new human rights application which is based on the same facts as your complaint. The Commission has produced its own "fact sheet" about options 1 and 2/ the expedited process. It's available at: http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/commission/mission/options. What is the Commission's Role now? Even though the Commission will no longer be handling individual complaints, it will continue to provide its other services. The Commission's website states: The Ontario Human Rights Commission will continue to expand its work to promote, protect and advance human rights in Ontario. The Commission will focus on addressing broad public interest or systemic issues of discrimination. Activities will include research and monitoring, policy development, and education and training. The OHRC will also conduct targeted inquiries and may initiate applications or intervene in important cases before the Human Rights Tribunal. An essential part of this work will be building the foundations for new partnerships. "The reason for focusing on partnerships is simple - we can't do it alone," says Commissioner Hall. "For the Commission to succeed in advancing human rights, we need to work with communities, government, the private sector and individuals across Ontario to make sure the human rights written on paper are the rights enjoyed by all Ontarians." What is the Human Rights Legal Support Centre? As we have reported in earlier ARCH Alert issues, a new part of the human rights enforcement system in Ontario is the Human Rights Legal Support Centre. According to the Centre's website, it offers human rights legal services to individuals throughout Ontario who believe they have experienced discrimination. The Centre's services range from legal assistance in filing an application at the Tribunal to legal representation on human rights applications. For more information about the Centre see: http://www.hrlsc.on.ca/ How has the Tribunal Changed? Starting June 30, 2008 all claims of discrimination under the Human Rights Code are to be dealt with through applications filed directly with the Tribunal. The Commission will no longer be responsible for receiving discrimination complaints from individuals and then referring them on to the Tribunal. The Tribunal is to establish procedures that will ensure all claims of discrimination are: * addressed in a timely way, * resolved fairly, and * based on the facts and the law. According to the Tribunal's website, the Tribunal sees these changes as a unique opportunity to enhance access to justice and create an open and effective process for resolving human rights applications by: * establishing procedures that offer parties early, direct and informed access to mediation and adjudication; * building a Tribunal whose members have expertise in both human rights as well as in modern dispute resolution techniques, and who are committed to the highest standards of integrity and fairness. For more information on the new Tribunal see: http://www.hrto.ca/NEW/home.asp It should be noted that under the new system you have one year from the date the discrimination occurred to file an application with the Tribunal. *** Accommodation in Ontario's New Human Rights System by Kerri Joffe, Staff Lawyer The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has written a policy on accessibility and accommodation. It is important to know about this policy if you are involved in a human rights application. The policy explains what accommodations the Tribunal will provide to people who are involved in a human rights application - this includes parties, witnesses and representatives - and how to make requests for accommodation from the Tribunal. Presently, the policy is in a draft form, but the final version of the policy will be available soon. The information in this article is taken from the draft policy, so some of it may change when the Tribunal releases the final version. It is important to check that you have the most up-to-date information. Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Customer Service Standard both place obligations on the Tribunal to make its services accessible to people with disabilities. The draft policy states that the Tribunal aims to providing an inclusive and accessible environment. The Tribunal has committed itself to providing accommodation for needs related to all of the grounds listed in the Human Rights Code, including disability. This accommodation will be provided unless to do so would cause undue hardship. The Tribunal has taken some steps to make its services accessible to people with disabilities. This includes front doors, elevators, hearing rooms, mediation rooms and washrooms that are accessible to people who use mobility devices; adjustable lighting; low extrinsic sound levels; sound amplification systems; accessible signage; TTY equipment; and a website that follows the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. The draft policy states that you should contact the Tribunal to request or arrange for the following accommodations: * All of the Tribunal's information and forms be given to you in alternate formats * Use of video and Bell relay services * ASL (American Sign Language) and lsq (langue des signes quebecoise) translation * Real time captioning * Intervenors to interpret in-person communication * Audio recordings of Tribunal hearings * Support services to assist with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs * Arrangements to accommodate a service animal or assistive device * Arranging hearings and mediations in locations other than the Tribunal's hearing centres For other kinds of accommodation, you need to contact the Tribunal and make a request. The draft policy states that you should contact the Tribunal's Registrar with these requests. If your need for accommodation arises during a hearing, meeting or mediation, a mediator or adjudicator may provide the accommodation right away or send your request for accommodation to the Registrar. The Tribunal is developing a policy on public comments and complaints. This policy will explain what to do if you have a comment or complaint about the accessibility or accommodation provided by the Tribunal. To get a copy of the policy see: www.hrto.ca/NEW/word/Accommodation_Policy_for_consult.doc Or contact the Tribunal at: Tel (Toronto): (416) 326-1312 Tel (Toll Free): 1-866-598-0322 TTY: (416) 326-2027 TTY (Toll Free): 1-866-607-1240 *** Ontario Child Benefit Comes into Effect by Laurie Letheren, Staff Lawyer In March 2007, the Ontario Government announced the Ontario Child Benefit. This Benefit is to be paid to all eligible low-income families with children between the ages of 0 - 18, whether they are working or receiving benefits under Ontario Works [OW] or the Ontario Disability Support Program [ODSP]. The first monthly payment of the Ontario Child Benefit was to have been received by families in July 2008 In order to be eligible, families must have immigration status in Canada, must file their taxes, and must register for the Canada Child Tax Benefit. The amount a family will receive under this Benefit is dependent on the number of children in the family and the family's net income. In July 2008, eligible families with a net family income of $20,000 or less were to receive $50 a month for each of their children. Information on the amount of allowance that your family may receive can be found on the Ministry of Community and Social Services website at: http://www.gov.on.ca/children/english/programs/ocb/ocbfaq/index.html#003 While families who receive OW or ODSP will be better off as a result of the new benefit, the amount they will get is significantly less than it appears. As of July, 2008, monthly ODSP and OW benefits for families will be reduced. The Income Security Advocacy Centre has prepared a fact sheet that explains the amounts that families are to receive now that the Child Benefit is payable. This chart can be read at the following link: Social Assistance Rate Restructuring and Child Benefits fact sheet. http://www.incomesecurity.org/documents/RateRestructuringandChildBenefits-Nov2007_001.pdf In addition, families will no longer receive a separate winter clothing allowance or back-to-school allowance through the Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program. Families who receive Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Plan benefits, and are not eligible for the Ontario Child Benefit, may be eligible for the new Transition Child Benefit. The Transition Child Benefit is intended to make sure that the incomes of these families will not drop. The Transition Child Benefit may be payable to parents who receive OW or ODSP benefits and who do not get the maximum Ontario Child Benefit and the maximum National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS). This would include parents who: have not filed an income tax return for the previous year; have a newborn child; are in the middle of the application process for the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) and the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS); are not citizens of Canada, permanent residents, protected persons, or temporary residents; have income from the previous year that is too high, but have a sudden decrease in income in the present year; and/or have only recently moved to Ontario. The Transition Child Benefit (TCB) is to make up the difference between the amounts that families received under OW and ODSP prior to July 2008 and the new rates that started in July 2008. More information on the Ontario Child Benefit and the Transition Child Benefit is available on the Income Security Advocacy Centre's website at http://www.incomesecurity.org/ or the website of the Ministry of Community and Social Services at http://www.gov.on.ca/children/english/index.html. You can also contact your Member of Provincial Parliament. *** ARCH Advocates for Accessible Telecommunications by Lana Kerzner, staff lawyer Many aspects of telecommunications are not accessible for people with disabilities. The problems that people with disabilities experience are diverse. Also, people with several types of disabilities experience barriers, including people with disabilities that affect their vision, hearing, mobility, communication and cognition. Barriers include wireline and wireless telephones that are not usable by people who are blind, customer information which is not available or in accessible formats and lack of needed customer service and support. With the fast pace of technological development, people with disabilities will be faced with increasingly inaccessible products and services. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is the agency which regulates both the telecommunications and broadcasting industries in Canada. ARCH, other disability organizations and people with disabilities have participated in several proceedings of the CRTC to push them to address the telecommunications and broadcasting barriers experienced by people with disabilities. Notwithstanding our efforts, over the past several years, disability issues have largely been addressed by the CRTC in a piecemeal fashion. Canada does not yet have laws or regulations that are designed to specifically and comprehensively address telecommunication barriers experienced by people with disabilities. ARCH has been asking the CRTC to remedy this problem by conducting a comprehensive proceeding to arrive at a systemic, proactive approach to accessibility which embraces the views and experiences of the diversity of the disability community. The CRTC recently responded by initiating a proceeding to specifically address unresolved issues related to the accessibility of telecommunications and broadcasting services to people with disabilities. ARCH is participating in this proceeding, as are several other disability organizations. As part of the proceeding the CRTC will hold a public consultation hearing, which will begin on November 17, 2008 in Gatineau, Quebec. ARCH will be making a presentation at the hearing. The proceeding is referred to as: Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2008-8 Telecom Public Notice CRTC 2008-8. More information can be accessed on the CRTC website at http://www.crtc.gc.ca/PartVII/eng/2008/8665/c12_200807943.htm. ARCH's Initial Comments in this proceeding can be accessed on our website at http://www.archdisabilitylaw.ca/publications/submissions.asp. The CRTC hired a consultant to engage in consultations and produce a report in preparation for this proceeding. Views on telecommunications and broadcasting were elicited from the disability community during this consultation. The community spoke strongly about the barriers they experience in relation to telecommunications, broadcasting and the CRTC itself. The consultation and report were undertaken by CONNECTUS Consulting Inc. The report can be accessed on the CRTC website at http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/publications/reports/rp080418.htm. Please contact Lana Kerzner, staff lawyer, at kerznel@lao.on.ca if you have views you would like to share about barriers in relation to either telecommunications or broadcasting. *** Legal Rights for People who use Service Animals by Karin McCaig, articling student People who use service animals may be denied access that others take for granted such as being able to eat at a restaurant, go grocery shopping or live in the apartment of their choice. As a result, ARCH receives inquiries from people who use service animals about their legal rights. Service animals are animals trained to perform specific functions and services to assist someone with a disability. For example, they may alert people to sounds, guide around obstacles, retrieve dropped articles, provide physical support, or detect oncoming seizures. Service animals may be used by people with any form of disability. Because of the nature of the services these animals perform, they typically accompany the user throughout their daily activities. There are laws that address service animals and they do so in different ways. In general, there are legal protections which prevent the exclusion of or discrimination against people who use service animals. However, each law is different in its coverage - some laws apply only to dogs and some only protect people with certain disabilities. The form of proof needed to receive legal protection also varies. As a result, the rights of people who use service animals can be confusing and may go unenforced. It is important to know what action may be available to address discrimination and refusals of access connected with the use of a service animal. Protection for Guide Dog Users: Blind Persons' Rights Act People who are blind and rely on guide dogs have clear legal protections. The Blind Persons' Rights Act (the BPRA) protects a blind person accompanied by a guide dog from the denial of, or discrimination in the provision of, accommodation, services or facilities available in any place to which the public is customarily admitted. This includes restaurants, hotels and taxis, none of which may refuse service to a blind person with a guide dog. The BPRA also specifically prohibits discrimination in relation to a housing unit against someone who is blind and uses a guide dog. The BPRA defines a "guide dog" as a dog trained as a guide for a blind person. The Regulations to the BPRA provide a list of thirteen training facilities accepted under the Act, and allows for any other facility to be accepted by the Attorney General provided certain criteria are met. The Attorney General provides identification cards to people who are blind and their qualifying guide dogs. The card may be used as proof that the person is entitled to be accompanied by a guide dog. The back of the card sets out the key provisions of the BPRA, and the penalty for contravening it. An application form for an identification card can be obtained by calling the Ministry of the Attorney General's general inquiry line at 416-326-2220 (callers from outside of Toronto may call collect). Guide dog schools should also be able to provide an application form. It is an offence to deny access or discriminate against someone who is blind on the basis of having a guide dog, and the person who does so may be fined. Potential for Expanded Protection for Service Dog Users: Bill 70 Coverage of the Blind Persons' Rights Act is limited in that it does not address the rights of people with disabilities who are not blind, nor the rights of users of service animals other than guide dogs. There are many types of service dogs used by people with other disabilities in addition to guide dogs for people who are blind. These include hearing dogs, assistance dogs for people with mobility impairments, special skills dogs that detect oncoming seizures, and dogs trained to offer specific emotional support to psychiatric consumer/survivors. A Bill was recently introduced in the provincial legislature that aims to expand the BPRA's protections to all people with disabilities if they are dependent on a guide dog or service dog. Bill 70 An Act to Amend the Blind Persons' Rights Act, was introduced in the legislature on May 7, 2008, by MPP Gerry Martiniuk (Cambridge). The Bill would amend the BPRA so that in addition to guide dogs, "service dog" users would be protected from discrimination. Service dogs would include dogs trained to provide services for people with disabilities, by a qualified training facility, and not only guide dogs used by people who are blind. Service dogs would receive all the same rights as guide dogs currently receive under the BPRA, and would also be eligible for identification cards. More information and a PDF version of Bill 70 can be obtained on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario website at: Non-Dog Service Animals If passed, Bill 70 would represent a step forward in rights protection for service dog users. However, it would still not provide rights for users of service animals other than dogs, or animals not trained by a formal institution. Although dogs are by far the most common type of animal used to assist people with disabilities, many different types of animals can be used. For example, in the United States, miniature horses are growing in popularity as an alternative to guide dogs for people who are blind. Monkeys can be trained to perform a variety of simple tasks for people with mobility impairments, including opening doors, pouring drinks and brushing hair. Human Rights Protections for Service Animal Users Human rights legislation does protect people with disabilities who rely on all types of service animals. However, this legislation does not specifically address the scope of protection provided. The Ontario Human Rights Code offers broad protections to service animal users. The Code provides that people with disabilities have a right to be free from discrimination because of their disabilities. More specifically, individuals and organizations have a legal obligation not to refuse entry or access to a building, premise, good or service because of a person's disability. Individuals and organizations are required to accommodate people with disabilities up to the point of undue hardship. If a person is accompanied by a service animal for reasons related to their disability, to deny access to the service animal would be discrimination on the basis of disability. Case law shows that the service animal user will have to prove that they have a disability within the meaning of the Code, and that the animal is necessary for reasons related to the disability. This typically requires some form of medical documentation. The definition of disability in the Code includes physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal. Service Animal Users and Air, Train and Ferry Travel People who rely on service animals are given specific rights relating to travel. Based on the Air Transportation Regulations, an airplane must accept a service animal for carriage at no extra charge. There are three requirements for acceptance on board the aircraft: the service animal must be required by a person for assistance; it must be certified, in writing, as having been trained to assist a person by a professional service animal institution; and it must be properly harnessed. The animal does not have to be required for tasks during the flight, but rather must perform tasks or services for the person on a day-to-day basis. More information about the Air Transportation Regulations can be found in the publication "Air Travel Accessibility Regulations - Summary," available online at . The Canadian Transportation Agency's Codes of Practice for rail cars and ferries also contain provisions relating to service animals. These Codes of Practice can be accessed online at . Health and Safety Laws and Service Animals Members of the public may attempt to deny access to premises on a mistaken belief about health and safety laws. They may be unaware that there are health and safety laws that contain specific exceptions to allow service animals in areas where animals would normally not be allowed. The Health Protection and Promotion Act provides a specific exception for service dogs in the Regulations regarding food premises, which otherwise exclude animals in places where food is served, offered for sale or sold. This means that service dogs are allowed into restaurants and food stores. Unfortunately, this exception is limited to dogs and does not apply to other kinds of service animals. Similarly, the Food Safety and Quality Regulations exclude animals in any area of a meat plant, but makes an exception for service dogs in certain areas of meat plants. For example, if a meat processing factory had a store on the premises that sold their products, service dogs would be allowed in the store. This law is also limited to service dogs, rather than applying to all service animals. Looking Forward: Protection under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 The rights of service animal users in Ontario will be reinforced by the introduction of the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service (the "Standards") under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. The Standards will apply to public sector organizations by January 1, 2010, and private businesses, non-profit organizations and other service providers by January 1, 2012. The Standards require organizations to allow a person with a disability to be accompanied by a guide dog or service animal in their premises that the public has access to. If service animals are excluded from the premises by another law, the organization must ensure that alternate means are available to enable a service animal user to access their goods or services. The Standards will apply to guide dogs as defined in the BPRA and service animals. An animal is a service animal if the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that he/she requires the animal for reasons related to a disability. However, no such letter will be necessary if it is "readily apparent" that the animal is used by the person for reasons related to a disability. For instance, the animal may be wearing a harness that identifies it as a service animal, it may have an identification card, or it may be engaged in service activities such as opening doors or pulling a wheelchair. Conclusion Although there is some legal protection for service animal users, applicable laws limit the scope of protection. If Bill 70 is successful in expanding the Blind Persons' Rights Act to all service dogs, it will be one step towards strengthening the laws protecting service animal users. In the meantime, people who rely on service animals should know that they already have important legal rights in relation to their animals. Although the existing laws may be confusing, they do protect service animal users and can be asserted when access is denied or discriminatory treatment has occurred. *** COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS CASHRA National Forum on Human Rights and Education Where: Renaissance Toronto Airport Hotel and Conference Centre When: September 25-27, 2008 Description: CASHRA, the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies, is holding its 2008 national forum on human rights and inclusive education. The forum promises to be a spirited exchange of ideas on how human rights law and policy can assist in advancing the inclusion of students with disabilities in educational environments. For more information and to register for the forum please see: www.inclusiveeducation.ca. ARCH is able to financially support a limited number of students with the registration fee to attend the conference. Requests for financial support will be granted on a first come, first served basis. Students who wish to request financial support may contact ARCH. College of Physicians and Surgeons - Consultation on Human Rights When: consultation closes on August 15, 2008 Description: The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario has written a policy on physicians' human rights obligations under Ontario's Human Rights Code. The policy is intended to describe and explain physicians' obligations not to discriminate against patients or potential patients. The College is holding a consultation to get public feedback on the policy. You can get a copy of the policy from: http://www.cpso.on.ca/Policies/consultation/HumanRightsBACKGROUND.pdf To give your comments to the College, write to: Andrea Foti College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario 80 College Street Toronto, ON M5G 2E2 Tel: (416) 967-2600 x. 387 Fax: (416) 967-2644 Email: afoti@cpso.on.ca Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 Review When: Public Hearings will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at Queen's Park in Toronto. Description: The Standing Committee on Social Policy will hold public hearings regarding the Committee's review of the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 pursuant to sections 75(a) and (b) of the Act. People who wish to be considered to make an oral presentation should contact the Clerk of the Committee, Katch Koch before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 416-325-3526 or via email at katch_koch@ontla.ola.org. If you are not interested in making an oral presentation but wish to comment on the review, send your comments to the Clerk before 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2008. The Committee may be reached at: Room 1405, 99 Wellesley Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1A2 or via facsimile at 416-325-3505. Poverty Reduction Workshop When: September 2008 Description: ARCH has partnered with the Income Security Advocacy Centre and Campaign 2000 to fight poverty in Ontario. ARCH will be organizing a poverty reduction workshop to enable people with disabilities to develop ideas and strategies for reducing poverty in Ontario. Stay tuned for more details on when and where the workshop will be held and how to participate. Government Request for Input on Poverty Reduction The Ontario Government is encouraging both individuals and groups to make submissions regarding what should be in their poverty reduction strategy. They have set up a web page about this: www.growingstronger.ca/en/index.html Also, you can submit your submission by: Writing to: Growing Stronger Together Whitney Block, Room 4620 99 Wellesley Street West Toronto, ON M7A 1A1 Email: growingstronger@ontario.ca Call: Toll Free: 1-866-614-5953 TTY: 1-800-387-5559 Fax: (416) 314-0367 Wheeltrans On-Line Booking Wheeltrans is now allowing people to book their rides through the internet at the following web site. Please pass this on. You need to go through an on-line registration stage first (one-time from the looks of it). You will need a seven-digit password with a capital letter and at least one numeral in it. You can access the login at: https://mywheel-trans.ttc.ca/Home/LogIn.aspx You can also access a Userguide at: http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/pdf/wheeltrans_online_tripbooking_userguide.pdf Art de Triomphe - Celebrating Triumphant Northumberland Artists with Disabilities At the end of June 2008, five artists with Multiple Sclerosis came together to present an art exhibition and sale at the annual four day Cobourg Water Festival. The artists were Barbara Winfield, Brenda Crossley, Christine Bayer, Marlene McLean and Patti Harvey. Several hundred people came to see this unique exhibition, buy raffle tickets on a work of art of their choice and, to the delight of the artists, purchase artwork. The exhibition was a great success and the artists received rave reviews. Art de Triomphe is interested in hearing from other disabled artists who might wish to participate in next year's show. Remember that the term "artist" is not limited to the visual arts. Art can be anything from film making to rug hooking to sculpting or building bird houses. For further information or to learn how to offer Art de Triomphe in your community contact Jerry Ford at jford@eagle.ca. City Mix 2008 A Celebration of ALL People ~ One People. One Celebration. One Voice. An Inclusion Awareness Event. A Celebration of social inclusion, diversity & empowerment for people of all ages & abilities. Friday August 15th, 2008 5pm - 10pm Nathan Phillip's Square Toronto, ON Free Admission. New Henson Trust Handbook There is a new resource available for persons with disabilities and their families: the Henson Trust handbook (2008), written by Harry Beatty, Mary Louise Dickson and John Stapleton. The handbook not only answers many questions about "Henson Trusts", it also deals with various benefits available to persons with disabilities, including ODSP benefits. The handbook is posted to the Reena website at http://www.reena.org/pdfs/hensontrust.pdf *** ARCH ALERT is published by ARCH Disability Law Centre. It is distributed free via e-mail or mail to ARCH member groups, community legal clinics, and others with an interest in disability issues. ARCH is a non-profit community legal clinic, which defends and promotes the equality rights of persons with disabilities through litigation, law/policy reform and legal education. ARCH is governed by a Board of Directors elected by representatives of member groups reflecting the disability community. The goal of ARCH ALERT is to provide concise information, so that people are aware of important developments and resources. Articles may be copied or reprinted to share with others provided that they are reproduced in their entirety and that the appropriate credit is given. We encourage those who receive it to assist with distribution of information in this way. We do ask that both Word and Text Formats are distributed to ensure accessibility. Charitable Reg. #118777994RR01. Editor: Laurie Letheren Production & Circulation: Theresa Sciberras We welcome your comments and questions, as well as submissions. We will endeavour to include all information of general interest to the community of persons with disabilities and their organizations, but reserve the right to edit or reject material if necessary. We will advise you if your submission is to be edited or rejected. Please assist us in your submissions by being brief and factual. Please address communications regarding ARCH ALERT to: Theresa Sciberras, Program Assistant, ARCH Disability Law Centre, 425 Bloor St. E., Suite 110, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3R5, fax: 416-482-2981, TTY: 416- 482-1254, e-mail: scibert@lao.on.ca Website: http://www.archdisabilitylaw.ca/