ARCH Alert August 16, 2011 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 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: - New Community Outreach Coordinator to Begin Work at ARCH this Summer! - ARCH's Upcoming Annual General Meeting - Supreme Court Releases Decision in Cunningham that Will Impact on Equality Rights Claims - Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office (PPAO) - The AODA and the Integrated Accessibility Standards - Review of Social Assistance in Ontario Needs Your Input - New ARCH Outreach Materials - Ontario's Photo ID Card Now Available - Booking a Home Visit from Elections Ontario - New Information Line about Childhood Disabilities New Community Outreach Coordinator to Begin Work at ARCH this Summer! Ivana Petricone, Executive Director We are very pleased to announce that, with the assistance of special funds from Legal Aid Ontario, ARCH has hired Denise De Campos as our new Community Outreach Coordinator. In this role, Denise will facilitate ARCH's outreach activities in all parts of the Ontario, including those directed to the Francophone community. Through this new position, we hope to be able to increase awareness regarding the services that ARCH provides for persons with disabilities, focusing particularly on those who live in isolation. The Community Outreach Coordinator will also help us foster lasting partnerships with the private bar, other community legal clinics, disability organizations, universities, community colleges, and government and non-government agencies to help us reach our community and increase access to justice. ARCH's Outreach Program stems from our 2010-13 Strategic Plan which, was informed by the results of a year-long Needs Assessment. Our Needs Assessment clearly told us that ARCH does not have a meaningful presence in rural and remote Ontario and that many persons with disabilities do not know about our services. Through contacts with other community legal clinics and disability organizations, the Community Outreach Coordinator will develop a comprehensive referral manual specific to the needs of people with disabilities. Better, more accurate and geographically appropriate referrals will assist in finding appropriate services that are needed by our callers when our clinic cannot provide the service needed. Our Outreach worker will also deliver substantive legal information sessions as well as information about ARCH programs in all regions of the province. These will be recorded and put on our website for future use. This work will assist us in making full use of the technology that we have available to us in the most appropriate and accessible ways. This program has been greatly assisted through funding by a City of Toronto Access and Equity Grant, which allowed us to create the materials that will assist the Outreach worker. The academic partnerships with universities and community colleges will give ARCH staff the opportunity to deliver substantive lectures and other forms of course delivery on the rights of people with disabilities in various contexts. We anticipate that students will be inspired to take up this type of work, creating a sustainable group of lawyers. We also hope to increase the knowledge of service providers about the rights of people with disabilities who they support. Denise brings with her several years of experience as an advocate for systemic reform on behalf of the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Peel Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Centre. Denise will begin at ARCH on Monday August 22nd. We are all eager to welcome Denise and to begin working with the considerable skills that she brings to our community outreach. *** ARCH's Upcoming Annual General Meeting Mark your calendars! ARCH is organizing our upcoming Annual General Meeting which is being held on Thursday October 13th, 2011. It will be held in the evening at Metro Hall in Toronto. More details will follow in September. *** Supreme Court Releases Decision in Cunningham that Will Impact Equality Rights Claims By Sarah Emery, Summer Law Student The recent Supreme Court of Canada decision in Alberta (Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development) v. Cunningham, has sparked much outcry in the equality rights community. ARCH is disappointed with the judgment, but is hopeful that openings for positive change in Section 15 Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Charter) jurisprudence remain. The decision, released July 21, 2011, concerned provisions in the Metis Settlement Act (MSA) which prohibit members of the Metis Settlement from having status under the Indian Act. The Cunninghams had lived on the Peavine Settlement and had been long-standing members. They sought full status under the Indian Act in order to access medical benefits. Their membership was terminated as a result of the provisions the prohibited M‚tis Settlement members from also having status under the Indian Act. They argued the prohibition violated the guarantee of equality under Section 15 of the Charter. The Court found that the exclusion of status Indians from membership in M‚tis Settlements was rationally connected to the ameliorative purpose of the MSA and was therefore protected by Section 15(2). ARCH lawyers, Laurie Letheren and Tess Sheldon, appeared before the Court as interveners on behalf of the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL). At issue for the CACL was the scope of the protection Section 15 (2) provides to ameliorative programs. Ameliorative programs, often referred to as affirmative action programs, are those that provide a service or benefit to a disadvantaged group without providing the same service or benefit to the population as a whole. The CACL argued the government has too often used the label of 'ameliorative program' to shield legislation from Section 15 (1) scrutiny. Their position was that the scope of Section 15(2) should be limited to protecting ameliorative legislation from claims of 'reverse discrimination' where a claimant is attacking the existence of the program. A program that is designed to benefit a disadvantaged group can still have a discriminatory impact on members of another disadvantaged group. These members should be able to question why they are not included under the benefits provided. Such claims deserve full scrutiny under Section 15 (1). Unfortunately the Court largely rejected these considerations in favour of an application of Section 15(2) that defers to government priorities. It stated: "If governments are obliged to benefit all disadvantaged people (or all subsets of disadvantaged people) equally, they may be precluded from using targeted programs to achieve specific goals relating to specific groups ... All the government need show is that it was rational for the state to conclude that the means chosen to reach its ameliorative goal would contribute to [its ameliorative] purpose". While the judgment was disappointing, the Court did reinforce the requirement that the government program must be genuinely ameliorative in order to gain protection. In interpreting the purpose of the program, courts must consider statutory interpretation, legislative intent, legislative history and "the history and social situation of the affected groups." These considerations should mean that programs are not immune from equality challenges simply because the government says they are ameliorative. The Court may have left some room for future challenges to government claims that all ameliorative programs are protected from Charter scrutiny. The Chief Justice wrote, "These propositions, as discussed [in this decision], suffice to resolve the issue that arises in this case. What is at issue here is a special type of ameliorative program - one designed to enhance and preserve the identity, culture and self-governance of a constitutionally-recognized group". She suggested that the analysis applied to ameliorative programs may develop differently in "in different types of cases." The Chief Justice stated that "The law is best left to develop on an incremental basis" so there remains a possibility that the CACL's concerns can regain a voice in future equality cases. *** Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office (PPAO) By Edgar Andre Montigny, Staff Lawyer On June 29, 2011, Patricia Lee, Assistant Deputy Minister to the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (Minister) sent a memo to 'stakeholders' in the psychiatric patient community advising them that the Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office's (PPAO) rights advice and advocacy services would be integrated with the services of the Canadian Mental Health Association of Ontario (CMHA). The decision came as a surprise to most people. There was no public announcement about the change and no public consultation was carried out. The reaction from mental health advocates was immediate. While the Ministry insisted that the change would provide clients with a continuum of services from the institution to the community and would create the opportunity for more patient-centered and integrated services, a number of advocates felt the decision contradicted promises and commitments made by the current government respecting inclusion and consultation. Many felt there was a clear conflict of interest involved in having the CMHA control the PPAO. At the very least the change represents a serious threat to the independence of rights advocacy. The PPAO, has been serving patients in both the civil and forensic mental health systems since it was created in 1983 by former Minister of Health, Larry Grossman. The PPAO advocates on a range of issues related to quality of life, quality of care, access to legal services and the protection of human rights and civil liberties. It has come to be seen as the watchdog, the voice and the first line of defence for psychiatric patients against being involuntarily drugged, restrained or subjected to excessive force by police. The PPAO has spoken out about discrimination and stigma experienced by persons with mental health disabilities, persuaded public authorities that police should not release information about an individual's mental health without a risk assessment and has ensured that people in psychiatric care received social benefits to which they were entitled. For persons with mental health disabilities the PPAO is as important as the Ontario Human Rights Commission or the provincial Ombudsman. Placing the PPAO under the control of the CMHA, the main provider of outpatient services for people with mental health disabilities would severely compromise the ability of the PPAO to speak out about the nature of those services or the manner in which they are delivered. To many, this step represents the government abandoning its role as the guardian of Ontarians with disabilities. At the very least, it appeared as though the notion of public accountability was being sacrificed to bureaucratic control. Almost immediately after the June 29 announcement, a coalition for an independent psychiatric patient advocate office was created. The coalition came to include over 40 groups and advocacy organizations, such as the Mental Health Legal Committee, ARCH Disability Law Centre, ACE (Advocacy Centre for the Elderly), and the Empowerment Council, as well as over 20 prominent individuals from academia and the legal profession. Coalition members started blogging and mobilizing, sending petitions and posting a position paper on-line. The Coalition contacted Deputy Minister Li to convey their extreme dismay over the lack of public consultation about such a crucial change. These activities produced results. In a letter dated July 29, 2011, the Minister of Health and Long-Term care, Deb Mathews, stated that "I now realize that implementing this change requires greater conversation and consultation, and, as a result, we will not move forward at this time with the current plan. My priority is to make sure that we get this right.... In light of this, in the coming months, we will engage our partners across the sector, including patients and their advocates to determine the best way to achieve our shared goals of increased independence for the PPAO." As Carol Goar of the Toronto Star stated, "it wasn't a victory but it was the next best thing". The key challenge now is that it is unlikely any final decisions will be made before the provincial election. A Conservative victory could place the very existence of the PPAO as well as many other public agencies, boards and commissions in jeopardy. So although the fight is far from over, by joining forces to send a clear message spoken with one collective voice the community of psychiatric patients and their advocates have proven that community action can impact government policy. It is still not clear what will happen to the PPAO in the long run. It is clear, however, that it will be very difficult for the government to implement any major changes to the fundamental nature and role of the PPOA without first consulting with the community of psychiatric patients and advocates. *** The AODA and the Integrated Accessibility Standards By Dianne Wintermute, Staff Lawyer On June 3, 2011, the Integrated Accessibility Standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act (AODA) were proclaimed into force and effect as regulations under that AODA. ARCH is disappointed with these resulting Standards. The Ministry of Community and Social Services had originally announced that there were to be five separate Standards: Customer Service; Built Environment; Information and Communication; Transportation; and Employment. Committees were set up to address each of these areas and to make recommendations on the appropriate standards that organizations should be required to meet. Consultations with the community followed these recommendations and the comments made by concerned members of Ontario were to be taken into account before the final Standard was released. This was the process followed for the Customer Service and Built Environment Standards. However, when the next three Standards were to be available for consultation, the process changed mid-stream. The committees that had been established to develop the Information and Communication, Transportation and Employment Standards had been meeting for over three years, and indeed, some extensive Standards had already been drafted at the Committee level under each of these areas. However, in a surprising and disappointing move, the Government announced that these Standards would now be lumped together and called the Integrated Accessibility Standards. The resulting Standards were a very pared down version with little more than guidelines for "accessibility". Some critics, however, suggest that the Integrated Standards are actually barriers to accessibility. The Ontario government did hold a public consultation on the Integrated Standard. ARCH made submissions as part of this public consultation which can be read on ARCH's website at: http://www.archdisabilitylaw.ca/?q=submissions. One of the concerns that ARCH raised is that the vast majority of organizations are exempt from compliance with these Standards. Only organizations with more than 50 employees must comply with the Integrated Standards. This means that, in the employment arena, the vast majority of employers in Ontario are exempt from the requirements under the Employment Standards. Indeed, Statistics Canada reports that over 95% of businesses in Ontario employ fewer than 50 employees, making the impact of this Standard negligible. Indeed, one has to ask what is the purpose of creating employment Standards at all, if the bulk of employers in the province do not have to meet them. The same exemptions apply to Information and Communications and Transportation services. ARCH urged the government to tighten the Integrated Standards so that they were more meaningful to persons with disabilities and to harmonize them with the Customer Service Standards that exempt organizations with under 20 employees. This number would relieve truly small organizations from any onerous obligations, while ensuring that accessibility for persons with disabilities was enhanced in Ontario. Our concerns were not adopted. Another major concern that ARCH expressed about the Integrated Standards is the lack of real enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with the Standards. As the Standards are currently written, there is really no robust system in place that will ensure meaningful investigations for those organizations covered by the Standard; there is no significant public complaints process that would allow members of the public to make complaints about non-compliance and to follow up on those complaints. Most importantly, is the concern that there are no ways for any member of the public who has been denied accessibility under the Integrated Standards to receive any individual compensation or redress it they encounter an organization that has not complied with the Standards. As a result of the lack of monitoring and enforcement it is doubtful that the stated objective of the AODA which was to achieve a fully accessible Ontario by 2025 will be achieved. Each of the Standards themselves will likely have relatively little impact on improving the lives of persons with disabilities. For example, under the Information and Communication Standard, materials must be conversion ready. It does not require that all new documents, including emergency and public safety, program requirements, educational materials and training or similar materials that are not already posted on the internet be made conversion ready in advance - it is only upon request that documents must be made conversion ready and available to persons with disabilities. In addition, commercial products, like books, magazines films or DVDs are exempt from being conversion ready. There is no identification of what the best practices are in the industry to promote accessibility and to which companies should strive. The Standards for kiosk and website requirements are similarly deficient. They merely require that organization "consider" accessibility for self service kiosks. Under the Built Environment Standard, there were very specific requirements for the construction of new buildings, as well as the retrofitting of older ones. These provisions are absent from this Standard, so even new kiosks will not have to meet a specific standard, organizations will merely need to consider making it more accessible. The same disappointing news continues under the Employment Standard. While requests for personal accommodations must be implemented, employers with over 50 employees have until 2017 to do so. The Standard does not speak to a whole range of accommodations that employees may require - only to accessible formats and communication supports. In addition, employers with under 50 employees are exempt from filing accessibility reports, or keeping records of training that has been offered to employees on accessibility related matters. Finally, with respect to the Transportation Standards, these are to be implemented on new modes of transportation. There is no mention of retrofitting existing transportation systems. The Standards merely require that all modes of transportation be accessible by 2025. As is evident, the Government's commitment to accessibility for all Ontarians has been significantly watered down by these Standards, and is a significant disservice to Ontarians with Disabilities. However, one should be reminded about the statement that is contained in each of the Standards under the AODA, "The requirements in the standards set out in this Regulation are not a replacement or a substitution for the requirements established under the Human Rights Code nor do the standards limit any obligations owed to persons with disabilities under any other legislation". If a person with a disability experiences discrimination in a denial of a service or if there needs are not accommodated, they can pursue redress through the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. See: http://www.hrto.ca/hrto. *** Review of Social Assistance in Ontario Needs Your Input By Ivana Petricone, Executive Director The Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario has been appointed by the Ontario government to review Ontario's social assistance system. The Commission must submit recommendations and an action plan for reforming the system that provides Ontario Works (OW) benefits and benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Plan (ODSP) to the Ontario government by June 30, 2012. The Commission is seeking input from stakeholders and communities in two phases. The first phase, which takes place from June to September 2011, will collect feedback on the Discussion Paper: Issues and Ideas. The second phase, which will take place later in 2011, will seek input on options and possible approaches to reforming the social assistance system. The Commission has a significant mandate to make recommendations to the government to reform social assistance in Ontario. As stated by the Commissioners, the mandate includes the "need to build a better system that improves employment opportunities and provides security for people who cannot work". The Commissioners have said publicly that the social assistance system in Ontario requires fundamental reform. At ARCH, we think that it is critical that the Commissioners hear from people with disabilities to gain the perspective of their lived experience. The Commission has produced a number of documents to assist in their consultation with stakeholders: The Commission's complete Discussion Paper: Issues and Ideas A short version, Summary and Workbook A Guide to Hosting a Community Conversation The documents can be found on the Commission's website at: www.socialassistancereview.ca. The Commission has asked for feedback by September 1, 2011 that it will consider in the development of an options paper in late fall/early winter. Several issues of concern to people with disabilities are raised in the review. Examples of these issues are: The need for better training and education supports as well as for better programs to address social inclusion as well as barriers to employment. The Discussion Paper suggests that Ontario Disability Support Plan (ODSP) benefits could be made conditional on work, training, volunteering or treatment. There is a heavy reliance on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act to remove barriers to employment for people with disabilities. The Discussion Paper suggests a distinction between people with disabilities who are "able to work" and those who are "unable to work" The definition of "disability" in the current Ontario Disability Support Plan Ace may be at risk with the suggestion of a two-tiered system for people with "severe" and "not severe disabilities". ARCH plans to provide feedback to the Commission and would like to hear any thoughts or comments from our community on the aspects of the Review which will have impact on people with disabilities. If you have feedback that you would like us to know about as we prepare our submissions, please let us know by calling or writing to us at: archlib@lao.on.ca. *** New ARCH Outreach Materials ARCH is proud to debut its new outreach materials. These include newly designed brochures in both English and French, bookmarks and fridge magnets. They were all designed to complement our website. We wish to thank the City of Toronto's Access, Equity and Human Rights: Community Partnership and Investment Program for funding this project. Look for ARCH at community events, come visit us and pick up some of these materials. If you would like to obtain some of these materials to distribute through your organization, please contact us. *** Ontario's Photo ID Card Now Available Submitted by Ministry of Transportation Have you ever had trouble opening a bank account or cashing a cheque because you didn't have photo ID? If so, you're not alone. More than 1.5 million people in Ontario don't have a driver's licence, the most commonly used form of photo ID. People without a driver's licence can find it difficult to do everyday tasks because they do not have easy access to photo ID. Ontario's new photo card addresses this need by providing proof of identity for those without a driver's licence. If you are an Ontario resident, at least 16 years old and do not have a driver's licence, you can apply for the new photo ID card. You'll have to provide original identity documents, such as a birth certificate or citizenship card, with your legal name, date of birth and signature. If you currently have a driver's licence you may surrender it in exchange for a photo card. The Ontario government consulted with more than 30 organizations and community groups representing the people who need this card most of all, including seniors, newcomers and Ontarians with disabilities. Other organizations, such as the banking industry and Elections Ontario, were also consulted to help ensure the card is accepted as official identification. The photo card has the same security features as an Ontario driver's licence. It also features a clipped top corner and raised lettering to make it easier to find in your wallet. The card costs $35 and is valid for five years. The card is currently available at 21 ServiceOntario centres. To find out where you can get a photo card, visit http://ServiceOntario.ca/FindServices or call toll-free at 1-800-387-3445 or TTY toll-free 1-800-268-7095. (The image of a sample photo ID card is in word version of the newsletter). *** Booking a Home Visit from Elections Ontario Voters who may have difficulty going to their local returning office to vote in Ontario's provincial election on October 6, 2011 may request a home visit from Elections Ontario. Home visits will take place between September 8 and October 5, 2011. You may apply to vote by Special ballot in your home if you: Are eligible to vote in the October 6th, 2011 provincial election, and Find it impossible or unreasonably difficult to personally go to the returning office in your electoral district, and Need assistance with making an application to vote by Special ballot, because of a disability or because an inability to read or write If you need a Home Visit you must make a request to Elections Ontario headquarters between August 8 and August 30, 2011 by phone, email or fax as follows: Telephone: Toll free in Canada and the United States: 1-(855)-523-5932 Collect Calls: 416-649-1046 TTY toll free in Canada and the United States: 1-(888)-292-2312 Email: sb@elections.on.ca Fax: Attention: Special Ballots 1-(888)-438-4448 (toll-free in Canada and the United States) You can only fax your request until August 30, 2011. Hours of operation: August 8 - 20: o Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM ET August 8 - 20: o Monday to Saturday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET; o Sunday 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM ET After August 30th, you may call your local returning office from September 7th to October 5, 6:00 PM ET or 5:00 PM CT to book your appointment. Please Note: Elections Ontario will forward your requests to your local Returning Officer. You will receive a call from a Special Ballot Officer after September 7th who will schedule your home visit at that time. *** New Information Line about Childhood Disabilities Cisco Canada is collaborating with Holland Bloorview to provide information and support to the community through a telephone Warmline. It offers information on resources and supports related to childhood disability to families and service providers, working with families of children and youth. A family support specialist from Holland Bloorview's Family Resource Centre will answer the calls to the Warmline, Monday through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Outside of these hours, callers can leave a message and receive a call back within 24 hours. Tel: 416-424-3888 Toll Free: 1-877-463-0365 The Warmline can also be accessed through email on the Holland Bloorview website. Email: resourcecentre@hollandbloorview.ca www.hollandbloorview.ca *** Publications at ARCH ARCH writes or publishes papers, articles and fact sheets from time to time. Some of these materials are available on our website. We are providing a list of our current publications available to the public via our website, e-mail or by mail. To access any of the publications on ARCH's website, please go to ttp://www.archdisabilitylaw.ca/publications/index.asp. If you are unable to access them online and would like to have a publication sent to you, please contact Theresa at ARCH, providing her with the specific publication and how you would like to receive it (by mail or e-mail) at: Tel.: 416-482-8255 Toll-free: 1-866-482-2724 TTY: 416-482-1254 Toll-free: 1-866-482-2728 or by e-mail at scibert@lao.on.ca DISCLAIMER: THESE PUBLICATIONS PROVIDE INFORMATION ONLY AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE. THE CONTENTS REFLECT THE LAWS THAT WERE CURRENT AT THE TIME OF WRITING OR UPDATING AND THE LAW MAY HAVE CHANGED SINCE THAT DATE. FACT SHEETS: "Mental Health Fact Sheets, December 2008" Two fact sheets which contain information for people who use or have used mental health services and supports. One fact sheet provides information about human rights and the right to be free from discrimination. The second fact sheet provides information about the right to language interpretation services at Courts and Tribunals. These fact sheets are available in the following languages: - English - French - Amharic - Brazilian Portuguese - Chinese - Punjabi - Tamil - Vietnamese "Assistive Devices Fact Sheets, June 2008" A series of three fact sheets on assistive devices for people with disabilities. "Fact Sheet on Interacting with Persons with Disabilities, December 2007" These fact sheets provide general tips on how to interact with people in a manner that best accommodates their disability. These fact sheets are available in English and French. WORKSHOPS: "Disability Tax Credit Webinar, June 2011" The Disability Tax Credit is an essential benefit for many Canadians with disabilities. However, people often encounter problems with the forms and having them completed. This webinar is hosted by ARCH Disability Law Centre and presented by Brendon Pooran, who discusses issues around the completion of the forms and the benefits that flow from receipt of the Disability Tax Credit. CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION MATERIALS: "ARCH 30TH Anniversary Symposium - Notes on Presentations, March 2011" These notes outline the basic content of the presentations made at ARCH's 30th Anniversary Symposium. These notes are intended to offer a general guide to what was said at the symposium. "Notes on Capacity to Instruct Counsel, February 2011" Overview of issues lawyers must consider when dealing with clients who may have capacity issues - instructions on how to assess client's capacity to instruct counsel. "Providing Legal Services to People with Disabilities, January 2011" This article is intended to be a resource for lawyers on representing clients who have disabilities. It contains a discussion of the concept of disability in jurisprudence and legislation, the applicability of the Law Society of Upper Canada's Rules of Professional Conduct to clients with disabilities and practical considerations for accommodating clients. "Addressing the Capacity of Parties before Ontario's Administrative Tribunals: Respecting Autonomy, Protecting Fairness, November 2009" This report summarizes the procedures available to people with capacity issues before selected administrative tribunals in Ontario. "Addressing the Capacity of Parties before Ontario's Administrative Tribunals: A Practical Guide for Ontario Lawyers, October 2009" This Guide offers concrete strategies and options to lawyers representing people with capacity issues before administrative boards and tribunals. ARTICLES AND POSITION PAPERS: "The Shield Becomes the Sword: The Expansion of the Ameliorative Program Defence to Programs that Support Persons with Disabilities, November 2010" ARCH prepared a research paper for the Law Commission of Ontario on the application of the "ameliorative program" provisions of the Charter to the equality claims of persons with disabilities. "Enforcing the Rights of People with Disabilities in Ontario's Developmental Services System, November 2010" This paper was commissioned by the Law Commission of Ontario as part of its project on the Law As It Affects Persons with Disabilities. The paper discusses the need for laws to include rights for people who receive developmental services and supports. "Inclusive Education: Opportunities for Redesign, May, 2010" This paper was written for 2010 CAPSLE Conference in Calgary on Inclusive Education and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. "Federal Disability Act: Opportunities and Challenges, October 2006" This paper was commissioned by the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) and the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL). The paper considers what a Federal disability act might look like and what its reach could be. Donating to ARCH While ARCH receives core funding from Legal Aid Ontario and grant funding from other sources, we also rely on the donations from individuals. We ask you to consider being a part of our work by contributing whatever you can. If you are able to assist please donate to ARCH through www.canadahelps.org. Or you can send your donation cheque to: Office Manager ARCH Disability Law Centre 425 Bloor Street East, Suite 110 Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R5 We will promptly send you a charitable receipt. Charitable No. 118 777 994 RR 0001 Become a Member of ARCH If you would like to become an individual member of ARCH, please visit our website at www.archdisabilitylaw.ca or contact our office to request an Application for Individual Membership form. Membership is free. ARCH ALERT is published by ARCH Disability Law Centre. It is distributed free via e-mail or mail to ARCH members, 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 PDF 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 and Litigation Assistant, ARCH Disability Law Centre, 425 Bloor St. E., Suite 110, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3R5, fax: 416-482-2981 or 1-866-881-2723, TTY: 416-482-1254 or 1-866-482-2728, e-mail: scibert@lao.on.ca Website: http://www.archdisabilitylaw.ca/