The CNIB Foundation and AODA Alliance to Present at Parliamentary Committee to Propose Amendments to Strengthen Bill C-81
OTTAWA, Oct. 24, 2018 /CNW/ - The CNIB Foundation and the grassroots Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance (AODA Alliance) will appear before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills, and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) to present amendments to strengthen the Accessible Canada Act (Bill C-81) and will be available for the media afterward. Both organizations believe that comprehensive amendments need to be accepted to enable the legislation to realize its goal of a Canada without barriers, for the over five million Canadians with a disability.
Who: |
David Lepofsky, chair, AODA Alliance |
Angelia Bonfanti, vice president, The CNIB Foundation (Ont. & Que.) |
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Robbi Weldon, program lead, Peer Support and Leisure |
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When: |
Thursday, October 25, 2018 |
Where: |
Wellington Building, 197 Sparks Street |
Time: |
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (committee) 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (media availability) |
"There is broad consensus that this bill needs substantial amendments in order for it to be a good law that will effectively meet the needs of people with disabilities in Canada," says Lepofsky. "In our closing argument summing up these public hearings, we'll emphasize that among the needed amendments are the need for the bill to set concrete timelines for action, for the bill to ensure that public money is never again used to create disability barriers, and to remove the bill's splintering of its enforcement over four different federal agencies. The bill now creates a confusing, complicated and unfair enforcement process that works against the needs of people with disabilities."
The CNIB Foundation believes much more is needed than the creation of this piece of legislation to create a truly accessible Canada.
"A strengthened Bill C-81 is needed, however if there is no public education and awareness about the legislation and how it will affect Canadians, it won't be very useful," says Bonfanti. "The government needs to put money where their mouth is. They need to change the way Ottawa works, to promote greater accessibility and inclusion. For example, changing Canada's procurement policy to include an accessibility component would greatly change the purchasing power of the federal government. Ensuring that all federally procured products are accessible would be a game changer for Canadians with sight loss."
The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills, and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities is expected to finish their study on Bill C-81 in the next week. The recommended changes will go back to the House of Commons where further debate will happen.
About the CNIB Foundation
Celebrating 100 years in 2018, the CNIB Foundation is a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today. We deliver innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empower people impacted by blindness to live their dreams while tearing down barriers to inclusion. Our work is powered by a network of volunteers, donors and partners from coast to coast to coast. To learn more or get involved, visit cnib.ca.
SOURCE CNIB
Thomas Simpson, Head, Public Affairs, e: [email protected], c: 613-462-5728; AODA Alliance, e: [email protected]
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