Disability rights

Woman with Cerebral palsy overwhelmed by outpouring of support

After returning home from yet another lengthy hospital stay, a 32-year-old with severe cerebral palsy has received over 500 letters of encouragement from across the country. Patrick Tehan/San Jose Mercury News/TNS by John Walk, … READ MORE

Riders and drivers bemoan ‘inaccessible’ Lethbridge transit system

Union says scheduling pressure is causing mental fatigue for drivers CityLink was launched as a cost-effective and efficient transit system, but many in Lethbridge, Alta., say it does not meet the needs of the city’s most … READ MORE

Austerity & disabled people in the UK: Q&A with Frances Ryan

Dr. Frances Ryan is a journalist, broadcaster and author. Her weekly Guardian column, Hardworking Britain, has been at the forefront of coverage of austerity this decade. Ryan was highly commended Specialist Journalist of the Year at … READ MORE

Making science more accessible to people with disabilities

Researchers suggest ways to improve accessibility in advance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. A biologist examining a skull. Credit: Anthro Illustrated John Brhel, Binghamton University via EurekAlert! AAAS December … READ MORE

Time for fast action on a Canada Disability Benefit

Over one million Canadians with disabilities live in poverty. If implemented, this new benefit will work in the same manner as the Guaranteed Income Supplement and the Canadian Child Benefit. Photo by Marcus Aurelius from Pexels By … READ MORE

Canadians with disabilities getting new benefit — but critics say it’s coming late and with few details

Bill creating monthly disability benefit for working-age Canadians died when Trudeau called 2021 election. The Liberal government has reintroduced legislation to create a monthly disability benefit payment for working age Canadians. … READ MORE

Worker shortage could threaten summer camps for Albertans with disabilities

Camp He Ho Ha could turn away hundreds of campers if it can’t hire enough staff. Counsellors canoe with a camper at Camp He Ho Ha on Lake Isle, west of Edmonton. Submitted by Greg Nielsen Madeleine Cummings, CBC News Edmonton … READ MORE

Study shows troubling lack of knowledge by physicians about the Americans with Disabilities Act

To achieve more equitable care and social justice for patients with disability, considerable improvements are needed to educate physicians about making healthcare delivery systems more accessible and accommodating. – Lisa I. Iezzoni … READ MORE

How a worker shortage is affecting Albertans with disabilities and their families

Disability workers say a chronic problem has become a crisis in some parts of the province. MIchael Marchuk, 47, is currently living with his brother Stan in Vancouver because of a lack of disability support workers in his Alberta … READ MORE

The pandemic highlights the importance of walkable and wheelable neighbourhoods

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of neighbourhoods and how they fare in terms of walkability and wheelability. He is in a wheelchair, she has multiple sclerosis, but their neighbours know Grzegorz and Magda as a … READ MORE

Pandemic disproportionately affects those with disabilities and chronic health conditions

‘The pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities,’ says UTM professor David Pettinicchio, who launched a national online survey of 1,027 Canadians with disabilities and chronic health conditions to find out how … READ MORE

Taxes and disability benefits: Maximizing the opportunities

A disabled person may qualify for the Disability Tax Credit. If you have never applied for this benefit before and you happen to qualify for it, you can request that Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) adjust your previous years’ tax … READ MORE

New report raises critical issues around disability rights in Alberta

13 advocates, known as Radical Inclusion, compiled report for U.N. committee. Roxanne Ulanicki is the lead facilitator of the Radical Inclusion report that was submitted to the United Nations on Tuesday. Submitted by Roxanne Ulanicki … READ MORE

For Canadians with disabilities, supports are often too little, too late

Inclusion and equity must be at the forefront of the design of government policies, not an afterthought. On June 5, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new federal supports for Canadians with disabilities. For the son of … READ MORE

Disability advocates call for easier access to ‘life-changing’ technology

Assistive devices can improve quality of life, but their high cost keeps them out of reach for many. Tammy Martin’s eSight helps her magnify images, as well as change their colour, contrast and focus. Tammy Martin Feleshia … READ MORE

Netflix’s ‘Crip Camp’ is one of the most important films about disability I’ve ever seen

This documentary proves we can tell human stories about disabled people and our lives. And through those stories, we can show both how far we’ve come and where we must go next. “Power, not pity.” Steve Honisgbaum / Netflix … READ MORE

‘What does this mean for us?’ People with developmental disabilities left out of vaccination planning

As COVID-19 vaccine distribution and prioritization plans roll out across Canada, people with developmental disabilities, their families, support workers and community agencies have been asking: What does this mean for us? Dr. Yona … READ MORE

Mobility Unlimited Challenge winner receives $1m for ultra-lightweight intelligent wheelchair

The winner of the three-year Mobility Unlimited Challenge has now been announced with Phoenix Instinct from the UK receiving $1 million to further develop their intelligent ultra-light carbon fiber wheelchair, bring it to market, and … READ MORE

People with disabilities excluded from re-opening plans, advocates warn

People with disabilities have been shut out of the conversation as Canadians plan to return to school, work and play, further jeopardizing their health and safety in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, advocates warn. The woman in the … READ MORE

When do disability resources become a right?

Disability resources are not luxuries. They are basic defenses against inequality. Lucy Eaton, UC Berkeley Senior Daily Cal Archives/File By Lucy Eaton, Special to The Daily Cal, November 1, 2019 The following represents the … READ MORE

Child care after the pandemic should be more inclusive of children with disabilities

When child-care centres reopen, they should consider the needs of children with disabilities. Across Canada, some provinces have either opened or are looking at opening their child-care centres again following pandemic closures. But … READ MORE

I’m scared: parents of children with disability struggle to get the basics during coronavirus

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on all Australians, but there are very good reasons why the impact might be more keenly felt by people with disability and their carers. More than isolated: The experience of children and young … READ MORE

Kids with disabilities face health risks and marginalization under COVID-19

COVID-19 has been disruptive to all families, a McMaster University professor says, but the effects of school closures, medical equipment shortages and social distancing are further amplified for families of children with … READ MORE

Staff restrictions, lack of PPE endangering Albertans with disabilities

Help accessing personal protective equipment is on the way, says Alberta Health Services. ‘We feel forgotten’: Disability community overlooked during COVID-19, families say. Government of Alberta says its working with … READ MORE

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta – April 2020 Archive

Beltline urges city to make walking ‘safe and comfortable’ with physical distancing. Beltline residents say walking with physical distancing at peak times is difficult. Helen Pike CBC CBC News Calgary April 30, 2020 ▽ … READ MORE

Alberta disability program forum slammed as a delay tactic by opposition NDP

‘There are thousands of people whose lives are impacted by this stall.’ Community and Social Services Minister Rajan Sawhney was not made available to CBC on Tuesday to take questions about a newly released report into the … READ MORE

New air passenger protections kick in today

Bob Brown, a disability rights advocate who is quadriplegic, says the rules reduce the distance he can travel by air without putting his health at risk by up to 2,000 kilometres. Airlines, industry groups, passenger advocates taking … READ MORE

Wheelchair users sue Atlanta, alleging sidewalk access violations

On June 11, Atlanta became the latest major U.S. city to be sued for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act due to lack of access to public sidewalks. The lawsuit follows recent settlements over similar issues in Los … READ MORE

Alberta law to allow unwed parents to share financial burden of disabled adult children

The proposed legislation would allow parents to apply for financial support from ex-partners. Christina Ryan reads to her daughter, Emily, who is 18 but still requires constant care due to her Down syndrome and several other medical … READ MORE

The curious case of Charles Krauthammer

Charles Krauthammer, Pulitzer-prize winning columnist for The Washington Post, best-selling author, Fox News commentator and well-respected conservative rhetorician, died on June 21 after an aggressive return of cancer following … READ MORE

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