Access to Immigrant Settlement Services for People with Disabilities

OCASI-ERDCO – Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Accessibility Project

Defining disability

Experience of Being a Newcomer with a Disability

The Law and People with Disabilities

Developing an Accessibility Plan

Outline

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What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word disability?

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What do you know about people with disabilities?

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What do you know about newcomers with disabilities?

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Solutions to the “Problem” of Disability

Medical Model

Cure Rehabilitate Prevent Treat Decisions made by

experts

Social Model

Universal design Accommodating

environments Eliminating barriers Including voice and

experiences of people with disabilities

Promoting valued roles Changing society

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+ =

DISABILITY !7

Definition of Disability… (Continued)

Impairment and/or Illness

Exclusionary environments

and/or attitudes

What are some of the barriers newcomers with disabilities experience in

Canada?

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Labour market exclusion.

Increased vulnerability to domestic and other forms of abuse.

Social and economic dependence on family.

Negative attitudes towards disability in their own and mainstream cultures.

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Barriers for Newcomers with Disabilities

Lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate health, social, and educational services. Service providers lack sensitivity when delivering services.

Lack of knowledge of how to navigate all areas of community life and may not feel it is appropriate to question professionals or educators.

Barriers to learning English or French.

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Barriers for Newcomers with Disabilities

Lack of affordable and accessible housing.

Gap between immigrant settlement services and disability specific services.

Newcomers have decreased access to disability income and other supports.

Discriminatory immigration policies for people with disabilities.

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Barriers for Newcomers with Disabilities

Broader Societyimmigration policies disability supports

Communitybarriers to services/supports

lack of accessible/affordable

housing

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Summary

Individual

Can’t find a job or go to school

Perception of disability

“Disability” results from the interaction between persons with impairments, conditions or illnesses and the environmental and attitudinal barriers that hinders full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

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Definition of Disability

Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement

A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability

A learning disability or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language

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Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities (AODA) – Definition of

Disability

A mental disorder

An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan

Established under the Workplace Safety & Insurance Act, 1997

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Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities (AODA) – Definition of

Disability…(Continued)

...the person has or has had, or is believed to have or have had: Any degree of physical disability A condition of mental impairment or a

developmental disability A learning disability A mental disorder An injury or disability for which benefits were

claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997

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Ontario Human Rights Code – Definition of Disability

Section 15(1) recognizes that every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability.

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The Charter of Rights and Freedom

States that physical and mental disability are prohibited grounds of discrimination.

The law includes the “Duty to Accommodate ".

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The Canadian Human Rights Act

Employers and unions in Canada are required to make every reasonable effort, short of undue hardship, to accommodate an employee who comes under a protected ground of discrimination within human rights legislation.

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Duty to Accommodate

1. Customer service2. Employment3. Information and communications4. Transportation

5. Built Environment(in development)

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Accessibility Standards

Type of Barriers ExamplesAttitudinal Talking to a person with an

intellectual disability like a child

Information & Communication Print is too small for people with low vision.Reading level is too high or grammar too complex

Technology Computers in a computer training class for newcomers do not have accessible software, like screen readers or pointing devices

Organizational Agency doesn’t hire people with disabilities from ethno-cultural communities as settlement workers

Architectural & physical No elevator or accessible washrooms

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Types of Barriers

CHALLENGES RESULT

Challenges at Work…(Continued)

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TASK BARRIERS BEING ADDRESSED

ACTIVITIES PERSONS INVOLVED

TIMELINE

Establish policies, practices and procedures

Create a welcoming environment

Do outreach - how you promote your service

Partner and network

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Accessibility Plan