425 Bloor Street East, Suite 110Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R4www.archdisabilitylaw.ca

(416) 482-8255 (Main) 1 (866) 482-ARCH (2724) (Toll Free)(416) 482-1254 (TTY) 1 (866) 482-ARCT (2728) (Toll Free)(416) 482-2981 (FAX) 1 (866) 881-ARCF (2723) (Toll Free)

ARCH Alert May 29, 2014

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Access Awareness Event: ADVANCING DISABILITY RIGHTS IN THEORY AND PRACTICE

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World Pride Event: SEX, RIGHTS AND THE LAW IN ONTARIO 03ARCH Coalition Granted Leave to intervene in Right to Housing Charter Application

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June 12 is the Provincial Election Day - Are you ready to vote? 05ARCH Makes Submissions before the Moran Review of the AODA 08Support Persons Travel for Free on Ontario Transit Systems 10Update on the Huronia, Rideau and Southwestern Settlements 12Notes from the Road: ARCH holds workshops for people who lived at Huronia, Rideau or Southwestern Regional Centres

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Legal Services Project at St. Michael’s Hospital 15New Ontario Law Provides Some New Job Protections for Parents and Caregivers

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CRTC Announces New Video Relay Service for Canadians who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or have a Communication Disability

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Communication Disabilities Symbol 18Calling all settlement workers! 20ARCH Membership 20New Additions to ARCH Library 22Publications at ARCH 22

ARCH Alert www.archdisabilitylaw.ca May

29, 2014 Access Awareness Event:

ADVANCING DISABILITY RIGHTS IN THEORY AND PRACTICE

Keynote address by Shuaib Chalklen, Special Rapporteur on Disability for the United Nations Commission for Social Development

Speakers include: Vera Chouinard, Professor, School of Geography, McMaster University Steve Estey, Second Vice Chairperson, Council of Canadians with Disabilities Rachel Gorman, Assistant Professor, Graduate Program in Critical Disability

Studies, York University Roberto Lattanzio, Staff Lawyer, ARCH Disability Law Centre

When: June 4, 2014

4:00 - 6:30 PM: Disability experts will discuss theories of disability and how they can be used to advance disability rights

6:30 - 8:00 PM: Reception

Where: Donald Lamont Learning Centre, Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen Street West, Toronto

This public event is free, but space is limited. Please register by May 30: Email: equityevents@lsuc.on.ca Phone: 416-947-3300 ext. 3413 or 1-800-668-7380, ext. 3413 TTY: 416-644-4886

For more information, please visit: lawsocietygazette.ca/even/access

For an optimal level of accessibility, please let us know of any accommodation requirements. Please do not wear fragrances and colognes.

Accredited CPD - This program contains 2 hr 15 mins of Professionalism Hours.

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29, 2014 Photographs taken at this public event will be used in Law Society of Upper Canada print and online publications.

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29, 2014 ARCH Disability Law Centre and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO) are pleased to present an event in honour of World Pride:

SEX, RIGHTS AND THE LAW IN ONTARIO

A panel will discuss:

the right of people with disabilities to make their own choices about relationships - Laurie Letheren (ARCH)

sexuality in long-term care facilities - Jane Meadus, Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE)

HIV/AIDS and disclosure issues - Ryan Peck (HALCO)

When: Monday, June 16, 2014 2 to 5 p.m.

Where: The 519 Church Street Community Centre, 519 Church Street, Toronto (north of Wellesley Street East, on the east side of Church Street)

To register to attend, please contact Theresa Sciberras at ARCH:Email: scibert@lao.on.ca Telephone: 416-482-8255 or 1-866-482-2724TTY: 416-482-1254 or 1-866-482-2723

Please Note: ASL interpreters, CART and attendant services will be provided. If you need other accommodations, please contact Theresa Sciberras at ARCH by phone, TTY or e-mail by June 6, 2014.

We regret that our budget does not permit us to provide refreshments or transportation assistance.

We try to keep our events free of scents and fragrances because they may cause health problems. We ask that you not wear perfumes, aftershave, lotions or any other scented products.

ARCH and HALCO thank ACE for their participation and the 519 Church Street Community Centre for providing space for this presentation.

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29, 2014 ARCH Coalition Granted Leave to intervene in Right to Housing Charter ApplicationBy Laurie Letheren, Staff Lawyer

In 2011, the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA) and four individuals filed a court application alleging that the governments of Canada and Ontario had violated their equality rights and their rights to life, liberty and security of the person as protected by sections 7 and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. CERA and the individuals claim that the Governments’ failure to have effective strategies to address the homelessness crisis results in violation of their Charter rights.  The Governments claim that this case has no reasonable prospect of success and asked the court not hear the case on its merits. Justice Lederer of the Ontario Superior Court granted the Governments’ request in September 2013. The applicants filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, asking that the decision striking their case be reversed.

The Coalition of ARCH Disability Law Centre, Dream Team, HIV&Aids Legal Clinic Ontario and Canadian HIV/Aids Legal Network asked the Court of Appeal to intervene at the hearing of this appeal as a friend of the Court. The ARCH Coalition is represented by Laurie Letheren, ARCH Disability Law Centre and Renée Lang, HIV&Aids Legal Clinic Ontario. The ARCH coalition and seven other intervenors were granted the right to address the Court of Appeal as friends of the Court. The ARCH coalition will address the need for the Court to hear all the evidence before it makes a determination on the rights protected by the Charter. The Coalition will argue that a Charter analysis cannot be properly undertaken until the Court has heard the evidence and can gain a full understanding of the context of persons with disabilities who are impacted by the Governments’ failure to implement an effective housing strategy. As well, the ARCH Coalition will discuss the need for the Court to understand and apply the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which must be considered when interpreting Charter rights.

The hearing of this case is scheduled to be heard on May 26, 27 and 18, 2014. For more information click Legal strategies charter challenge homlessness motion to strike or copy and paste http://goo.gl/qbkrr5 .

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29, 2014

June 12 is the Provincial Election Day – Are you ready to vote?By Laurie Letheren, Staff Lawyer

On Thursday, June 12, 2014 there will be an election in Ontario. There are many issues that are important to people with disabilities that could change or improve depending on who forms the next Ontario Government. For example,

Do you believe that the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and its Standards could be more effective?

Do you think there should be more money put into direct funding for people who use attendant services?

Do you think there should be more money put into direct funding and the Passport programs for people who have been labeled with an intellectual disability?

Do you have a concern about the amount of income assistance a person receives through the Ontario Disability Support Program?

Are you concerned that there is not enough money dedicated to providing supports and resources for students with disabilities?

These are just some of the many issues that could be impacted by how Ontarians vote. It is important that we all vote.

ACCESSIBILITY IN VOTINGThe Ontario government has made some changes to help make the voting process more accessible to people with disabilities.

On Election DayOn June 12, election day, all voting locations:

Will have magnifiers, Braille ballot templates and other tools to assist voters who are blind or with vision loss.Will provide pens and pads to help electors who are Deaf, deafened, or hard of

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29, 2014 hearing to communicate.

If you are Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing:

You can book an American Sign Language interpreter through the Canadian Hearing Society’s Ontario Interpreting Services to accompany you when you go to a voting location. Elections Ontario will cover the cost of the service. For more information, click Canadian Hearing Society's Ontario Interpreting Services or copy and paste http://goo.gl/Rjl8zQ .

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29, 2014 If you have a mobility disability:

If it is hard for you to get to or into the voting location for your neighbourhood, you may transfer to a voting location within your electoral district that is better for you. If you want to arrange to vote at a different location you need to contact your Returning Officer before June 12, 2014 to make arrangements. To find your Returning Officer, click Returning Officer or copy and paste http://goo.gl/aFXimo .

If you have a support person or service animal:

You can bring a friend to assist you. Your friend will be required to swear to tell the truth about how they assisted you.

You can bring a service animal into any voting location. You may need to show related documentation.

Accessible Locations for voting:

Elections Ontario says that most voting locations will be wheelchair accessible. You should receive a Notice of Registration Card in the mail. For more information about the Notice of Registration Card, click Notice of Registration Card or copy and paste http://goo.gl/xMI9XF. Look for the wheelchair symbol on this Registration Card to learn whether your voting location is accessible. If you do not see that symbol on your Notice of Registration, contact your Returning Office to ask where you should go to vote that is accessible. To find your Returning Officer, click Returning Officer or copy and paste http://goo.gl/aFXimo .

Training of election workers:

According to the Election Act all Returning Officers are to train all election workers in how best to serve voters with disabilities. Elections Ontario says that people who are at the voting locations to answer questions and assist people will watch a video and have in-person training programs ensure quality customer service to voters with disabilities.

Steps for voting:

You should take your Notice of Registration Card and one piece of identification with your name. For more information about Identification Requirements, click Identification Requirements for Voting in Ontario Provincial Elections or copy and paste http://goo.gl/Me7sBY .

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29, 2014 If you are an eligible elector and did not receive a Notice of Registration Card, bring one piece of identification with your name and residential address. For more information about who can vote (eligible elector), click Who Can Vote or copy and paste http://goo.gl/iRpD2.

If you are not on the voters list or did not receive the Notice of Registration card but you are an eligible elector, bring one piece of identification that includes both your name and residential address. The Poll Official will give you a form to complete and sign. Your name will be added to the Voters List. For more information about the Voters List, click on Voters List or copy and paste http://goo.gl/6Ex0cL

Once your address and identification are verified, the poll official will cross your name off the Voters List.

1. The poll official will hand you a folded ballot. 2. You will take your ballot behind the voting screen and put an X next to the name of

the candidate of your choice. 3. Return your marked and refolded ballot to the poll official. 4. The back of your ballot will be verified. 5. The folded ballot will be returned to you. You drop your ballot into the ballot box.

Before June 12, Election Day

Accessible technologies:

Voters with vision disabilities will be able to mark and generate a ballot by following step-by-step audio commands using headphones, use tactile buttons or large keypads marked with Braille.

Voters with physical disabilities will be able to use “sip and puff” technology or paddles.

If you wish to use these technologies to vote you need to contact your Returning Officer to learn where you need to go.

You may not be able to vote using these technologies at the voting your local voting location open on election day.

Special ballot:

Voters may apply for a Special Ballot to vote by mail. All electors may vote by Special 10

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29, 2014 Ballot.

Voters who would like to cast their ballot before Election Day may apply for a Special Ballot before Election Day.

Home visits:

Voters who face barriers to getting to their voting location on election day may apply for a home visit. A voter can request the assistance of Special Ballot Officers to complete an application form and to vote from home. A voter may apply for a home visit if he or she will have a great deal of difficulty to go to the returning office and needs assistance because of a disability or because he or she is unable to read or write. 

Advance polls:

If you cannot vote on June 12, 2014 you can vote at an advance polls. These advance polls are open for voting Saturday, May 31, 2014, 10 AM to 8 PM to Friday, June 6, 2014. Contact your Returning Officer for more information.

For more information about voting in this Ontario election, click Elections Ontario or copy and paste http://goo.gl/RtAo6Q .

ARCH Makes Submissions before the Moran Review of the AODABy Dianne Wintermute, Staff Lawyer

Dean Mayo Moran, the Dean of the University of Toronto Law School has been asked to do a review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). This is the second such review. The first was done by Charles Beer in 2010.

Along with a number of other individuals and organizations, ARCH appeared before Dean Moran on April 29, 2014 to talk about two particular issues that are of concern to people with disabilities in the AODA.

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29, 2014 In our opening statement we advised the panel that the AODA is crucial to ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to participate fully in their communities and society as a whole. Accessible information and communication impacts on access to justice, political rights, education, and access to essential services. Accessible employment allows for full participation in the labour market by providing economic stability, personal dignity and self worth. Accessible transportation promotes independence. The ability to travel to places of employment, education, recreation and social activities relies upon readily available, affordable and accessible transportation. However, there are concerns that to date, the AODA has not provided useful guidelines for accessibility. People with disabilities initially hoped that they were participating in a process that would result in ground breaking legislation that would offer a model to the rest of the world to strengthen accommodation and accessibility requirements for persons with disabilities. As yet, the AODA has not lived up to its transformative potential.

The first concern raised was about the exemptions to compliance with the AODA, which are excessively broad. In the Integrated Standards, organizations with fewer than 50 employees do not have to provide written policies, develop accessibility plans, follow website requirements for website compliance, or provide compliance reports. The Customer Service Standard applied to organizations or services with more than 20 employees. However, proposed amendments would raise this number to those who have more than 50 employees, like the Integrated Standards. Instead of harmonizing the Standards so that they would apply to more organizations and services, the proposed amendment to the Customer Service Standard further limits compliance.

If the AODA is to truly improve accessibility and accommodation for people with disabilities, it must apply to more, not fewer organizations and services. In fact, if the amendment passes almost 95% of Ontario’s organizations and services would be exempt from complying with the AODA.

The second issue we raised was enforcement mechanisms under the AODA. Self-Reporting and monitoring are the current ways to determine compliance. However without more rigorous enforcement, such as independent oversight and monitoring, the AODA and its standards are really just voluntary instruments. Without more comprehensive and effective enforcement mechanisms, the Government cannot track data about individual complaints and investigate or order compliance.

Section 26 of the AODA says the Lieutenant Governor in Council must designate one or more tribunals to oversee complaints and other issues that arise under the Act. The Customer Service Standard came into force of January 1, 2008. No tribunals have been

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29, 2014 established yet. This leaves people with disabilities without a formal process to have their issues heard. Moreover, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario does not have the jurisdiction to enforce the AODA. This lack of a formal resolution process undermines the impact and effect of the AODA. It delegitimizes Ontario’s commitment to accessibility.

In closing, suggested that there remains some misunderstanding about AODA compliance and obligations on Ontario’s Human Rights Code. As a result, public education about the AODA should include information about the differences between the AODA and the Human Rights Code.

ARCH will be providing written submissions on both the proposed amendments to the Customer Service Standard and more in-depth submission to the Moran Review of the AODA in its entirety. The will be posted on our website once completed.

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29, 2014 Support Persons Travel for Free on Ontario Transit SystemsBy Kerri Joffe, Staff Lawyer

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is a law that aims to make Ontario services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises accessible for people with disabilities by 2025.

Since January 1, 2014, the Integrated Accessibility Standard, one of the regulations under the AODA, has prevented transportation service providers from charging a fare to a support person who accompanies a person with a disability when they use public transportation. The law defines support person as a person who accompanies a person with a disability in order to help with communication, mobility, personal or medical care, or access to goods, services or facilities. This means that people with disabilities who use public transportation in Ontario must pay a regular fare but do not have to pay an extra fare for a support person who accompanies them.

The Integrated Accessibility Standard states that it is the responsibility of the person with a disability to demonstrate that they have a need for a support person when they use public transportation.

In Toronto, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has announced that beginning May 1, 2014, TTC customers with disabilities have to show a Support Person Assistance Card in order for the support person who accompanies them to travel for free on buses, subways and streetcars in Toronto. Without a Support Person Assistance Card, the support person may have to pay a fare.

The Support Person Assistance Card is a photo-identification card that is issued to the person with a disability. The Card allows only 1 support person to travel for free with the person with a disability. However, a person with a disability may travel with different support persons at different times.

TTC and Wheel-Trans customers with disabilities need to apply to get the Support Person Assistance Card. You still need to apply for the Card even if Wheel-Trans already requires you to travel with a support person at all times. The application can be downloaded or filled out online at. Click Support Person Assistance Card - Application or copy and paste http://goo.gl/HXjbtP .

The application is also available by calling the TTC at: 416-393-3030.

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29, 2014 Part of the application is filled out by the person with a disability or his or her legal guardian. Another part of the application is filled out by a health care professional. The health care professional must certify that the person has a permanent or temporary disability and needs to be accompanied by a Support Person because of his or her disability. Only doctors, physiotherapists, optometrists, audiologists, psychologists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and registered nurses can fill out this part of the form.

There is no charge for the Support Person Assistance Card. However, some health care professionals may charge a fee to fill out and sign the application form. The TTC does not cover these costs.

In addition to the application, people applying for the Card also need to have their photo taken at Sherbourne Station or mail in the application with 2 colour passport photos. The application form includes more information about this, and also explains where to submit the application in person or by mail.

People with disabilities will need to renew the Card every 3 years on their birthday. For people who have temporary disabilities, the Card may need to be renewed more often.

Other municipalities in Ontario have similar requirements. In Oakville, support persons can travel for free on Oakville Transit buses when they accompany a person with a disability. The person with a disability must obtain an Oakville Transit Support Person ID Card. To get this Card, persons with disabilities must fill in an application form, which includes medical certification that a support person is needed because of the individual’s disability.

In Kingston, persons with disabilities need to apply for a Support Person Pass in order to have their support person accompany them for free on Kingston Transit. Medical certification is also required to obtain this Pass.

For more information, contact:

TTC Customer Service at: 416-393-3030 or TTY: 416-338-0357. Click Support Person Assistance Card or copy and paste http://goo.gl/TAJKdI

Oakville Transit at 905-815-2020. Click Oakville Transit Support Person ID Card or copy and paste http://goo.gl/Gcg2xu

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29, 2014 Kingston Municipal Call Centre at 613-546-0000 or contactus@cityofkingston.ca

OR

Contact the public transportation provider in your city or town.

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29, 2014 Update on the Huronia, Rideau and Southwestern SettlementsBy Yedida Zalik, Community Outreach Coordinator

In the December 2013 edition of ARCH Alert, we wrote about the Huronia Class Action Settlement. We explained that many people labelled with intellectual disabilities were harmed at Huronia. There was a lawsuit about this.

There were also lawsuits about the Rideau Regional Centre and the Southwestern Regional Centre.

The Court gave permission for settlements of these three lawsuits. This means there will not be a trial. And the government has put aside money for some people who were harmed or hurt at Huronia, Rideau and Southwestern.

If you lived at Huronia or a place Huronia put you between 1945 and 2009, you can ask for money from the Huronia settlement.

If you lived at Rideau or a place Rideau put you between 1963 and 2009, you can ask for money from the Rideau settlement.

If you lived at Southwestern or a place Southwestern put you between 1963 and 2008, you can ask for money from the Southwestern settlement. 

This settlement money is separate from social assistance from the Ontario government. Social assistance can be Ontario Disability Support Program money, also called ODSP. There are also other kinds of social assistance. Settlement money will not change the kind of Ontario social assistance you get, how much you get, or how long you get it.

Asking for money from the settlement

To ask for money, you must fill in a Claim Form. Then send that form to the claims office. The claims office must get your form by August 5, 2014. To be safe, you should send it a few days earlier. But do not rush when you fill in the form.

You can get a Claim Form on the ARCH website at http://www.archdisabilitylaw.ca/?q=node/861.

You can also ask the claims office to send you the form by calling:

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29, 2014 Phone 1 866 879 4915 TTY 1877 627 7027

There are separate forms for Huronia, Rideau and Southwestern, but they look almost the same. Make sure to use the Claim Form for the place where you lived. Read the name of the place at the top of the form.

If you lived at more than one of these places, you will need to fill in a separate form for each place you lived. Write on each Claim Form that you lived at more than one place so you are sending more than one form.

Take the time you need to write everything you want to say in the Claim Form. It is important to fill in the form carefully. You can get help to do this.

You can get help with your Claim Form

It can be hard to fill in the Claim Form. You might remember painful things. You might become angry, sad, scared or upset. Make sure you are in a safe place when you do this. You might want to ask for help from someone you trust.

A family member or support person can fill in the form for you. If you live in Toronto, ARCH can help with the form. Outside of Toronto, many local community legal clinics are helping with the Claim Form. You can call ARCH or 211 to find a community legal clinic near you.There are also workshops to help with the Claim Form. For a list of workshops in PDF, click Workshops in PDF or copy and paste http://goo.gl/VhXDxm . For a list of workshops in Text, click Workshop in Text or copy and paste http://goo.gl/kO1Blz . The dates for some workshops have changed. ARCH will give a workshop in Sarnia on May 28, in Barrie on June 13, and in Toronto on July 9. Check the ARCH website for the most up-to-date information about ARCH’s workshops on the Claim Form.

Some people may want to visit Huronia to help them remember what happened. The government set dates for visiting, but these dates have changed. The next dates to visit Huronia are Sunday May 25 and Monday May 26.

Asking for your file from Huronia, Rideau or Southwestern

You can ask the government for your file from Huronia, Rideau or Southwestern. There might be something in your file that will help your claim. You should ask as soon as possible because it will take some time to get the file.

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29, 2014 You can get information on how to ask for your file, by clicking or copying and pasting here: http://www.archdisabilitylaw.ca/?q=node/844

You can call or email Cate Parker at the Ministry of Community and Social Services for more information about getting your file:

Phone 416-327-6101 Email cate.parker@ontario.ca

You should start filling in your Claim Form before you get your file. If you do not get the file by the end of July, then send your Claim Form to the claims office. Write on the form that you asked for your file but the government did not send it yet.

Information for family members and support people

Family members and support people can also go to the workshops. And there is a webinar that talks about how family members and support people can help. To watch that webinar, please click Webinar or copy and paste http://goo.gl/YmCkjR .

Notes from the Road: ARCH holds workshops for people who lived at Huronia, Rideau or Southwestern Regional Centres By Ivana Petricone, Executive Director

ARCH has been working for the past six months on helping former residents of Huronia, Rideau or Southwestern Regional Centres to know about the class action settlements. Through the settlement claims process former residents can receive compensation for the harm and abuse suffered while living in the institutions. We are also working on helping as many former residents as possible to know about the claims process and to understand what they need to do in order to receive compensation.

An important part of our work is providing workshops for people who lived at Huronia, Rideau or Southwestern Regional Centres and those who will help them with their claims. These workshops give information about the settlement itself, who qualifies for compensation, how to go about gathering the necessary information and documents and how to submit a claim.

With the help of the community legal clinics in Ottawa, Windsor and Chatham, ARCH held four workshops over three days on April 29th, May 13th and 14th. We had a remarkable turn

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29, 2014 out – with over 250 former residents, family members and supporters at the four workshops.

Through our workshops we were able to distribute many packages which contain the Claim Forms and Notices that assist in completing the forms.

These settlements can never fully compensate for these wrongs but they can stand as a tangible acknowledgement that the abuse and isolation were wrong and should never have happened. The Ontario government also made a public apology which was very important to the former residents as it legitimized their experiences.

ARCH is indebted to our sister clinics in the regions that we visited. Without the collaboration of the local clinics, it would have been impossible for us to organize the workshops and promote them in such a way so as to have reached so many people. The local clinics have also agreed to assist former residents and their support persons to complete the forms, and to swear affidavits if that is needed. Our heartfelt thanks go out to:

Connecting Ottawa and South Ottawa Community Legal Services Community Legal Services Ottawa Centre Legal Assistance of Windsor Windsor-Essex Bilingual Legal Clinic Clinique Juridique Bilingue Chatham–Kent Legal Clinic

We were hosted and greatly assisted by Community Living Windsor, Community Living Essex, Community Living Chatham and Community Living Wallaceburg. We are grateful to each of these agencies for promoting the workshops and providing space, access to technology and refreshments.

Our next stops will be in Sarnia, Barrie and Toronto. Please watch our website for details about these workshops.

For more information on the Huronia, Rideau and Southwestern Regional Centres Class Action Settlements, please see the article in this edition of ARCH Alert.

Legal Services Project at St. Michael’s HospitalBy Yedida Zalik, Community Outreach Coordinator

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29, 2014 The Family Health Team at St. Michael’s Hospital has many patients who live in downtown Toronto. Some patients also come from farther away. Many of these patients have legal problems. Many are also low income people.

Some doctors and social workers in the Family Health Team are in a group called Health Providers Against Poverty. They know that legal problems and low income are connected. They decided to do something about the legal issues of their patients.

The Family Health Team asked ARCH Disability Law Centre to partner with them. They told ARCH about their patient’s legal problems. ARCH realized that they did not have the experience to provide assistance for all the patient’s problems. ARCH decided it needed to work on these problems with other legal clinics.

ARCH asked Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto, the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO), and Neighbourhood Legal Services to be partners in this project. Legal Aid Ontario gave the partners some funding. This funding is for three years, to start legal services at the hospital.

Some other legal clinics are joining us. These are the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly, Justice for Children and Youth, and the Canadian Environmental Law Association.

The legal clinics are working with St Michael’s Hospital to figure out next steps. In a few months, we will start legal services at the hospital. There will be an announcement when this happens, so check the ARCH website.

We hope there will be several legal services at St Michael’s Hospital. Patients will be able to get legal advice. There will also be workshops for groups of patients to learn about their legal rights. The Family Health Team can also learn more about legal issues.

With time, we hope patients, legal clinics and the Family Health Team can work together to advocate for changes to the law. In the words of Dr. Nav Persaud of the Family Health Team “easy access to legal services will improve the health of our patients. We hope that this partnership will help individual patients and change the law so that fewer patients need legal help”.

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29, 2014 New Ontario Law Provides Some New Job Protections for Parents and CaregiversBy Laurie Letheren, Staff Lawyer

The Ontario government has passed an amendment to the Employment Standards Act. The new legislation obligates employers to protect a job if a person has to take a leave.

If a person needs to provide care or support to a family member who is has a serious medical condition, the care giver can take a leave up to eight weeks. The person’s employer is not obligated to pay the person when they are on leave but must guarantee that they can return to their job after eight weeks.

If a parent needs to take time off work to care for a critically ill child, the parent can take a leave from their job for up to 37 weeks. The parent’s employer is not obligated to pay the parent when they are on leave from work but must guarantee that they can return to their job after 37 weeks.

If a parent needs to take time off work because their child is missing, the parent can take a leave from their job for up to 52 weeks. The parent’s employer is not obligated to pay the parent when they are on leave from work but must guarantee that they can return to their job after 52 weeks.

If a parent needs to take time off work because their child has died as a result of a crime, the parent can take a leave from their job for up to 104 weeks. The parent’s employer is not obligated to pay the parent when they are on leave from work but must guarantee that they can return to their job after 104 weeks.

Parents and family caregivers may be eligible to receive Employment Insurance during a leave from work. They should contact Services Canada for more information about this.

CRTC Announces New Video Relay Service for Canadians who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or have a Communication DisabilityBy Laurie Letheren, Staff Lawyer

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29, 2014 On April 22, 2014 the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced that video relay service will be made available in Canada for users of American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ). This service is to be available starting as early as in the fall of 2015.

Video relay service is a way to have telephone and video conversations using ASL or LSQ. An operator facilitates the conversation between the person with the disability and the other caller . The operator will communicate with the person with the disability using ASL or LSQ and then speak to the caller on the other end in spoken language.

The video relay service is provided at no cost. In order to use the service the caller who communicates with ASL or LSQ will need their own high-speed Internet service and an Internet-connected device, such as a computer, smartphone, tablet or videophone. The person with wants to have the access to the video relay service for their calls will have to register. If a person wants to call another person who communicates using the video relay service, the person making the call just dials the number of the person they want to reach just like they would to make a regular voice call.

Funding to support this service will be capped at $30 million per year. According to the CRTC “It is estimated that there will be approximately 20,000 primary users of video relay service.”

The CRTC will conduct a review of video relay service three years after it has launched to assess whether it is meeting the needs of Canadians in an efficient manner.

ARCH will provide an update on this service as it is made available. More information about the proposed service can be found at http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/vrs-srv.htm

Communication Disabilities SymbolBy Laurie Letheren , Staff Lawyer

Do you recognize this symbol below? Do you know what his symbol is used for?

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The image in the text box above, which shows the image of two faces looking at each other and with an arrow running between their mouths, is a Communication Access Symbol. This symbol was created by Communication Disabilities Access Canada (CDAC) to help promote awareness about communication disabilities and how to best serve the needs of persons with speech and language disabilities.

CDAC is an organization that promotes accessibility, human rights and inclusion for people who have speech and language disabilities not caused by hearing loss.

People and organizations are being encouraged to use and distribute the symbol to promote awareness about:

The rights of people with communication disabilities to have access to ways of communication that best accommodate their disability related needs. They could communicate using objects or pictures, spelling words, typing on a computer.

The different ways that people communicate

What people can do when communicating with individuals who have communication disabilities

How to make businesses and organizations accessible to those with communication disabilities.

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29, 2014 The symbol provides the message that all communication:

Involves two people, Is about interaction Is about giving as well as receiving information Is about listening and watching Allows for all people to be understood Allows for all people to read and write information in a independent and private way

Organizations can use the symbol to tell customers, clients and patients that they:

Welcome people with communication disabilities

Are willing and able to interact with people with communication disabilities

Organizations have obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Customer Services Standard to communicate with customers and clients in ways that are accessible to them.

ONTARIO ROSTER OF COMMUNICATION INTERMEDIARIES

According to the CDAC there are over 165,000 people in Ontario who have speech and language disabilities. Communication Intermediaries can assist people with speech and language disabilities to communicate in legal and justice settings. Communication Intermediaries can be used when an individual has a speech and language disability that makes it difficult for them to:

Speak, understand what is said, express their thoughts in a clear manner

Or if they

Communicate using pictures, symbols, a letter board or a device Require a neutral, arms-length, qualified person to assist with communication

A Communication Intermediary can:

Explain how a person communicates25

ARCH Alert www.archdisabilitylaw.ca May

29, 2014 Clarify a person’s level of understanding Assist the person to understand questions Assist the person to communicate their answers Protect the integrity of a person’s communication

Communication intermediaries can be used to accommodate an individual’s needs as required by human rights legislation.

For more information click Communication intermediaries or copy and paste http://goo.gl/tja79E .

Calling all settlement workers!

A law student in the ARCH Disability Law Intensive program has prepared a factsheet on developmental services. ARCH hopes settlement workers will use this factsheet to let community members know about these services. We would like to field-test the fact sheet before it is finalized. If you are a settlement worker who is willing to give feedback on the factsheet, please email zaliky@lao.on.ca .

ARCH Membership By Theresa Sciberras, Program and Litigation Assistant

Occasionally, ARCH gets asked “What’s the difference between being a member of ARCH and receiving the newsletter ARCH Alert?” We decided to explain this.

There are differences and similarities between being a member of ARCH and receiving the ARCH Alert newsletter. These are outlined below.

ARCH Membership:- Benefits of being a member:

o You have voting rights at ARCH’s Annual General Meeting

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29, 2014 o You may get invitations to participate in information sharing, focus and focus

groups about ARCH’s work o You are Informed of events ARCH is hosting (ie: Access Awareness Symposium,

World Pride Event, etc).o You automatically receive ARCH’s newsletter, the ARCH Alert

- To become a member:o You must apply for membership to ARCH Disability Law Centre. There are criteria

that apply.o You must be approved by the ARCH Board of Directors

- If approved, you will have voting rights at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) which usually takes place in the fall. Note that you must be approved for membership at least 30 days before the AGM.

- Each year, a month before the AGM, you will receive a reminder to renew your membership. If you do not renew before the AGM, your membership will expire. You can reapply for membership as a new member if this happens.

- For more information about being a member of ARCH, click ARCH Membership or copy and paste http://goo.gl/oEHp9q .

ARCH Alert recipient: - Benefits of being an ARCH Alert recipient:

o You stay informed on the latest ARCH news and events as well as legal issues that are important to the disability community.

o You will get emails from ARCH, separate from the newsletter, about events ARCH is hosting (ie.: Access Awareness Symposium, World Pride Event, etc).

I received an invitation to ARCH’s AGM. Can I vote?An invitation to ARCH’s AGM does not mean that you can vote. To vote at the AGM, the board must have approved your membership application at least thirty (30) days before the Annual General Meeting and your name must appear on the eligibility list.

ARCH sends an AGM invitation to anyone who receives the ARCH Alert. If you are not a member, the invitation is so that you can come to ARCH’s AGM to learn, discuss and network.

If you are not sure whether you are a member of ARCH, contact ARCH (contact details are below).

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29, 2014 If you are not a member and wish to become one, complete the membership application form on our website by clicking ARCH Membership or copying and pasting http://goo.gl/oEHp9q . You can also ask ARCH to send you the Membership form.

If you work at are a community organization and are interested in finding out how your organization can get more involved with ARCH, check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page on our website by clicking FAQ or copying and pasting http://goo.gl/GpahC3 . You can also ask for this page by contacting ARCH (contact details are below).

425 Bloor St. E., Ste. 110 Toronto, ON M4W 3R4Tel.: (416) 482-8255; 1 (866) 482-2724TTY: (416) 482-1254; 1 (866) 482-2728Email: archlib@lao.on.ca

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29, 2014 New Additions to ARCH Library

Malhotra, Ravi ; Row, Morgan - Exploring disability identity and disability rights through narratives : finding a voice of their own., Routledge, London, UK, 2014

Lavender, T. Stephen - The 2014 Annotated Ontario Human Rights Code (Statutes of Ontario annotated), Carswell, Toronto, 2013

Online Centre for Addiction and Mental Health ; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences ; Lunsky, Yona, ed - Atlas on the primary care of adults with developmental disabilities in Ontario [electronic resource], Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, 2013 Batshaw, Mark L., ed ; Roizen, Nancy J., ed ; Lotrecchiano, Gaetano R.., ed - Children with disabilities. , Paul H. Brookes Pub., Baltimore, 2013

Robinson, Sally - Preventing the emotional abuse and neglect of people with intellectual disability : stopping insult and injury., Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 2013

Wehmeyer, Michael L. - The Story of intellectual disability : an evolution of meaning, understanding & public perception., Paul H. Brookes Pub., Baltimore, 2013

Stoffel, Scott M., ed - Deaf-blind reality : Living the life., Gallaudet University Press, Washington, D.C., 2012

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29, 2014 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, click Publications at ARCH or copy and paste http://goo.gl/zWcwU . 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: 1-866-482-2724TTY: 416-482-1254 Toll-free: 1-866-482-2728Or 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.

TITLE DESCRIPTIONFACT SHEETSAttendant Services Fact Sheets, February 2013

A set of 3 Fact Sheets, in English and French, on specific areas of Attendant Services:- Attendant Services - General Overview - Direct Funding - Community Care Access CentresThese factsheets provide general information for people seeking or using attendant services. Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) also has useful booklets on this topic: 

Click Attendant Services Fact Sheets or copy and paste http://goo.gl/9PlwUF

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29, 2014 An Introduction to disability & human rights in Ontario’s education system, November 2011

This information booklet provides basic introductory information aimed at assisting students with disabilities and their parents in advocating for education services in public primary and secondary school. This material looks at disability and how it interacts with the Education Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Click Disability, Human Rights & Education or copy and paste http://goo.gl/wVtGJ

Assistive Devices Fact Sheets, November 2011

A series of three fact sheets on assistive devices for people with disabilities.

Click Assistive Devices Fact Sheets or copy and paste http://goo.gl/NISWH

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

Click Mental Health Fact Sheets or copy and paste http://goo.gl/JC8Mv

Fact Sheet on Interacting with Persons who Have a Disability, 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.

Click Interacting with Persons who Have a Disabilitiy or copy and paste http://goo.gl/bAcVL

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29, 2014 WORKSHOPSARCH presents "Huronia, Rideau, and Southwestern Regional Centres Settlement Claims Process" Webinar, April, 2014

ARCH Disability Law Centre delivered a webinar on the process that former residents of Huronia, Rideau, or Southwestern Regional Centres must follow to collect their payments out of the class action settlements. Up until 2009, many people who were labelled with an intellectual disability were sent to live at one of these institutions. Those who lived in these regional centres may be eligible to receive money from a recent settlement of 3 class actions that were brought by former residents. This webinar can assist former residents to understand if they are eligible to receive money from the settlement. This webinar will also help former residents and people who support them to understand the process that must be followed to make a clam to receive money.  The powerpoint slides are attached below.Link: Asking for money from the Huronia, Rideau, and Southwestern Regional Centre class action settlements

Click “Huronia, Rideau, and Southwestern Regional Centres Settlement Claims Process” Webinar or copy and paste http://goo.gl/H4hbVr

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29, 2014 Webinar for community legal clinics: Supporting clients through the Huronia, Rideau and Southwestern Regional Centres Settlement Claims Process, April 2014

ARCH Disability Law Centre delivered a webinar specifically for community legal clinic staff on the process that former residents of Huronia, Rideau, or Southwestern Regional Centres must follow to collect payments from the class action settlements. Up until 2009, many people who were labelled with an intellectual disability were sent to live at one of these institutions. Those who lived in these regional centres may be eligible to receive money from a recent settlement of  3 class actions that were brought by former residents.  This webinar prepares staff at community legal clinics to assist former residents through the claims process. The webinar provides background and addresses specific issues that may arise when making a claim.  The powerpoint slides are attached below.The webinar was recorded  through the Provincial Learning Action Committee (PLAC)  and can be accessed by clicking on the link below.http://vimeo.com/91370811

Click Webinar for community legal clinics: Supporting clients through the Huronia, Rideau and Southwestern Regional Centres Settlement Claims Process or copy and paste http://goo.gl/L9rU2x

ARCH presents “Disability Rights are Human Rights” at George Brown College, March 2014

Laurie Letheren, lawyer at ARCH Disability Law Centre, addressed the students in the Disability Discourse class at George Brown College in Toronto. The presentation discussed the history of the disability rights movement in Canada. Laurie addressed the rights and protections provided to people with disabilities under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Ontario’s Human Rights Code and other disability-rights legislation in Ontario. The presentation is attached below.

Click "Disability Rights are Human Rights" at George Brown College or copy and paste http://goo.gl/3a9e4T

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29, 2014 Disability Accommodations in Post Secondary Institutions, March 2014

Kerri Joffe and Laurie Letheren, lawyers at ARCH Disability Law Centre, addressed students at McMaster University about their rights as students with disabilities. The presentation addresses rights and protections provided under human rights legislation in Ontario. In particular, the right to have disability-related needs accommodated by post secondary institutions and the process of the duty to accommodate are discussed. The presentation is attached below.

Click Disability Accommodations in Post Secondary Institutions or copy and paste http://goo.gl/69xJFi

Presentation given at ARCH’s 2013 AGM: A Brief History of Disability Rights in Canada, October 2013

This presentation was delivered at ARCH’s 2013 AGM. The presentation provides an overview of some key events in the history of the disability rights movement in Canada. It is not an exhaustive history and does not discuss all the important political and legal events that have occurred. For more information on important cases, please see Significant Cases on ARCH’s website.

Click A Brief History of Disability Rights in Canada or copy and paste http://goo.gl/Csvob0

Your Rights in Post-Secondary Education, March 2013

Many students with disabilities who attend college or university often encounter many barriers to having their needs met in order that they may achieve and succeed at their full potential. This is often particularly true for students who are in the later years of an undergraduate program, for students who are doing a co-op or work placement and for graduate students. This power point was recently presented to college and university students. It outlines the rights of students with disabilities, the process for having those rights recognized and it identifies some of the common challenges faced by students.

Click Your Rights in Post-Secondary Education or copy and paste http://goo.gl/zdw8I

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29, 2014 Know Your Rights: An introductory guide to disability, the Human Rights Code, the Education Act, and legal aid services in Ontario, July 2012

ARCH provides a series of 12 workshops for Ready for School Connects Program, delivered at Crescent Town Elementary School, George Webster Public School, Rose Avenue Junior Public School, Secord Elementary School, and Sprucecourt Junior Public School.

Click Know Your Rights - ARCH Workshop or copy and paste http://goo.gl/HzjgE

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and Customer Service Standards, November 2011

In 2005, the Ontario government passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Organizations who deliver services in Ontario have to take steps to ensure compliance with the AODA Customer Services Standards. This power point presentation provides an overview of the standards passed under the AODA and the compliance requirements.

Click AODA & Customer Service Standards or copy and paste http://goo.gl/OLWgv

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.

Click Disability Tax Credit Webinar or copy and paste http://goo.gl/9V8tS

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION MATERIALS ARCH Disability Law Primer, December 2013

ARCH Disability Law Centre has issued a revised edition of the Disability Law Primer. The Primer is available in both French and English. It has 10 chapters. The Primer offers introductory information on various areas of disability law, and is intended to increase the capacity of the legal profession to serve persons with disabilities.

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29, 2014 Click ARCH Disability Law Primer or copy and paste http://goo.gl/UsOieU

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.

Click ARCH's 30th Anniversary Symposium or copy and paste http://goo.gl/JmjA5

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.

Click Notes on Capacity to Instruct or copy and paste http://goo.gl/KyMCp

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.

Click Providing Legal Services or copy and paste http://goo.gl/VV4gM

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.

Click Report Summary - Admin Tribunals or copy and paste http://goo.gl/qJM36

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.

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29, 2014 Click Guide for Lawyers - Admin Tribunals or copy and paste http://goo.gl/c1Qra

ARTICLES AND POSITION PAPERS Developments in Disability Rights: Recent Supreme Court of Canada Decisions, March 2014

ARCH presented at the Commons Institute: Supreme Court of Canada & Constitutional Litigation on February 28, 2014. This paper outlines key recent developments in Supreme Court of Canada jurisprudence related to disability rights.

Click Developments in Disability Rights: Recent Supreme Court of Canada Decisions or copy and paste http://goo.gl/sk64rk

Decisions, Decisions: Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Who Are Subject to Guardianship, February 2014

ARCH prepared a research paper for the Law Commission of Ontario’s Project on Legal Capacity, Decision-Making and Guardianship. ARCH’s paper analyzes Ontario’s guardianship regime and considers whether the current system promotes and protects the right to legal capacity for people with disabilities. To read this paper, go to: http://lco-cdo.org/en/capacity-guardianship-commissioned-paper-archPlease contact ARCH if you need to access the paper in an alternate format.

Click Decisions, Decisions: Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Who Are Subject to Guardianship or copy and paste http://goo.gl/RqswrI

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29, 2014 ARCH Co-Authors article published in a special issue of the National Journal of Constitutional Law focused on Social Science Evidence and the Charter, October 2013

ARCH Co-Authors article published in a special issue of the National Journal of Constitutional Law focused on Social Science Evidence and the Charter.The article cannot be posted on our website, but the citation for this paper is as follows:John David Lee, C. Tess Sheldon and Roberto Lattanzio, “Law and Ordered C.H.A.O.S.: Social Science Methodology, and the Charter Claims of Persons with Disabilities” (2013) 32 NJCL 1 at 61.

Click ARCH Co-Authors article published in a special issue of the National Journal of Constitutional Law focused on Social Science Evidence and the Charter or copy and paste http://goo.gl/TZkUUf

Comparing the Incomparable in Human Rights Claims: Moore Guidance, June 2013

ARCH Staff Lawyers, Laurie Letheren and Robert Lattanzio co-authored a paper titled “Comparing the Incomparable in Human Rights Claims: Moore Guidance”, which was presented at the Ontario Bar Association’s 2013 Annual Human Rights Update: Keeping on Top of Key Developments, held on June 7, 2013. The paper focuses on the Supreme Court of Canada decision in Moore v. British Columbia (Ministry of Education) and the use of a strict comparative analysis when determining claims of discrimination before statutory human rights bodies.

Click Paper - Comparing the Incomparable in Human Rights Claims: Moore Guidance or copy and paste http://goo.gl/VKGE4G

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.

Click Research Paper - Ameliorative Program or copy and paste http://goo.gl/KcZVf

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29, 2014 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.

Click Paper - Enforcing the Rights of People with Disabilities or copy and paste http://goo.gl/HY7kf

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.

Click Paper - Inclusive Education or copy and paste http://goo.gl/yyGs1

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.

Click Paper - Federal Disability Act or copy and paste http://goo.gl/KobO0

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29, 2014 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 ManagerARCH Disability Law Centre425 Bloor Street East, Suite 110Toronto, Ontario  M4W 3R4

We will promptly send you a charitable receipt. Charitable No. 118 777 994 RR 0001

Become a Member of ARCHIf 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 Word and Text Formats are distributed to ensure accessibility. Charitable Reg. #118777994RR01.

Editor: Laurie Letheren Production & Circulation: Theresa SciberrasWe 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

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29, 2014 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 3R4, 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/

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