Lecture 5/6 - Legislation and Disability Representation

Accessible Canada Act ASL Video

• showed how racism and disability intersect

• make sure legislation is in place to reduce racism

• ASL is viewed as deficit but its also a deficit to the population that cannot do it

Accessible Canada Act (Bill C-81)

• applies to federally regulated organizations

• ex. airlines, banks, telephone companies

• specifies that people with disabilities must be involved in the development of laws and policies

Accessible Canada Act Definitions - Barrier

• includes anything physical, architectural, technological, attitudinal

• anything that prevents or makes it difficult for a person with an impairment to fully and equally participate in society

Accessible Canada Act Definitions - Disability

• any impairment including physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication, sensory

• impairment or limitation that when combined with a barrier, makes it difficult for a person to fully and equally participate in society

• it can be permanent, temporary, or occasional, and may or may not be visible

Accessible Canada Act

• need to include disabled people in legislation

• social model at play (removes focus from individual instead society)

Accessible Canada Act Example

Instead of wheelchair user needing a key to get into an accessible door, install a ramp to the front door (in place of/beside stairs)

Disability Benefit Act (2023)

• provides financial support for disabled canadians

• max amount is 200 for people aged 18-64

• due to increased likelihood for disabled people living under poverty line/unemployment

Disability Tax Credit

• to get disability benefit people must also qualify for tax credit

• around 9000

• if a medical practitioner certifies that you have a severe impairments in one of the categories or receive therapy for vital functions you qualify

Is Disability a humans rights or individual issue?

• humans rights issue

• people with disabilities experience inequlaitites

• subject to violations of dignity

• denied autonomy

How is Disability and Human Rights Connected?

• poor health

• lower education achievements

• higher rates of poverty

• difficult living independently

World Health Organization Recommendations

1. enable access to all mainstream policies

2. invest in programs/services for people with disabilities

3. national strategy and plan of action

4. involve people with disability

5. improve human resource capacity

6. provide adequate funding

7. increase public awareness

8. improve data collection

9. support research on disability

What can society do?

• improve you own belief and knowledge (taking the class)

• protect rights

• promote inclusion in your community

• challenge violence and bullying happening