As of August 1, 2022, bakerlaw has joined forces with Ross & McBride LLP.
Our team is excited to become part of the formidable group of human rights, employment, and constitutional lawyers at Ross & McBride. Our current and future clients will continue to receive the personalized, high-quality representation that has become synonymous with bakerlaw, and will benefit from the collaborative, cross-functional approach to complex issues that both we and Ross & McBride value. With the added resources of larger, full-service firm, this collaboration will allow us to take on new clients for the first time since October 2021. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact us at contact@rossmcbride.com
The content on this page is no longer being updated here. For news and updated content you can find it on the Ross & McBride News page.
Human Rights Day 2021
- December 10, 2021
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on Human Rights Day 2021
Today marks the 73rd annual Human Rights Day, which celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (link) as put forth by the United Nations in 1948.
This year’s theme for the celebration is “EQUALITY – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights”, which relates to Article 1 of the UDHR – “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” » Read the rest
Autism Ontario’s Response to the K-12 Education Standards Development Committee Recommendations
- November 8, 2021
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on Autism Ontario’s Response to the K-12 Education Standards Development Committee Recommendations
In October 2021, Autism Ontario released its response to the K-12 Education Standards Development Committee Recommendations. The Committee provided recommendations to the Ontario government for proposed accessibility standards for K-12 education, which covered nine broad themes:
- attitudes, behaviours, perceptions and assumptions
- awareness and training
- curriculum, assessment and instruction
- digital learning and technology
- organizational barriers
- social realms
- physical and architectural barriers
- planning for emergencies and safety framework
- timelines and accountability
You can review the Education Standards Development Committee’s Report here (link). » Read the rest
OHRC releases policy statement on vaccine mandates
- September 27, 2021
- Amanda Dimilta
- Comments Off on OHRC releases policy statement on vaccine mandates
On September 22, 2021, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its statement regarding the Ontario government’s requirement that residents provide proof of full vaccination to access certain public settings, specifically higher risk indoor facilities.
The OHRC states that the mandate is generally permissible under the Ontario Human Rights Code (link), as long as those who cannot be vaccinated are reasonably accommodated. » Read the rest
Have your say and help make K-12 education more accessible for students with disabilities
- September 7, 2021
- Amanda Dimilta
- Comments Off on Have your say and help make K-12 education more accessible for students with disabilities
The K-12 Education Standards Development Committee is asking for feedback regarding its recommendations to the Ontario government for proposed accessibility standards for K-12 education. The initial report drafted by the Committee contains 197 recommendations that are covered across nine broad themes including:
- attitudes, behaviours, perceptions and assumptions
- awareness and training
- curriculum, assessment and instruction
- digital learning and technology
- organizational barriers
- social realms
- physical and architectural barriers
- planning for emergencies and safety framework
- timelines and accountability
You can read this report here (link). » Read the rest
Remote learning for students with disabilities, a welcomed approach to accessible post-secondary education
- March 29, 2021
- Anoop Kalsi
- Comments Off on Remote learning for students with disabilities, a welcomed approach to accessible post-secondary education
A recent article by the CBC explored the impact of remote learning on students with disabilities (link). The COVID-19 pandemic forced school boards, colleges, and universities to adapt to and implement remote learning options for all students. Post-secondary students had access to their classes through video platforms and/or pre-recorded lectures. » Read the rest
Postsecondary students cannot be asked about their sexual history when reporting sexual violence or harassment
- January 28, 2021
- Anoop Kalsi
- Comments Off on Postsecondary students cannot be asked about their sexual history when reporting sexual violence or harassment
On January 27, 2021, the Ontario Government announced it will be moving to amend current regulations regarding Sexual violence and harassment policies as postsecondary institutions. The government has recognized that many instances of sexual violence and harassment on and around campus go unreported because students fear reprisal and/or a concern that they will not be taken seriously. » Read the rest
Provincial government provides $7.5M for Geneva Centre training for educators
- January 20, 2021
- Amanda Dimilta
- Comments Off on Provincial government provides $7.5M for Geneva Centre training for educators
On January 10, 2021, Ontario announced a $7.5 million investment to “train our education staff to better support students on the autism spectrum and to foster a culture of respect, inclusion and opportunity in our schools”. The training will begin this year. » Read the rest
University of Waterloo Discriminated in its Admissions Decision, Court of Appeal Upholds
- January 11, 2021
- Laura Lepine
- Comments Off on University of Waterloo Discriminated in its Admissions Decision, Court of Appeal Upholds
The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld a decision recognizing that students with disabilities are entitled to substantive accommodation when applying to university.
This decision confirms that university admission processes are not exempt from human rights obligations: where admissions standards adversely impact students with disabilities, universities must accommodate those students, or show that it would be an undue hardship to do so. » Read the rest
Ministry of Education Report Regarding ABA at School Pilot Project
- November 9, 2020
- Amanda Dimilta
- Comments Off on Ministry of Education Report Regarding ABA at School Pilot Project
In 2017, the Ministry of Education (“MOE”) created what was intended to be a 1-year pilot project for the 2017-18 school year titled “Pilot to Improve School-Based Supports for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder”. You can read about the initiative here. » Read the rest
David Baker Receives the 2020 Gerry Bloomfield Award
- October 9, 2020
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on David Baker Receives the 2020 Gerry Bloomfield Award
Bakerlaw’s David Baker has been honored by Autism Ontario as a recipient of the 2020 Gerry Bloomfield Award for his outstanding professional contributions to the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders. David has and continues to act as an advocate for families of children on the autism spectrum on human rights matters, particularly in the areas of education and intervention. » Read the rest