Human Rights

Accommodating Age in the Workplace

• March 6, 2015
• BakerLaw
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On March 24, 2015, David Baker will be delivering a paper at the Law Society of Upper Canada’s ‘Accommodating Age in the Workplace’ CPD event.  The event will examine what the virtual elimination of mandatory retirement will mean for employers accommodating an aging workforce. » Read the rest

Ontario Human Rights Commission Releases Statement on Sexual Harassment and the Human Rights Code

• November 28, 2014
• BakerLaw
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On November 25, 2014, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released a statement on “Sexual Harassment and the Ontario Human Rights Code” (link to statement).  In the statement, the OHRC notes that it was prompted to issue the statement as a result of ‘recent events’ (i.e.  » Read the rest

Accommodated Testing on the LSAT

• October 22, 2014
• BakerLaw
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In May 2014, the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) settled a lawsuit with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding accommodations on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) (link to settlement agreement).  In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged that the LSAC’s accommodation policy violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as state anti-discrimination laws.  » Read the rest

VIA Rail Class Action and Settlement Agreement regarding Inaccessibility of VIA train Sleeper Cars

• October 21, 2014
• BakerLaw
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In August 2014, bakerlaw posted about VIA Rail’s announcement of new accessible cabins for two on its Canadian train between Toronto and Vancouver (link to post).   Trips onboard the renovated sleeper car with an accessible double sleeping compartment are now being offered at a compensatory discount to members of a recent class action settlement in Cummings vs. » Read the rest

Youth Mental Health in Education (YMHE) Action Group – Ensuring Accessible Education for Students with Mental Health Disabilities

• October 21, 2014
• BakerLaw
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On October 7, 2014, Toronto District School Board teacher Sheryl Boswell hosted the “Taking Action in Youth Mental Health in Education” event to raise awareness and funds for the Youth Mental Health in Education (YMHE) Action group.  The YMHE Action group is comprised of educators, parents, people with experience in mental health issues, and concerned community members, all of whom share the goals of increasing awareness of youth mental health issues in the educational system and ensuring that accessible education is a reality for all. » Read the rest

“Humanity Evolving on Human Rights” – Interesting and Insightful Comment from Disability Rights Advocate Jim Derksen

• September 29, 2014
• BakerLaw
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On September 29, 2014, disability rights advocate Jim Derksen published an insightful comment on the development of human rights understanding (link to article). Mr. Derksen is a leader in local, provincial, national, and international disability movements, and presently serves on the inclusive design advisory committee and human rights advisory council to the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, an organization he believes will play an important role in facilitating ongoing discussion about what human rights means and “how it can be applied to human relations throughout the world.” » Read the rest

Institutionalization as a Form of Discrimination

• September 24, 2014
• BakerLaw
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Too often, people with disabilities are forced to move into an institution in order to receive the health care they require. These institutions are isolated from the community, and deprive many people with disabilities of the ability to participate in public and community life. » Read the rest

Recent Improvements in Accessibility of VIA Rail Services

• August 27, 2014
• BakerLaw
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Last week, VIA Rail announced the new accessible cabin for two on its Canadian train between Toronto and Vancouver (link to article). VIA Rail announced that the cabin was designed following extensive research of accessibility requirements within the transportation industry. » Read the rest

Communications and Disability Rights: How Litigation before the CRTC Can Make a Difference

• August 11, 2014
• BakerLaw
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Legal Activism Can Create Social: The Role of Disability Advocacy in the Information ‘Revolution’

This summer, Bakerlaw is pleased to host Julia Munk, Osgoode Hall Law School’s 2014 Kreppner Plater Fellowship winner. Julia is researching how effective advocacy before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) can make gains for the rights of persons with disabilities generally. » Read the rest

Caregiver Accommodation: The Final Answer

• August 5, 2014
• David Baker
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Toronto, ON, August 5, 2014 — The deadline for Canadian National Railways to appeal the case of Denise Seeley to the Supreme Court of Canada has passed. As a consequence her Federal Court of Appeal victory stands, confirming that every employer is obligated, pursuant to the Canadian Human Rights Act, to accommodate the family caregiving obligations of its employees. » Read the rest