Legal Issues

The Need to move Beyond Policy Remedies

• April 25, 2019
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on The Need to move Beyond Policy Remedies

Persons with disability often face a Catch-22 when seeking funding from government assistance programs. To be eligible for the assistance programs, the applicants must show proof of a severe limitation in functional capacity. When an applicant can demonstrate this limitation, the funding they receive is based on the degree of limitation they face. » Read the rest

Clear line drawn on appropriate judicial and adjudicator activity in support of equality seeking groups: engaging with politicians and trying to persuade them to reach specific policy outcomes

• April 16, 2019
• Anoop Kalsi
• Comments Off on Clear line drawn on appropriate judicial and adjudicator activity in support of equality seeking groups: engaging with politicians and trying to persuade them to reach specific policy outcomes

On December 20, 2018, the Ontario Judicial Counsel handed down a decision clearing the Honourable Justice Donald McLeod of judicial misconduct.

A finding of judicial misconduct can only be made where any breach of the standards of judicial conduct by the judge was “so seriously contrary to impartiality, integrity and independence of the judiciary that it has undermined the public’s confidence in the judge’s ability to perform the duties of office or in the administration of justice generally.” » Read the rest

UN World Autism Awareness Day

• April 2, 2019
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on UN World Autism Awareness Day

April 2^nd is World Autism Awareness Day! In observance of this day, the United Nations is hosting a panel discussion at the UN Headquarters in New York City addressing “Assistive Technologies, Active Participation”. The discussion will be live from 10 a.m » Read the rest

Workplace Mental Stress

• March 19, 2019
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Workplace Mental Stress

Work-related chronic mental stress is a diagnosed mental disorder resulting from elements and triggers, or a series of triggers, in their workplace. This is a tough issue, and many workers often struggle to find good advice.

The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc (OHCOW) has online resources available for individual who are suffering from workplace mental stress. » Read the rest

CRTC mandates standard for quality, accessibility and functionality to message relay services

• March 14, 2019
• Anoop Kalsi
• Comments Off on CRTC mandates standard for quality, accessibility and functionality to message relay services

On December 14, 2018, the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) took steps to improve the quality and access to message relay services.

These services enable Canadians with a hearing or speech disability to make and receive telephone calls using text with the assistance of a relay operator. » Read the rest

Class action certified for government negligence in abandoning 18 year old disabled people at the bottom of adult waitlists

• March 11, 2019
• Laura Lepine
• Comments Off on Class action certified for government negligence in abandoning 18 year old disabled people at the bottom of adult waitlists

On December 14th, 2018, Justice Edward P. Belobaba of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, certified a class action proceeding brought by the father of a disabled person, Briana Leroux. Briana is 20 years old and has a rare brain disorder; she will need constant care for her whole life. » Read the rest

Supreme Court of Canada Releases Decision in S.A. v. Metro Vancouver Housing Corp

• February 28, 2019
• Anoop Kalsi
• Comments Off on Supreme Court of Canada Releases Decision in S.A. v. Metro Vancouver Housing Corp

The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) released their decision finding that Henson Trusts are not considered assets when determining eligibility for a rent subsidy.

Henson trusts, often relied upon by many persons with disabilities, allow family members to put aside money for persons with disabilities while preserving their entitlements for social assistance. » Read the rest

David Lepofsky, Disability Organizations Call on Federal Government to Improve Bill C-81

• February 26, 2019
• Laura Lepine
• Comments Off on David Lepofsky, Disability Organizations Call on Federal Government to Improve Bill C-81

On January 9th, 2019, the Chair of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance (“AODA Alliance”), David Lepofsky, sat down with CTV “Your Morning” host Kelsey McEwen to discuss the federal government’s Bill C-81, the proposed Accessible Canada Act.

Since the bill’s inception, the federal government has stated it is meant to reflect the principle “nothing about us without us!” » Read the rest

Bring Evidence-Based ABA to school! A guide to advocate for your child’s access to education

• February 20, 2019
• Kimberly Srivastava
• Comments Off on Bring Evidence-Based ABA to school! A guide to advocate for your child’s access to education

Many children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis suffer from a lack of access to meaningful education. Meaningful access to education is a basic human right. Many school boards refuse to provide Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in the classroom despite the research which demonstrates that evidence based ABA is an effective approach to teach students with ASD and other diagnoses. » Read the rest

Changes to the Ontario Autism Program

• February 7, 2019
• Kimberly Srivastava
• Comments Off on Changes to the Ontario Autism Program

On February 6, 2019, the Ontario government announced changes to the Ontario Autism Program. Read about the changes and the implications in the links below.

Toronto Star article (link).

Global News article (link).