Barrier Free Manitoba

Results from Preliminary Review Released

Barrier-Free Manitoba received the Manitoba Accessibility Advisory Council’s (MAAC) ten-page discussion paper on the morning of Tuesday, May 1, 2012. This was less than seven hours before the original registration deadline for the Council’s public consultation event.

With the very limited time available, Barrier-Free Manitoba has conducted a preliminary review of the discussion paper. We are pleased, in advance of the public consultation event, to share the major comments and conclusions from our review.

The results are provided in two different documents - a five-page summary (Word / PDF) and a one-page report card (Word / PDF). The report card is a quick reference which assesses the discussion paper against the nine principles that have been proposed for the new legislation.

We will be preparing and releasing a more comprehensive brief in response to the discussion paper in the coming weeks.

Barrier-Free Manitoba is a non-partisan, non-profit, cross-disability initiative. We have been working since 2008 to secure strong and effective accessibility-rights legislation in Manitoba.

Nearly 200,000 Manitobans with disabilities face barriers everyday that prevent their full participation in activities that most others take for granted.

These barriers harm individuals, families and communities. These barriers are also in fundamental conflict with the basic rights of persons with disabilities established in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and in federal and provincial human rights codes.

It’s the sad and unjust reality. But we are on the road to change it!

With the support of many, Barrier-Free 1.0 concluded with the passage of The Accessibility Advisory Council Act. Barrier-Free 2.0 represents the next stage of our work – the drive to the passage of substantive and landmark legislation that requires the timely removal of current barriers and the prevention of new ones.

It has been a rather exceptional journey to date. We invite you to join us along this rights path toward an inclusive Manitoba that ensures and celebrates opportunity and equity for all.