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3rd Council Meeting Discussion Summary Now Posted
Dec 26, 2011
And here they are:
Accessibility Advisory Council Minutes
December 12, from 12 Noon – 3:00 pm
Room 612, Norquay Building
401 York Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Present: Jim Derksen (Chairperson), Yvonne Peters (Vice Chairperson), Diane Dreidger, Diane Scribe Niiganii, Jim Baker, Scott Jocelyn, Lanny McInnes, Judy Redmond, Karen Pirnie, Doug Momotiuk, Andrew Donachuk, Victor Minenko, John Wyndels
Absent (with regrets): Chris Summerville, Eileen Clarke
The Agenda, Summary of Discussions, and Meeting minutes of November 29 were approved by all members without changes.
Victor Minenko, Executive Director of the Research, Legislation and Policy division of the Department of Labour and Immigration, introduced the Working Document of the Council. The Working Document stems from the agreed upon, consensus approved recommendations of the Accessibility Advisory Committee that met between December 2010 and March 2011. The Working Document will serve as the starting point for discussions of the Council.
Victor went through the document section by section, providing an overview of the Working Document. This was an opportunity for the Council to view the final recommendations of the previous committee. Among considerations will be the development of accessibility standards, which are currently only a framework. The Minister will be looking to the Council to provide a more substantive process regarding accessibility standards.
Council requested additional information in the following areas:
- A list of existing regulatory bodies within the departments of the provincial government to determine how they may play a role in the compliance component of the legislation.
- A list of priorities areas as identified by Manitobans with disabilities. The Disabilities Issues Office (DIO) has performed a series of community consultations throughout the province for the past number of years to determine the most pressing issues of persons with disabilities. Council members representing organizations of persons with disabilities will forward additional information to the Secretary of the Council for organizing and distribution.
- Distribute the report of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) prepared critique of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The report determined where there was overlap of responsibilities between the OHRC and the AODA.
It was agreed by the Council that a portion of January 16 meeting be used determine a long-term work plan, including high level goals and future consultations with the community.