Barrier Free Manitoba

Barrier-Free Manitoba has developed eight basic assumptions about the environment that will follow the passage of strong and effective accessibility-rights legislation hoped for in June 2013. These have been developed to support discussions within the disability community on options to address the opportunities and challenges that will emerge over the short to medium term.

Central among these assumptions (No. 7) is that the utility of Barrier-Free Manitoba, as a time-limited, single-focus initiative, will have run its course upon the passage of the landmark legislation. This means that we will continue to actively advocate for the strongest and most effective possible legislation. But new collaborative arrangements will be required thereafter to ensure maximum benefits for the community.

Here's our two basic asks:

a. Please continue actively supporting of our spirited advocacy efforts through to the end of June 2013 - There is still an awful lot of work ahead to ensure that the Legislative Assembly passes strong and effective legislation.

b. Please begin and contribute to discussions on what makes the most sense for sustained community collaboration related to the legislation once it is passed.

And, of course, thank you for the remarkable support you have already provided to our legislative advocacy efforts. 

The Working Assumptions

1. The Manitoba Accessibility Advisory Council (MAAC), with its mix of organizational representatives and individual members, will be responsible to provide leadership in the development of accessibility standards.

2. The need for a full range of accessibility standards will exceed capacity under the legislation to develop and implement these standards, at least in the short to medium term.

3. Many stakeholders currently responsible for barriers to equitable access will advocate for limited progress, particularly where significant costs and/or changes are involved.

4. There will be a substantial increase in demand among stakeholders for advice, support and services to help them comply with new accessibility standards.

5. The Province of Manitoba will follow the MAAC’s recommendation that it provide financial and other resources to the disability community to enable fair and equal participation in the development of accessibility standards.

6. Significant progress under the legislation will also engender some level of backlash that will need to be addressed.

7. Barrier-Free Manitoba, as a time limited, single-focus initiative, will wrap up operations upon the passage of the proposed legislation.

8. Coordination among the many groups comprising Manitoba’s disability community provides the best chance to take advantage of the opportunities and to rise to the challenges.