Results are in... Our favourite online meeting software and why

The results are in. Members of the Disability Action Hall have been using online meeting software for over a year. We were very pleased to learn of New Vision Self-Advocates in Ontario do a review of the online platforms and provided a quick infographic for your reference. Please see the at-a-glance infographic below. 

If you are interested in getting the full presentation, please email Vicky Pearson vicky.pearson@cll.on.ca

Our top choice? 

Zoom. Why? 

• Ability to work on any device from a browser with a direct link (no downloading software) 
• Best audio
• Automatic subtitles (Not as good as google meets, and we hope over time this may improve).
• Ability to send private messages 

Way to go Zoom! Here is the link to the "At a glance graphic" of 5 online meeting programs... Zoom, Google Meets, Facebook messenger, Blue Jeans, Cisco Webex, and Microsoft Teams. At a glance of 5 online platforms

At a glance overview of 5 online meeting programs. 

A look at online platforms (image contains a list of each platform with green checkmarks or red x's in areas of accessibility, free version, ability to see the gallery, private chat and many other categories). 

At a glance 5 online meeting programs by Disability Action Hall

Feedback on Canada Transport Regulations Infographic

The Government of Canada is looking at how to make trains, planes and long-haul bus routes more accessible through the new "Accessible Canada Act". Canada Transport Agency created regulations with the new act and are asking for feedback. 

Here are our ideas on how we think we can improve the rules to ensure travellers regardless of mobility have a good travelling experience. 

Our six areas include: timely reports in plain language, including transport operators of less than ten employees, national training standards, create a federal operational fund, a 24/7 accessible hotline, connect communities using a transport Canada database on best practices for free. 

For a detailed look at what we mean, feel free to download the report. 

5 Principles for a Basic Income

 

5 principles for a basic income (PDF)

Disability Action Hall’s hope for a Basic Income

 (Based on the Basic Income Calgary’s Principles)
To learn more about these principles, please visit https://basicincomecalgary.ca/about/ 

Be universal (For all)

·      It is for everyone

Be available to all legal residents of Canada, not necessarily tied to residence. (for individuals who are not able to secure a home and are accessing an emergency shelter and/or emergency housing)

Be adequate (Be enough)

·      The benefit indexed to inflation and adjusted quarterly.

·      It has generous income exemption allowance like AISH so people have an incentive to work.

·      The benefit works on a sliding scale if you have a job (like Calgary’s Low-Income Transit Pass)

·      The benefit is not taxable (like GIS) what you receive is what you get to keep.

Be Individual

On an individual basis and every individual should get it. (If you are a couple you both should get the full benefit-not blended, not based on family income and then create barriers for relationships or empower people who are leaving an abusive relationship to leave without fear).

Be complementary (Works with services and supports)

It will work with social safety net programs as people need more than income to address other barriers to poverty, such as training, education, health care/pharma care, childcare benefit and social housing/rent control/housing subsidies.

Be a step forward

It works in concert with other provincial programs. It is not a step backwards to ensure people are not worse off than before.

 

Some of the wording to help explain the principles are based on the webinar from  by Michael Prince, Part 1 Canada Disability Benefit, what could it look like. November 2020 hosted by the Plan Institute.