Accessible Widget

June 24, 2021

Will the Canada Disability Benefit Act benefit you?

The Government of Canada presented Bill C-35


The act is to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities titled "The Canada Disability Benefit Act". (first reading, June 22nd, 2021). Will the benefit help you? Now is the time for you to let people know what it could look like.




What could the benefit look like? 

Inclusion Canada Design Recommendations

To start, visit Inclusion Canada's website that created a plain language one-pager of recommendations of what the Canada Disability Benefit could look like. 
Link to One-pager.  

Inclusion Canada is just one of the many groups providing ideas. Another website to visit and register as an organization or individual is Include Me a disability-led movement by people with disabilities. You can watch videos and webinars and talk to people across Canada on monthly meet-ups.

If you already have ideas, you can also share your ideas with your local Member of Parliament (MP).Find your MP by postal code. 

Disability Inclusion Plan Survey

If you want to take part in a survey on how to make Canada a better place for all, then take the Disability Inclusion Plan Survey which closes August 31st, 2021. 

June 23, 2021

6 tips to host Zoom Meet Ups

Are you thinking of having a collaborative meeting instead of a webinar?  

Here are 6 tips to help make accessible online gatherings on a limited budget using zoom.


6 tips for zoom meet ups infographic by Disability Action Hall If you would like the PDF, you can follow this link

Plain text is below if the PDF is not accessible:

1. Send reminders 

  • 1 day before the call send out a reminder from zoom meeting registration.
  • 1 hour before the call send out a reminder from zoom meeting registration.
2. Have Ground rules stated at the beginning of every consultation.
  • Reminders shared at the beginning by Emcees.
  • Make rules as simple as possible. 

3. Have a plan for the unexpected. 

  • There is zero tolerance towards abuse of any kind.
  • A participant/caller (who breaks the rule) will be immediately removed. 
  • The chair/host explains why they will not have the caller/speaker continue and then reaffirms the commitment to, for example, anti-racism work, and reminds people it is an inclusive, safe space, laying out the ground rules again to refresh everyone’s memory.

4. Set up a wait room 

Remind people they will be muted up on entry.

5. Create roles for the Online Gathering (support team) 

  • Have an "Open Mic person
  • A Muter/Timekeeper
  • Conflict for the Unexpected
  • Cheerleader of Fun
  • Screen Spotlighter
  • Tech Support 
Have team join rehearsal and show up 20 minutes in advance of meeting to assign roles and test sound

6. Access tips for lip readers and hearing loss 

  • Before joining a video call, spend a few minutes adjusting your position and equipment for best sound, light on your face (not from behind) look directly into the camera.
  • Limit background noise, use headphones if possible.
  • With a highly accented voice, the auto-captioning system will have a hard time. 
  • Keep headphones and a microphone close to lips. 
  • Show documents into the camera or share your screen with the documents. 
  • Users can slow it down to help listeners.
  • Reading lips and reading captions imposes multi-tasking on the person with hearing loss. 
  • Keep video conference calls to an hour. 
  • Ensure people talk one at a time, and repeat when necessary (if difficulty hearing).
  • Rephrase wording with different vocabulary if there is difficulty picking up the speech.
  • Use chat function to convey key points during video-conference calls.
  • Keeping captions 2 lines can accommodate a chunk of speech that can be quickly read and is long enough to maintain the gist of what is being said at that moment. Avoid Jumbotron auto-captions (showing only a few words at a time; as makes it hard to follow).

Software solutions: 


Our gratitude to: 
Sheila Serup, Canadian Hard of Hearing Association - Calgary
Meaghon Reid & Jaclyn Silbernagel, Vibrant Communities Calgary providing insight to help make inclusive safe spaces.

June 11, 2021

Following our passion: Film Night and Podcast launch (Speak Out 2021)

Following our passion: Film Night and Podcast launch (Speak Out 2021) 


We are proud to present part of Speak Out 2021's  "Matters of the Heart 6 Feet Apart" our Film Night & Podcast launch

  
Join us for an evening of storytelling and films on Thursday, June 17th from 6 pm to 8 pm. 
Meet the podcast team and we are keeping the films a surprise!  
To register, follow this link

June 4, 2021

Digital Dating: Learn more about dating and pratice dating skills to build your confidence!



Word banner in orange title text and teal lower case text

DIGITAL DATING

Learn more about dating and practice dating skills to build your confidence! (Download PDF poster)

IN THIS FREE AND FUN PROGRAM, WE WILL TALK ABOUT:

• Different types of relationships

• What makes a relationship healthy or unhealthy

• The dating experience

• Online dating and finding relationships

• How to date safely

• Setting relationship goals and finding the right relationship for you

• Healthy communication, consent, and boundaries

 WHEN:

Option 1: 

Tuesday evenings June 8th, 15th, & 22nd from 6 pm -7:30 pm

Option 2: 

Wednesday afternoons June 9th, 16th, and 23rd from 11 am - 12:30 pm

 * Please note there are limited spots available.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER:
Email Serena Dixon at sdixon@centreforsexuality.ca

DIGITAL DATING

Learn more about dating and practice dating skills to build your confidence!

THESE WORKSHOPS ARE BEST SUITED FOR PEOPLE WHO:

• live in Alberta

• have a developmental disability

• are over the age of 18

 

Presented by Centre for Sexuality and the Disability Action Hall