Accessible News #31
Summer 2007
Contents:
- Festival of International Conferences on Caregiving, Disability, Aging and Technology (FICCDAT)
- by Mary Frances Laughton
- TRANSED 2007: A Success!
- News From the Canadian Transportation Agency
- Creation of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services to Benefit Consumers
- CAD to Pioneer Real-Time Interpretation Services
- Technology Grant Improves Quality of Life for People with Disabilities
- New Feature! Upcoming Conferences in Canada
- News Bits
- Our Web Site
- Communications From
ADIO
- Where To Find Us
Festival of International Conferences on Caregiving, Disability, Aging and Technology (FICCDAT)
- by Mary Frances Laughton
After four years of planning, it is over! I was the chair of Logistics and Accessibility for this conference and have been attending planning meetings and putting access into the planning for all of them.
This was the first Canadian conference to deal with aging, with disability, with technology and with caregiving. It ran from June 15-19 at the Toronto Sheraton Centre.
Over 1200 delegates from 32 countries attended five conferences and one special symposium and all were equally successful events. The special events themselves were a sensation; a tribute to the culture of Canada at the opening and a tribute to the talents of people with disabilities at the banquet.
Here are some of the findings:
Technology is only relevant if used by people so needs to be designed in a way that matches their lifestyle, accommodation, capacity, as well as cultural and personal perspectives.
Caregiving is a role not well regarded or rewarded and therefore in some countries and in some circumstances, not well provided. It is also one that denigrates not elevates women, and in a fast changing culture, those needing care are often shunned or disregarded, especially if they are women.
"Neuroplasticity" holds open many doors for future scientific breakthroughs, new programs, new solutions for damaged neuropathways.
Keeping our aged at home requires that their homes be safe, accessible, flexible for independence, so modifications must become more easily obtainable. Visitability is a concept growing in currency and legislative arenas, thus providing for more access and integration of people with special needs.
One major overall goal is to further development in aging with a disability by building a shared research and policy agenda. Promising signs are evident in crossing network lines and establishing a common vocabulary such as "accessability" and "consumer-choice".
The advances that are beginning to emerge through the integration of technology and rehabilitation appear to be limited only by imagination and ingenuity.
With five conferences concurrently happening in up to 33 rooms, it was nice to have something constant to look forward to. The Exhibition featured 86 exhibitors that were as diverse as the delegates from medical/assistive device manufacturers and distributors, research teams, University-associated organizations, not-for-profit organizations, caregiver associations, two government agencies and more.
FICCDAT held a symposium sponsored by the Institute on Aging of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and co-presented with The Strategic Promotion of Ageing Research Capacity (SPARC), UK. Linda Mealing of IA and Peter Lansley of SPARC gave overviews of current aging research and priorities for their respective organizations.
Information on the conference results can be found at the FICCDAT website (www.ficcdat.ca)
Contents.TRANSED 2007: A Success!
Canada is proud to have hosted the 11th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED: www.tc.gc.ca/transed2007/), held June 18-22, 2007, at the Palais des congrès de Montréal under the theme "Benchmarking, Evaluation and Vision for the Future".
The Conference highlighted advances in research, profiled international breakthroughs and explored perspectives for technological innovations related to the mobility challenges of an aging population and of persons with disabilities, as part of an inclusive society. The Conference also featured an exhibition where participants were given an overview of the deployment of innovation in the field of accessible transportation, a dynamic poster session, and technical tours of local facilities.
The scale and scope of TRANSED 2007 was extraordinary, with upwards of 600 registrants from about 40 countries in attendance and the largest participation to date of people with disabilities. Over 30 exhibitors were on hand to present their services and innovations, while delegates submitted a record number of poster presentations and abstracts. All of the papers submitted are available for viewing on the TRANSED 2007 Program page: (www.tc.gc.ca/pol/en/Transed2007/program.htm) .
Congratulations to all the award winners recipients for their hard work and invaluable research into accessible transportation: because of you, we are closer than ever to living in a barrier-free world. A special mention goes out to Ann Frye (UK), recipient of the 2007 William G. Bell Award for her lifelong commitment to promoting accessibility.
The other prize winners were:
Best Paper Award - Benchmarking Maryvonne Dejeammes (France)
Best Paper Award - Evaluation Anders Wretstrand (Sweden)
Best Paper Award - Vision for the Future Franck Bodin (France)
Best Poster Award Craig Childs (United Kingdom)
Best Exhibitor Award BKD Aerospace Industries Inc. (Canada)
Eight TRANSED 2007 Travel Awards were provided to recipients from around the world. The selection criteria for the Travel Awards were based primarily on the quality of abstracts submitted for presentation at TRANSED 2007.
Sponsors for the TRANSED 2007 Travel Awards include, Transport Canada, Air Canada, Via Rail Canada Inc. and The Agence métropolitaine de transport.
Congratulations to the following recipients:
Ankush Garg (India)
Jose Antonio Isola (Peru)
Anjlee Agarwal (India)
Sanjeev Sachdeva (India)
Angela Costa Werneck de Carvalho (Brazil)
Gustavo Martinez (Colombia)
John Rae (Canada)
Charlotta Ryd (Sweden)
See you at TRANSED 2010 in Hong Kong! (www.transed2010.hk/)
Contents.News From the Canadian Transportation Agency
On June 18, 2007, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) released two new products aimed at improving the accessibility of air, rail and marine terminals at TRANSED in Montreal.
- The Code of Practice : Passenger Terminal Accessibility (Terminal Code); and
- The Guide to Passenger Terminal Accessibility (Terminal Guide).
The Terminal Code covers a broad range of terminals including small ferry terminals in Atlantic Canada, rural and urban train stations of varying sizes and Canada's airports within the National Airports System. In addition to providing the technical specifications for the physical aspects of terminals, the Code covers other issues such as ground transportation, boarding devices, escort passes, passenger assistance and facility and service awareness programs. Representing minimum accessibility standards these terminals are expected to meet, the Code offers practical solutions to the industry to solve systemic problems faced by persons with disabilities when they travel through terminals.
The companion document, the Terminal Guide, was created as a reference tool to assist passenger terminal operators in implementing the provisions of the new Terminal Code, and to make their facilities more accessible to travellers with disabilities. It includes practical information such as resources and tips.,
To obtain a copy of the Terminal Code and the Guide call 1-888-222-2592 (TTY:1-800-669-5575) or visit the
CTA Web site at www.cta.gc.ca . These publications are also available in multiple formats upon request.
Creation of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services to Benefit Consumers
On July 24, the then-Minister of Industry (now Minister of Foreign Affairs), the Honourable Maxime Bernier, applauded the news of the launch of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS). The Government of Canada called on the telecommunications industry last April to work with the CRTC to establish an independent telecommunications consumer agency, as part of the federal government's deregulation of local telephone services.
"Canada's New Government believes that an independent agency with a mandate to resolve complaints from individuals and small business retail customers is an integral component of a deregulated telecommunications market," said Minister Bernier. "We continue to believe that reliance on market forces and competition benefits both Canadian businesses and consumers."
The Telecommunications Policy Review Panel, in its 2006 report, recommended the creation of such a telecommunications consumer agency, noting that it would protect the interests of Canadian consumers in a world where "telecommunications services are becoming more pervasive and increasingly complex for consumers."
For more information, please contact:
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
CAD to Pioneer Real-Time Interpretation Services
On July 6, the Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD) announced that it has received funding to pioneer an important new initiative designed to make it possible for members of the Deaf community who use sign language to communicate effectively in face to face situations with those who do not, without having a sign language interpreter accompany them to the meeting. CAD will establish a national call-centre service, delivering sign language interpretation via the Internet to allow Deaf Canadians to communicate in situations like banking, voting, or buying something in a store with remote access to interpreters on demand.
Funded by a grant from Industry Canada's Office for Consumer Affairs and with additional support from CAD's partners, the Visible Languages Translation Initiative (VLTI) system will be placed in a variety of locations including banks, shopping centres, or government offices. The system will connect users to interpreters working in a call-centre setting who could facilitate communication with others who might not be able to communicate in sign language. In addition to providing American Sign Language (ASL) and Langues des Signes Québecois (LSQ) remotely, the video consoles will also be equipped to display text.
The project will be managed by Rick Sinclair, senior consultant from Sinclair Nicholson and Associates based in Ottawa. He commented, "The VLTI project is coming in at a crucial time. With the Access for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) being implemented, over 800,000 businesses and organizations in Ontario will be required to make at least some changes to accommodate persons with a disability. Many in the private sector are also realizing that it presents an opportunity for an increase of 10%-15% in market share, by addressing consumers who have not been accommodated well in the past. The minute we mention it, we are seeing instant interest."
The Canadian Association of the Deaf is actively looking for corporate partners to help realizing this important pioneering initiative.
For more information, please contact:
Rick Sinclair, Manager, VLTI Projectemail: Rick Sinclair rick@snaconsulting.ca
TTY: 613-565-8882
Voice: 613-565-2882
Fax: 613-565-1207
Technology Grant Improves Quality of Life for People with Disabilities
The Province of British Columbia is funding a $750,000 one-time grant to the University of Victoria's CanAssist team to build individualized technology for persons with disabilities. The grant was announced by B.C.'s Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond on July 16. More than 570,000 British Columbians (13.4 per cent of the population) have disabilities. Minister Richmond stated that through partnerships with community-based organizations, such as UVic's CanAssist, the province can ensure these people have the support they need to lead productive lives at home, at work and in the community.
The grant will increase CanAssist's ability to design and provide more specialized projects and equipment to persons with special needs and help recruit more volunteers. The grant will also bolster a number of key projects and research areas that include communication and control, mobility and motion, human-computer interaction and online learning and community building. CanAssist is an initiative that combines innovative research and development, the integration of research and teaching, and the translation of knowledge for the benefit of the communities it serves. Projects include tricycles and bicycles for children with physical and visual disabilities, high-tech wheelchair modifications and eye-tracking communication systems. To create these devices, CanAssist draws on the expertise of people ranging from engineers, music and kinesiology students to retired seamstresses.
To enhance access to the many programs, supports and devices available to British Columbians with disabilities, the B.C. government recently launched the toll-free Personal Supports Information Line. Callers can talk to call agents and have their specific questions answered by calling 1 888 818-1211. For people who use TTYs, the number is 1 800 661-8773.
Contents.Upcoming Conferences in Canada
Here's what's happening in Canada between October 1 and December 31.
Please note that the language in each of the following entries is the language in which the conference was submitted to the conference list:
October 1-4, 2007
WALK21 Toronto - Putting Pedestrians First
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
E-mail: walk21@toronto.ca
URL: www.toronto.ca/walk21
October 17-19, 2007
On the Way to Success V
Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA
Contact: Alberta Society for the Visually Impaired
Tel: (780) 453-8345
E-mail: info@asviedmonton.org
October 18-20, 2007
7th National Guide & Assistance Dog Conference
Vancouver-Burnaby, BC, CANADA
Contact: Rosamund van Leeuwen
Tel: 604-922-9339
E-mail: Rosamund van Leeuwen rosamund@electriceye.ca
October 25-26, 2007
CNIB Braille Conference 2007
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Tel: 416-486-2500 x7530
E-mail: brailleconference@cnib.ca
URL: www.cnib.ca/en/events/braille-conference-2007/default.aspx
For more conference listings, including what's coming up in other countries, see the "Conference Listings in Assistive Devices" link on the ADIO Web site: www.at-links.gc.ca/as/as001E.asp . This is also the link you should use to submit your conference (Canadian or international) for inclusion in the listings.
News Bits
- GAATES (Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies & Environments: www.gaates.org), organised by Betty Dion, President of GAATES, Ottawa, held a members' reunion at TRANSED 2007. The meeting took place on Monday, June 18 at the Palais des congres, Montreal. Members who attended from around the world discussed their work on accessibility of the built and virtual environments, including their guidelines for UNESCO on community multimedia centres and the International Best Practices in Universal Design, which is now available in French, English, Spanish, Arabic and will soon be available in Serbian. The English and French versions are also available in alternate format.
- On July 24, The CRTC approved the National Broadcast Reading Service's (NBRS: www.nbrscanada.com) application for a broadcasting licence to operate a national, English-language digital specialty described video programming undertaking to be known as The Accessible Channel. Broadcast Decision CRTC 2007-246 allows The Accessible Channel to be included as part of digital basic cable across the country. The new channel will offer a 24-hour, 100% open format described video service providing news, information, drama, entertainment and other programming to blind and visually impaired Canadians.
- On August 17, Ottawa's T-Base Communications (www.tbase.com) announced that Jason Dunkerley, a blind competitive runner, has been selected for the T-Base 2007/2008 athletic sponsorship program. Each year, T-Base sponsors a new blind athlete who exemplifies the drive for success in his/her field by providing alternate format communication materials. Jason navigates the track through directional and verbal cues from a sighted guide who runs closely beside him. As a part of the sponsorship, Jason will receive all of his communication materials in an accessible format such as braille-embossed business cards and alternate format presentation notes for speaking engagements. "It's wonderful to have such strong support from organizations such as T-Base," says Dunkerley.
- Also in August, ARCH Disability Law Centre announced the release of a report entitled "Assistive Devices in Canada: Ensuring Inclusion and Independence". The report provides essential information to persons with disabilities about the rules that govern the safety, availability, reliability and cost of assistive devices in Canada. The report also provides suggestions for policy reform that are responsive to the concerns of persons with disabilities. The Executive summary and full Report (English only) are available on ARCH's website (www.archdisabilitylaw.ca) in MS Word format. Please email Theresa Sciberras, Program Assistant at scibert@lao.on.ca if you would like to receive the document in an alternate format.
- Madentec Limited (www.madentec.com) of Edmonton have a number of new products and product updates available. The company's new Envoy Create software for the Macintosh is designed to work with the Discover Envoy software (best described as keyboard and mouse replacement software for users who cannot operate a standard keyboard and mouse.) With Envoy create, virtual on-screen keyboards with custom key arrangements (or "set-ups") may now be created from scratch for the "point-and-click" user as well as the "switch scanning" user. Pointing set-ups may be accessed by an alternative pointing device, such as the TrackerPro, by simply pointing and clicking on the target button or key in the 'set-up'. The company has also updated its Magic Cursor for the PC with new features that include new on-screen icons, improved jitter sensitivity, custom timers, and optional transparency. All of Madentec's software products (ScreenDoors, Magic Cursor, Telepathic and DiscoverPro) are now compatible with computers running Windows Vista. Last but not least, a new version of Madentec's copy-protection for all updated software (version 2.3) now gives customers the ability to install software and enter the code provided when they purchase a new or updated product without having to contact the company for an "unlock code". Registering or transferring your software license has never been easier.
- Kanata, Ontario's NetCentric Technologies (www.net-centric.com) has recently been awarded a contract by the Ontario Ministry of Finance to provide a revolutionary new solution called "Accessibility on Demand". Many governmental, educational and private-sector organizations have a stated objective to make their electronic information comply with accessibility standards. In many cases, these organizations are surprised and discouraged by the cost involved in achieving compliance and in many cases, legacy documents published on websites may no longer be in demand. The cost involved in making these documents compliant with legislative requirements cannot always be easily justified. Accessibility on Demand (AOD) is a new solution being offered to the accessibility marketplace for PDF content. AOD allows those organizations responsible to provide accessibility to electronic documentation with the ability to match cost and delivery with market demand. For more information, email Andrew Oestreich at aoestreich@net-centric.com or call 613 270 9582 Ext 204.
- Two regulations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulation, O. Reg. 429/07, and the Exemption from Reporting Requirements Regulation, O. Reg. 430/07 have been approved by Cabinet and have been filed. The former contains specific requirements with respect to providing accessible customer services in Ontario. The latter has been enacted in order to minimize regulatory burden for smaller obligated organizations by exempting those with fewer than 20 employees (other than designated public sector organizations) from the statutory requirement to submit compliance reports in this first phase of implementation. The text of both regulations is now available to the public on the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services Web site at:
www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/accessibilityOntario .
They come into force on January 1, 2008. - The Disability-Related Policy in Canada website (www.disabilitypolicy.ca) has been updated to reflect the recommendations from an evaluation that took place last summer. The website was evaluated by 40 online users with disabilities as well as by 13 key informants from government and disability organizations. Some of the notable changes are: new colour scheme; addition of a Google search facility; stamps at the bottom of the home page indicating the site has passed two online accessibility tests (AChecker and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0); removal of interactive forums (the website is more of a resource); all bad links either updated or removed; addition of table of contents for each resource page, making them easier to navigate; and new tab for the resource section on a Federal Disability Act.
- "Just Ask: Integrating Accessibility Throughout Design" is a new book that helps designers and developers include accessibility in their websites, software, hardware, and consumer products. It focuses on including real people with disabilities throughout the design process, to develop effective accessibility solutions efficiently. "Just Ask" is available in conventional and large print versions, and the entire book is also online free at: www.uiAccess.com/JustAsk/ .
Our Web Site
Our Web site can be found at www.at-links.gc.ca. At this site are all our old newsletters as well as different listings and links to other sites of interest. Should you be using these old newsletters, please bear in mind that the web addresses were correct when the newsletter was created but that they may not be accurate now. We do not plan to change the back issues of the newsletters.
Communications From ADIO
If you would prefer to receive our newsletter on disk or by
e-mail, please contact us at the address below.
Where To Find Us
For more information or to get on our mailing list, please
contact:
Mary Frances Laughton or Deb Finn
Assistive Devices Industry Office
Industry Canada
P.O. Box 11490 Station H
Ottawa, Ontario
K2H 8S2
Tel: 613-990-4316 or 613-990-4297
fax: 613-998-5923
TTY: 613-998-3288
email: adio@crc.ca
