Applications Must Be Submitted by July 31, 2017
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities https://www.aodaalliance.org aodafeedback@gmail.com Twitter: @aodaalliance
June 14, 2017
SUMMARY
On June 12, 2017, the Wynne Government at last circulated more specific information on how to apply to serve on the forthcoming Education Standards Development Committee. That Committee will make recommendations on what the Wynne Government should include in the promised Education Accessibility Standard. The Education Accessibility Standard is needed to tear down the many accessibility barriers that impede students with disabilities in Ontario from fully benefitting from and being fully included in education in Ontario, at all levels of Ontario’s education system.
We set out the application details below that the Wynne Government emailed to us. Applications to serve on the Education Standards Development Committee must be submitted by July 31, 2017. Applications should be emailed to SDC.Applications@ontario.ca
On June 12, 2017, the Ontario Government also posted information on the application process on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ONAccessibility/.
We do not know why the Ontario Government has evidently not posted this information on its public accessibility website, or what more the Government will do to publicize it. We urge the Government to widely publicize this opportunity. It has had ample time to prepare to do so. There have been some 18 days since the Ontario Government first announce that the Government was open to receiving applications to serve on this Standards Development Committee. There have been fully 190 days since Premier Wynne committed to create an Education Accessibility Standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, back on December 5, 2017. The AODA Alliance and its supporters had to campaign for months, including running a daily count on Twitter, to get the Ontario Government just to start the process of allowing applications to serve on the Education Standards Development Committee.
AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky has applied to serve on the Education Standards Development Committee. We encourage those with expertise in accessibility barriers in Ontario’s education system, and with a desire to see Ontario’s education system become fully accessible to students with disabilities, to apply. We need strong voices on behalf of students with disabilities at the table.
Check out the following background material all at www.aodaalliance.org/education
* AODA Alliance’s November 2016 Discussion Paper on what the Education Accessibility Standard should include;
* the AODA Alliance’s December 5,2016 open letter to Premier Wynne, supported by at least 20 disability community organizations, on why Ontario needs a strong Education Accessibility Standard, and
* The timeline of our campaign to get the Ontario Government to create a strong and effective Education Accessibility Standard under the AODA.
There has been a lot of recent news on our grassroots campaign for accessibility. Please anticipate that for the next short while, there may be more AODA Alliance Updates than usual. We want to keep you up to date. If you don’t have time to read them all, you can always just read the headline, or just skim the summary that is included in each.
You can always send your feedback to us on any AODA and accessibility issue at aodafeedback@gmail.com
Have you taken part in our “Picture Our Barriers campaign? If not, please join in! You can get all the information you need about our “Picture Our Barriers” campaign by visiting www.aodaalliance.org/2016
To sign up for, or unsubscribe from AODA Alliance e-mail updates, write to: aodafeedback@gmail.com
We encourage you to use the Government’s toll-free number for reporting AODA violations. We fought long and hard to get the Government to promise this, and later to deliver on that promise. If you encounter any accessibility problems at any large retail establishments, it will be especially important to report them to the Government via that toll-free number. Call 1-866-515-2025.
Please pass on our email Updates to your family and friends.
Why not subscribe to the AODA Alliance’s YouTube channel, so you can get immediate alerts when we post new videos on our accessibility campaign. https://www.youtube.com/user/aodaalliance
Please “like” our Facebook page and share our updates: https://www.facebook.com/Accessibility-for-Ontarians-with-Disabilities-Act-Alliance-106232039438820/
Follow us on Twitter. Get others to follow us. And please re-tweet our tweets!! @AODAAlliance
Learn all about our campaign for a fully accessible Ontario by visiting https://www.aodaalliance.org
MORE DETAILS
Ontario Government’s June 12, 2017 Email on Applying to Serve on the Education Standards Development Committee
Thank you for your interest in applying to participate on a new Standards Development Committee responsible for developing a recommended new accessibility standard for education. The Accessibility Directorate is seeking expert, diverse candidates with:
* Strong knowledge of accessibility for persons with disabilities, including relevant lived experience, policies, programs, and legislation, as well as emerging accessibility trends
* Familiarity with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and accessibility standards * Experience or knowledge about accessibility issues in the education sector
* Ability to bring expert lived experience and/or expert perspectives to committee discussions
* Volunteer or professional links to the disability community and education sector
* Adept in consensus-building, problem-solving and communicating with a diverse group of stakeholders in a committee or board setting
* Significant leadership experience in a particular key sector or stakeholder community
Standards Development Committees include 50% persons with disabilities, or their representatives, as well as the industries or sectors impacted by the Standard. Standards Development Committees also reflect the broader diversity of Ontario.
The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
A significant time commitment is required to participate on the SDC. Members will be required to meet in Toronto for one to two days, approximately every six to eight weeks for a period of approximately 18 24 months. Additional time between meetings to review materials will be required.
To apply for membership on the Education Standard Development Committee, please email SDC.Applications@ontario.ca, by July 31, 2017. Attach your resume or a short description of yourself, including relevant experience or expertise in education and/or accessibility and inclusion, and lived experience of disability.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Interviews are expected to start in late June with the first Committee meeting taking place in Fall 2017.
For more information about participating on the Education Standards Development Committee, please see the attached Word document. Thank you for your commitment to accessibility for all Ontarians. Standards Development Committee for Education: Information for Applicants Committee Title:
* Education Standards Development Committee
Role:
* Member
Location:
* Members will meet in Toronto for two-day meetings approximately every six to eight weeks for a period of approximately 18 24 months.
Committee Description:
* Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, Standards Development Committees are responsible for developing and reviewing accessibility standards. This process empowers people with disabilities and obligated organizations to work together to identify barriers to accessibility and make detailed policy recommendations to government.
* The Education Standards Development Committee will be responsible for developing a proposed accessibility standard for the education sector.
* Committee members are invited to participate by the Minister Responsible for Accessibility.
* Standards Development Committees include 50% persons with disabilities, or their representatives, as well as the industries or sectors impacted by the Standard. Standards Development Committees also reflect the broader diversity of Ontario.
Qualifications:
* Strong knowledge of accessibility for persons with disabilities, including relevant lived experience, policies, programs, and legislation, as well as emerging accessibility trends.
* Familiarity with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and accessibility standards. * Experience or knowledge about accessibility issues in the education sector.
* Ability to bring expert lived experience and/or expertise perspectives to committee discussions.
* Volunteer or professional links to the disability community and education sector
* Adept in consensus-building, problem-solving and communicating with a diverse group of stakeholders in a committee or board setting.
* Significant leadership experience in a particular key sector or stakeholder community.
Time Commitment:
* Members will be required to meet in Toronto for one to two days, approximately every eight weeks for a period of approximately 18 24 months. * Additional time between meetings to review materials will be required.
Remuneration:
* A per diem of up to $150 per day when attending meetings, and up to $150 for preparation between meetings.
* Members may also be reimbursed for pre-approved travel, meal, accommodation costs, and costs in accordance with the government’s Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expenses Directive.
Closing Date:
* The closing date for applications is July 31, 2017.
* Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Interviews are expected to start in late June with the first Committee meeting taking place in Fall 2017.
How to Apply:
* To apply for membership on the Education Standard Development Committee, please email SDC.Applications@ontario.ca by July 31, 2017. Attach your resume or a short description of yourself, including relevant experience or expertise in education and/or accessibility and inclusion, and lived experience of disability.
* The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario is an equal opportunity organization. We will accommodate your needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
More Information:
* For more information about Standards Development Committees, click here.
* For more information about accessibility laws and standards in Ontario, click here.
* The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario is an equal opportunity organization. We will accommodate your needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
* Committee members are required to fulfill the duties of their appointment in a professional, ethical and competent manner and avoid any real or perceived conflict of interest.
* The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.