Disability Movement

“Employment, employment, employment” and Ableism

/ Melissa / 3 Comments

I’m going to get right to the point here. An increased minimum wage is not harming disabled people. It is however doing a great job at highlighting the ableist and saneist bias that continues to exist within employment in Ontario and social services. When Bill 148 was still being debate, there were some who used … Continue reading “Employment, employment, employment” and Ableism

“We Need Not Remake the Past” – The Future of the Disability Movement

/ Melissa / Leave a comment

Presentation at the Canadian Disability Studies Association Conference 2017 Thank you to my fellow organizers and panelists. Before I get started, I’d like to identify myself within this conversation, as a white, employed person with a physical disability that is easily identified with, and the privilege that comes with those things. I also identify as … Continue reading “We Need Not Remake the Past” – The Future of the Disability Movement

Trudeau’s ‘accessible Canada’ includes unpaid work

/ Melissa / 2 Comments

Back in 2015, before the Canadian federal election, a movement of disabled people was building across the country. The call for a barrier-free Canada was built in that time by a small, dedicated group of people who reinforced their message daily through social media and on the ground action. Their methods were so effective, that … Continue reading Trudeau’s ‘accessible Canada’ includes unpaid work

Have your say on the future of the Canadians with Disabilities Act

/ Melissa / 1 Comment

The Federal Government will be hosting a public forum to get input from the public on what the promised Canadians with Disabilities Act should include. where and when this takes place: When: Wednesday, February 8th, 2017 Time: 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm Where: Chelsea Hotel Toronto - Churchill Ballroom, 33 Gerrard Street West, Toronto, ON … Continue reading Have your say on the future of the Canadians with Disabilities Act

Real Change means an Accessible Canada for All

/ Melissa / 4 Comments

#On December 3rd, let's remind Trudeau what an #AccessibleCanada4All looks like. Canada has a new government, and with that new opportunities for change, new potential, new possibilities. Among those possibilities is the Canadians with Disabilities Act. It seems that Trudeau has taken up the call, and made this potential Act a part of the mandate … Continue reading Real Change means an Accessible Canada for All

“Here in Canada, we won’t see your disability”…unless we can profit from it.

/ Melissa / 3 Comments

The Parapan Am Games, August 2015. I was at the Torch Relay a few weeks ago, and one of the speakers, a well-known member of the disability community, and founder of a disability organization said, “Here in Canada, we won’t see your disability”. My jaw dropped. I wanted to believe that he hadn’t just said … Continue reading “Here in Canada, we won’t see your disability”…unless we can profit from it.