|
Accessible Technology
Case Studies of Business that have Integrated Accessible Technology into the Workplace
Case studies feature best practices and lessons learned, and examples of why it makes good business sense to provide accessible technology in the workplace. Case studies by industry including education, financial, government, healthcare, manufacturing, retail and service providers.
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Communication and Etiquette
Basic Etiquette
Article discusses such basic points of etiquette as avoid asking personal questions about some one's disability, show respect, do not probe, and be considerate of the extra time it might take for a person with a disability to do or say something.
Online Resource - Web Page
Courtesy Guidelines: What Should You Do When You Meet a Person Who is Deaf and Blind?
A list of practical suggestions for interacting effectively with persons who are both Deaf and blind, which include identify yourself when you enter or leave the room; never play the "who am I" game; be flexible in how to communicate; describe clearly what you are talking about; and do not make assumptions about how much the individual can see or hear.
Online Resource - Web Page
“Diversity Facts”
The language used to describe people, events or places reflects to some extent, the attitudes and feelings about what or who we are describing. Using the correct words and phrases develops a positive attitude when communicating with a person with a disability. Using words such as "victim o…", "confined" and "suffering from..." only limit perceptions of the person. This page offers a list of appropriate words and phrases in reference to persons with disabilities.
Online Resource - Web Page
Etiquette Tips
The rules of etiquette and good manners for dealing with people with disabilities are generally the same as the rules for good etiquette in society. These guidelines address specific issues which frequently arise for people with disabilities in terms of those issues related to disability.
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Interacting with People with Disabilities
A handbook designed to eliminate myths, introduce some basic etiquette and communication principles for interacting with persons with disabilities, and reduce attitudinal barriers.
Online Resource - Electronic Document
When You Meet a Blind Person...
Visually impaired people, whether they are totally blind or have some degree of useful vision may, at times, require the assistance of a sighted guide. This online brochure provides tips on how to effectively provide sighted guide.
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Disability Culture
A Way with Words and Images
Journalists can contribute to a more positive and accurate image of persons with disabilities. The images and language used to portray people with disabilities are vitally important in attempting to change perceptions.
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Demystifying Dyslexia
Article attempts to demystify ideas surrounding dyslexia, discusses three categories of redemption assistance (psychosocial, technological and educational), and presents some practical strategies, including using digital watches, tape recorders, videotapes with closed captioning, books-on-tape and electronic spelling and grammar checkers.
THE ROTARIAN
August 2000
Online Resource - Web Page
Multinational Study of Attitudes Toward Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
This major international study documents how the general population across cultures view persons with intellectual disabilities, and how they should fit into society †views which have far-reaching, negative consequences for the more than 170 million individuals with intellectual disabilities worldwide.
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Wake Up World: One in Five of Us Has a Disability!
wakeupworld2x.pdf
Meeting with or visiting people who aren't used to accommodating disabilities? Hand them this checklist - it's a great awareness tool!
One in five people lives with a disability - those are the stats. Sometimes people are uncomfortable around people with disabilities because they don't know how to act or what to say.
Disability and Ethnicity
Aboriginal People with Disabilities ... an Introduction
Introduction to issues of disability for Aboriginal people in Canada.
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Our Rights, Our Choices
Meeting the information needs of black and minority ethnic disabled people, laying the foundations for black and minority ethnic disability organizations - April 2004
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Employment
A Curriculum to Dismantle Attitudinal Barriers
Recruiters, hiring managers, even co-workers with misinformation and/or bad attitudes can effectively block or hinder your best inclusion efforts. Be sure that part of your recruiting strategy is to educate and inform your non-disabled workforce!
If you want to run your own internal training seminars, rather than develop your own, the free curriculum which, primarily addresses attitudinal barriers, can be customized accordingly: legislation and local resources. Include presenters' and participants' manual.
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Accessing and Completing Apprenticeship Training in Canada: Perceptions of Barriers Experienced by Persons with Disabilities
These generic barriers have been grouped into nine categories, each reflecting a particular aspect of supply or demand conditions for apprenticeship:
-
Negative attitudes to apprenticeship and a
poor image of trades
-
A lack of information and awareness of apprenticeship
-
Difficulties with unwelcoming workplaces or training environments
-
Costs of apprenticeship to individuals,
employers and unions
-
Concerns over the impacts of economic factors on work and apprenticeship continuation
-
Concerns with the lack of resources to support apprenticeship
-
Concerns about apprentices’ basic and essential skills
-
Shortcomings of workplace-based and technical training
-
Issues regarding regulations governing apprenticeship
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Accessibility and Removal of Barriers Project
This report, which forms the first component of this project, discusses barriers to apprenticeship faced by employers and individuals at four points of the apprenticeship process. These 4 points are used as a conceptual framework to help organize the information gathered during the research.
The four points are:
-
Becoming aware of or interested in apprenticeship
-
Offering or entering apprenticeship
-
Maintaining apprenticeship
-
Successfully completing apprenticeship
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Accommodating and Employing Students with Disabilities
The weak attachment of youth with disabilities to the labour force in comparison with non-disabled youth, 58% and 86% respectively, occurs partly because youth with disabilities experience similar attitudinal barriers when seeking summer, part-time and full-time employment. Employers may be even more reluctant to hire students with disabilities because of the short-term nature of the employment, and increased difficulties in putting into place needed accommodations, such as job flexibility, assistive devices and adaptive technology with fewer financial incentives available for short-term employment.
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Assisting Disabled Persons in Finding Employment: A Practical Guide
Intended for vocational guidance and placement personnel in mainstream and specialist employment services in governmental and non-governmental organizations, this guide provides an overview of approaches and strategies to improve job opportunities for persons with disabilities who are seeking employment. It is also meant for policy-makers in labour administration.
This guide is intended as a first step in the process of dismantling the barriers disabled people face in securing employment. While it is useful to persons responsible for placing workers with all types of disability and levels of ability, it is geared, in the first instance, to people with disabilities who would be able to take up jobs in the open market, with a minimum of support, if the employment opportunity were offered.
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Confusing, Contrary, Concealed - An Employment Needs Study
Report from a study designed to assist the Durham Region Employment Network in providing information to its member organizations to ensure better understanding of the barriers faced by persons with disabilities in finding employment.
Select Disability Report 2003 from Menu
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Deaf-Friendly Workplace
Businesses are recognizing that hiring deaf employees and making their companies accessible to deaf consumers is not only about "doing the right thing," but it also makes good business sense.
The deaf community is tightly knit. Word spreads quickly as to which businesses are welcoming and supportive of deaf people, and which are not. Becoming deaf friendly is sure to win your business long-term customer loyalty from this market segment.
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Epilepsy and Employment - Things to Consider
OpenDocument&Highlight=2,accommodation
This resource examines the issues of epilepsy as it relates to employment and examines some concerns employers may have about epilepsy. Epilepsy should not be a major factor in a person’s ability to perform well in the work place.
A person with epilepsy should be able to choose from a variety of occupations. After an epileptic person is hired, most employers are concerned with the following areas: Productivity, Safety, Effect of Seizures on Customers/Clients, Uncertainty about First Aid Procedures and Accommodation.
Online Resource - Web Page
Breaking Down the Barriers
Growing awareness and better detection of non-physical disabilities such as psychiatric illness, chronic fatigue and fibromylagia has greatly increased the incidence of disability leave in business today. Employers have relatively little experience in dealing with this issue and need to take steps to foster mental health in the workplace.
BENEFITS CANADA MAGAZINE
December 2000
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Working with Performers with Disabilities but Were Afraid to Ask
This resource examines hiring and working with performers, actors and entertainers who have disabilities. It answers frequently asked questions about working with performers with disabilities and provides helpful resources and references for employers involved in this industry.
Screen Actors Guild
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Tapping the Talents of People with Disabilities: A Guide for Employers
The Guide offers facts, practical advice and examples on how to facilitate the inclusion of employees with disabilities in the workplace, including checklist, resources and contacts.
Offline Resource – Tools
Housing
Living Flexibly
This article introduces the concept of "visitability" and the features of accessible housing, including having one zero-step entrance, wide interior doorways and hallways and a main-floor washroom.
Also discussed is "FlexHousing," created by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), as an approach to housing that accommodates an individual or family while aging in place.
Incorporating these design approaches could provide the builders with an opportunity to differentiate themselves from each other to expand their current market.
TORONTO STAR
March 14, 2002
Online Resource - Electronic Document
Recreation
Barriers to Wellness Activities for Canadian Women with Physical Disabilities
Although there is a great deal of interest in women's health, research on the health and well being of women with disabilities has not increased. The participants represented a diversity of disability, age, and ethnoracial backgrounds. Findings suggest that individual and structural barriers exist for the women, with structural barriers (physical, informational, and systemic access) being predominant. Barriers prevented women from engaging in desired wellness activities. Women discussed actual strategies to address these barriers, such as collective efforts to buy nutritious foods and recommendations to create greater access (e.g., increase health professionals' training in disability issues).
Offline Resource - News Article
Removing Barriers to Health Clubs and Fitness Facilities
Is your health club or fitness facility ready to meet the growing demand to provide the same level of access for all members? People with disabilities and older adults are looking to health clubs, gyms and fitness centres as a means to be more active and achieve a healthy lifestyle.
Online Resource - Electronic Document
|
