WORKSHOP INFORMATION

Accessibility for Everyone Everywhere

IN THE 21 CENTURY

Persons with Disabilities represent a significant and growing part of our population.  Currently, more than 1.9 million Ontarians, 3.4 million Canadians and 600 million people around the world have self-identified as Persons with Disabilities (of course, there are many others who do not so identify). The barriers to accessibility also affect multi-millions of family, friends, co-workers and professionals who have Persons with Disabilities in their lives.  Ontario estimates that the proportion of Persons with Disabilities will increase as our population ages, with nearly 20 percent of Ontarians with disabilities within two decades.  It is not difficult to make similar estimates for Canada and the world.

As a world class city, these statistics add a considerable challenge to service providers who wish to serve both those who reside in the GTA as well as people with disabilities, who have considerable disposable income, who choose to visit this area.

Additionally, immigration trends have resulted in the GTA becoming a very cosmopolitan environment with both customers and service providers hailing from all over the world.  It is imperative that there be understanding and respect for all differences – be they race, culture, religion, language or any other diversity.  While the main thrust of this learning is around accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities, we will incorporate learning that will improve sensitivity to people of different races, cultures, religions, languages, etc.

All EMPOWWORD Inc learning workshops are hands-on; use plain language; provide plenty of opportunities to practice and experience different learning tools; use a variety of teaching modes; and incorporate fun (as we believe fun increases one’s capacity to learn).  A comprehensive Participant's Manual will be provided for every trainee.  It will prove an invaluable resource once the drivers are back in the ‘real world’ and dealing with disability and human issues.

Please note that this information is not meant to be a diagnostic tool on disabilities or diversity matters.  The Manual provides specific information on how to provide effective client service for customers with a variety of disabilities while pointing out how to treat each other well.  This training, the manual and any suggestions are a starting point from which to develop the understanding and skills to better serve all your customers.

It is important to remember that persons with a disability are like any other customer and deserve the same kind of respect, dignity and service.  While they may need special arrangements to accommodate their disability, the key is to think of the individual person first.  The fact that they have a disability is incidental.

Objectives of the Workshop

 At the end of the workshop you will:

 Be aware of the realities of persons with various types of disabilities (visual, hearing, physical, psychiatric (mental illness), intellectual, learning disabilities, etc.)  It is important to be aware that some people have more than one disability – this is considered intersectionality, especially if other factors exist such as race, poverty, etc.;

Appreciate the need to respect persons of different races, cultures, religions, language, etc. and ensure you receive the same respect;

Learn the importance of asking rather than assuming what is helpful to someone else, especially people with disabilities:

Be informed of the specific needs of persons with disabilities who receive services from you or colleagues with whom you work who have disabilities;

Be more knowledgeable of mobility devices and other aides, including working animals;

Have developed the skills to respond to the particular needs of persons with disabilities;

Understand the importance of providing top quality customer service to your clients, especially those who have disabilities

Appreciated what may lead to a human rights complaint and how to avoid it;

Have full knowledge of all municipal codes, etc;

Develop an understanding of being part of the CO-OP team as well as how to handle your finances and run and effective business.

 EMPOWWORD’s APPROACH

1. We will endeavour to make this a safe learning environment for all participants.

 

2. We will listen and observe to ensure we are reflecting your learning goals.

 

3. We will use real-life examples and our own experience to help you learn how to ensure that the Region is inclusive.

 

4. We will observe the Confidentiality Rule.  No one will reveal private information given by anyone about himself, herself or others outside the workshop.

 

5.We will encourage and welcome the expression of all views.  Each person has a right to have her or his opinion heard and responded to, respectfully.

 

6.We will urge you to speak up for your interests as each day proceeds.  This is your learning opportunity don’t wait until the end to write your concerns in the evaluation.

 

7.We will give you the opportunity to go on adventures and experience some of the  assistive devices to give you a better perspective of having a disability.

 

8.We will also give you a chance to know what it is like to be a person of a different race, religion, etc. to improve your understanding of others.

 

9.We will do our best to avoid jargon.

 

10.We and you will have some fun.

 Assumptions

One’s abilities and disabilities have a powerful impact on people and organizations throughout society.

People with disabilities as well as people of various races, cultures, religions, etc. experience individual as well as systemic discrimination, barriers and exclusion from larger society.

Services that are sensitive to diversity, accessibility and inclusion as well as an environment that welcomes diversity tend to lead to a respectful, positive living and working environment for everyone who works at and receives service in the GTA. This type of learning workshop can improve the service delivery to ALL customers as well as the job satisfaction .

Ask me about our NEXT WORKSHOP TODAY! please call Business Telephone: (905) 318-2032 Cell Phone: (416) 209-4524

or email sandi@empowword.on.ca

We would like to thank all the organizations and local authorities that have helped us organize our workshops.