June 12, 2020
Province Highlights Manitoba Access Awareness Week
– – –Webinar to Focus on Accessible Employment and Customer Service During Pandemic: Stefanson
The Manitoba government is highlighting accessibility issues affecting people with disabilities, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of Manitoba Access Awareness Week (MAAW), Families Minister Heather Stefanson, minister responsible for accessibility, announced today.
“Accessibility is a priority for our government and it must be a priority for all Manitobans, because we all benefit when people with disabilities are fully included,” said Stefanson. “The pandemic has highlighted some of the barriers facing people with disabilities, particularly in the workforce and as consumers. I encourage all Manitobans to join the conversation about accessibility issues this week to learn more about what we can do together to address and eliminate these challenges.”
MAAW runs from June 14 to 20 and the focus this year is accessible employment and customer service during COVID-19. A free webinar will be co-hosted by the province’s Disabilities Issues Office (DIO), the Manitoba Employment Equity Practitioners Association (MEEPA) and Manitoba Possible on June 18 from 2 to 3 p.m., featuring remarks from the minister as well as the launch of a new training video focused on accessibility in the workplace. Other topics will include:
• accessibility during COVID-19 including employee safety, new accessibility requirements and accessing goods and services;
• how to ensure an inclusive workplace by meeting Manitoba’s newest accessibility standard for employment;
• tips, tools and resources for accessible employment and customer service; and
• accessibility challenges and success stories during COVID-19.
“We must all continue to take steps to ensure we are increasing accessibility for all our employees and customers,” said Marilyn Funk, co-chair, MEEPA. “During COVID-19, MEEPA reminds employers to consider both visible and invisible health conditions, like a compromised immune system, that may affect employees’ return to more regular operations. We are pleased to co-host the webinar to provide a focus on these important accessibility issues.”
“We all benefit when businesses are willing to be flexible with employees and in how they offer their goods and services,” said Dana Erickson, CEO, Manitoba Possible. “For instance, Manitobans with disabilities and many others appreciate home delivery and virtual consultations as a way to create access, while maintaining social distance.”
To register for the webinar, visit https://maaw2020accessiblemb.eventbrite.ca. Manitobans can also join the conversation about MAAW on social media by using #MAAW2020 and #AccessibleMB. The province has developed a social media kit focused on MAAW and accessibility issues for individuals, community organizations and businesses. To download these resources, visit the DIO website at www.accessibilitymb.ca.
New provisions under the province’s accessibility standard for employment came into effect for all organizations on May 1. Focused on employee safety, these provisions require all employers to have an emergency response plan for employees with disabilities and to develop a process to share information about individuals who may need help during an emergency with those who can provide assistance. Other provisions under the accessibility standard for employment will be phased in over the next two years.
The minister noted the province provided $200 to lower-income Manitobans with disabilities last month to help address some of the financial challenges caused by COVID-19, as part of its expanded Manitoba Protection Plan. For more information on the $4.6-million Disability Economic Support Program, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19/infomanitobans/desp.html.
More information about MEEPA can be found at www.meepa.ca/. To learn more about Manitoba Possible (formerly the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities), visit www.manitobapossible.ca.
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