Accessible Voting Information: Vancouver By-Election

September 28, 2017 by DABC

DABC has received the following information from the City of Vancouver Election Office regarding the upcoming Vancouver By-Election:
 
1. Persons with a physical disability, illness, or injury that affects their ability to vote in person can now apply to vote by mail on the City’s website: https://vancouver.ca/your-government/vote-by-mail.aspx. 
2. There will be an assistive ballot marking device available during both days of advance voting at Vancouver City Hall, on October 4th and 10th, from 8 am to 8 pm. The device has the following features to supports users:
• Audio instructions
• Tactile interface with Grade 1 Braille
• Use of sip and puff, paddles or head pointer
• Screen that enables users to increase the size of text and contrast levels
3. On Election Day, October 14th, curbside voting is available for people who are physically unable to enter a voting place. Persons wishing to use this service can send someone into the voting station to request assistance or call the City’s 3-1-1 information centre to request a staff person come out to them
4. Voters requiring assistance are able to bring someone with them to help cast their ballot or can request assistance from staff working at any voting location
 
More information on how to vote and candidate profiles are available on the City’s website: http://vancouver.ca/byelection

New Future Planning Tool

September 27, 2017 by DABC

Plan Institute and Prosper Canada have launched the online Future Planning Tool to help persons with disabilities and those who support them to plan for the future. The Future Planning Tool is intended to promote long-term well-being for Canadians with disabilities by helping them and their families to accomplish their future planning goals, including financial planning, housing, relationships and more. Try the tool out for yourself: https://goo.gl/51oKXw

BC Human Rights Commission - Online Discussion Invitation

September 22, 2017 by DABC

DABC has received the following information from MLA Ravi Kahlon,  Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Multiculturalism:

On August 4, 2017, Premier John Horgan along with Attorney General David Eby, announced that British Columbia will re-establish the B.C. Human Rights Commission to address inequality and discrimination. I have been asked by the Attorney General to lead a public engagement process and provide recommendations.

To accomplish this, I am asking for feedback from all British Columbians.

To ensure that we are listening to all British Columbians’ perspectives, I will also be hosting an online discussion at engage.gov.bc.ca/bchumanrights. I ask that you encourage your networks and friends to participate and share their stories and ideas online before November 17, 2017 at 4 p.m. Please feel free to display and distribute the poster to let people know about the engagement.

I look forward to hearing from you. Together, we can create a commission that is efficient, effective and equipped to protect, promote and defend human rights in British Columbia.

Sincerely,

Ravi Kahlon, MLA, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Multiculturalism