Statement on the Passing of Ellen Cohen
DABC is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Ellen Cohen, lifelong advocate for people with disabilities. Ellen passed away in Geneva, Switzerland, where she was part of the Canadian delegation of disability rights and civil society organizations participating in the United Nations review of Canada’s implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
The Canadian Civil Society UN CRPD Delegation has issued a statement on her passing: http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/socialpolicy/access-inclusion/Ellen-Cohen-17May2025
DABC’s Salina Dewar has issued the following statement:
“Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ellen Cohen, a lifelong disability Rights advocate in Ontario and nationally, when we had the chance to attend and participate in the UN’s evaluation of Canada’s performance of its obligations under the CRPD. It was immediately clear that Ellen was a strong and knowledgeable advocate. It was also clear that she had a keen sense of humour and an incredibly giving heart. I am saddened by Ellen’s passing at the end of our time in Geneva. I am also immensely grateful for the chance to have crossed paths with her and learn even a little about her work, and her dedication.”
– Salina M. Dewar, Legal Advocate, Disability Alliance BC
Minister seeks to fill 2 vacancies on the Provincial Accessibility Committee
The Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction is looking to fill two vacancies on the Provincial Accessibility Committee (PAC). The role of the PAC is to give advice on accessibility to government.
Recruitment is now open and you can find comprehensive details about the role in the Notice of Position. The application deadline is Monday, April 21, 2025. The Minister is also looking to build an eligibility list for future vacancies on the committee.
Surrey Schools launches accessibility video series
February 11, 2025 by DABC
The Surrey School district “is launching an exciting new four-part animated video series on accessibility to help students, parents and staff better understand language around accessibility, namely the terms disability, barriers, accessibility and inclusion.
Created by the Surrey Schools accessibility working group and advisory committee, the four closed captioned videos are intended to create a common understanding of these terms in school communities across Surrey and White Rock. The first video explores the term disability and how it conjures up specific ideas of what disabilities look like, when in actuality, disabilities can be quite complex, diverse and even unnoticeable.
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The videos are part of the Surrey Schools accessibility plan – a three-year roadmap that aims to improve the experiences for those with disabilities in the district and provide equitable access to opportunities – and serve as the first action item to fulfill one of the plan’s four main priorities: to establish a common understanding of accessibility terms.”
Learn more here: https://www.surreyschools.ca/_ci/p/183360
DABC worked in partnership with B.C. Council of Administrators of Inclusive Support In Education and Untapped Accessibility to support school districts in BC as they implemented the requirements of the Accessible BC Act (learn more about the Accessible Organizations Project: bcaccessibilityhub.ca), and we are very pleased to see this work continuing!
