ODA Committee Update
dated June 30, 2004
posted August 3, 2004

ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMMITTEE UPDATE ODA Committee's London Region Announces Major Sept. 11, 2004 Policy Conference On What A Strengthened Oda Should Include - Circulate Widely And Plan To Come! June 30, 2004 SUMMARY The ODA Committee's London Region has announced that it will be convening a major, open, accessible public conference on September 11, 2004 in London Ontario. (See announcement below) With the Liberal Government committed to introducing legislation this fall to strengthen the weak, unenforceable ODA 2001 passed by the previous Conservative Government, this conference will explore ideas on what measures should be included in the new, strengthened ODA. This conference is being held in memory of the late Michael Lewis, a great friend of the ODA movement, who's song "Still Waiting" has served as a theme song for ODA supporters. Plan to come to this conference. Circulate this news to others. Encourage as many as possible to attend. Our thanks to the ODA Committee London Region for taking the initiative to organize this great event. Please note that the ODA Committee's email news service is now going off line until some time in August. Emails to the ODA Committee won't be answered until then. Have a great, barrier-free summer! ---------------------------------- NOTICE: Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee, LONDON REGION, FORUM The Ontarians With Disabilities Act Committee, London Region, in co-operation with King's University College, University of Western Ontario (UWO), presents the MICHAEL LEWIS MEMORIAL SYMPOSIUM: STILL WAITING: A FORUM FOR MOVING AHEAD. DATE: September 11, 2004 TIME: 9 am TO 4:30 pm with reception to follow. COST: Forum is free of charge including lunch and light snacks. LOCATION: King's University College, Elizabeth A. "Bessie' Labatt Hall; 266 Epworth Avenue, London, Ontario ACCESSIBILITY OF SITE: The Elizabeth A. "Bessie" Labatt Hall meets the minimum accessibility standards set out by the Ontario Building Code. Every effort is being made to enhance accessibility for the day of the forum. PARKING: Free on site with ample handicapped spots. OBJECTIVE OF FORUM: 1. To critically examine the methods and effectiveness of the work done under the current Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) 2001. 2. To present new and creative ideas on how to strengthen and enforce the ODA. AGENDA SUMMARY The day will consist of a number of panels with experts who have worked with the current legislation. Guest speakers include: David Lepofsky, ODA Committee Chair; Patti Bregman, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA); local Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) members and municipal politicians; UWO professors of law and political science. An invitation to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has been issued. OF INTEREST TO: - Accessibility Advisory Committee members from across the province - ODA Committee members - Municipal, Provincial and Federal politicians - Law, Public Administration, Political Science, and Social Justice, Disability Studies students and professors - Community members interested in disability issues REGISTRATION: Registration forms will be available soon, with directions to forum site. LODGINGS: If you are planning to attend the conference from out of town and need more information about accessible lodgings, please go to the ACCESS GUIDE CANADA website at http://enablelink.org/agc/ and click on the words "find a listing" at the top of the home page. Choose the province and city from a pull-down list of choices. Then click on "lodgings" which is a heading displayed on the right hand side of the page. You'll go to a list of 14 different facilities in London which have been described in terms of their accessibility to people with disabilities. Please note: Access Guide Canada is a work in progress and the Canadian Abilities Foundation welcomes new listings. To be on our mailing list, contact Kathy Lewis at the e-mail address or phone number below. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Lewis at kathylewis@rogers.com or phone (519) 645-0558.

 

Top of Page

 

Website maintained by Barbara Anello

Please email your feedback on the website.

Page last updated August 3, 2004