As you know, the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association was fortunate to be part of the national consultations to gather recommendations towards accessibility and inclusion for those living with a disability and more specifically hearing loss. Before the House of Commons rose for the summer break, Minister Duncan succeeded in tabling the newly proposed accessibility legislation Bill C-81.
Since then, CHHA has been working with the Office for Disability Issues and the leading disability organizations in discussing next steps and including the continued participation of all Canadians.
CHHA has now taken another leadership role in a newly formed alliance led by Spinal Cord Injury Canada. The Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance (FALA) was formed to provide best advice regarding the direction and oversight of the proposed legislation to ensure it meets its stated objectives, outputs and outcomes.
The Purpose of the Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance
- To advance access and inclusion through establishing new, and strengthen existing, partnerships among not-for-profit organizations in Canada.
- To provide individuals who feel excluded within our communities the opportunity to express their views and priorities relating to the proposed federal accessibility legislation, and the impact it will have on their lives.
- To prepare and broadly disseminate information and resources related to the impact of the federal accessibility legislation.
The Leadership Team
Led by Spinal Cord Injury Canada, the Leadership Team includes the following organizations:
- British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
- Canadian Association of the Deaf – Association des Sourds du Canada
- Communications Disabilities Access Canada
- Canadian Hard of Hearing Association
- Council of Canadians with Disabilities
- Native Women’s Association of Canada
As Minister Qualtrough harnesses this portfolio again, we are encouraged that the government is paving the way to an accessible Canada.
