Welcome to A2A Events

AIM (Adaptive & Inclusive Micro-mobility) 

Stakeholder's Consultation 

Wednesday May 31                                 12 noon - 1:00 pm EST

Free in-person #NAAW (National AccessAbility Week) event for community leaders and business owners (Lunch provided).

Location: Port Credit Royal Canadian Legion.

35 Front St. N, Mississauga

Adaptive and inclusive micro-mobility is good for business and tourism. Attendees enjoyed a light lunch as Access 2 Accessibility members Carol-Ann Chafe and Mary Daniel delivered a PowerPoint presentation and Q&A on the business case as to why to be supportive of adaptive & inclusive micro-mobility in our communities.

Thanks to the generosity of the Port Credit Community Foundation we are delivering this research study and presentations.

For more information on our AIM project click the link below: https://websites.godaddy.com/aim-micro-mobility

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Wednesday, May 24 2023

6:30 - 7:30 pm EST

Free virtual public consultation.

Attendees were provided an informative presentation on micro-mobility for people with disabilities and older adults. 

Micro-mobility is a name applied to a growing list of personal transportation devices to get around in our cities and communities. Some we are familiar with such as bicycles, e-bikes, skate boards, scooters, roller blades, etc. Then there are those that many are not as familiar with such as recumbent bikes, hand-cycles, tandem bikes, companion bikes and more. We will touch on some of these in this session.

We are seeing bike share programs in many cities around the world. This is great but people with disabilities also like to join in the fun with family and friends, or even just to go around on their own to do errands, ride through parks and more. We need to see adapted choices for people with disabilities and older adults. 

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Thursday, May 18                                 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm EST

 Access 2 Accessibility's 6th Annual GAAD

 (Global Accessibility Awareness Day)

Free live virtual event on Microsoft Teams.

Access 2 Accessibility held their 6th annual GAAD event that delivered the opportunity for attendees to learn some basics in creating more inclusive and accessible documents, letters, and social media.

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Tuesday May 16                                              7:00 - 8:00 pm EST 

Access 2 Accessibility's Annual General Meeting

Virtual event on Microsoft Teams.

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Monday, May 8                                                   10:00 - 11:am EST

Adaptive & Inclusive Micro-mobility (AIM)

Location: The Shores of Port Credit Senior Living

280 Lakeshore Rd. W., Port Credit, Mississauga.

This was the first of 3 public in-person engagements that Access 2 Accessibility will be delivering as part of our study on the needs and wants of people with disabilities and older adults when considering micro-mobility.

For more information on micro-mobility and our Adaptive & Inclusive Micro-mobility project click the link below:

 https://websites.godaddy.com/aim-micro-mobility 

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Adaptive & Inclusive Micro-mobility (AIM)

April 24, 2023

Access 2 Accessibility presented their AIM project to community and Non-profit leaders of Port Credit, and beyond, at the South Mississauga Non-Profit Networking in-person breakfast meeting.

To learn more about South Mississauga Non-Profit Networking: 

South Mississauga Nonprofit Networking | Mississauga ON | Facebook 

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Access 2 Accessibility 5th Anniversary

Date: Monday November 14, 2022 

We shared what A2A has done since its inception, and what we are working on to bring more programs and resources for people with disabilities and older adults.

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Giving Tuesday Nov. 29, 2022

We've heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday providing great sales for our personal interest and needs. Then on the Tuesday, after Cyber Monday, is Giving Tuesday a movement and a day to support others in our communities.

Access 2 Accessibility is thankful for everyone who participated in Giving Tuesday and donated to support A2A.

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Direct Funding for People with Disabilities for Independent Living

Wednesday, July 27, 2022    Virtual Event

Guest Speaker: Robyn Jackson

Direct Funding Resource Coordinator | Independent Living Waterloo Region

We learned about Direct Funding in Ontario for people with disabilities. Attendees: People with disabilities, family members and other caregivers to people with disabilities. They learned how this resource would be a benefit to themselves, loved one, or person who they know.

Direct Funding is an innovative program enabling adults with physical disabilities to become employers of their own attendants.  Attendants assist with routine activities of living, such as dressing, grooming and bathing.  As employers, participants are fully responsible for managing their own employees within a budget that is developed on an individual basis.

Direct Funding: Self-Managed Attendant Services in Ontario (dfontario.ca) 

 Independent Living Centre  Waterloo Region: ilcwr.org 

A2A's 5th annual GAAD event 2022. 

Wednesday, May 18th, 2022       Microsoft Teams virtual event  

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is celebrated with technology accessibility workshops from various countries around the world. 

Speaker:  Sandra Basheer, Microsoft Training Specialist.

Technology reflects the diversity of all who use it. This presentation showed how people can achieve more with the built-in accessibility tools and features in Microsoft technologies. It focuses on features for those who need to customize their settings for hearing, sight, and neurodiversity needs, as well as for those that wish to be more inclusive in the content they create. 

Communication Accessibility in business, and personal, is important to provide inclusion for all in our virtual connections, which we are using more often especially during the Covid pandemic. 

Tips and resources provided were in Windows and Microsoft 365: 

• Microsoft 365

• Content in Word 

• Content in Outlook 

• Utilizing Microsoft Accessibility tools throughout the day.

To learn more about Microsoft Accessibility click on this link: 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/Accessibility/

A2A's 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Tuesday, April 19, 2022      Virtual Event 

Access 2 Accessibility's Annual General Meeting. Presentations included A2A's accomplishments in 2021 and some of our upcoming goals for 2022.  

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Inclusive Communities with Sunbeam Community & Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)

Date: Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Presenters, Service Navigators:  Taquyaah Villaroel & Stephanie Sabia, and Diane Lillico, Supervisor Central West Region.

Sunbeam Community & Developmental Services, and Developmental Services Ontario - Central West Region  provided information on the wide range of services and supports they offer.

Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) is the access point for adult developmental services funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS).

There are 9 DSO agencies located across the province: serving different regions.  Developmental Services Ontario, Central West Region. DSO CWR helps adults with developmental disabilities access services and supports in their communities serving people who live in Dufferin and Wellington counties, Halton, Peel and Waterloo Region.  DSO CWR is administered by Sunbeam Community and Developmental Services Kitchener.  

Sunbeam provides programs, resources, and services to individuals & families, through their 3 operating divisions:  Sunbeam Developmental Resource Centre, Community Living, and Development Services Ontario. 

To contact Developmental Services Ontario - Central West Region :  Toll free: 1-888-941-1121 

Email: dso@sunbeamcommunity.ca https://www.dsocwr.ca/  

Website: https://www.dsontario.ca/  

Business Plans Virtual event

On Wednesday, January 12, 2022 we kickstarted 2022  with an over-view of 4 resources to create, or update, your business plan. The 4 resources for business planning that we reviewed plus discussed various accessibility in each:

• Business Model Canvas
• Vision Board
• Written Business Plans
• SWOT

This was delivered with the following two statements as a guide:

• Failing to Plan equals Planning to Fail.
• Knowledge is power, Accessibility is inclusion.  

December 3, 2021 UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Access 2 Accessibility team and volunteers participated to help our friends at the Neil Squire Society and Makers Making Change aim for the Guinness World Record.

Goal: to raise awareness of the need for affordable assistive technology solutions for people with disabilities. On December 3rd, people around the world are invited to take part in a virtual do it yourself (DIY) assistive technology lesson to attempt to claim the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS(new window) title for the most users to take an online DIY assistive technology lesson in 24 hours.

To learn more click on the links below:

• Makers Making Change 
•  Neil Squire and Makers Making Change Aim for a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Title - Neil Squire Society 

Art Gallery of Mississauga Legacy and Border Crossings Conference

Tuesday November 16, 2021. In-person Event

Access 2 Accessibility's Founder, Carol-Ann Chafe, was a panel member.

Access 2 Accessibility was proud to be one of the organizations of  The Legacy Engagement Project that was created to engage the AGM's partner organizations in experiencing how community-based arts can open a new sharing method in a safe space. 

 Legacy-and-conference | Art Gallery Of Mississauga
 

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Wrap-Up of NDEAM & Small Business Week for People With Disabilities

October 27, 2021    Live virtual event 

 
We discussed how National Disability Employment Month (NDEAM) and Small Business Week (SBW)means to you as a person with a disability. We can share what resources around NDEAM and SBW have been helpful, plus what we still need to see in resources for people with disabilities. 

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International Guide Dog Federation

October 13, 2021     Live virtual event

Community Guest Speaker, William Thornton shares information about the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). William is the Chair of IGDF and the CEO & Co-Founder of BC and Alberta Guide Dog Services.

BC & Alberta Guide Dog Service is dedicated to improving the availability of Guide Dogs, Autism Support Dogs, and PTSD Service Dogs; including breeding, raising/training more dogs, and continuing to give care to dogs that are currently with human partners.
Join us to learn about the International Guide Dog Federation and about guide dogs and the services they provide to so many people.

 Home - International Guide Dog Federation (igdf.org.uk) 

 BC and Alberta Guide Dogs | 604-940-4504

                                                                                                   
 

 Toronto Disability Pride March Intro

September 8, 2021  Live virtual event

Community Guest Speaker Janet Rodriguez presented on  the Toronto Disability Pride March (TDPM). This year the TDPM is being held virtually on September 18th.
The Toronto Disability Pride March aims to promote a cross-disability atmosphere, that also recognizes other forms of oppression such as race, class, gender, sexuality, sanism, etc. They believe the disability movement is strongest in a harmony of voices, not one homogeneous voice. We ask all those who plan to attend the march to respect this approach and the other people within the space of the march.
This year they are focusing on the struggles and resistance of indigenous disabled people.  Janet Rodriguez Bio

• A racialized, CIS gender woman who lives with visible and invisible disabilities. 
• An organizer with the Toronto Disability Pride March, 
• Secretary of the ERDCO Board (Ethno Racialized  People with Disabilities Coalition- Ontario)
• Health Mentor with the University of Toronto
• Advocates for health Equity as part of the "Social Determinants of Health Committee" of the St Michaels' Family Health team.

Accessible Travel & Vacations with AccessibleGO

 August 11, 2021       Live  Virtual Event 

AccessibleGo is the only full-service accessible travel platform providing search, reviews, and bookings of accessible hotels, cruises, transport, and destinations worldwide.

With timely insights, comprehensive resources, and a dynamic traveler community, AccessibleGO is quickly becoming the one travel resource for accessible trips.

This free resource can help you plan, book, and check out reviews by other travelers to help you with your next accessible travel.

Website:  accessibleGO.com – Accessible Travel Made Smart 

Service Canada Benefits

July 28, 2021  Live Virtual Event

Community Guest Speaker:  Chadi Manuel, Citizen Services Specialist, Citizen Service Branch, Service Canada presented an over-view of Benefits offered by Service Canada. Plus, he showed attendees how to use the 'Benefit Finder' and other useful information some which can be found in the links below:

Service Canada home page: Canada.ca 

Benefits page:  Benefits - Canada.ca 

Makers Making Change with Neil Squire Society                     

July 14, 2021       Live Virtual Event

Community Guest Speaker: Suzanne Winterflood                             Central Region Coordinator, Makers Making  Change 

(program at Neil Squires Society.)

Makers Making Change leverages the capacity of community based Makers, Disability Professionals and Volunteers to develop and deliver affordable Open Source Assistive Technologies.  

Makers Making Change (MMC)connects makers to people with disabilities who need assistive technologies.

Makers Making Change is a non-profit initiative by the Neil Squire Society, funded by the Google Foundation, the Government of Canada,  the Vancouver Foundation, Winnipeg Foundation and many more. They’re committed to creating an international community of makers who support people with disabilities within their communities by creating accessibility solutions. MMC stands by the idea of social inclusion and a productive society that includes people with disabilities and gives them equal opportunity to contribute and participate.

They are the first organization in Canada to revolutionize how people collaborate on assistive technology projects. Their teams of makers and people with disabilities join forces to reinvent what’s possible for accessible open-source solutions.

They have a repository of various open-source assistive technology projects,  with parts, instructions, and reviews to support makers helping people with disabilities in their community.

For more information about Makers Making Change, please visit www.makersmakingchange.com

Neil Squire Society LinkedIn -  - https://www.linkedin.com/company/neil-squire-society/  

(MMC does not have a dedicated LinkedIn account) 

Suzanne's Bio:
Suzanne Winterflood, BSc (Hons), MSc, Regional Coordinator for the Central Region. 

From a young age in England, UK Suzanne has supported people with disabilities. Since arriving in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2007 she has worked in the technology sector ensuring equity for minority Canadians.  Her role at MMC enables her to continue to support her local community by combining her knowledge, skills and experience.   Even though they say “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!”, Suzanne has learnt new maker skills 😊,  and here you see her posing with her FIRST ever 3d printed MMC device, the jar opener!  When she’s not in the office you’ll find Suzanne curled up on the sofa watching Netflix with her 3 dogs and 2 cats or connecting with friends and family from around the world either virtually or in person.   

You can contact Suzanne at suzannewin@neilsquire.ca

                                                                                                           

Post-Covid Recovery/Return to Busines for People with Disabilities

June 23 , 2021     Live Virtual Event 

As we see lockdowns and restrictions lifting, how do you, as a person with a disability, see yourself from a career perspective?
Were you able to continue your job or manage your business during the pandemic?  

Were you able to find opportunities or other areas of growth that arose during the time of the pandemic?

Join us in a discussion session to what lessons were learned during the pandemic.  People with disabilities already face obstacles when aiming to be successful.  Putting the pandemic on top, how did this affect your career aspirations or ability to continue your business? This will be an opportunity for us to share what obstacles we faced and what resources we used to get thru the pandemic.  We will also discuss how we, as persons with disabilities, will continue our career goals in developing or growing our own businesses in the Post-Covid era.

                                                                                                                                    

 Geo-Mate (Post NAAW Event)

June 9, 2021    Live Virtual Event 

Community Guest Speaker:  Robert MacGregor 

Director of Communications, GeoMate 

Accessibility has always been at the forefront of Robert's mind, growing up with a brother who had cerebral palsy. He is excited to join the A2A community to talk about the ways GeoMate is creating more accessible sidewalk networks. A2A's Post-NAAW (National Accessibility Awareness Week) Event is an opportunity to learn about new AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the fight to create more accessible and walkable cities.

GeoMate is a location-based tools, analysis, and software company, headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario with a mission: 'To make the world accessible and walkable for everyone'.

GeoMate is a mapping service that leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and geospatial technology to analyze city safety and accessibility in. Founded in 2019 by co-founders Amin Gharebaghi and Nastaran Saberi, GeoMate strives to provide a customized digital mapping technology for those with disabilities. The companies goal is to make all of Canada more accessible and safer for everyone.

Every day, there are 17 pedestrians and 2 cyclists killed in crashes with vehicles, and over 120,000 people fall or slip on sidewalks. Studies show that most of these accidents occur due to infrastructure problems, including poor curb cuts, lack of visibility, obstacles, narrow walkways, steep slopes, and so on. The same obstacles that cause injuries and accidents, have also been found to be the root cause of inaccessibility for individuals that have mobility concerns. 

This event was of interest to those involved with the following:

• Accessibility
• Walkability
• Vision Zero

Website:  GeoMate 

To Contact Robert MacGregor: robert.macgregor@geomate.ca

 (NAAW): 'TODAY’S ACCESSIBILITY EXPERIENCE'

 WITH THE REGION OF PEEL 

Date: Wednesday, June 2, 2021 

Region of Peel  NAAW event was held to discuss how the pandemic has impacted the lived experiences of those with disabilities. Other items discussed included how the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed everyday norms, challenges, inspirational successes and identified possible opportunities as part of our ‘new normal’ reality. 

Through testimony and lived experience attendee’s will gain a better understanding of what the Region of Peel, and our partners, can do to break down barriers and promote inclusivity in the community. We all play a role in ensuring accessibility and inclusivity are foundational to our programs and services. 

Speakers include: Keynote, Carol-Ann Chafe, Founder & Chair at Access 2 Accessibility

Who attended:

• Those with an interest in and/or provide relevant programs or services

• Community partners/service providers that provide services to the disability community

• Community partners/service providers who provide services to Peel residents  

POST-GAAD/ PRE-NAAW WITH

THE CANADIAN TRANSPORTATION AGENCY 

Wednesday, May 26, 2021      Live virtual event 

We came together to learn about accessibility in transportation for pleasure or work. The Canadian Transportation Agency will deliver an over view of the accessibility they have built into their website, programs, and services thus providing a more accessible and inclusive way to travel throughout Canada. This event is a post-GAAD (Global Accessibility Awareness Day) and pre-NAAW (National Access Awareness Week).

Accessible travel is important whether for business, or personal. Allan Burnside, of The Canadian Transportation Agency, will present on the accessibility that CTA has included to ensure a more inclusive/accessible travel experience for people throughout Canada, from accessing their website to the travel itself on planes, trains, ferries and buses.

We heard about the accessibility built into the CTA and be able to ask questions during this live event.
On June 25, 2020, the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR) came into effect, providing a set of clear, consistent, specific and legally binding accessibility requirements for many transportation service providers. The ATPDR apply to large carriers and terminals in modes of transport under federal jurisdiction. 

To learn more about the Canadian Transportation Agency accessibility go to their website link:
Accessible transportation | Canadian Transportation Agency (otc-cta.gc.ca)
 

PRE-GAAD: LEARN ACCESSIBILIT IN MICROSOFT 

 May 12, 2021    Live virtual event

Access 2 Accessibility held its 4th Annual GAAD (Global Accessibility Awareness Day) Event. Once again, Microsoft will be provided an overview of accessibility in their programs and products to help people understand accessibility in technology for business and personal use.

Workshop provided by Microsoft Trainer Miguel Mojica covered topics:

• Learning how to set up and navigate the settings within Windows 10, Microsoft 365 desktop applications, and Teams 
• Customize elements of operating systems and Microsoft 365 applications 
• The ability to tailor Windows and Microsoft 365 experience through the understanding of the  integrated features that make Microsoft products one the most inclusive in the industry
• Learned how assistive technology can empower how you communicate, learn, and experience the world 

INTRODUCTION TO TETRA SOCIETY 

Date: Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST 

Community Guest Speaker Glenn Barnes  gave an overview of The Tetra Society and the amazing resource they provide to people in the disability community. He provided examples of some of the unique projects Tetra Society has created to increase accessibility; such as an adapted baby crib that provides a parent in a wheelchair to reach baby to pick up or tend to the baby's need. .

At Tetra, their focus is to find solutions to environmental barriers faced by people with disabilities. While these environmental barriers are a part of a person’s journey, we believe Tetra solutions help foster greater independence, quality of life, and inclusion.  Tetra recruits volunteers who work with clients to design and build assistive devices that are custom-made for the individual – these are devices that are either not available commercially or cost-prohibitive. As a non-profit organization, Tetra raises funds to deliver this program, including covering the costs of volunteer travel and materials for devices up to $500 per project.

The scope of Tetra projects is just as diverse as the clients they work with. The work Tetra does addresses needs in different areas of a person’s life.

To contact Glenn Barnes:

Email: PeelRegion@TetraSociety.Org

To contact Tetra Society: Email: Info@TetraSociety.Org

Tetra Society Website:  Home - Tetra Society of North America  

Facebook:  Tetra Society - Ontario | Facebook 

Net Cle Website:  netClé - Tetra Society of North America 

Access 2 Accessibility AGM        

April 14, 2021      Live Virtual Event

At A2A's Annual General Meeting attendees heard what Access 2 Accessibility has accomplished in 2020. Plus they got to learn about our upcoming events and more for 2021.

Attendees were given an over-view of A2A's:

•  2020 Financial Statement 
•  2020 Annual Review 
•  A2A’s Business Model Canvas 
• Meetup and Entrepreneurs & Professionals, with disAbilities                     Portfolio 
• Community Guest Speakers Series 
• A2A Future Goals
   

STEM CAREERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

March 24th    Live Virtual Event 

Guest Speaker: Runa Patel  

Runa provided insight on careers in STEM for person with disabilities. She believes that empowering and educating others will bridge gap in STEM careers for persons with different abilities, thus, enhance inclusivity in many aspects of society. 

This workshop focused on 2 main topics:

Accessible software used by person with different abilities to overcome barriers when pursuing career in STEM.

Resources providing opportunity for an individual from non-technological background to explore, and advance, in many career opportunities in STEM. 

Runa Patel, Bio
· Runa works as a Product Advisor at Microsoft, supporting small and medium businesses.   · Graduated April 2020 with Honors of Arts, in Psychology, from York University. · Received a diploma in Social Work. · Currently, working towards obtaining professional certification on Cloud & DevOps: Continuous Transformation from MIT. · Throughout her career, she has always been actively contributing to the community to make a difference in the lives of others. Currently she is:i) A board member for Access 2 Accessibility, a Federal non-profit.ii) Research assistant with OCAD University working on various STEM related projects to make Science content accessible for all. · While at York University, Runa worked for 2 years as a research assistant on Enabling Media for Literacy” (ENAMEL) project. The focus of the research project was to encourage learning Braille, particularly focused on children with visual disabilities; by developing, and evaluating, low-cost digital technologies including 3D printing, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, as well as open-source software. Runa believes having equal access to rapidly shared information is key to creating an inclusive society, and empowering people with different abilities and advocates for accommodations, accessibility, and having equal access to education and employment opportunities, for differently able individuals. 

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CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 

March 10th        Live Virtual Event 

We celebrated International Women's Day 2021. A panel of women with disabilities shared their stories and paths to becoming an entrepreneur or career professional.

The panel and moderator are from different generations, with different disabilities, who chose different career paths. We know women with disabilities can succeed in various careers.
Attendees will be invited to participate in the free live event by providing questions or comments to the panel.

Panel: 

Mary Daniel

Alicia Jarvis

Kassandra Szmidt

Moderator: Carol-Ann Chafe

To connect with presenters:

Kassandra Szmidt:

 https://www.instagram.com/artbyaliengirl/

 (46)

 Kassandra Szmidt | LinkedIn 

Alicia Jarvis: 

Alicia Jarvis (She/Her/Hers), CPACC, CSM 🇨🇦

(@A11yAlicia) / Twitter 

Alicia Jarvis (She,Her,Hers), CPACC, CSM | LinkedIn 

Mary Daniel:

Mary Daniel | LinkedIn 

daniel taylor (@danieltaylor31) / Twitter 

February 24, 2021     Live Virtual Event 

ACCESSIBILITY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES MAPPING METHODOLOGY (ARRM): A DIGITAL TEAM EXERCISE 

Guest speaker:  Jennifer Chadwick, CPACC, CUA

Lead Accessibility Strategist and Senior Product Expert, International SiteImprove Canada

Jennifer will talk about the W3C project called the Accessibility Roles & Responsibilities Mapping Methodology (ARRM).  This is a team exercise to help assign ownership of digital accessibility fixes to websites and documents to the appropriate role – design, development, content and visual design.  

Jennifer is the Lead Accessibility Strategist at Siteimprove.  She helps organizations develop a strategy for integrating accessibility and inclusive design into ICT deliverables and adopting a culture of inclusion moving forward. She is a W3C Invited Expert, member of the IAAP and the ICT Accessibility Testing Committee. 

 Jennifer's Contact Info:

Jennifer Chadwick, CPACC, CUA

jcha@siteimprove.com

+1 647 952 0364

110 Yonge Street, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1T4

Link to Siteimprove Canada:

Siteimprove: Siteimprove’s software helps you achieve your digital potential
 

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February 10, 2021     Virtual Event 

GET ACTIVE! GET INVOLVED! 

Guest Speaker: Archie Allison 

Director Access and Awareness , Variety Village.

Archie shared ideas and resources to welcome people of all ages and abilities to participate together! We are excited to promote accessible and inclusive sport/ recreation to ensure everyone can enjoy the benefits of healthy active living.

Archie Allison Biography
Mr. Allison began his career working with persons with disabilities when he was hired as a Program Instructor at Variety Village in 1984 and is currently the Director of Access and Awareness.  Mr. Allison has been a tireless advocate for people of all ages and abilities. He has received many awards recognizing his work and advocacy. During his career at Variety Village Mr. Allison has assisted in creating many programs for children with disabilities.  These programs focus on providing all children, regardless of their abilities, a barrier-free environment and curriculum in which to play.  He has been a staunch advocate of inclusive participation. Mr. Allison was an active coach in Track and Field, taking athletes to the Windsor Games and Junior Games in Miami.  From 1985 to 1990 he established integrated Leadership Camps providing opportunities for teenagers of all abilities to learn from their peers and gain independence while practicing important life skills. In his current position Mr. Allison leads a team who deliver Integrated Outreach and Physical Education programs to over 10,000 students in Ontario each year. Mr. Allison also instructs weekly classes at The University of Toronto, Humber College and Centennial College, where he teaches courses based on inclusive recreation.  He has created and taught various certification courses on behalf of Variety.  These courses are both theoretical and practical in nature.  When he is not teaching, Mr. Allison sits on many volunteer committees devoted to the inclusion and advocacy of those with disabilities in the greater Toronto area.  Some of his positions:  

• University of Toronto - consultant on disability awareness  
• Centennial College’s Program Advisory Council - Recreation and Leisure   
• City of Toronto Disability Issues Committee 
• Parasport Ontario Board of Directors  
• Member of Parks and Recreation Ontario’s Disability Issues Committee (2015) 
• Toronto 2015 ParaPan Legacy Committee  
• Toronto 2015 PanAm Games Accessibility Committee. 
• Invictus games 2017 – Venue Supervisor 
• Invictus Games – Accessibility Committee 
• Canada Games 1995 Alberta – Team Manager 
• Lt. Governor Games – organizer (25 years) 
• Toronto Police Games – organizer (25 years) 

To contact Archie:

Archie Allison 

Director, Access and Awareness
aallison@varietyontario.ca
(416) 699-7167 Ext. 236 

 Home | Variety Ontario 

January 27, 2021     Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams

Stress Management Tools

Guest Speakers: 

Dr. Katherine Plewa, Marcela Correa and Pauly Plewa.Co-Founders of Enterprise Stress Management

Dr. Katherine, Marcela, and Pauly discussed stress management tools followed by Q&A.  

Work Hard, Rest Harder:

1. Stress and Sleep – Dr. Kat
2. Breathing – Pauly Plewa
3. Productivity Apps – Marcela Correa

January 28 is Bell Let's Talk Day so this topic / virtual event was timely planned. During Covid we know people have developed, or even increased, their levels of stress. 

Bios:  

Dr. Katherine Plewa, Founder & CEO
Katherine is a healthcare professional and clinical neurology consultant with a breadth of experience in research, rehabilitation, athletic training, and nutrition. She studied Kinesiology at McMaster University, receiving her BSc with honours in 2009, followed by a Master’s from the University of Western Ontario in 2011. She received her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto in 2018, and today, she works as a clinical consultant with an interest in neuroscience, holistic health and wellness, teaches internationally, and continues to chase motorsports championships while developing new ways to manage stress in the workplace.

Marcela Correa Villada, Co-Founder & CTO
Marcela holds an MASc. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto. She has a breadth of experience evaluating and interpreting the needs and abilities of individuals with physical, learning, and mental health challenges. With more than 4 years of experience in testing, customizing, and training on assistive technologies, Marcela has extensive knowledge conducting accessibility testing in multiple platforms by analyzing user experience under multiple conditions and using technologies such as screen readers, switch access, voice recognition, and alternative format. Marcela is a member of the Board of Director of Access 2 Accessibility, a non-profit organization that aims to help support, empower, and network people with disabilities.

Pauly Plewa,Co-Founder & VP of Community Engagement
Pauly is a true racer at heart, having raced motocross for 11 years at the highest level of amateur racing in Canada and the USA. In 2012, on the verge of his AMA professional debut, he suffered a bad crash leaving him instantly paralyzed from the chest down. Being the ambitious child athlete that he was, Pauly taught himself how to walk and race again by applying the tools he learned from his racing career to his rehab. Today, Pauly is chasing championships on four wheels, teaching people about safe driving, and sharing his story about overcoming disability and envisioning wellness.

Check out Enterprise Stress Management website to get more details, click link below: 

Home | ESM (enterprisestressmanagement.com) 

January 13, 2021   Live Virtual Event 

NEW YEAR, TIME FOR NEW/UPDATE WORKPLAN 

As a new year begins we either create a new plan of action or update our existing one.  So we figured let's start off 2021 with looking at how we organize and plan our business.

We looked at the The Business Model Canvas and other planning resources. Accessibility features when using these plans were also presented.

Attendees also shared tools and programs they use to stay on track and how they create their Working Plan.

December 09, 2020   Live Virtual Event

TIME TO TALK ABOUT INVISIBLE DISABILITIES 

Do you, or someone you love, have an invisible disability(s)?

Maybe the first question should be “What is considered an invisible disability (ID)?”

When we hear the word ableism, does this only apply to people with ‘visible’ or ‘physical’ disabilities’?  

In the “disability world” are all disabilities considered to be equal?  Do people with physical disabilities acknowledge that there are those with invisible disabilities and they too should be considered?  
Let us have an open discussion around invisible disabilities: 

1. attitudinal  
2. supports and services  
3. awareness campaigns  
4. to have a better understanding about invisible disabilities, including within the medical community  

COVID-19 hit everyone around the world, where we have seen disproportionately within certain sectors of society have been hit hardest, especially with seniors and people with disabilities. 
December 3rd was the annual celebration of International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) day and the theme was 'Building Back Better'.  But did we see COVID-19 supports  to for people during the pandemic, and in the building back better, concrete services and supports addressed specifically towards people with disabilities? If there were concrete supports for people with disabilities, were invisible disabilities recognized?

Access 2 Accessibility members openly discussed their invisible disabilities creating a community in support and collaborations with one another. 

November 25, 2020     Live Virtual Event 

BUILDING ENTREPRENEURS & PROFESSIONALS, WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM

Currently A2A has our MeetUp page and Facebook group page for Entrepreneurs & Professionals, with Disabilities. We were delivering in-person events at 3 locations every month since 2018. But, now with the pandemic and closures those have been on hold. A2A wants to build on those with more resources. 

We had told attendees at the events that our goal was to develop "Hi-Lighting Entrepreneurs & Professionals, with Disabilities" Series which will be interviews hosted on our YouTube Channel. Now that our Channel is launched we want to discuss how these will be delivered and their benefits to people we interview. 

Our goals for the series:

1. promote your business/work 
2. create awareness of people Abilities over their (dis)abilities
3. Provide a resource to help inspire other people with disabilities to follow their career and entrepreneurial dreams.

Let's discuss other ways to support each other's businesses. As people with disabilities we are a large sector of society. If we come together to support and promote one another we can reach even higher career and entrepreneurial aspirations 

Join us as we celebrate the 5th anniversary of Access 2 Accessibility.

November 14, 2022 

We will share what A2A has done since its inception, and what we are working on to bring more programs and resources for people with disabilities and older adults.

EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES DURING COVID 

October 28, 2020     Virtual Event held on Microsoft Teams

Community Guest Speaker: Ali Mohamed

October is NDEAM (National Disability Employment Awareness Month). Guest speaker Ali Mohamed from The Career Foundation discussed how people with disabilities are dealing with looking for work during the pandemic.

Ali's Bio  

• Ali is a Job Developer/Employment Advisory for Persons With Disabilities with Empowering Abilities Program of the Career Foundation. 
• Ali was an Employment Service manager and Senior Employment Consultant at LinkUp Employment Services for Persons with Disabilities (2012-2017).  
• Ali has over fifteen years’ experience as a social justice advocate working within the non-profit sector serving individuals experiencing barriers across ability levels and ethno-cultural backgrounds. 
• Ali holds MA of Public Policy and Administration and BA in Public Administration and Governance from Ryerson University
• He also has extensive volunteer experience where he continues to contribute the Canadian society.  

Agenda:

• Ali presented on how people with disabilities deal with seeking employment opportunities during the pandemic.
• Open discussion session for all attendees 

Ali's Contact Info: 

The Career Foundation

2100 Lawrence Avenue West, Suite 102Toronto, 

Ontario M9N 3W3

Telephone: (416) 243 - 0066 ext. 239

Email:           amohamed@careerfoundation.org    

Website:      www.careerfoundation.com

October 13, 2020                  Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams

AGM and Board Meeting

October 14, 2020      Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams 

LET'S TALK EFFECTS OF PANDEMIC ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

Our panel discussed how the Pandemic has affected people with disabilities from a personal and professional perspective. As a community we know that people with disabilities have been affected more than the mainstream public. We discussed and shared resources that have helped us and other members of our community

Agenda:

• Panel discussion
• Open session as attendees to asked questions and voiced their comments. 

September 23, 2020      Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams 

INTRO TO MICROSOFT TEAMS & ACCESSIBILITY 

Community Guest Speaker: Michael Chin

We are all using online resources to connect and work from home even more during these Covid times. In this event we learned about using Microsoft Teams as a collaboration hub and virtual event venue, plus delved into its accessibility features. 

Michael Chin Bio: 

• Michael Chin is the Community Development Specialist for Microsoft and tasked with organizing and leading trainings that involve the best use of Microsoft products and services. 
• Working with A2A over the years, he’s learned and been inspired to highlight and lead with Accessibility in these trainings.

Overview:

1. 5 minutes: Introduction Of Teams
2. 40 minutes: Live Demo of Accessibility Features in Teams
3. 15 minutes: Q&A . 

To Contact Michael:

Michael Chin 

Training | Eaton Centre
michin@microsoft.com | (437) 703-8651

To download the Microsoft Teams App:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software?icid=SSM_AS_Promo_Apps_MicrosoftTeams 

September 9, 2020       7:00 - 8:30 pm

Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams 

CANADIAN LEGISLATIVE ACCESSIBILITY HISTORY AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 

Community Guest Speaker: Thea Kurdi

Recording of the event is on A2A's YouTube Channel, click this link: https://youtu.be/m58hZyMqZQE

Thea Kurdi Bio:

• Thea has over 19 years of experience specializing in barrier-free and universal design for architectural projects of varying size and complexity. 
• She's been an educator for her entire career, including part-time teaching at Sheridan College where she taught AutoCAD, REVIT, Architectural History, Sustainable Design and Universal Design. 
• She is frequently a guest speaker at lectures for design students. 
• Thea is registered with Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments (GAATES) and is an affiliate member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC). 

Webinar Description:

Agenda

1. Introduction to the Accessible Canada Act
2. Understanding Canadian Accessibility Laws
3. International Agreements
4. What is accessible housing?
5. Addressing accessible housing issues
6. How to give accessibility feedback
7. Resources

To contact Thea Kurdi: 

Vice PresidentDesignABLE Environments Inc. 

918 Dundas Street East, Suite 212, Mississauga, Ontario Canada L4Y 4H9 

Telephone: 905.278.0665  

www.designable.ca   

@tweetdesignable  linkedin.com/in/theakurdi/ 

  August 26, 2020   Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams

LETS GET BACK TO BASICCS:  BEING ACCESSIBLE In SIMPLE COMPUTERIZED COMMUNICATION STEPS 

Community Guest Speaker: Dawn Campbell

 Bio Dawn Campbell

• Dawn Campbell is Account Manager for Equidox by Onix, responsible for bringing digital accessibility software called Equidox and Onix PDF Conversion Software to the Canadian market. 
• She is a passionate champion for inclusion and has worked in the accessibility field for over twenty years. Including three Ontario colleges, two school boards and with distinguished organizations like the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Rick Hansen Foundation. 
• In 2011 she was awarded the International Day for Persons with Disabilities Access Award for Kingston, Ontario. 
• Dawn’s perspective and passion for her work are derived from a life-changing head-on motor vehicle accident that left her with multiple injuries to her right leg. 
• Dawn advocates for universal design and helps people understand that accessibility is more than ramps and elevators.  

Event Details:

For years Canadians with disabilities have been advocating for an accessible built environment and although progress has been made we know we have a long way to go until that work is achieved. As we continue this work there is another area of accessibility that requires immediate attention.  We live in a highly digital world of email, software programs, digital documents and social media. 

There is an old saying "we don't know what we don't know" and as a champion for accessibility for many years Dawn reflected on the lessons she has learned around the digital environment since taking on her new role in digital accessibility two years ago. She delved into some key lessons learned about the basics of being inclusive as we move forward building websites, creating documents, and using social media.

Contact Dawn Campbell:
ACCOUNT MANAGER 

Dawn@Onixnet.com

Direct: (613) 876-0495 |

 www.equidox.co1 

Yonge Street, Suite 1801 Toronto, ON 

____________________________________________________________

 August 12, 2020  Virtual event

Informative and engaging discussion with Community Guest Speaker: Charles Hall.

Charles Hall Bio

- Senior Accessibility Designer, CVS Health

- Principle Accessibility Consultant, Access.Today - Invited Expert, W3C Accessibility Guidelines Working Group & Silver Task Force (and member, Functional Needs; and XR Subgroups) - Chair, W3C Inclusive Design for the Immersive Web Community Group - Member, Ferndale Accessibility & Inclusion Advisory Commission

Helping people deliver accessible, ethical, and humane innovations for end users through inclusive design. With over three decades in the industry, I am at an ‘obsessed with giving back and paying forward’ stage of my career. I help people with accessibility issues, and contribute to as many global conversations on the topic as possible through multiple channels and communities of practice.

Synopsis

As part of one of the most ambitious efforts the W3C has embraced for the future of web accessibility (WCAG 3), I proudly stepped up to help author a list of human functional needs from which, new guidelines could be oriented from a point of need. This document intends to serve not only a wide audience of groups and large body of work within the W3C, but aspires to become a standard that serves academia, industry, organizations, and policy for the world at large. This work would greatly benefit from public review and comment. Let’s discuss it.

Contact Charles

Email: charles@access.today

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hallcharles/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/atCharlesHall

___________________________________________________________________________________

July  29, 2020     

Covid-19 and Disability

Access 2 Accessibility members Mary Daniel and Carol-Ann Chafe discussed Covid-19 and disability: the pros and cons for people with disabilities

• The accidental plus from the pandemic and isolation.
• Tools and resources found useful during the pandemic.  

Mary and Carol-Ann are hands-on/tactile learners. Thus it was difficult when being taught new tools and programs in the virtual world only.

The pros for them was more time to work on Access 2 Accessibility. They could attend more webinars online learning about Accessibility tools from presenters around the world.

 
Presenters and attendees discussed and shared the obstacles in their personal and professional lives during the pandemic, as people with disabilities.

For a long time in the disability community we have said work full time or part time from home would open-up more opportunities for people with various disabilities, yet there was much pushback that work would not be successful being done at home. During the pandemic we have seen many jobs effectively done virtually, working from home.

See us for our Abilities because #WeAreAble  

__________________________________________________________________

 07/15/2020 

Community Guest Speaker: Alicia Jarvis

How do you prefer to be addressed: Person 1st ?  or Disability 1st?

Alicia Jarvis presented to attendees regarding which way should should address us (PwD), and how do we address ourselves. Attendees engaged with comments and questions.

Alicia Jarvis is a disruptive force for change and thought-leader in an industry regarded for restrictions and compliancy, offering a positive perspective and innovative solutions to complex problems relating to universal usability. Alicia currently serves as the Inclusive Design Practice Lead within RBC’s Digital Design team.  

After just 2 years at RBC, Alicia was awarded the RBC Leo Award, which is RBC’s highest performance award. Alicia started at RBC initially as an intern in the IT Accessibility department. from there, she was brought on as a full-time employee in Quality Assurance.  She is passionate about enabling inclusive teams, and leveraging diverse ideas to build accessible, inclusive, and engaging customer experiences.  

In addition to her experience in Accessibility and Inclusive Design, Alicia has a social science background in Criminology, and prior experience in marketing, content management, research and program development. Alicia has also been a peer educator, peer counsellor, safety ambassador, background performer (extra), and organizational representative. Alicia regularly participates in various meet-ups and workshops and has been a delegate at many conferences, both locally and internationally.  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/a11yalicia >

LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/aliciajarvis>

Alicia Jarvis, CPACC, CSM (Pronouns: she/her)| Inclusive Design Practice Lead | 

RBC Digital Design |alicia.jarvis@rbc.com |T: 416-313-7373 |88 Queen’s Quay West, 24th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5J 0B8

__________________________________________________________________

 06/17/2020

It has been said that great leaders are born, as if preordained by destiny. Reality tells us that few people are born to lead. Leadership is not an inheritance but a skill that is accessible to anyone, particularly those who dare.

Paul aimed to take the "mystery" of what makes a leader. Leadership is a skill that any one can possess. The presentation showed the different types of leadership, which approaches work, and how someone can find their own style.

Bio:
 

Paul Daniel has been an Audio Producer at Accessible Media for more than 20 years. Before that, he was a Political Assistant in the Ontario government and a candidate in a provincial election. Prior to that he was a newspaper journalist at the (now-defunct) PULSE Magazine. He's a Published Writer. Currently he is researching and co-writing, with his friend Joe Zammit, on a political biography of Louis St. Laurent, Canada's 12th Prime Minister.

He has been a member of Trillium Toastmasters, and has been an Area Director for Toastmasters along with being a mentor for a new club. 

He is a vigorous supporter of accessibility for people with disabilities and has never met a cause he did not believe in.

Twitter: Paul Daniel (@pdaniel2553)

Email: SiberianHusky94@Hotmail.com

______________________________________________________________

ON-LINE EVENT 

May 17, 2020   GAAD

Empowered by Technology with Microsoft Accessibility Tools 

Event details: 

In a collaboration between Microsoft Yorkdale and Access to Accessibility, we delivered a free, virtual workshop on accessibility features in Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 relevant for personal and business life. 

The workshop covered:

• Microsoft’s assistive technology to empower inclusivity in how to communicate, learn, and experience the world.
• Accessibility tools and features in Windows 10 and Microsoft 365.