Welcome to A2A's Events Page

A2A at Abilities Expo Toronto

Date: Saturday, May 14, 2022

Time: 1:15 pm - 2:25 pm ET 

Where: Toronto International Centre Live / In-Person Event  

Abilities Expo runs Friday May 13, and Saturday May 14, at 10:00am - 5:00pm ET each day. 

Join A2A's workshop at the Abilities Expo on Saturday, May 14 at 1:15 at the Workshop Stage. 

Access 2 Accessibility's members Carol-Ann Chafe and Mary Daniel will be presenting  'Building Your Employ-Ability' . 

People with disabilities can have job and career aspirations; and / or goals to be a successful entrepreneur. Join our workshop for some great tips.

Presenters, Carol-Ann and Mary are people with multiple disabilities have faced barriers in education and in business setting. These barriers did NOT stop them from successful careers and entrepreneurial ventures.   Some of the topics to be discussed: Being prepared for your job search Choosing a career path based on your Abilities Networking and resource opportunities through A2A's 'Entrepreneurs & Professionals, with disAbilities' program  

To learn more about the Abilities Expo:  https://abilitiesexpotoronto.com/  

To connect with Access 2 Accessibility: Info@Access2Accessibility.com 

Entrepreneurs & Professionals, with disAbilities Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/Entrepreneurs-Professionals-with-Disabilities/                                                                                                                

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A2A's 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Date: Tuesday, April 19, 2022 

Time: 7:00 - 8:00 pm ET 

Where: Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams  

Join Access 2 Accessibility's Annual General Meeting. Hear about what we accomplished in 2021, and learn about some of our upcoming goals for 2022.  

If any issues or questions please contact Access 2 Accessibility at email below. Please put '2022 AGM' in the subject line: Info@Access2Accessibility.com  

Agenda

Indigenous Land Statement and Welcome Agenda 

Approval Minutes of 2021 AGM 2021

Financial Statement 

Board Membership 

A2A Volunteering Opportunities 

2021 year in review 

Committee work 

Upcoming Events 2022-2023

A2A Goals 

5 year Gala    

_______________________________________________ 

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

Date: Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm ET  

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  provide information 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. 

Sunbeam Community & Developmental Services delivers on their Vision of  providing " Inclusive communities where people of all abilities are valued".   

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/  

New Year needs a new or updated Business Plan

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 and looked with the following 2 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 
• UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities(new window)
  

Art Gallery of Mississauga Legacy and Border Crossings Conference

Date: Tuesday November 16, 2021

Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm ET
Free Live virtual event on Art Gallery of Mississauga's Facebook and Instagram pages, @AGMEngage.Facebook link:  Art Gallery of Mississauga | Facebook 

Access 2 Accessibility's Founder, Carol-Ann Chafe, will be part of the panel who will be talking to attendees at 1:30pm - 2:15pm ET
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. Details for the 3 day event happening November 16, 17, & 18, 2021:

 Legacy-and-conference | Art Gallery Of Mississauga
 

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

 Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm ET

Free Live virtual event on Microsoft Teams

 
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

Date: Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm ET

Free Live virtual event on Microsoft Teams

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

Date: Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm ET

Free Live virtual event on Microsoft Teams

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

Date: Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm ET
Virtual Event held on Microsoft Teams

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

Date: Wednesday, July 28, 2021  

Time: 7:00pm - 8:30 pm EDT

Live Virtual Event held on Microsoft Teams

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                     

Date: Wednesday, July 14 , 2021 

Time: 7:00pm - 8:30 pm EDT

Live Virtual Event held on Microsoft Teams

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 Business 

For People with Disabilities

Date: Wednesday, June 23 , 2021

Time: 7:00pm - 8:30 pm EDT

Live Virtual Event held on Microsoft Teams

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.
This will be one of open discussion and sharing events that do NOT be recorded.

 Geo-Mate (Post NAAW Event)

Date: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 

Time: 7:00pm - 8:30 pm EDT

Live Virtual Event held on Microsoft Teams

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 

Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am EDT
 

Region of Peel Join us as we discuss how the pandemic has impacted the lived experiences of those with disabilities. Understand how the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed everyday norms, discuss challenges, inspirational successes and identify possible opportunities as we move into our ‘now 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 should attend:• 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  

FIVE SAVE LIFE WORKSHOP 

 Date: Friday, May 28, 2021

 Live Virtual Event 

Access 2 Accessibility joined our friends at Five Save Life who support and empower single parents. They had a 3 day workshop "How to help clients with disabilities". This workshop is for the clients and/or the parents.

Access 2 Accessibility members Carol-Ann Chafe and Mary Daniel were a part of a panel presenting on Friday, May 28th. 

The workshop is held over 3 days: May 25th, May 28th and June 1. A great NAAW (National Access Awareness Week) event to celebrate and provide resources for people with disabilities.
Event is is free for Five Save Life clients, and a nominal $5 for non-clients.

For more details about this event and to learn about the great work that Five Save Life does for single parents, go to: fivesavelife.org  

POST-GAAD/ PRE-NAAW WITH

THE CANADIAN TRANSPORTATION AGENCY 

Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Live virtual event on Microsoft Teams

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 

Date: Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Live virtual event on Microsoft Teams

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 to be provided by Microsoft Trainer Miguel Mojica.
Items to be covered giving great attention to Accessibility :

• Learn how to set up and navigate the settings within Windows 10, Microsoft 365 desktop applications, and Teams 
• Customize elements of your operating system and Microsoft 365 applications 
• Come away with 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
• Learn how assistive technology can empower how they 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 also provided examples of some of the unique projects Tetra Society have 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. Another great project by Tetra Society is Net Cle, a unique customizable device that makes computers and laptops more user friendly for people with mobility limitations (see link to Net Cle website below).

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        

Wednesday, April 14, 2021         7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Live Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams

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 7:00pm - 8:30pm EST

Live Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams

Guest Speaker: Runa Patel  

Runa will provide 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 will focus on 2 main topics:

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

Resources will be provided to show the opportunity for an individual from non-technological background to explore, and advance, in many career opportunities in STEM. 

Runa welcomes individuals from both non-technical and technical backgrounds who like to build upon their skills, or learn new skills, and advance in their career.

Join this workshop as we all learn and grow together! 

Runa loves to share one of her favorite quotes, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”– Dr.  Seus

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. · She has the vision to empower everyone with, or without a disability, through technology. Runa believes having equal access to rapidly shared information is key to creating an inclusive society, and empowering people with different abilities. She advocates for accommodations, accessibility, and having equal access to education and employment opportunities, for differently able individuals. · One of Runa’s favorite quotes is: “Opportunity is everywhere. The key is to develop the vision to see it.” 

CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 

March 10th   7:00pm - 8:30pm EST

Live Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams

We invite you to join us as we celebrate International Women's Day which happens two days before our event, on March 10, 2021. We continue the celebration by having a panel of women with disabilities share their stories and paths to becoming an entrepreneur or career professional.

Our 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

This event was recorded and once captioned will be on Access 2 Accessibility's YouTube Channel. 

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

7:00pm - 8:30pm EST

Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams

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
 

February 10, 2021

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams

                                GET ACTIVE! GET INVOLVED! 

Guest Speaker: Archie Allison 

Director Access and Awareness , Variety Village.

Join us to share 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

7:00pm - 8:30pm EST

Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams

     Stress Management Tools

Guest Speakers: 

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

Join us as Dr. Katherine, Marcela and Pauly discuss stress management tools. Afterwards there will be a 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 is 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

7:00pm - 8:30pm EST 

Virtual Event held on Microsoft Teams

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 will look at the The Business Model Canvas and other planning resources.

Attendees are welcome to share tools and programs they use to stay on track and how they create their Working Plan.
Do you use tools with specific accessibility features? Are these tools you have been using for a long time or a new one you are trying out this year? 

December 09, 2020 7:00pm - 8:30 pm EST

Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams

              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?

You are invited to join with Access 2 Accessibility members who will openly discuss their invisible disabilities.  You can share your story and add comments and/or questions regarding this important topic.  We will be joining as one community in support and collaborations with one another.  This is an opportunity to help and to support one another by raising each other up who are going through this difficult time and forge towards a better future.   

November 25, 2020  

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams

BUILDING ENTREPRENEURS & PROFESSIONALS, WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM

We invite you to join us in discussion and feedback on how to enhance A2A's 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 

November 20, 2020

ABILITIES EXPO

Virtual Event held on Zoom

Link to the recorded event presentation: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0g0W6rmb-beF5KFw2q1PgjRT1_hcaUma

Access 2 Accessibility's members Carol-Ann Chafe and Mary Daniel are speaking at this year's Ability Expo Virtual Experience Event.

 
Their Workshop is: Building Your Employ-Ability
They will be speaking at 4:30pm - 5:15pm EST  

                                             (1:30pm-2:15pm PST)

To find out about other workshops during the event go to: https://www.abilities.com/virtual/workshops.html

The Ability Expo VE2 is a free 3 day event held from Friday November 20th to Sunday November 22nd. The online event, called Abilities VE2 begins at 9am PST Friday November 20th running 24 hours a day for the three days.

For more details and to register: https://www.abilities.com/virtual/ 

 EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES DURING COVID 

October 28, 2020   7:00pm - 8:30pm

Virtual Event held on Microsoft Teams

Community Guest Speaker: Ali Mohamed

October is NDEAM (National Disability Employment Awareness Month). Our guest speaker  is Ali Mohamed from The Career Foundation. He will be discussing how people with disabilities are dealing with looking for work during the pandemic.

Anyone wishing to attend, please send an email request to attend to: Info@Access2Accessibility.com 

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).  
• He has close to two decade working experience with the Private Sector and Not-profit sector  
• 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.      Education: 
• Ali holds MA of Public Policy and Administration and BA in Public Administration and Governance from Ryerson University    Ali also has extensive volunteer experience where he continues to contribute the Canadian society.  

Agenda:

• Presentation by Ali about how people with disabilities are dealing with seeking employment opportunities during the pandemic.
• Open session for all attendees to ask questions and voice comments. 

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                     7:00pm - 8:00 pm

Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams

AGM and Board Meeting

October 14, 2020       7:00 - 8:30 pm

Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams 

 LET'S TALK EFFECTS OF PANDEMIC ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

 Join our panel as we discuss 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. Let's discuss and let's share resources that have helped us and may help other members of our community

Agenda:

• Panel discussion
• Open session for all attendees to ask questions and voice comments. 

September 23, 2020       7:00 - 8:30 pm

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. Come join us as we learn about using Microsoft Teams as a collaboration hub and virtual event venue, plus we'll delve into its accessibility features. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and get advice on using Microsoft Teams.  

Michael Chin Bio: 

• Michael Chin is the Community Development Specialist for Microsoft Store Eaton Centre. 
• He’s 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 Kurdi has over 19 years of experience specializing in barrier-free and universal design for architectural projects of varying size and complexity. 
• Thea has been an educator for her entire career, both with clients and for location and international conferences, but also with 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, including at Waterloo School of Architecture, Ryerson University School of Architecture and George Brown College Interior Design. 
• Thea has developed many different educational materials and resource information on accessibility for students and the design community at large.
• 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). 
• She was also the host of the award-winning Accessibility Edge radio show and a member of the RAIC’s Age Friendly Housing Task Force.
• Thea has focused her career on helping clients understand what usable accessibility means, how universal design is better design for everyone, and how to achieve the Human Rights Code.

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

The webinar will explore the legislative background of accessibility in Canada and introduce the relationship between accessibility and the built environment. The Accessible Canada Act, Human Rights Code, National Building Code and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be addressed. The importance of implementing accessibility effectively will be discussed through successful real-life examples and features in housing that can be implemented anywhere in new developments or retrofitting.
The importance of providing good accessibility feedback is discussed with some recommendations for participants and facilitators.

To contact Thea: 

Thea Kurdi Vice PresidentDesignABLE Environments Inc. 

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

Telephone: 905.278.0665  

designable.ca 

@tweetdesignable  

ca.linkedin.com/in/theakurdi/ 

 August 26, 2020     7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST

 Virtual Event on Microsoft Teams

 LETS GET BACK TO BASICCS:

 BEING ACCESSIBLE In SIMPLE COMPUTERIZED COMMUNICATION STEPS 

with 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 will reflect on the lesson she has learned around the digital environment since taking on her new role in digital accessibility two years ago. Dawn will delve into some key lessons learned about the basics of being inclusive as we move forward building websites, creating documents and using social media.

Join us as we learn A11y basics in documents, social media etc.. Share your tips in accessibility that we can include in our goal to be more inclusive. 

Contact Dawn Campbell:
ACCOUNT MANAGER 

Dawn@Onixnet.com

Direct: (613) 876-0495 |

 www.equidox.co1 

Yonge Street, Suite 1801 Toronto, ON 

____________________________________________

 August 12, 2020   7:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST

Join us in this informative and engaging discussion with Community Guest Speaker: Charles Hall.

RSVP: Info@Access2Accessibility.com

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     

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Join Access 2 Accessibility members Mary Daniel and Carol-Ann Chafe on the Community Speakers Series, Wednesday.  July 29th, 2020 at 7:00pm (EDT).
RSVP by email to: Info@Access2Accessibility.com before 12 noon Wednesday July 29th.
Let's discuss Covid-19 and disability: the pros and cons for people with disabilities

• What has been an accidental plus from the pandemic and isolation?
• What tools or resources have you found useful?  

For Mary and Carol-Ann, we've had less physical face-to-face seeing each other, thus, being hands-on learners as we are, it’s been tougher especially when being taught new tools and programs.  
Yet of the pros we found was more time to work on Access 2 Accessibility. Plus, could attend more webinars and the online learning around Accessibility tools. 
Let's chare what we have found to be obstacles in our life, and in our jobs, during the pandemic. What about obstacles if you are looking for work.
Share your resources, programs, technology and more that have helped you tackle or overcome issues during Covid. What has helped through the lockdown for you not to feel as isolated?
If you had a job could you continue to work from home?

If you were looking for work, did you have any luck during the pandemic?
Have you used this time to upgrade your skills and knowledge such as online courses or webinars?
For a long time in the disability community we have said work from home would open-up more opportunities for people with various disabilities. We have said even to have the opportunity to work part time from home may be what benefits people with disabilities; but many employers pushed back saying this wouldn’t work. Now, during the pandemic we are finding many occupations have become virtual, they have work from home; thus, it supports but many have been claiming, which is that more people with disabilities could find more job opportunities if they could work from home full time or even staggered hours thus allowing for more flexibility. 
Come join us as we discuss these pros and cons we have found during the pandemic. We welcome all to participate in a positive, open discussion about what we are learning during this time and how this can help people with disabilities.  How can we use what we are learning during the pandemic to hopefully open up more employers minds to flex and remote work, thus accommodating more people with disabilities. We are more than capable of doing many jobs. 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?

Join us in a virtual discussion lead by Alicia Jarvis around which way should people address us, and how do we address ourselves. Attendees are invited to engage 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: @a11yalicia<https://twitter.com/a11yalicia > LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/aliciajarvis<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.

The presentation will attempt to take the "mystery" of what makes a leader. Leadership is a skill that any one can possess. Over the past few weeks we've seen demonstrations of leadership in many forms in people from all walks of life. The presentation will show 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 is a Published Writer. He is currently 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, a public speaking organization since, as he says, "Trudeau was prime minister. Pierre, not Justin." He has been an Area Director for Toastmasters and 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

Be empowered by technology with Microsoft accessibility tools 

Event details: 

In a collaboration between Microsoft Yorkdale and Access to Accessibility, we invite you to join us for this free, virtual workshop where you’ll learn accessibility features in Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 relevant to your personal and business life. You will leave empowered to communicate and experience the world through these tools.  

During this workshop, you will:

• Learn how Microsoft’s assistive technology can empower how you communicate, learn, and experience the world.
• Explore accessibility tools and features of Windows 10 and Microsoft 365.
• Discover relevant Microsoft resources and ways to continue your learning after the workshop.