Level Playing Field

DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH Every October is dedicated to celebrating and advancing workplace inclusion for individuals with disabilities. It’s a time to highlight the importance of inclusive hiring and retention practices and to foster discussions and collaborations aimed at creating more accessible and welcoming work environments. NEW TOOLS: https://lnkd.in/gqbc_QGt

The Blind Hockey League is Bringing the Carnegie Cup to Canada’s Capital During the World Junior Championship in Partnership with Canadian Blind Hockey & Hockey Canada Ottawa, ON. September 26, 2024 - The BHL is proud to announce the 2024 Carnegie Cup is taking place December 20th - 22nd 2024 in Ottawa, Canada just in time for the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The event will showcase the best Blind Hockey players on the planet in a 3-game series happening at TD Place, where inclusion will be on full display. “Hockey Canada is thrilled to partner with the BHL and Canadian Blind Hockey to showcase the para sport of Blind Ice Hockey leading up to the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact for Hockey Canada. “Hockey Canada is committed to making the sport more inclusive for all Canadians and we know the great fans in the nation’s capital will be treated to an excellent series that demonstrates an elite form of adapted hockey ahead of one of the most prestigious international hockey tournaments.” “The Blind Hockey League brings together the best Blind Hockey players worldwide to form one elite league, allowing for more international participation as we grow the Para sport worldwide,” said Dan Schramm, Chairman Board of Directors of the BHL/BHLPA. “This event will showcase the skill level of our elite athletes and inspire fans to show that hockey truly is for everyone.” The Blind Hockey League aims to partner with organizations to create a league for the best Blind Hockey players across the globe to play the game at the highest level possible. “Canadian Blind Hockey is proud to support all levels of the game from grassroots to high performance,” said Matt Morrow, Executive Director of Canadian Blind Hockey. “Our partnership with the BHL is vital for the growth of Blind Hockey and one day seeing the sport in the Paralympic games.” The Carnegie Cup was incepted in 2023 when the trophy was awarded to the Mercurys and the players are looking to compete for and hoist the trophy annually in honour of the late Herb Carnegie. “It is well known that my father and his legacy has impacted so many facets of hockey in Canada – especially in terms of breaking down barriers and efforts to make the game more inclusive,” explains Bernice Carnegie, Co-founder, The Carnegie Initiative. “One lesser-known impact of his legacy is in the Para sport of Blind Hockey where he inspired a young Mark DeMontis to found the organization that would become Canadian Blind Hockey. Glaucoma stole my father's sight from him in his senior years. This reinforces why our family is honoured to have one of the top competitive Blind Hockey trophies in the world named after him with the Carnegie Cup.” To learn more about the Blind Hockey League please visit blindhockeyleague.com   #Blind #Hockey #CarnegieCup Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG)

#AccessibleCanada This Week! 11am EDT Thursday Oct 3rd, 2024 The Canadian Federal Government’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) is currently conducting the Government’s mandatory 5-year review of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) which includes public hearings. Last week, in addition to the call for the public's submissions, myself and others were sent invitations to give testimony to this committee. You can attend these hearings Oct 1st to 3rd (this week) in person in Room 330 of the Wellington Building at 197 Sparks Street, Ottawa to watch me and others testimonials, or watch these hearings live-streamed online on the Parliaments Parvu web page at: https://lnkd.in/gsyJQhTq After 24 years as an accessible built environmentally consultant, post secondary educator, continuing education instructor, accessibility critic, accessible policy writer, author., and disabled person, you can imagine what I will be recommending based on what I've seen and heard! My top 5 recommendations (in addition to endorcing David Lepofsky and the AODA Alliance’s submission) with only 15 years and 3 months left to beat the 2040 deadline for a barrier-free Canada are: 1. Learn from the mistakes Ontario made with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and why their 2025 deadline will be missed; 2. Why strict and consistent enforcement is vital; 3. The importance of coordinating and fixing the National Building Code along with the design requirements from this Act so they finally align with the Canadian Charter and our Human Rights Code; 4. As the culture change wanted starts with education, how vital funding is for changes to post secondary and professional continuing education programs and licensing requirements are; and 5. As the largest and fastest growing minority group, why creating usable accessibility in our built environment and exterior places for disabled people is not only the smartest, fiscally responsible action government can take, but the most sustainable. Note: Accessibility is a lot more than just buildings and outdoor spaces, but... it is the physical infrastructure that either supports or sabotages all other accessibility policies and goals. #TeachableMoment #architecture #InteriorDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanPlanning #design #disability #inclusion #education #legislation #policy #BigData #CRPD #SDGs #CultureChange #WeAreBillionStrong #BillionStrong