September 20, 2012

PROVINCE MOVES TO INCREASE SAFETY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: HOWARD

– – –
Wheelchair Lifts Now Require Inspections

Elevating devices for people with physical disabilities, except those in private homes, are now being held to the same level of scrutiny as elevators and must have regular inspections and a valid permit, Family Services and Labour Minister Jennifer Howard, minister responsible for persons with disabilities, announced today.
“The safety and security of all Manitobans is important to our government.  We want to be sure any kind of lifting device is working properly and has been carefully inspected,” said Howard.  “A person can be injured if something goes wrong regardless of whether the lift is a few feet or a few stories off the ground.”
To ensure the safety of all types of elevating devices, the elevator regulation requires:

• drawings and specifications be approved before an elevator is installed,
• initial inspections be conducted prior to a permit being issued and an elevator put into service, and
• periodic re-inspections and permit renewals based on the age and condition of the equipment be conducted.

In addition to the new rules for inspections, the province will increase permit and approval fees by about 10 per cent, the minister said, noting this is the first fee increase since 2005.  These new fees will help offset the additional workload of elevator inspectors from Inspection and Technical Services Manitoba, which is part of the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC).
Additional information on the changes to the elevator regulation is available on the OFC’s website at www.firecomm.gov.mb.ca.

- 30 -

Your Ideas are wanted

May 1, 2012

MANITOBA TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVENESS, ACCESSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: HOWARD

– – –
Public Input Sought in Developing Accessibility Legislation

Manitoba wants input into legislation to ensure social and physical barriers are removed to increase accessibility for people with disabilities, Family Services and Labour Minister Jennifer Howard, minister responsible for persons with disabilities, announced today.
“Manitobans with disabilities often face challenges in aspects of everyday living that others may take for granted,” said Howard.  “The Accessibility Advisory Council will help guide the discussion and suggestions to ensure accessibility for all of our citizens.”
The council is made up of members of the disability community and other affected stakeholders including representatives of businesses and municipalities.  It was designed to represent the interests of those most affected by measures aimed at achieving greater accessibility, Howard said.
To assist in the public consultation, the Disabilities Issues Office has prepared a discussion paper on accessibility legislation.  The paper is divided into a series of issues that will be considered when developing legislation and proposals for accessibility standards.  The document is available online at the Disabilities Issues Office website at www.gov.mb.ca/dio.
The council is hosting a community meeting to hear ideas about the proposed legislation on   Tuesday, May 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Embassy Rooms A, B and C, main floor of the Victoria Inn, 1808 Wellington Ave., Winnipeg.  Registration starts at 12:30 p.m.
If you cannot attend the meeting and want more information or to share your ideas, contact:
Disabilities Issues Office
630-240 Graham Ave.
Winnipeg, MB  R3C 0J7
Email:  accesscouncil@gov.mb.ca
Website:  www.gov.mb.ca/dio
Phone:  204-945-7613 or toll-free at 1-800-282-8069, ext. 7613
The deadline for submissions is June 5 and the Accessibility Advisory Council will submit its report later that month, said Howard.

- 30 -