Transit Parking and Serving Garage

(Second from Right) Kevin Chief, Minister of Children and Youth Opportunities and Minister responsible for the City of Winnipeg within the Department of Municipal Government joined Mayor Sam Katz (left) and Steven Fletcher, MP for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia (second from left) for the official opening of the city’s new $22.6 million transit parking and servicing garage. Dave Wardrop, Director, Winnipeg Transit (right) hosted the event

February 20, 2014

NEW TRANSIT PARKING AND SERVICING GARAGE OFFICIALLY OPENS IN WINNIPEG

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New facility expected to increase tranist efficiency

Officials gathered today in Winnipeg to celebrate the completion of the City’s new Transit Parking and Servicing Garage located on Brandon Avenue south of downtown.
The new 135,000-square-foot facility will allow the City to address a number of its immediate and long-term space requirements. With this additional space, Winnipeg Transit will be able to expand its bus fleet to meet increasing passenger demands and, in turn, increase transit efficiency. The new garage has the capacity to park up to 153 forty-foot buses and was built to LEED Silver standard.
The project, which was completed $350,000 under budget, also involved the creation of a servicing lane so that returning buses can be easily cleaned and refuelled.
Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada contributed more than $17 million towards this project through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
• The Province of Manitoba contributed $3 million towards this project through the 2010 Manitoba – Winnipeg Infrastructure Fund.
• The City of Winnipeg contributed close to $2.6 million of the estimated project cost of $22.6 million.

Quotes

“Our growing city needs a modern, efficient public transit system to connect families with opportunities across Winnipeg well into the future. That’s why we are investing in facilities that allow Winnipeg Transit to expand its fleet, that’s why we are committed to Phase Two of Rapid Transit, and that’s why we have the most generous transit funding agreement in Canada protected in legislation.”
Kevin Chief
Minister of Children and Youth Opportunities
Minister responsible for relations with the City of Winnipeg within the Department of Municipal Government
“This facility is a key piece of infrastructure that will allow the City to expand its bus fleet and bring better, more efficient service to residents throughout Winnipeg. We are proud to support significant infrastructure projects, such as this one, that help create jobs and build strong, prosperous communities across Canada.”
Steven Fletcher
Member of Parliament for Charleswood–St. James–Assiniboia, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
“This major capital project ensures the City of Winnipeg’s transit infrastructure is well placed to support the growth of our city. The new garage will accommodate our expanding fleet and serve Winnipeg Transit for years to come.”
 Sam Katz
Mayor of Winnipeg
Associated Links 

• Learn more about the Federal Gas Tax fund at www.infrastructure.gc.ca/prog/gtf-fte-eng.html.
• For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure in your region, visit: www.infrastructure.gc.ca/regions/regions-eng.html.
• Learn more about the New Canada Building Plan at: www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/plan-eng.html.
• More information on the Government of Canada’s focus on jobs and the economy can be found at http://actionplan.gc.ca.

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December 3, 2012

MANITOBA PROPOSES TO END EXEMPTION ALLOWING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BE PAID LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE

Manitoba is introducing an amendment that would eliminate an exemption that allows employees with disabilities to be paid less than the minimum wage, Family Services and Labour Minister Jennifer Howard, minister responsible for persons with disabilities, announced today.
The announcement was made at a Winnipeg forum organized by the provincial Disabilities Issues Office to recognize the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
“This change is the result of extensive discussions with disability rights organizations and will ensure that persons with disabilities are treated fairly in the workplace, and that our work is equally valued,” said Howard.  “This is another step in Manitoba’s commitment to respond to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
Under the proposed amendment, the province would no longer issue permits to allow employees to be paid below minimum wage, based on a physical or mental disability.
There are less than 20 permits currently in place and those will be allowed to continue, based on consultations with the individuals and their families.  In the mid-1990s, there were over 200 such exemptions granted.
The Labour Management Review Committee, composed of labour and business representatives, reviewed and unanimously supported the repeal of the provision and the recommendation that permits already in effect be allowed to continue.
“The amendments are part of our much broader goal to achieve full and equal inclusion of persons with disabilities in Manitoba’s labour force,” said Howard.  “We estimate Manitoba’s labour force will need 75,000 additional workers over the next eight years and persons with disabilities are one of several groups we know can help meet our future labour market needs.”
Today’s forum offered a venue to discuss the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, under the theme Removing Barriers to Create an Inclusive and Accessible Society.  Representatives from a variety of provincial initiatives, including the Accessibility Advisory Council, offered highlights about progress and plans for Manitoba.
More information on the provincial Disabilities Issues Office and the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities is at www.gov.mb.ca/dio.

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“Increasing Accessibility: Eliminating Barriers to Volunteering for People with Disabilities”

Volunteers of varying abilities make an increasingly important contribution to social and economic wellbeing in society today. This vast and often untapped market of potential volunteers represents a significant portion of our society. As such, including this group in our recruitment plans aids us in diversifying our talent pools.

Ensuring that volunteering is inclusive and open to all is not easy. It requires an active commitment and hard work from many individuals throughout organizations. It requires a commitment to provide meaningful assignments for volunteers, and an acceptance from employees at all levels to welcome all volunteers to join the team.

In some cases, it is hoped that these actions can introduce basic job skills to volunteers. Then, conceivably they may develop and learn enough skills to enter the job market thus, in some cases, breaking a cycle of poverty and dependence on outside assistance. Together we are empowering people to make positive changes in their lives.

The provincial government has introduced a program that will assist with breaking down some of the barriers that exist in bringing volunteers of various abilities into our organizations. The Rewarding Work strategy was created to reduce poverty and to support sustainable employment. Of this overall strategy, the Rewarding Volunteer Benefit is just one aspect.

The Rewarding Volunteer Benefit began in February 2009. It allows persons with disabilities on Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) who do volunteer work to receive an extra monthly benefit. The benefit will encourage and reward volunteerism and cover related costs. People who volunteer at least four times per month will receive $50. People who volunteer at least eight times per month will receive $100 per month.

Tim Herkert, has been a Project Specialist (Family Services and Housing) two years with the Community Services Delivery division of the Department of Family Services & Housing and with the Department for over 25 years. In that time, he has held many roles including Income Assistance Counsellor, Program Specialist, EIA Director and as an FSH Area Director. He was also the Director of the Social Services Appeal Board for a number of years.

Presently, Tim is with a special projects unit that plans, supports and assists in initiating strategic service delivery initiatives across the range of supports being provided to Manitobans by the Department of Family Services & Housing. These include delivery of income assistance, vocational rehabilitation, children’s special services, support living, and childcare programs.

On Thursday November 19, 2009 from 11:30am – 1:30pm at the Westwood Community Church (401 Westwood Drive) MAVA will proudly present Tim Herkert as he brings information about:

“Increasing Accessibility: Eliminating Barriers
to Volunteering for People with Disabilities”

Plan to join us for this informative event.

Vice Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission commends the Government on New Act

Yvonne Peters, Vice chairperson of the Manitoba Rights Commission says Bill 238 The Service Animals Protection Act offers a great opportunity to educate the public about the work of a guide dog.

In her submission to public committee hearings last night, Ms Peters, who is visually impaired and has a guide dog, explained her personal experiences regarding the safety concerns associated with interfering with the work of service dogs.

“On one occasion I was crossing a very busy street here in Winnipeg and a stranger, who thought my dog looked hungry, began feeding her some chips,” she said adding that many people do not realize the risk of such actions. “Dogs are not machines, and like many of us, the prospect of tasty food or other fun activities may be a distraction and put both the handler and the guide at risk.”

She compared such actions as being just as dangerous as grabbing a steering wheel or interfering with a driver when a car is in motion.

Ms Peters understands that in many cases, interference with a service dog is unintentional but emphasized that the result can be emotional and physical harm to both dog and person, and often the dog guide is no longer capable of working.

Ms Peters also addressed the cost of breeding and training a dog guide, which can range from $20,000 to $60,000. Also, if a dog needs to be replaced, the process of matching a dog with a handler can take many months, she said.

Ms Peters also thanked Sharon Blady, the MLA for Kirkfield Park, for bringing this legislation forward though a private members bill.

Update -September - 2008
Resolutions of the MDG and Disability Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya on 15th -19th September 2008
Update - September-2008
Monthly news update September, 2008


Regional News

Disability Conference Demand Inclusion
A successful Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Disability Regional Conference held this month in Nairobi on 15-19 September, 2008 has called for inclusion of persons with disabilities in the UN development agenda.

The conference which brought together delegates from twenty four African countries appealed to their governments to provide leadership in supporting a motion during the UN general assembly, calling for the establishment of a new UN special agency on disability.

The over 200 delegates at the conference expressed disappointment in the lack of reference to persons with disabilities in the MDGs, leaving them out in the campaign processes, policies, planning, programmes and implementation.

The delegates asked their respective governments to protect persons with disabilities from adverse effects of rising costs and include them in existing social protection schemes.

They also asked governments to uphold the principle of gender equity in disability, promote the use of positive language and to encourage the use of professional campaigners including goodwill ambassadors.

The delegates resolved to continue advocating for the mainstreaming of disability issues and to engage more in influencing the social development processes.

They also resolved that they would lobby for inclusion in national poverty reduction strategies and other national development plans and initiatives and explore avenues of partnerships with the private sector in their economic empowerment.

Below are the delegates’ resolutions.

We Resolve As Delegates That We Shall;

• Communicate the outcome of this conference to our governments to review, prioritise and include issues of disability in their Country Statements during their high level meetings on MDGs in New York, in the September 2008 Summit.

• Call on our governments to move and support a motion during the UN General Assembly, calling for the establishment of a new UN Special Agency on Disability; to provide leadership, coordination, harmonisation and enhanced monitoring and reporting.

• Engage our governments to ensure that People with Disabilities are protected from adverse effects from rising costs and related vulnerabilities and participate and benefit from existing social protection schemes

• Lobby governments through the African Development Bank and related partners to establish an African Disability Equity Fund to support economic empowerment, entrepreneurship and business of people with disabilities

• Uphold the principle of gender equity in disability and promote the use of positive language in reference to people with disabilities

• Encourage the use of professional campaigners including goodwill ambassadors in promoting disability inclusion

• Recognise the efforts of parents, friends and guardians of people with disabilities and recognise them as part of the wider disability movement

We Urge the UN through Member States;

• To establish a Specialist Agency on Disability in the league of UNICEF and UNIFEM to provide leadership and global accountability on matters related to the disabled people


• To prioritise include and partner with the disability movement in its entire millennium campaign initiatives and develop the strategies for doing so in the September summit.


We Urge the AU and Related Bodies To;

• Set up a Disability Desk within all African regional bodies to monitor the implementation of both the convention and human rights violation of people with disabilities within the respective regions

• Mainstream disability into their programmes and performance management systems

• Establish peer review mechanism and performance management system for disability in Africa

• Ensure political and social economic representation of people with disabilities in NEPAD and develop terms of reference for their participation.

• Work with DPOs to urgently review the structure and mandate of the African Rehabilitation Institute (ARI)

• Extend the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities for another ten years by means of a proclamation by the meeting of the African Heads of State planned for January 2009.
• Facilitate self- representation of PWDs in all commissions, Pan Africa Parliament and other structures.

We Call On the Secretariat of African Decade of Persons with Disability to;

• Establish a programme to develop human resource capacity for policy analysis to act as a watch dog in monitoring disability inclusion.

• Allocate responsibilities, roles and duties to the regional federations and other partners in order to ensure effective, well – monitored follow up and implementation strategies.

We urge all Government to;

• Ratify, domesticate and implement the UN convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

• Work with DPOs in nominating the members of the panel of experts in convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

• Recognise DPOs as agents of change and therefore as partners in development planning and programmes

• Include people with disabilities and disability into their poverty reduction and development programmes

• Put into place affirmative action to enhance participation in political social and economic sectors

• Include disability data collection within the general national data collection systems recognising diversity in disability

• Use data to inform planning and service delivery and monitoring and evaluation

• Highlight and include disability in the existing MDG indicators in partnership with the disability movement.


We Call On Development Partners To;

Prioritise disability as a tool for planning and analysis for development assistance and international cooperation in all their international cooperation and assistance (aid, debt relieve and trade).

Include and consult people with disabilities and their respective organisations in planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.

Include disability as a requirement / condition for funding development programmes.


We Resolve that As Disabled Peoples Organisations We Shall;

• Advocate to ensure that disability issues are mainstreamed in all government, UN agencies and development partners policies, plans and programmes particularly those related to MDGs.

• Endeavour to understand the structures of various government, UN agencies and development partners with a view to engaging with them more effectively for full inclusion of people with disabilities.
• Advocate development partners to include disability as a requirement / condition for funding development programmes

• Engage and influence the social development process

• Participate in the Social Protection processes to ensure people with disabilities are included

• Advocate and lobby to be included in national poverty reduction strategies and other national development plans and initiatives

• Explore avenues of partnership with private sector in their economic empowerment programmes

• Utilize our individual and collective capacity to cause the implementation of programmes related to the MDGs for the benefit of people with disabilities

• Build our own capacity to engage with our government on their commitments and agreement at national and international levels

• Ensure that whatever is agreed at regional or national workshops cascades downward to people with disabilities at the grassroots and rural areas

• Familiarise ourselves with the disability policies of different development agencies and ensure that they benefit us

• Strengthen our unity and common voice in planning, implementation and monitoring processes whilst at the same time recognising diversity in disability

• Restructure and reform our internal governance structures to adopt modern management and good governance systems and increase transparency and accountability to our members

• Nurture and mentor youth with disabilities into leadership succession plans and support them towards social economic empowerment

• Make a paradigm shift from the charity model to the human rights and social development model

• Strategically engage with media for both awareness and advocacy and built our capacity to engage with media

• Sensitise and capacitate the media to various disability needs and to urge them to be inclusive in their presentation and reporting

• Link with African Universities to promote evidence based disability research and to promote disability inclusive academic programmes

• Review through our Governments the Accra Development Plan of Action and cause its implementation for the benefit of PWDs in Africa.

For more information, contact Email:
info@africandecade.co.za


African Youth Trust sign MOU with SADPD
The African Youth Trust (AYT) and the Secretariat of African Decade of Persons with Disabilities (SADPD), signed a Memorandum of Understating (MOU) this month to aid young people with disabilities participate in government, good governance, human rights and economic empowerment programmes across East Africa.

The signing of the MOU took place in Nairobi Kenya, on 19th September, 2008.

The SADPD was represented by the C.E.O A.K. Dube and AYT was represented by its Executive Director Nahum Okwiya. The move is expected to assist the youth participate in poverty reduction processes, giving a positive contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

For more information, Contact Email: nafisa@africandecade.co.za


Secretariat Commissions new Board of Directors
The Secretariat of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities (SADPD) has a new Board of Directors. The board was elected on 19th September 2008 at an Annual General meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya.

 Roseweter Mudarikwa from Zimbabwe representing African Women’s Network (AWN), was elected the Chair Person of the New Board of the Secretariat of African Decade of Persons with Disabilities (SADPD).

 Mrs. Vanessa dos Santos from South Africa, representing Inclusion Africa was elected the Secretary of the SADPD Board.

 Mzolisi ka Toni also from South Africa representing Disabled People of South Africa (DPSA) was elected the new Treasurer of SADPD Board.

 The other members of the Board are Papa M. Fall from Zimbabwe representing, African Rehabilitation Institute (ARI).

 David Shaba from Tanzania, representing African Federation of Deaf Blind (AFDB).

 Paul Tazanou from Cameroon, who will temporarily represent African Union of the Blind (AFUB).

 Euphrasia Mbewe from Zambia, representing African Deaf Union (ADU).

 Nomasonto Grace Mazibuko from South Africa representing Pan African Albino Society.

 Antony Zimba representing Epilepsy Africa Regional Committee.

 Goulou Moussa Traore from Mali, representing African Persons with Leprosy Disability Organisation (ALO).

 Diop Alpha Boubacar from Guinea representing the Pan African Federation of the Disabled (PAFOD).

 Fredrick Asong from Ghana representing the Youth Network in Africa.

It was agreed that Paul Tazanou be in office until November 2008 when African Union of the Blind (AFUB) will send the name of nominee after the organization’s General Assembly.

It was also agreed that the South African government and African Union send their nominees.

For more information, contact Email: info@africandecade.co.za

International News

New EU Travel legislation Controversial
A new European Union Legislation requiring Persons with Disabilities to be accompanied by a carer has been criticised as infringing on the right to travel.

The legislation introduced on 28th June, 2008 states that anyone unable to fasten their seatbelt, leave their seat and reach an emergency exist unaided should be accompanied. This also applies to passengers who need help with breathing, feeding, using the toilet or taking medication.

Based on the new legislation, a UK wheel chair user Mrs. Kim Swift has been denied the right to fly by herself. If Mrs. Swift complies with the legislation, she will not be required to travel with a carer and has been advised to contact Monarch Airlines by writing. She has since written to the Airline and awaits response.

Source: Disability now


UK Wheel Chair user wins Inaccessibility Case
A wheelchair user unable to access a drinking bar because of its inaccessibility has been awarded £ 3,500 (R. 62, 069) by a Manchester County Court.

Jonathan Fogerty wanted to have a drink at Atlas Bar in July 2007 but could not get in as there was no provision for wheel chair users and there was no accessible toilet either.

He wrote to the bar manager three times with no reply. The Disability Rights Commission (DRC), took up his case and after unsuccessful attempts at mediation, Mr. Forgerty took the Bar to Manchester County Court, with DRC backing.

He was awarded £ 3,500 (R 51,749) compensation and £ 700 (R 10,343) expenses. The bar was also ordered to write to Mr. forgerty a letter of apology.

For more information, visit www.disabilty.now.org.uk


Guide Dog allowed into British Mosque
Eighteen year old Mahomed-Abraar khatri, a blind college student from Leicester (UK) has been granted a fatwa by the Muslim Law (Shariah) Council UK, enabling him to enter his local mosque accompanied by his guide dog, vargo.

Dogs are not allowed in mosques because Muslims believe their purpose is to hunt and guard and they are seen as “unclean”. But after Mr. Khatri asked for the lifting of the ban, it was softened to exclude guide dogs regarded as ‘working’ animals.


Upcoming Events
Regional
2-5 October
Disability lifestyle expo
Location: Johannesburg
Contact: independentliving08@gmail.com

13 -17 October
FAMOD General Assembly
Location: Mozambique
Contact: cantolalc@yahoo.com.br

24-25 October
AU Conference
Location: Namibia
Contact: ttjimbumbi@opm.gov.na

3-7 December
ICASA Conference
Location: Senegal
Contact: info@africandecade.co.za

International


15 October
International white cane day

3 December
International Disability Day

Helpful websites
www.afri-can.org
www.motivation.org.uk
www.wheelchairfoundation.org
www.paranet.ch
www.joniandfriends.org
www.africandecade.org.za

The Secretariat of African Decade of Persons with Disabilities News Update is circulated monthly. We welcome views and feed back from our readers. Your Reponses will always be published in the next issue. For more information, please contact info@africandecade.co.za

Compiled by: Jane Mwangi
Edited by: A. K. Dube