Employees with Disabilities Network Newsletter Spring 2020

COVID-19

The Employees with Disabilities Network (EWDN) continues to monitor the current COVID-19 situation. We want you to know that we will continue to offer support and guidance during this time. We understand that this is a difficult situation for everyone especially for those of you that may be having a harder time adjusting. We are here for you! In addition, please seek out the other supports available online. Here are a few links that may be of help:

News and Achievements

We are proud to inform you that your Employees with Disabilities Network executive team is now complete. They are ready to support ESDC from coast to coast! Please visit our EwDN iService page for the list of executive members.
Members of your Executive sit on ESDC' Unconsious Bias Working Group. Unconsious bias are actions that we are not aware of that can negatively impact others. Recent discussions from the working group focused on unconscious bias and staffing.
EwDN Welcomes Back Right Honourable Carla Qualtrough! She was re-elected in 2019 and appointed as the Minister of Employment, Workplace Development and Disability Inclusion. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau initally appointed Qualtrough to be the Minister of Sports and Disabilities. This position was the first of its kind in the history of the Federal government. Qualtrough was key in bringing forward the Accessible Canada Act to ensure the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities. In an interview with Ian Jacques of the Delta Optimist, she stated "I'm also responsible for Service Canada, which is the face of government for Canadians. It's a lot, but it excites me to think that this is really where the rubber hits the road both from an economic and a social policy perspective."
ESDC Accessibility Roadmap. The Accessibility Roadmap continues to be a key priority for the Department and work will renew once the current situation has stabilized. Engagement sessions, online surveys and other feedback mechanisms are planned to be launched across the Department and within each region. These sessions will inform the Roadmap to deliver on the Public Service Accessibility Strategy's five Pillars:

Improving recruitment, retention, and promotion of persons with disabilities;
Enhancing the accessibility of the built environment;
Making information and communications technology (ICT) usable by all;
Equipping public servants to design and deliver accessible programs and services; and
Building an accessibility-confident public service.

Duty to Accommodate (DTA) News

The EwDN Chair and Co-chair have been active advocates on changes to the duty to accommodate process within ESDC and across the public service. We want to make sure that the accommodation process is streamlined, employee-centric, and consistently applied across the country. We have also been advocating for a passport or case management model.
ESDC is developing an electronic passport that will allow your accommodation needs to be available online to yourself and your manager through Peoplesoft. An updated policy is also expected to be launched this spring to provide clear and consistent guidance.
Treasury Board Secretariat has been working with ESDC to pilot a workplace passport. Two Branches will pilot the paper format passport to gather feedback and identify gaps. More information to follow!

Tools and Supports

Many of us have met workplace barriers that prevented us from fully demonstrating our talents. You may feel alone and find it difficult to ask for support. The EwDN will be releasing a short document titled "You Are Not Alone" that will help you find the supports you need to overcome barriers.
Understanding the process: Duty to Accommodate is a shared responsibility between yourself and your manager/employer. Visit the ESDC DTA support site, which includes ESDC DTA Guidelines. Send an email to the Employees with Disabilities Network at : na-reseau_empl_handicapes_disabilities_network-gd@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca for assistance with the accommodation process.

Learning and Events

Spotlight on Accessibility Series

The Canada School of the Public Service is hosting a series of events titled Spotlight on Accessibility. Please follow the link for information on past events. Stay tuned for rescheduled events!

Here are some of the key highlights from the Built Environment Webinar held in January 2020. It brought together experts to share examples and provide advice on how Government of Canada workplaces can follow accessibility requirements, including those under the Accessible Canada Act.

Access Now developed an App that allows individuals with disabilities to determine the accessibility of physical locations. They are working with the Government of Canada (primarily in Ottawa and Toronto) to assess public sector workspaces.
Public Service and Procurement Canada Environmental Management team is responsible for the purchasing and leasing of physical spaces. They have identified the need for 'user experiences' when assessing a potential new location for purchase or lease.
The Parliament Precinct team have completed an assessment of international accessibility best practices. It will inform the maintenance of public buildings in the National Capital Region.
There was also a discussion on creating accessible boardrooms. Individual workspaces are adapted for challenges, such as light sensitivity but common spaces are forgotten about, creating a barrier. This highlights the importance of Accessibility by Design.

Accessibility Webinar

On March 5^th Anne Simard (EwDN Executive for the NCR) and Linda Mintz (EwDN Executive for ON) gave an Accessibility Webinar

Anne Simard is a Technical Advisor with the IT Accessibility group. This year she celebrates 33 years of employment with the Government of Canada! Linda has always had a passion to ensure we do this right the first time! Anne and Linda provided information on the services available to ensure that persons with disabilities are able to participate fully. Anne provides a document review service where she will assess various documents for accessibility.

To request an information session on Creating Accessible Documents or for a Document Review please visit the Accessible Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on iService for the contact information.

Mental Health - Peer Supporters

Stress affects us all in one way or another and can lead to issues with mental health. Many indivivudals will not consult a health professional because of the continued stigma around mental health. Peer Supporters are colleagues with whom you can share your concerns with confidence. Having experienced mental health issues themselves they listen without judgment. They will offer emotional support and accompany you in the healing process in confidentiality. Find a Peer supporter with lived experience.

If you are struggling with a mental health issue espcially during this time please don't do it alone. Reach out to family, friends, peer supporters or colleagues. You can also contact the Employee Assistance Program (1-800-268-7708) any time if you or someone you know needs help.

Your Executive in Action

Glide a lap in my sledge

Megan Mah (EwDN Executive for the Western-Territories) played hockey when she was younger. She understood how difficult hockey can be when you have use of both feet. Recently she tried sledge hockey to see how the sport has been adapted for people with disabilities. It was fun and she gained a greater appreciation for how individuals with mobility challenges can still enjoy winter sports. Take the opportunity to participate in a sport like sledge hockey. You will gain a better understanding of how accommodations are used everywhere.

EwDN at the Ontario Region Wellness Fair

On February 27^th the Government Office at 4900 Yonge St held a Wellness fair. Linda Mintz and Michael Axmith (EwDN executives for Ontario) were invited to hold a booth. Employees from different government agencies attended. They received information about the EwDN, accessibility and accommodations. Participants enjoyed an invisible disabilities wellness word search and a game of accesibilty Jeopardy! Categories included invisible disabiliites, accessibility, accommodations and persons with disabilities. It is fair to say we were ALL winners.

Among the other organizations at the fair were: the Employee Assistance Plan; The Assaulted Women's Hotline, Fire Services, the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The Native Canadian Centre of Canada also attended. They opened the event with two enlightening and spiritual songs. The most popular feature were four comfort dogs from the St. John's Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. The Wellness Fair was a fantastic day for all attendees. Look for the EwDN booth at future events!

Providing Support and Contact Us!

The EwDN Chair, Co-Chair, Representatives and Champion have all been consulted on a number of different issues. These issues include duty to accommodate, invisible disabilities, and accessibility challenges. We are here to be your advocate and to provide you with the support that you need at a personal and an organizational level.

Questions? Comments? Want to join the Network? Let us know! We would love to hear from you. Send an email here : na-reseau_empl_handicapes_disabilities_network-gd@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca and have your say! Also check out our iService page for more information about us.