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Embracing a ‘New, Improved and Accessible’ Normal

Posted on by Michelle Buckland
A screenshot of the title page of the presentation I shared during an interview with Tony Laballois, Statistics Canada in 2020 conducted by Michelle Buckland. It is titled COVID-19 Pandemic and People with Disabilities. It includes the EMBRACE logo and a collage of photos. The collage includes: 1) Young woman in wheelchair with colleagues at workplace gathered around a desk facing a computer screen; 2) Group photo of diverse young people at work around table with one in wheelchair; 3) Portrait of a Caucasian girl with Downs Syndrome sitting with home yutor using laptop; 4) Smiling mixed ethnicity friends talking with sign language sitting on a sofa; and 5) Two men working together with machinery.

How are organizations and small businesses rebuilding post-COVID-19? Are they integrating accessibility legislation? Removing physical barriers for people with disabilities while redesigning the infrastructure for physical distancing guidelines? What about basic assistive technology tools and digital accessibility? Are they initiating employment opportunities for individuals who identify themselves of having a disability? Statistics Canada recognizes the … Continue reading Embracing a ‘New, Improved and Accessible’ Normal

A True Dilemma of “Social” and “Physical” Distancing

Posted on by Michelle Buckland
A collage of 5 pictures portraying social vs physical distancing including people with disabilities, corporate staff, young people and 2 individuals homebound

While social distancing is the new “buzz” word for COVID-19, let’s see it from the perspective of understanding “distancing” for people with disabilities. The COVID-19 crisis is new. It is requiring us all to act, interact and communicate in different ways than we are used to. Social distancing is the term you hear whenever you … Continue reading A True Dilemma of “Social” and “Physical” Distancing

Refusing to be Limited: Part 2

Posted on by Michelle Buckland
Photo of diverse coworkers around table with hands piled including African-American man in wheelchair

If you’re an employer, you need employees to keep your company or organization in business. But are you looking at all labor markets? People with disabilities represent a talented, untapped labor market.  The World Health Organization states that there are over a billion people with disabilities in the world – that is about 15% of … Continue reading Refusing to be Limited: Part 2