Laurie Nancekivell, OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President/Treasurer
Susan Fournier, OPSEU/SEFPO Disability Rights Caucus co-chair
Janet Heyman, OPSEU/SEFPO Disability Rights Caucus co-chair
JP Hornick, OPSEU/SEFPO President
Laurie Nancekivell, OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President/Treasurer
Susan Fournier, OPSEU/SEFPO Disability Rights Caucus co-chair
Janet Heyman, OPSEU/SEFPO Disability Rights Caucus co-chair
National AccessAbility Week is from May 29 to June 4, 2022. It was founded in 1988 with the purpose of recognizing the contributions from people with disabilities. This week is an opportunity to reflect on the ways in which accessibility permeates our lives and to develop a critical awareness of the need for inclusion for all in our workplaces and communities.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act annual report from 2019 identified that approximately 2.6 million people live with a disability. This report further identified that one in four Ontarians live with a disability and face various types of accessibility issues in their daily lives. As people continue to live longer, ensuring that communities are fully accessible becomes even more of a priority.
AccessAbility Week 2022 seeks to examine the intersections of change that continue to permeate our working lives. This year’s event is heightened by our collective experiences stemming from the pandemic and the recognition of the various ways in which our social locations have mediated our experiences of accessibility throughout COVID. As activists, we know that our strength depends on the active engagement of our members. We will continue to ensure that our union is accessible to all while continuing to center our conversations around the needs of persons with disabilities.
Accessibility is an ongoing journey, made by many working together. Join OPSEU/SEFPO and the Disability Rights Caucus in fighting for the rights of persons with disabilities by taking the time to assess your own worksites and communities to ensure our members have full and barrier free access and challenge to make them right and accessible!
https://www.ontario.ca/page/accessibility-ontarians-disabilities-act-annual-report-2019
In solidarity,
JP Hornick, OPSEU/SEFPO President
Laurie Nancekivell, OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President/Treasurer
Susan Fournier, OPSEU/SEFPO Disability Rights Caucus co-chair
Janet Heyman, OPSEU/SEFPO Disability Rights Caucus co-chair