City of Ottawa Accessibility Spotlight - May 2021

 

AccessAbility Day reminder

You are cordially invited to the annual City of Ottawa’s AccessAbility Day event. This year, due to COVID-19, the event will be held remotely over Zoom. Date: Thursday, May 27, 2021 Time: 10:00 a.m. to noon Registration is still open Please join Mayor Jim Watson, City Councillors, senior leaders, staff, Canadian Accessibility Network leaders (CAN), and residents as we mark this important day. This year’s event will focus on the barriers and benefits to inclusion in a virtual world. Mayor Jim Watson will provide remarks and present a proclamation marking AccessAbility Day. Speakers will discuss the City of Ottawa’s partnership with CAN, and panel members will have a moderated discussion on their lived experiences regarding virtual inclusivity. To promote the inclusion of all participants, the following supports are in place for the event: American Sign Language (ASL) Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) Continuous real-time captioning in English and French Simultaneous French translation When registering, please let us know if you require any additional disability-related accommodations in order to participate.

ENABLE Ottawa reminder

The City of Ottawa, in partnership with Carleton University’s Canadian Accessibility Network (CAN) would like you to join us for the annual ENABLE Ottawa Conference. This year’s conference will be hosted during the National Accessibility Week, from June 1 – 3, 2021. ENABLE Ottawa is a free, three-day forum that brings together communities of accessibility professionals and people interested in learning about assistive and adaptive technologies. The forum will highlight how these technologies are helping to create universal, accessible experiences. The agenda will include keynotes & plenary sessions, panel discussions, and exhibitor showcases. The themes for the three days are the following: Day 1 - Tuesday, June 1 – Design & Innovation Day 2 - Wednesday, June 2 – Living Day 3 - Thursday, June 3 – Workplace & Education Registration is still open, get your free tickets for ENABLE Ottawa 2021.

Women and Gender Equity Strategy Panel Discussion

Dear Community Partners, Stakeholders and Allies, The City Council of Ottawa has recently approved its first Women and Gender Equity Strategy . To celebrate its launch, the City is holding a panel discussion to highlight the underpinning concepts and priorities of the WGES and discuss opportunities to advance women and gender equity in the time of COVID-19. We are pleased to invite you to attend the panel discussion titled “Women and Gender Equity – a continued commitment in challenging times” to be held on May 28th, 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM on Zoom. We are also pleased to announce our guest speaker, Anjum Sultana, the National Director of Public Policy & Strategic Communications at YWCA Canada. She was recently named a Global Woman of Distinction by the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, representing North America and Europe. The panel includes a number of women leaders who will share aspects of their work and speak to the City’s Women and Gender Equity Strategy. Attendees will also enjoy an art performance by Celina Cada-Matasawagon, an accomplished hoop dancer. While there is no cost to attend, registration is required before May 26th 4:00 PM EST. To register for this event, please visit Women and Gender Equity – A Continued Commitment in Challenging Times Tickets, Fri, 28 May 2021 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite. Please share this invitation with contacts, colleagues and those in your circle who may be interested in attending. We look forward to hosting you on May 28, 2021! Women and Gender Equity Team Gender and Race Equity, Indigenous Relations, Diversity and Inclusion Branch Community and Social Services Department womengenderequity@ottawa.ca

Improved Para Transpo booking hours

Starting May 12, all Para Transpo customers can book next-day trips between 7 am and 5 pm on the day prior to their trip. Any customer can call the Reservation Line (Tel: 613-244-7272; TTY: 613-244-4833) at any time between 7 am and 5 pm. Para Transpo customers can also use the online trip reservation form between 7 am and 3:30 pm as a quick self-serve option for next-day or Statutory Holiday bookings. Expanding booking hours is the next in a series of improvements planned for Para Transpo customers. Over the past several years, these improvements have included: increasing capacity to accommodate more trips improving the phone queue system for customers who call to book their trips increasing staffing on the phone lines making it easier to use a Presto monthly pass on Para Transpo adding an initial online option for booking and cancelling trips OC Transpo continues to work on projects that deliver expanded online booking, cancellation, account management, trip arrival time, and allow the use of a Presto card onboard Para Transpo minibuses and taxis.

Assistive Technology in May through Ottawa Public Library

Within Ottawa Public Library’s regular digital literacy series “Tech Café”, we have organized a mini series on assistive devices and settings.  This series will be of interest to all wanting to know more about the options for assistive technology.  Assistive Technology in May Join us for a 3-session Assistive Technology series offered in partnership with Ottawa Foyers Partage on Thursday at 4 pm starting on May 13. First Steps in Getting Technology for Your Needs: Thursday, May 13, 4 pm Assistive Settings and Features on Your Device: Thursday, May 20, 4 pm Options for Obtaining Assistive Devices and Technology: Thursday, May 27, 4 pm Free, Registration for these online workshops is required on the Ottawa Public Library website through the links above.  No Library card is required as registration is done through Eventbrite. Please phone InfoService with questions 613-580-2940 Can’t make the date and time of the program?  No worries:  these sessions are being recorded and will be available a few weeks after the event through the Ottawa Public Library’s YouTube Channel.