Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled Newsletter Spring 2010 Third Annual Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled Charity Golf Tournament Saturday, June 19, 2010 This year’s tournament is once again taking place at Innisbrook Golf Course located at Lockhart Dr Barrie, on Saturday, June 19, 2010 with an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start. The cost is $100 per person, which includes your green fees, golf cart, mixed barbeque lunch, gift bag and prizes. If you wish, you can join us for “lunch only” for $20. We are still looking for sponsorship of golf holes and prize donations. If you require further information or would like to register as a team or an individual, please contact Jaime Wood at 737-3263 ext 225 or Cathy Moorhead at ext 233 What is the Accessibility Resource Centre? By Christy Skelly, ARC Coordinator The Accessibility Resource Centre is a free service for seniors and people with physical disabilities across Simcoe County and Muskoka who are looking for information and guidance on changes they can make to help them live independently and safely in their homes. Funding is provided by the North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integrated Network as part of the provincial Aging at Home strategy fund and the Centre is operated by The Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled We provide guidance, support and information to seniors and people with disability when they are looking for information on assistive devices, home renovations, vehicle modifications and funding. How can the Accessibility Resource Centre help? The Accessibility Resource Centreoffers information on where you can purchase an assistive device such as a walker or a lift chair and the type of assessment that needs to be done before they make that purchase. We can talk about the pros and cons of used equipment versus new equipment as well as where they might purchase it. If you have questions regarding home renovations Accessibility Resource Centre can help you in the same way. If you are looking at installing a walk in shower, an outdoor ramp or something as simple as replacing the taps on your faucets to lever handles rather than knobs, we can help. Also with vehicle modifications, ARC can discuss how you would arrange for an assessment to determine your needs…do you require hand controls, a lift? The Accessibility Resource Centre can also guide you to the vendors that sell or modify vehicles, new or used. All of these assistive devices and home modifications cost money. The Accessibility Resource Centre is not able to provide the money but we can guide you to the different funding sources offered through the government or through an injury or disease specific organizations. We can also guide you to the funding resources within their communities such as local service clubs. Executive Directors Update May 2010 The Board of Directors of the Association has been reviewing the information received from our consultations regarding the proposal to expand the agency’s mandate, and change the name of the Association. Most of the feedback received has been very positive, however some significant concerns have been raised by individuals and members, which are being given serious consideration as we move forward with this proposal. The Board is seeking additional feedback, and plans to have recommendations ready for review by the membership in the next few months. If required, we will have a special meeting of the membership to deal with this proposal, otherwise it will be part of the Business meeting at the Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled Annual General Meeting in Sept. All Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled members will be kept informed of these developments, as per the requirements of our Bylaws. There has been a lot of media coverage regarding the continuous growth in government expenditures for healthcare services in Ontario. The Local Health Integration Networks have been established for four years now to assist in integrating these health services at the local level. Our LHIN covers North Simcoe County and Muskoka and they are currently developing a blueprint for the local health services system in our region. A variety of opportunities for your input should be available during this process. Check out the LHIN web page at www.nsmlhin.on.ca for information on this important development, to help ensure that the healthcare system of the future will address your healthcare needs. The impact of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act is slowly being realized throughout Ontario, as the Accessibility Standards come into effect for different parts of our community. The Customer Service Standards are now in effect for the broader public service sector. This means that large public sector organizations like school boards, government and municipal offices need to comply with these standards. Training of staff in these institutions, who interact with the community, has been completed, and these organizations need to have policies and procedures in place to deal with requests and concerns raised by citizens with disabilities. Over the next few years, these standards will apply to a broader range of organizations including not for profit organizations and businesses. You should feel an increasing impact of these changes over the next few years, as these current requirements become common place in our communities. Additional standards in the areas of building accessibility, communications, transportation and employment are being considered by the provincial government for implementation in the near future. Our agency continues to support these developments through our active support of the Simcoe County Accessibility Network, representing the Accessibility Advisory Committees across Simcoe County and parts of Muskoka. We continue to revise and update our Public Education program, to incorporate these new changes and requirements, to ensure that the training received by community members is in compliance with the legislation, and actually increases sensitivity towards people with disabilities in receiving services through these organizations. Increasing the Level of Awareness of Disability Issues During the Upcoming Municipal Elections In October of this year, the municipal representatives will be elected for communities across Simcoe County. As part of our increased focus on government relations, a committee of the Board has been formed to develop and coordinate our efforts with elected representatives to increase their awareness of the impact of government decisions on the lives of people with disabilities. In the near future, the committee will be writing to each candidate for municipal office, to flag some of the municipal responsibilities for building an inclusive community. Some of the issues we will be highlighting include the obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and the Ontarian with Disabilities Act. We also want to highlight the safety issues involved with using motorized vehicles for mobility, including electric wheelchairs and scooters, and the requirements of municipalities to have Bylaws in place addressing these safety issues. We will also want to highlight the lack of growth in the availability of Attendant Care services in our region over the past 10 years, and the negative impact this is having on young adults with significant physical disabilities living in Simcoe County. We hope that some of our membership will ensure that these issues are raised locally during all candidate debates across the region. The Government Relations Committee is chaired by Mark Baker, a Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled Board member. Additional membership on this committee would be welcomed. We will offer further updates to the membership on this strategy in Sept., as the election campaign officially begins. Opening Doors, One Mind at a Time Summary of SCAPD’s Public Education Program With over 73 presentations that reached nearly 1200 participants, Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled Public Education Program, has had another busy year providing Disability Awareness and Sensitivity Training to the people of Simcoe County. Much of their work involved training municipal government staff (including volunteer firefighters) due to the January 1, 2010 Accessible Customer Service Standard compliance deadline for the Public Sector. Learning Centre students also received in-depth training to prepare themselves for their work as Personal Support Workers. S.C.A.P.D.’s Public Education Disability Awareness and Sensitivity programs deliver the required training components for employers and employees as specified in the Customer Service Standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (A.O.D.A.). With the Customer Service compliance deadline of 2012 for the Private Sector looming, Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled programming will continue to be invaluable to businesses and organizations within the County and beyond. Four other sets of Accessibility Standards under the A.O.D.A. will be forthcoming in 2010-2011. These standards include: Accessible Information and Communications, Accessible Transportation, Accessible Employment, and the Built Environment. As each of these standards become law, Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled will continue to provide relevant information to past and future training participants so they will have the tools to become both compliant and inclusive in their communities. Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled Public Educators are pleased to share their knowledge and enthusiasm in an effort to help others discover how to make a difference in the lives of those with disabilities. If you are interested in learning more about our programs or know of an organization that requires training, please contact Marion at (705) 737-3263 ext. 226 Volunteer CORNER by Marion Tizzard It is with pleasure that we acknowledge the support through volunteer contributions of the following individuals who have reached the 5 year milestone: Anne Roy – is a fixture in our office. She helps out with administrative duties on reception and supports a number of our programs and projects. She is a smiling greeter to visitors and a very real part of our Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled team. Peggy Oakley – is our Bingo queen. For the past 5 years her service to SCAPD at our Charity Bingo in Barrie has been unequaled. In addition, she has willingly assisted in other areas as need is expressed to her. Gail Winter – is our present Board Chair and has been on our Board since 2005. In her volunteer leadership role, her ability has embraced the many challenges that face Boards today. Her willingness to offer her time on fund raising, speaking engagements, etc has been invaluable. To all our volunteers – whether your contribution this past year has been 1 hour or 300 hours, a grateful Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled thanks you sincerely. Making a difference takes time and effort and we thank you for offering both. Needs: Yes, we have needs - we always have needs. If you have some time, a specific interest or a willingness to help, I’d love to hear from you. I may not have a “job” at the moment you call, but from day to day things change and a need will surface. Right now, in Barrie, we need volunteers to help with: Small /odd jobs in and around Elaine House. Fill-in help at our every second Wednesday afternoon Bingo sessions. Special clerical/administrative projects. Friendly visiting. Call me at 737-3263 x 226 or by email at mtizzard@scapd.on.ca. I look forward to talking with you. Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled Welcomes You To Our Open House In Midland Monday, May 31st, 2010 1:00 p.m.to 4:00 p.m. Our New Office Is Located at 850 Hartman Drive, Unit 101 Midland, ON Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled Annual General Meeting Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 Army Navy & Air Force Club 7 George Street, Barrie, ON Schedule of Events to Include Simcoe County Accessibility Network Meeting Awareness Sessions Dinner General Business Meeting More details to follow ACTIVE LIVING PROGRAMS INTRODUCTION TO WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL Come and try out the sport of wheelchair basketball! Every Thursday from May 10th to June 24th, From 8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at Holly Community Centre. For further information contact Tyhmer at tyhmer@gmail.com. Sports chairs available for use from Ontario Parasport ADAPTIVE TENNIS LESSONS Tuesday from June 8th to August 1st , 6:30 p.m.to 8:30 p.m. Midhurst Tennis Courts , 41 Spence Avenue $40.00 for 12 Weeks For more information please contact btg@ontwheelchairsports.org Midland Bay Sailing Club Offers- Able Sail Sessions are scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time Land training is free and water time is $25 per session. For more information please contact Jim at 705-538-2084 ADAPTIVE ROWING PROGRAM Open House: June 6th, 2010 Lakefront , South Shore Centre Start Date: June 8th, 2010 Every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. For more information contact Barrie Rowing Club 705-818-0954 or CPA Barrie at 705-726-4546 Simcoe County Carriage Driving Para-Equestrian Sport Therapeutic, recreation and instructional program available Call Sue Moffat 705-424-0627 or sccdd@hotmail.com Located just outside of Angus 21st Annual People in Motion 2010 Canada’s largest exhibition for disabilities at Queen Elizabeth Building-Exhibition Place, Toronto Friday, June 4th and June 5th,2010 Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled, making communication easier TTY-Telecommunication Device for the Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing Our TTY number is 705-737-3242 Kathy Bloomfield taking her Final Bow at Breaking Down Barriers For anyone who has had the pleasure to know Kathy Bloomfield, they know her as a sincerely, dedicated and gentle citizen in the communities of South Georgian Bay. She has been a significant social activist in developing a new community agency in the Collingwood area to support adults with disabilities to be active community participants. Kathy was a founding member, and the first Executive Director of what is now known as Breaking Down Barriers Independent Living Centre based in Collingwood. Kathy served as Executive Director of Breaking Down Barriers until late in 2000, took a break for 3 years, then returned to Breaking Down Barriers in the role of Peer Support Coordinator in 2004. During her adult life Kathy has served as a role model, mentor and advocate for people with disabilities not only locally but provincially as well.Kathy has also been actively involved with Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled over the years, as a mentor to our new staff, one of our public educators, a presenter at workshops, and a strong partner in community development initiatives.The clients, staff and volunteers at Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled, want to wish Kathy a huge thank you for the work she has initiated, completed and supported in her different roles at Breaking Down Barriers, and the positive impact she has had on the disability rights movement across Simcoe County. We hope that Kathy’s future endeavours will continue to use the strengths she has developed in her career at Breaking Down Barriers, and not just lead her to the Paralympics in curling. Thanks Kathy! Do you have an urge to travel this summer? Highway coaches are available for people with mobility issues on limited, specific routes within Ontario These special coaches are equipped with lifts and tie-downs to secure both manual and electric wheelchairs. Most coaches can carry two wheelchairs. The drivers have been trained in the transporting of people with mobility issues. Some of the companies will allow the accompanying attendant to travel either free of charge or at a reduced rate. Greyhound: www.greyhound.ca/home/en/TicketsAndTravel/DisabledTravelers.aspx Voyageur: www.voyageurtransportation.ca/ Coach Canada: www.coachcanada.com/coachcanada/ Our Mission The Association exists to provide support and services to people with physical disabilities in Simcoe County to assist them to lead dignified, productive and independent lives. Beyond offering a variety of personal support services, our current focus is to "Open Doors & Minds" within the community to increase opportunities for participation, making Simcoe County a welcoming place for all citizens"