HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-03-04, Page 18Shelley
Smith
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PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2004.
Beyond HPCDSB looks at boundaries
Our society is gainfully acknowl-
edging the needs of the disabled.
General public access is improving,
and many environments are being
created where a person with a dis-
ability can fully participate.
Job opportunities for persons with
disabilities are growing each day.
Many workplaces are initiating
ways to become barrier-free in an
effort to include the disabled into
the workforce. An employer is
responsible to provide accommoda-
tion for a disabled employee —
meaning that discrimination and
inequity must be eliminated.
The priority is to provide a safe,
accessible, and healthy work env -
ronment for all those in the work-
place. Most forms of accommoda-
tion are of little cost. The duty to
accommodate is not a courtesy — it
is the law.
Not all deaf people require sign
language interpreters; not all blind
_people read Braille, and not all peo-
ple with physical disabilities use a
wheelchair. Without proper commu-
nication and assessment of each
person's needs, effective accommo-
dation cannot be achieved.
Although some types of accommo-
dation are not needed by everyone,
many features can be facilitated to
not only assist one user, but provide
benefit to several users. Common
sense is also a factor when attempt-
ing to accommodate concepts into a
typical workplace.
Building a barrier-free workplace
Limitations
for an employee, employees, and
clientele is a good investment all
around.
Using hands-free telephones and
larger print documentation are
examples of accommodation that
will not only benefit workers, but
customers as well.
A feature that I consider a neces-
sity is to provide ease of movement.
Furniture should be placed with
ample space away from doorways.
Having non-slip carpeting ensures
safety for everyone. Widening hall-
ways and entrances into common
areas, and installing ramps where
necessary is a definite plus for
wheelchair users as it provides free-
dom.
If a business will be used by per-
sons with disabilities for an extend-
ed period of time, it is important to
ensure that washroom facilities are
accessible. If the workspace will be
used for productivity, adjust the
height of shared items such as pho-
tocopiers, printers, and fax
machines to promote ease of access
and reach.
Recruiting, hiring and promoting
persons with disabilities aren't new
practices. But as society changes
and begins to integrate appropriate
accommodation, this concept will
continue to grow.
Entering a building that is barrier-
free means that it is meant to
include everyone, and it proves to
all of us that we are beneficial mem-
bers to our society.
By Stew Slater
Special w The Citizen
Above the objections of some
community members, including
members of a committee formed to
look into the issue, administrators
from the Huron-Perth Catholic
District School Board will recom-
mend changes to catchment bound-
aries for Stratford-based schools at
the board's March 22 meeting.
"There are members of the
(Stratford Accommodation Review
Advisory) Committee who do not
agree that this is the best option. The
Committee is not unanimous,"
explained Huron-Perth chair Ron
Marcy, while providing an update to
fellow trustees at the board's
regular meeting Monday,
March I.
Marcy, who's from Stratford, was
one of two trustees — along with
Perth South representative Bernard
Murray — to serve on the communi-
ty-based committee. It was formed
following the Nov. 24, 2003
approval of an accommodation
review in Stratford, aimed at
addressing problems at two sites:
overcrowding and the use of several
portable classrooms at St. Aloysius
Continued from page 17
but, again and again and again, we
remember why we came — and that
is to just love these babies.
And we do. Oh man - do we ever:
I don't think I have ever laughed so
much or felt such joy in my 21 years
of living as I have in the last two
elementary school, and inadequate
facilities for senior students at the
tiny St. Joseph's elementary school.
The committee's report, provided
at the March 1 meeting and
addressed by Marcy, describes a
process of three committee meetings
and one public consultation since the
Nov. 24 decision.
Out of that process, the most-sup-
ported option would see a shifting of
boundaries within the city as well as
in surrounding areas of the former
Downie, Ellice and North Easthope
Townships.
Most notably, the St. Joseph's
catchment area would expand within
the city, as well as take in the north-
ern portion of the Downie Ward,
from which students had been
attending yet another Stratford
elementary school, St. Am-
brose.
Upgrades, possibly including a
gymnasium, would be required at
the St. Joseph's site.
According to the report, the
change in transportation costs would
be negligible; rural students would
merely be bussed to a different
school than previously, while urban
students who had been bussed would
be asked to walk while some who
months here.
These little faces have stories, and
are not just names on a website any-
more — but little people who make us
laugh with their funny faces, or gag
with the stink of their messy nap-
pies, or smile with delight at the
progress we- see them making.
had been walking would he
bussed.
Though initial projections had the
moves taking effect in 2004, the
committee's report suggests waiting
until September, 2005, and phasing
them in over two years so Grade 7
students can remain and graduate
from their original school.
Marcy pointed out, however, that
the consultation process made
trustees and administrators aware of
frequency with which Stratford
Catholic students attend school out-
side their catchment area. For that
reason, he suggested, it's no surprise
several requests seeking exemptions
from the proposed new boundaries
have already been received from
parents.
Marcy said he has advised people
to wait until 2005, and also suggest-
ed the exemptions might not be
Granted.
Director of education Larry
Langan agreed, saying exemptions
would defeat the purpose of the
changes.
"Nothing gets a trustee's phone
ringing like a denial for a boundary
exemption, but if we want this thing
to work, we're going to have to stick
to our policy," Langan said.
AIDS can be a scary thing; but
when you look past the sickness and
just focus on love, love, loving these
babes, well, AIDS isn't so scary any-
more.
Love is proving itself to be far
more powerful than this sickness
ever will be.
The inclusive workforce
There to 'love these babies'
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