HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1985-11-13, Page 27r l *s Record. IMittcheit
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November 13.
-usader for t!e right
the handicapped
or' By Jill Armstrong
ohn Kellerman, formerly
Dashwood,ra long-time
community advocate and con-
sultant to organizations and,
facilities for disabled persons,
has become actively involved
in another process for in-
creasing equality off oppor-
tunity for persons with han-
dicaps. He has filed a number
of complaints under the Code
alleging discrimination
because of handicap, one of
which is proceeding to a
board of inquiry.
For Mr. Kellerman, and
many of the estimated 14 per-
cent of Ontario residents with
handicaps, the inclusion of
this ground in the Human
Rights Code, 1981 was a
welcome extension of the pro-
visions of anti -discrimination
legislation. John Kellerman
has cerebral palsy, and the
physical and social barriers
facing persons who are im-
paired in mobility and speech
are all 'to familiar to him.
John's commitment to and
participation in the human
rights complaint process is a
natural outgrowth of a career
dedicated to eliminating and
remedying the many forms of
discrimination, both subtle
and overt, experienced by
persons with handicaps.
Shortly after receiving his
Grade 13 diploma, he found-
ed ALPHA (Action League
for Physically Handicapped
Advancement) while working
as a community organizer on
a Company of Young Cana-
dians: ,project. AEXHA Was
one of the first groups of han
dicapmt persons'to organize
themselves as a political
force in Ontario, and one of its
early.victories was approval
y Toronto's city council of
the proposal to install ramps
on sidewalk curbs.
During the 1970s, John was
instrumental in founding a
number of other advocacy
and self-help organizations
and facilities. These included
a summer camp program call-
ed Physically Handicapped
Able-bodied Development Op-
portunities, located in
Beaverton, Ontario. Its goal
was the integration of both
handicapped and non -
handicapped individuals of all
ages. As such, the program
was a forerunner of the now -
accepted concept of nor-
malization. John also founded
`Kellerman House', a profit-
shariilg residential facility for
persons with handicaps.
In 1474John was featured int
a National Film Board pro-
duction entitled `Walk a Mile
in My Shoes', which address-
ed the transportation pro-
blems experienced by disabl-
ed persons. He worked with
the NFB for several months
to promote the film.
Several other positions
enabled John to deal with
issues relating to housing,
transportation and building
design. He assisted handicap-
ped persons to locate accessi-
ble housing while he was co-
ordinator of the Toronto Han-
dicapped Housing Registry,
and he was a researcher for
the Behavioural Team, a con-
sulting firm, on a project ex-
amining building design and
transportation. From 1974 to
1979 John was member of the
Ontario Advisory. Council on
the Physically Handicapped.
In 1980 Mr. Kellerman
assi ted` the consumer
organization. United Han-
dicapped Groups in Ontario,
in promoting 1981 as the Inter-
national Year of Disabled
Persons. He also conducted a
° skAkeein
that made recoroot a datio
to the M10niei9a ity of
Y
Metropolitan Toronto for im-
proving ageeee
mproving:access of handtca
pod persons to transportation'
andhousing Later, in 1982,, to
stood as, a ' candidate for
mayor, with the campaign
slogan, 'If can dolt, you can
do. it.' The thrust of his
message was theresponsibili-
ty of each member of society
to create an environment that
would enable all Persons to
reach their maximum
potential.
Many of John's complaints
under the Code have alleged
discrimination in serviees
and facilities because of han-
dicap, on being refused ser-
vice on restaurants and din-
ing lounges or on being.sub-
tion -dor
oxt Offer <of a nom
Buse theconlss
tempts to achieve a settle=
went that wilt prevent _the
recurrence, disc tion,
theresolution:of a complaint
will usually include such
preventive measures as
human rights seminars, for
the respondent's employees.
and a written Policy of non-
discrirnination
As part of theeornnsion's
public education program,
consultations were held with
the president of the Canadian
Restaurant and Foodservices
Association, which developed
a brochure otutlining methods
for improving the services of
the hospitality industry for,
patrons with disabilities.
Please turn to page 2
John Kellerman with his young godchildren.
er,•• • n,
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