We’re doing some happy dances and celebrating a social media milestone today!
In the past week, we have seen 10 new “likes” and 15 new followers on our Facebook page! We are so excited to welcome our new community members and hope that they enjoy everything we post!
Don’t forget to submit your “floats” for the Disability Pride Parade to virtual2020parade@disabilitypride.net by May 27th to be featured in the livestream and to be entered for prizes! Here is a sneak peek of what we’re working on!
Disability Pride Parade!!!
(Virtual Edition)
When: June 1st to 6th, 2020
Where: DisabilityPride.net Facebook Page
Who: any group, organization, individual, entrepreneur, artist, or any other category of persons, who holds a positive attitude on disabilities, disability issues, and disability rights
What: WIN PRIZES!!!!!!!!!!
How: in lieu of a float, submit a representational image, or a 30-SECOND video to
virtual2020parade@disabilitypride.net
no later than Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at 11:59pm
The voice of disabled people is important and badly needed, especially when it comes to how coronavirus and COVID-19 have effected how an already marginalized group, with a wide variety of needs, access healthcare, basic necessities, and other supports during this unprecedented time. If you are disabled or work with an organization that serves people with disabilities, please share your voice and fill out this survey:
“Evidence is emerging that persons with disabilities are being disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and emergency measures being taken by governments worldwide. As governments rush to respond to the virus, it is more critical than ever to guarantee that measures taken are fully inclusive of persons with disabilities and prevent human rights violations from taking place.
With the endorsements of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Mr Dainius Pūras, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Ms Catalina Devandas Aguilar, a coalition of six disability rights organisations is today launching a major international monitoring initiative entitled “COVID-19 Disability Rights Monitor” to conduct rapid independent monitoring of state measures concerning persons with disabilities. The first element of this global initiative is the launch of two surveys requesting official information from governments and requesting the testimonies of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations. The surveys aim to collect information about what states are doing to protect core rights of persons with disabilities including the rights to life, access to health and essential services.”
We are inviting any group, organization, individual, entrepreneur, artist, or any other category of persons, who holds a positive attitude on disabilities, disability issues, and disability rights, to submit a representational image, or a 30-SECONND video, to: virtual2020parade@disabilitypride.net no later than Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at 11:59pm.
We will be hosting a livestream featuring these images and videos on our Facebook page
We encourage you to be creative, imaginative, and get inspired!
There WILL be prizes!!!!!!
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release May 5, 2020
The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) and the Disability Alliance British Columbia (DABC) are calling on all hospitals in every province and territory in Canada to immediately revise their policies designating “essential” supports/visitors to include personal support workers, healthcare aides and family members who can assist people with disabilities in communicating with healthcare providers.
This call to expand the definition of “essential” supports/visitors to reflect the support needs of people with disabilities comes after the death of Ariis Knight, who had cerebral palsy and communicated with her family and support workers through her eyes and facial expressions. Ms. Knight was admitted to Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock on April 15 with symptoms of congestion, fever and vomiting, but did not have COVID-19. Her support staff were not permitted access due to restrictions put in place during the pandemic. Not long after being admitted, Knight was put on end-of-life care, and died days later. She was 40 years old.
“Ariis Knight died isolated, utterly alone, and, most chillingly of all, silenced,” said Dr. Heidi Janz, Chair of CCD’s Ending-of-Life Ethics Committee, who is also a member of the federal government’s COVID-19 and Disability Advisory Group. “No one gave her the means to communicate with her family or her medical team. Her basic rights as a human being were violated.”
Dr Natalie Spagnuolo, a member of CCD’s Social Policy Committee, agrees. “While it is true that hospital departments have the authority to grant visitor exemptions on a case by case basis and at their own discretion, this does not guarantee equitable access to health care for patients who rely on human supports in areas such as communication and decision-making – including many individuals with intellectual disabilities. These individuals need to be assured that they will not be separated from their support person upon admission.”
Pat Danforth, of DABC, underscores the urgent need for a change in hospital visitation policy. “Family and support teams can provide critical information, communication support, and decision-making support and comfort when people with disabilities are hospitalized. They should be seen as not just visitors, but essential partners in care.”
The groups are calling on Canada’s Minister of Health, Patti Haidu, to work with her provincial counterparts to ensure that the policies designating “essential” visitors/supports are immediately revised to include personal support workers, healthcare aides and family members who can assist people with disabilities, including many individuals with intellectual disabilities,in communicating with healthcare providers.
“Unless urgent action is taken,” said Janz, “Ariis Knight could end up being just one of hundreds of people with communication disabilities to die alone and silenced.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Dr. Heidi Janz – Email :
hjanz@ualberta.ca
Chair, CCD Ending-of-Life Ethics Committee
Dr Natalie Spagnuolo – Email : natalie.spagnuolo@gmail.com
CCD Social Policy Committee
April D’Aubin – Email: april@ccdonline.ca april@ccdonline.ca
Research Analyst
