Wednesday, December 16, 2009
New Adaptable Housing Standards in the BC Building Code
New standards for the design and construction of adaptable housing have been added to the BC Building Code. The new standards include wider doorways, accessible entrances, extra reinforcement in bathroom walls to allow grab bars to be installed and easy-to-use light switches and door handles.
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Adaptable housing is designed and built so that accessibility features can be added more easily and inexpensively after construction. It will benefit anyone whose mobility is limited due to age, disability or illness, making it easier for them to function more independently in their own home.
Scope of the Adaptable Housing Standards
The standards will apply to single-storey suites in new residential multi-unit buildings, whenever adaptable housing is either required by local government bylaw or built voluntarily. This approach provides consistency in how adaptable housing is designed and built, while giving local governments the flexibility to decide whether they want to require it
The Building Code already requires residential multi-unit buildings to have a minimum level of accessibility. The new standards include additional accessibility requirements that will apply to the individual units as well as to building entrances, corridors and common areas.
Implementation
The new requirements will apply to building permit applications for developments that include adaptable housing that are submitted on or after December 31, 2009, whether adaptable housing is required by bylaw or built voluntarily.
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Saturday, December 12, 2009
FORBES, Charles Lewis
Truro — FORBES, Charles Lewis — 68. It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Charles Lewis Forbes on December 9, 2009, after 45 years of living with Multiple Sclerosis. Born in Truro on July 7, 1941, he was a son of the late Charles and Kathleen (Lewis) Forbes.
Lewis attended schools in Truro and then went on to study pharmacy at Dalhousie University. He worked as a Certified Drug Clerk at pharmacies in Kentville, Windsor and Hantsport, later retiring from the Zellers Pharmacy in Truro.
He was a member of Windsor United Church where he served as an elder, Sunday school teacher and an active member of the men's club. He was also a member of Pesaquid Lodge (IOOF) in Windsor and a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce in Windsor - the Jaycees.
In Truro, Lewis was a member of First United Church, and it was in Truro that he worked tirelessly to make Truro the accessible town it is today, along with the late Raleigh Orr. In 1980, Lewis started the Disabled Consumer Society of Colchester (DCSC) and served as the first president. He was instrumental in starting a Bingo to raise funds to own and operate Able Transit. He served as a chair on the Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunity and was involved at the National level with Copoh.
He was involved with the MS Chapter in Truro, serving as president for a number of years. He formed Colliston House in 1983 and was the author of "Disabled, a Move in the Right Direction", which was put on a CD Rom in 2001. Lewis was also a member of the Lions Club in Truro. He will always be remembered as a strong advocate for the rights of the disabled.
He is survived by his wife, Joan; daughter, Nancy Forbes, Falmouth; stepchildren, Shelly King, Truro; Christine (Darrell) Olson, Burlington, Ont.; Arthur King, Truro; grandchildren, Kristen, Dana, Erica, Martina, Mitchell, Adam, Brennen and Hanna; brother, Rollie (Liz) Forbes, Bible Hill; as well as nieces and cousins.
A memorial service, beginning with a Lions Club tribute, will be held on Monday, December 14, at 2 p.m. in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro. Reception and visitation will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or Disabled Consumers Society. To make on-line condolences click here on CONDOLENCES.
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Friday, December 11, 2009
Motion supporting CRPD ratification passes unanimously
Claredon Robicheau, Nova Scotia's representative on the Council of Canadians with Disabilities passed along this important piece of breaking news yesterday -
The motion below was passed unanimously in the House this afternoon. The process within the House of Commons regarding ratification is now complete. The Government of Canada can move forward with next steps once all provinces and territories have indicated their formal support of ratification.
Motion: That this House calls upon the government to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which was tabled in the House on Thursday, December 3, 2009, as soon as all provinces and territories have officially given their consent and that this House expresses the hope that ratification is achieved by the time of the paralympic games.
Council of Canadians with Disabilities thanks the leadership of Minister Peter McKay, Judy Wasylycia-Leis MP and NDP disability critic, and Steven Fletcher MP.
CCD also thanks Steve Estey and Anna Macquarrie for their stellar work on this file.
(Editors note: Steve Estey is also from Nova Scotia)
We are now only a few steps away from ratification. We continue to celebrate each of the final steps.
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The motion below was passed unanimously in the House this afternoon. The process within the House of Commons regarding ratification is now complete. The Government of Canada can move forward with next steps once all provinces and territories have indicated their formal support of ratification.
Motion: That this House calls upon the government to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which was tabled in the House on Thursday, December 3, 2009, as soon as all provinces and territories have officially given their consent and that this House expresses the hope that ratification is achieved by the time of the paralympic games.
Council of Canadians with Disabilities thanks the leadership of Minister Peter McKay, Judy Wasylycia-Leis MP and NDP disability critic, and Steven Fletcher MP.
CCD also thanks Steve Estey and Anna Macquarrie for their stellar work on this file.
(Editors note: Steve Estey is also from Nova Scotia)
We are now only a few steps away from ratification. We continue to celebrate each of the final steps.
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Thursday, December 10, 2009
C-304, The Secure, Adequate, Accessible, and Affordable Housing Act
Will National Housing Strategy really deliver accessible/affordable housing for all Canadians? (... continued) If marked continued click just below on Read more.
The Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities (NSLEO) applauds MPs Libby Davies and Megan Leslie for introducing Bill C-304, The Secure, Adequate, Accessible, and Affordable Housing Act. The purpose of this act is to ensure secure, adequate, accessible, and affordable housing for Canadians by requiring the Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to work collaboratively with provincial Ministers, municipalities, and Aboriginal communities to establish a national housing strategy. NSLEO, a provincial organization which has advocated for almost 30 years for recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities, is pleased to see that accessibility is an integral part of this enactment and this strategy. “Access to housing that will allow people to participate fully in society is a fundamental human right. This right is further supported in Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – a Convention which the Government of Canada has just tabled in the House of Commons” says Cynthia Bruce, NSLEO Provincial Coordinator.
“The enactment of the Bill allows Nova Scotians with disabilities to be hopeful that their right to accessible housing will be respected and protected. We just hope that the definition of accessibility in this act goes far enough to ensure this protection”, said Joan Levack, Chair of NSLEO’s Board. The definition of accessible housing in this act refers to housing that is “physically adapted to the individuals who are intended to occupy it, including those who are disadvantaged by age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, and those who are victims of a natural disaster”. “We would like this act to recognize that persons with disabilities are not inherently disadvantaged by their particular condition or impairment. Generally it is society’s response to that condition or impairment that results in disadvantage”, Cynthia Bruce said. Therefore, integrating principles of barrier free design into the strategy would significantly reduce the need to “physically adapt” when someone with a disability is looking for housing.
NSLEO urges all Members of Parliament to support this important act. Bill C-304 requires collaboration from all levels of government and recognizes the right of the communities affected by this Bill to be involved in the creation of the strategy. “There is significant expertise within the disability community regarding both accessible and visitable housing standards, and we hope governments at all levels will respect this expertise during the development of the strategy”, said Joan Levack.
For more information, please contact: Cynthia Bruce, Provincial Coordinator, Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities, (902) 679-9147 or email leocoordinator@eastlink.ca
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The Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities (NSLEO) applauds MPs Libby Davies and Megan Leslie for introducing Bill C-304, The Secure, Adequate, Accessible, and Affordable Housing Act. The purpose of this act is to ensure secure, adequate, accessible, and affordable housing for Canadians by requiring the Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to work collaboratively with provincial Ministers, municipalities, and Aboriginal communities to establish a national housing strategy. NSLEO, a provincial organization which has advocated for almost 30 years for recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities, is pleased to see that accessibility is an integral part of this enactment and this strategy. “Access to housing that will allow people to participate fully in society is a fundamental human right. This right is further supported in Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – a Convention which the Government of Canada has just tabled in the House of Commons” says Cynthia Bruce, NSLEO Provincial Coordinator.
“The enactment of the Bill allows Nova Scotians with disabilities to be hopeful that their right to accessible housing will be respected and protected. We just hope that the definition of accessibility in this act goes far enough to ensure this protection”, said Joan Levack, Chair of NSLEO’s Board. The definition of accessible housing in this act refers to housing that is “physically adapted to the individuals who are intended to occupy it, including those who are disadvantaged by age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, and those who are victims of a natural disaster”. “We would like this act to recognize that persons with disabilities are not inherently disadvantaged by their particular condition or impairment. Generally it is society’s response to that condition or impairment that results in disadvantage”, Cynthia Bruce said. Therefore, integrating principles of barrier free design into the strategy would significantly reduce the need to “physically adapt” when someone with a disability is looking for housing.
NSLEO urges all Members of Parliament to support this important act. Bill C-304 requires collaboration from all levels of government and recognizes the right of the communities affected by this Bill to be involved in the creation of the strategy. “There is significant expertise within the disability community regarding both accessible and visitable housing standards, and we hope governments at all levels will respect this expertise during the development of the strategy”, said Joan Levack.
For more information, please contact: Cynthia Bruce, Provincial Coordinator, Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities, (902) 679-9147 or email leocoordinator@eastlink.ca
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