Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Freedom: the most fundamental human right
EDITOR NOTE: Last week I attended a round-table discussion on the political rights of persons with disabilites hosted by Robert Chisholm at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax. Afterwards, Mr. Chisholm posted his thoughts on the subject in a very interesting letter to the press. In case you missed that letter, I've included its content. Click below. (... continued)
By ROBERT CHISHOLM
Aung San Suu Kyi is free! The Burmese pro-democracy leader has spent 15 of the last 21 years in detention without a trial. As of last Saturday, she is free. Also last week, Canadians took time to remember the sacrifices of women and men who have fought and died, or been permanently disabled, on the fields of battle in the name of peace and freedom.
So it is fitting that I sit on a beautiful Saturday morning in mid-November to reflect on freedom: It is the very essence of our humanity. Freedom to choose, to voice our opinions, freedom to vote for the person or party that best reflects our point of view, freedom to stand for and to hold public office — or as I would prefer to think, freedom to serve.
These freedoms are the things that we Nova Scotians are blessed with. Freedoms that Aung San Suu Kyi insists upon for her people, freedoms for which our own heroes have fought and died all over the world.
But is this true for us all? I’ve spent the last few days thinking deeply about this. On Tuesday of last week, I was asked to stand in for my old friend and colleague Alexa McDonough, who had agreed to host a round-table discussion on the right to participate in the community for Nova Scotians who have disabilities, and who — much to my surprise — constitute 20 per cent of our population.
Alexa has been a longtime supporter of this group, called the Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunity, or LEO. Last Tuesday, LEO celebrated its 30th anniversary and began the day by organizing a round-table discussion on participation in public life for people with disabilities. Or as I have been thinking since: freedom to participate and freedom to serve, the essence of our humanity.
We started the discussion by looking at the basics: In elections, many polling stations are not accessible, so many Nova Scotians with disabilities cannot vote. Moreover, they cannot consider being involved in community clubs, service agencies, school boards, town councils, political parties. In effect, very many of the close to 200,000 Nova Scotians who report having a disability are not free to vote because they cannot get into the polling station; nor are they free to engage in the community on an equal basis with others.
In fact, many disabled Nova Scotians live lives that would be familiar to Aung San Suu Kyi — lives where you do not get out of the house, do not participate freely in the community, and do not have an opportunity to freely voice your opinion.
The facts are daunting. So, LEO gathered a group of people with disabilities to talk about the promise of the new UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and especially Article 29 of that treaty which looks at the freedom to participate in public and political life. LEO believes, and I think it is right, that the freedom to participate in political and public life is the first step toward achieving the promise of the convention.
The group was diverse: Disabled people from all across the province came together with former politicians, like myself, and some sitting members of the House. Along with the politicians were representatives from the province’s Human Rights Commission, Disabled Persons Commission, Elections Nova Scotia, and other departments with an interest in the issue.
What followed was a lively and exciting exchange of views. We all agreed that the situation must change. We were happy to learn that steps are being taken to improve access during elections, and agreed that it was essential to find better ways to engage this significant percentage of our population. We noted that the very fact of coming together was an important step; we spoke candidly of shortcomings, but optimistically about the road ahead.
So, as I sit here on this lovely autumn morning reflecting on freedom, on the promise of a world with a newly free Aung San Suu Kyi, on the wonder of the freedom in our lives because of the sacrifice of our soldiers, I am also filled with hope.
Hope that the freedom to participate in political and public life, the basis of our democracy that has for so long eluded many Nova Scotians with disabilities, may be about to emerge on the radar screen of public opinion.
Robert Chisholm is co-principal of Simon Chisholm Consulting Inc. and former leader of the Nova Scotia NDP.End of Article - Return to main page
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By ROBERT CHISHOLM
Aung San Suu Kyi is free! The Burmese pro-democracy leader has spent 15 of the last 21 years in detention without a trial. As of last Saturday, she is free. Also last week, Canadians took time to remember the sacrifices of women and men who have fought and died, or been permanently disabled, on the fields of battle in the name of peace and freedom.
So it is fitting that I sit on a beautiful Saturday morning in mid-November to reflect on freedom: It is the very essence of our humanity. Freedom to choose, to voice our opinions, freedom to vote for the person or party that best reflects our point of view, freedom to stand for and to hold public office — or as I would prefer to think, freedom to serve.
These freedoms are the things that we Nova Scotians are blessed with. Freedoms that Aung San Suu Kyi insists upon for her people, freedoms for which our own heroes have fought and died all over the world.
But is this true for us all? I’ve spent the last few days thinking deeply about this. On Tuesday of last week, I was asked to stand in for my old friend and colleague Alexa McDonough, who had agreed to host a round-table discussion on the right to participate in the community for Nova Scotians who have disabilities, and who — much to my surprise — constitute 20 per cent of our population.
Alexa has been a longtime supporter of this group, called the Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunity, or LEO. Last Tuesday, LEO celebrated its 30th anniversary and began the day by organizing a round-table discussion on participation in public life for people with disabilities. Or as I have been thinking since: freedom to participate and freedom to serve, the essence of our humanity.
We started the discussion by looking at the basics: In elections, many polling stations are not accessible, so many Nova Scotians with disabilities cannot vote. Moreover, they cannot consider being involved in community clubs, service agencies, school boards, town councils, political parties. In effect, very many of the close to 200,000 Nova Scotians who report having a disability are not free to vote because they cannot get into the polling station; nor are they free to engage in the community on an equal basis with others.
In fact, many disabled Nova Scotians live lives that would be familiar to Aung San Suu Kyi — lives where you do not get out of the house, do not participate freely in the community, and do not have an opportunity to freely voice your opinion.
The facts are daunting. So, LEO gathered a group of people with disabilities to talk about the promise of the new UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and especially Article 29 of that treaty which looks at the freedom to participate in public and political life. LEO believes, and I think it is right, that the freedom to participate in political and public life is the first step toward achieving the promise of the convention.
The group was diverse: Disabled people from all across the province came together with former politicians, like myself, and some sitting members of the House. Along with the politicians were representatives from the province’s Human Rights Commission, Disabled Persons Commission, Elections Nova Scotia, and other departments with an interest in the issue.
What followed was a lively and exciting exchange of views. We all agreed that the situation must change. We were happy to learn that steps are being taken to improve access during elections, and agreed that it was essential to find better ways to engage this significant percentage of our population. We noted that the very fact of coming together was an important step; we spoke candidly of shortcomings, but optimistically about the road ahead.
So, as I sit here on this lovely autumn morning reflecting on freedom, on the promise of a world with a newly free Aung San Suu Kyi, on the wonder of the freedom in our lives because of the sacrifice of our soldiers, I am also filled with hope.
Hope that the freedom to participate in political and public life, the basis of our democracy that has for so long eluded many Nova Scotians with disabilities, may be about to emerge on the radar screen of public opinion.
Robert Chisholm is co-principal of Simon Chisholm Consulting Inc. and former leader of the Nova Scotia NDP.End of Article - Return to main page
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Board Meeting Summary - October 19, 2010
New Glasgow - The Let Abilities Work Board met on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 10 a.m. in the basement of Christian Fellowship Church, Abercrombie Road, New Glasgow(...continued)
Present: Judy Hughes, Philip Fisher, Kevin White, Ralph Ferguson, Ron Levy, Gerald Lees, Darrell Feit, and Angie Anderson.
Regrets: Crystal Mann, Fred Popowich, Jane Burris and Jason MacDonald with Robert MacIsaac excused.
Minutes: Ralph Ferguson took notes. Minutes of our September 8th meeting were read & corrected.
Accessibility – is "an overarching tenant of our work". We agreed to devote the first hour of next months meeting to accessibility.
Meeting Time – our next meetings date will be November 16th and thereafter on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 10 AM at Christian Fellowship Church except in December when a joint Christmas meeting with CHAD will be on December 14th.
Membership builder - a public meet & greet in these church premises with veggie and fruit trays in January as part of a prepared membership drive. For future, Gerald Lees checked church office. We can bring food into the hall for functions or there is someone who caters functions but the church doesn’t.
Lilac bush - Judy Hughes authorized to purchase a lilac bush to honour Cheryl Campbell.
Basketball Wheelchairs at NSCC – Problem from pre-summer. Jason MacDonald is trying to set up a meeting date when Dave Freckelton is available to meet and discuss the issue with him and Ralph Ferguson.
Wheelchairs in community – Owners who no longer need refurbish able chairs and would like to donate them back into this community can contact Faye Joudrey at the Abilities Foundation to arrange for recycling .
Deaf & Hard of Hearing – Darrell Feit gave an update concerning the ASL/English interpreter issue as well as on emergency measures for persons with disabilities. There is an emergency measures book for distribution. Darrell Feit will give a presentation at next meeting. We will look for an electronic version as well. LAWPS can use as part of the membership drive in January and Kevin White to check to see how we can use it with media publicity to build our community image. We will follow up on the local Deaf Roundtable Meeting held in June in the New Year.
Employment - We will meet with Chris Cook to investigate an outreach from Port Hawkesbury based East Novability to give Pictou County people with disabilities who would choose it the option of more specialized disability employment services.
Curling Club Grant – Construction is near complete on an accessible washroom in New Caledonia Curling Rink in Pictou making the facility accessible for stick curling which can be played by persons with disabilities including those in wheelchairs. $1500 of the United Way grant for materials is paid out with $500 held back until completion.
Potential Accessibility Grant – We will investigate the possibility of grant funding to improve exterior door and washroom accessibility serving the space we are using in the basement of the Christian Fellowship Church. A motion passed to hold discussion with Pastor Morrison concerning our desire to begin this action.
Transportation – Ron Levy gave update on CHAD transit. The bus service is struggling but surviving.
Media Chair – Judy Hughes asked Kevin White to take on the task of media chair.
Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) – Philip Fisher reported that the local MS group has been looking into the costs and details around the CCSVI treatment in New York. Will keep us informed on what they find out.
Recreation – Activities briefly discussed. Archery is ongoing now on Tuesday evenings; curling will evolve; sledge hockey proved unsuitable for our people at present so is off our table; we are working to resolve our wheelchair basketball problem and there are other such activities we have done or could do. A meeting will be set to map out what is possible in this regard.
Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network (EDN) – Group is going strong. Kevin White is no longer on their board of directors. No one from this area is. The group is seeking to establish a service in each area which failed here before probably because our local group received no support from the central body. Discuss with Chris Cook when we meet to see if self employment activity might fit into that effort.
Media Relations – We do outstanding stuff that no one hears about. We must start naming it and telling the public. Kevin White will be the “guard at the gate” looking for our stories and photo ops and work with Judy Hughes to get media attention to them with press conferences, releases, etc.
Examples: John Lowrey’s retirement and again in January when we hold our meet & greet membership promo.
CNIB – Gerald Lees reported that CNIB has reopened its store in Halifax where its staff numbers in Halifax are back up again. However, Pictou Co. is served from Sydney where there is only one staff person who does mobility training and low vision clinics from Sydney to Yarmouth. So generally in Sydney there in not even someone to answer the phone. Michele Fudge uses our LAWPS office to run low vision clinics in this area. She is a good worker but her territory is too large for a single person to provide an adequate service.
Judy Hughes' goal as Chair – ``I want us to be advancing our communities. Is there something we can do for CNIB, CHAD, Deaf & Hard of Hearing and our various groups by lending our support and resources to our various constituencies?``
Collaborative Partnership Network (CPN) events – Gerald Lees spoke to two upcoming events.
1. An employment symposium will be held in December around the International Day of the Disabled. Everyone agreed we should participate as a CPN member. The cost of about $700 we will have to fund raise to cover. Gerald Lees will attend. Decision by consensus.
2. A larger, more expensive national event will be held in June of the Canadian Association of Supported Employment (CASE). Not discussed. It’s for a later time.
LAWPS Monthly Board Meeting schedule until June 2011 –
(Generally the 3rd Tuesday of month except December.)
Read more! (if article is continued)
Present: Judy Hughes, Philip Fisher, Kevin White, Ralph Ferguson, Ron Levy, Gerald Lees, Darrell Feit, and Angie Anderson.
Regrets: Crystal Mann, Fred Popowich, Jane Burris and Jason MacDonald with Robert MacIsaac excused.
Minutes: Ralph Ferguson took notes. Minutes of our September 8th meeting were read & corrected.
Accessibility – is "an overarching tenant of our work". We agreed to devote the first hour of next months meeting to accessibility.
Meeting Time – our next meetings date will be November 16th and thereafter on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 10 AM at Christian Fellowship Church except in December when a joint Christmas meeting with CHAD will be on December 14th.
Membership builder - a public meet & greet in these church premises with veggie and fruit trays in January as part of a prepared membership drive. For future, Gerald Lees checked church office. We can bring food into the hall for functions or there is someone who caters functions but the church doesn’t.
Lilac bush - Judy Hughes authorized to purchase a lilac bush to honour Cheryl Campbell.
Basketball Wheelchairs at NSCC – Problem from pre-summer. Jason MacDonald is trying to set up a meeting date when Dave Freckelton is available to meet and discuss the issue with him and Ralph Ferguson.
Wheelchairs in community – Owners who no longer need refurbish able chairs and would like to donate them back into this community can contact Faye Joudrey at the Abilities Foundation to arrange for recycling .
Deaf & Hard of Hearing – Darrell Feit gave an update concerning the ASL/English interpreter issue as well as on emergency measures for persons with disabilities. There is an emergency measures book for distribution. Darrell Feit will give a presentation at next meeting. We will look for an electronic version as well. LAWPS can use as part of the membership drive in January and Kevin White to check to see how we can use it with media publicity to build our community image. We will follow up on the local Deaf Roundtable Meeting held in June in the New Year.
Employment - We will meet with Chris Cook to investigate an outreach from Port Hawkesbury based East Novability to give Pictou County people with disabilities who would choose it the option of more specialized disability employment services.
Curling Club Grant – Construction is near complete on an accessible washroom in New Caledonia Curling Rink in Pictou making the facility accessible for stick curling which can be played by persons with disabilities including those in wheelchairs. $1500 of the United Way grant for materials is paid out with $500 held back until completion.
Potential Accessibility Grant – We will investigate the possibility of grant funding to improve exterior door and washroom accessibility serving the space we are using in the basement of the Christian Fellowship Church. A motion passed to hold discussion with Pastor Morrison concerning our desire to begin this action.
Transportation – Ron Levy gave update on CHAD transit. The bus service is struggling but surviving.
Media Chair – Judy Hughes asked Kevin White to take on the task of media chair.
Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) – Philip Fisher reported that the local MS group has been looking into the costs and details around the CCSVI treatment in New York. Will keep us informed on what they find out.
Recreation – Activities briefly discussed. Archery is ongoing now on Tuesday evenings; curling will evolve; sledge hockey proved unsuitable for our people at present so is off our table; we are working to resolve our wheelchair basketball problem and there are other such activities we have done or could do. A meeting will be set to map out what is possible in this regard.
Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network (EDN) – Group is going strong. Kevin White is no longer on their board of directors. No one from this area is. The group is seeking to establish a service in each area which failed here before probably because our local group received no support from the central body. Discuss with Chris Cook when we meet to see if self employment activity might fit into that effort.
Media Relations – We do outstanding stuff that no one hears about. We must start naming it and telling the public. Kevin White will be the “guard at the gate” looking for our stories and photo ops and work with Judy Hughes to get media attention to them with press conferences, releases, etc.
Examples: John Lowrey’s retirement and again in January when we hold our meet & greet membership promo.
CNIB – Gerald Lees reported that CNIB has reopened its store in Halifax where its staff numbers in Halifax are back up again. However, Pictou Co. is served from Sydney where there is only one staff person who does mobility training and low vision clinics from Sydney to Yarmouth. So generally in Sydney there in not even someone to answer the phone. Michele Fudge uses our LAWPS office to run low vision clinics in this area. She is a good worker but her territory is too large for a single person to provide an adequate service.
Judy Hughes' goal as Chair – ``I want us to be advancing our communities. Is there something we can do for CNIB, CHAD, Deaf & Hard of Hearing and our various groups by lending our support and resources to our various constituencies?``
Collaborative Partnership Network (CPN) events – Gerald Lees spoke to two upcoming events.
1. An employment symposium will be held in December around the International Day of the Disabled. Everyone agreed we should participate as a CPN member. The cost of about $700 we will have to fund raise to cover. Gerald Lees will attend. Decision by consensus.
2. A larger, more expensive national event will be held in June of the Canadian Association of Supported Employment (CASE). Not discussed. It’s for a later time.
LAWPS Monthly Board Meeting schedule until June 2011 –
(Generally the 3rd Tuesday of month except December.)
- November 16, 2010 10:00 am
- December 14, 2010 04:00 am
- January 18, 2011 10:00 am
- February 15, 2011 10:00 am
- March 15, 1211 10:00 am
- April 19, 1211 10:00 am
- May 17, 1211 10:00 am
- June 21, 1211 10:00 am
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