Human Rights – Gateway Navigation

Create the World We Want for Future Generations

In July 2019, the world celebrated a defining moment. That inspired a generation. In which, John F Kennedy, set the target. “We choose to go to the moon in this decade, and do the other things, not because they are easy but because they are hard. Because that goal will serve to organise and measure the best of our energies and skills. Because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win, and the others too.” Kennedy, Rice University, September 12. 1962.

Advocating for human rights and social justice is no less important and requires the same level of commitment and passion as Kennedy challenge to America in going to the Moon. It speaks to creating the world we want for future generations and the legacy we entrust to them and their descendants.

Everyday I am reminded how underrepresented, under served and under funded the blind community is in Canada and Globally. Whether it is fighting for individual civil rights, equal access to services or a barrier free internet. Our advances are few and often mimic the dance of one step forward and two steps back.

But it is the passion, commitment and reward of challenging those around you to create the world we imagine. It is also about focusing and setting goals on the issues most important to you, your family and your community.

Canadian born, Dr. Jacobus tenBroek, 1916-1968, Author, Jurist, Professor, Founder of the National Federation of the Blind NFB. Along with other blind leaders in the mid 20^th century advocated for the Civil Rights of the blind. Recognizing the vital need to speak with a united voice to initiate change.

In Canada, whether it is the Canadian Council of the Blind CCB, Canadian Federation of the Blind CFB or the Alliance for the Equality of Blind Canadians AEBC. Pay special attention to the word “of”. This one word indicates the blind speaking for themselves. These organizations reflect democratically elected Directors and Officers who are blind and elected by blind members.

These and other peer-based organizations provide a forum for people who are blind, deaf-blind or visually impaired to come together for social, recreational and advocacy. As with the blind movement in the United States. Individuals coming together for a united and common purpose was described as “walking alone; marching together.”

In the area of advocacy. Gateway Navigation has three areas of focus. In which, we are committed to building partnerships and collaborations with blind individuals, blind groups and allies to build consensus, purpose and action:

First. the social justice issue that public places, especially those funded through public tax dollars. Must be accessible and inclusive to people who are blind, deaf-blind or visually impaired. Through available technology that supports inclusive audio-base navigation systems. As well as the enhanced orientation that can be supported through architectural, graphic, audio and tactile wayfinding design. As with the accommodations that have become common place for those with mobility limitations, we believe accommodations for those with vision loss is no less vital. For equal opportunity to participate in our communities.

Second, social justice issue for education and employment. In which, government and private sector invest to train and employ persons who are blind, deaf-blind or visually impaired in audio-based navigation and audio-based augmented reality technologies. Remembering audio-based means digital in which the information can be delivered in multiple formats based on the user’s needs.

Third, social justice issue for access to the internet and e-commerce. Investment into research and development for technology to provide equivalent non-visual interpretation of graphical information such as graphs, tables, diagrams and floor plans. As we do not believe the manual input of alternative text on internet or app images is enough to be considered truly accessible. Especially in light that graphical images represent 80% of website content.

Working with the Canadian Council of the Blind and engaging with all blind people and stakeholders. We are committed to the Accessible Canada Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities to create a society in which the blind, deaf-blind and visually impaired are equally represented, equally served and equally funded.

Gateway Navigation’s part in this greater effort is to focus on the areas of advocacy for inclusive audio-based navigation, increased training and employment in the tech sector for people with disabilities and removing barriers of access to the internet and e-commerce. Please join us and the tech for good we advocate.

For more information on Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd visit our website: www.gnc3.com or email us at partners@gnc3.com

Thank you for taking the time to read this post on advocacy and hope we can count on your support. Drop us a note with your feedback.

Link To CCB Website

Man using white cane searching for bus stop

Under Represented, Under Funded, Under Served

Republished Post From October 16, 2018 / See update in comments below.

By David Brun, Director, Gateway Navigation CCC Limited Website: www.gnc3.com

A recent shout-out by Rob Sleath a disability Advocate and Consultant. Frustrated by 20-years of inaction by TransLink to implement accessible bus stops for the blind and partially-sighted. Reflects a historic reality of the visually-impaired consumer. Being under represented in policy making; under funded in Public and Private Sector investment; and not surprisingly under served in most areas in which equal access is considered a fundamental human right.

In 1998 a group of blind consumers and members of the TransLink Disability Advisory Group. Presented TransLink’s Executive with detailed information and their recommendation for the implementation of universally designed accessible bus stops. Like level entry curbs at intersections used by individuals with mobility challenges. This design standard would assist the nearly 1-million Canadians that are blind or partially-sighted to more safely, confidently and effortlessly access buses within the public transit system. The fact that nothing has happened in over 20-years of dialogue between visually-impaired consumers and the Metro Vancouver Transit Authority – in creating accessible bus stops. Reflects a lack of meaningful dialogue to move forward on this important issue.

The Directors of Gateway Navigation CCC Limited and our Advisors from the Canadian Council of the Blind. Agree and support the position that 20-years of inaction in creating accessible bus stops is unacceptable. We would also conclude that the consultation process being used by TransLink needs to be re-evaluated. As the involvement of stakeholders and setting their roles and responsibilities is fundamental to building equal access in public transit.

Gateway is committed to promoting and participating in a consultation process as outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Commission Report on Equal Access to Public Transit: March 27, 2002. Only by bringing stakeholders together and defining roles and responsibilities can we move from inaction to action. By being part of the decision-making process, developing sustainable solutions funded by both public and private investment. Will contribute to the goal of achieving equal access in public transit for all users.

Please comment on this post and let us know what you think.

The following is the OHRC Executive Summary from the above Report.

“Equal access by persons with disabilities, older Ontarians, and families with young children to adequate, dignified public transit services is a right protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code. For many, it is also a necessity – to obtain an education, find and keep a job, or use basic public services like health care. Lack of access to transit may also lead to isolation, as visiting friends or participating in the life of the community becomes difficult or impossible.

Recognizing the importance of accessible public transportation to the ability of persons with disabilities, older Ontarians, and families with young children to fully and equally participate in their communities, during 2001 the Ontario Human Rights Commission consulted with transit providers, seniors’ organizations, disability consumer groups, labour organizations, advocacy groups and individuals regarding the status of accessible transit in Ontario.

Unfortunately, equal access to transit services is far from reality for many Ontarians. While many improvements have been made in recent years to improve the accessibility of conventional transit services, such as increased use of low-floor or lift-equipped buses, and modifications to bus and subway stations, progress remains slow, and many of Ontario’s transit systems anticipate that it will take 15 years or more to achieve maximum accessibility. At the same time, there are troubling limitations in many of Ontario’s specialized or paratransit systems. Patrons too often face restrictive eligibility criteria, long waits for rides, punitive cancellation policies, and unequal fare structures.

Improvements in accessibility of public transit services have been hampered by a lack of resources. Public funding for transit in Ontario is relatively low, accounting for only 25% of revenues, the rest coming from the fare box, as compared to American transit systems, which typically receive about 60% of their revenue from public sources.

Another stumbling block has been the lack of common, objective standards or benchmarks for accessible transit services. Standards are essential in motivating and sustaining increased accessibility, as well as in ensuring that access to transit is not contingent on where in Ontario people live.

Accessible transit is a complex issue, involving many players. For advances to be made, all players – transit providers, municipalities, senior levels of government, non-governmental organizations, the Ontario Human Rights Commission itself, and persons with disabilities - must rethink their roles and responsibilities, and work together to find solutions.

The Commission recommends that transit providers set a goal of full integration and accessibility; design inclusively when developing new policies and procedures, creating new services, or building or purchasing new structures or capital equipment; develop and maintain plans to achieve full integration and accessibility; involve persons with disabilities, and older Ontarians when planning accessibility improvements; and take all steps short of undue hardship to achieve integration and maximum accessibility.

The Ministry of Transportation has an important role to play in this field and should take accessibility issues into account when considering transit funding initiatives. As well, the passage of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the creation of the Accessibility Directorate create a timely opportunity to address the urgent need for standards for accessible transit services.

The Commission itself will continue to take an active role in furthering transit accessibility. It will work with transit service providers to ensure they understand their human rights obligations and work to fulfill them. As well, the Commission will continue to monitor developments in this area, and to raise awareness about these issues through a variety of communication mediums.”

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