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CWDO invites you to attend our free webinar series: COVID-19 Coffee Chats.
 
Increase your social connections and networks within Ontario's disability community.
 
Our first webinar is on Wednesday, October 14th from 11 am-12 pm. Wednesday's chat will feature discussion questions, checking in with the community about coping and staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Can't make it on Wednesday? CWDO's second COVID-19 Chat will be on Tuesday, October 20 from 12 pm-1 pm.
 
Check out the links below for registration information.
 
If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
 
Closed captioning will be provided and ASL is available upon request.

CILT’s D-Next Accessible Media lab invites you to our first D-Next Screening Night!
 
This screening will showcase Toronto-area disabled and Deaf storytellers from our D-Next media project, telling their stories about disability and Deaf community issues and culture. Countering the erasure of our community's stories in the mainstream media and pop culture, the project reflects the independent living philosophy of Nothing About Us Without Us!

CWDO invites you to attend our free webinar series: COVID-19 Coffee Chats.
 
Increase your social connections and networks within Ontario's disability community.
 
Our first webinar is on Wednesday, October 14th from 11 am-12 pm. Wednesday's chat will feature discussion questions, checking in with the community about coping and staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Can't make it on Wednesday? CWDO's second COVID-19 Chat will be on Tuesday, October 20 from 12 pm-1 pm.
 
Check out the links below for registration information.
 
If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
 
Closed captioning will be provided and ASL is available upon request.

Accessibility compliance deadline postponed

In a notice to stakeholders, the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility announced it is extending the accessibility compliance reporting deadline under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) for businesses and non-profit organizations from December 31, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
 
Meantime, the province says it is encouraging organizations to use this additional time to assess their compliance with the AODA’s standards and make changes to their services to help advance accessibility in Ontario.
 
Questions about the reporting extension can be directed to Garth Napier, Director, Accessibility Compliance and Enforcement Branch [email protected]

Ontario prepares for Second Wave of COVID-19

The Ontario government has developed a $2.8 billion COVID-19 fall preparedness plan to ensure the province's health care, long-term care and education systems are prepared for the immediate challenges of the fall, including a second wave of COVID-19 and the upcoming flu season. Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19 will enable the province to quickly identify, prevent and respond to surges and waves of the virus to protect the health and safety of all Ontarians.
 
The plan includes expanded testing and contact management; flu immunizations, managing outbreaks and preparing for surges, reducing the service backlogs, recruiting, training, and supporting healthcare workers, supporting long term care homes, schools and childcare centres
 
Read details about Ontario’s second wave COVID-19 plan.

Triage Protocol update

In the face of rising stage 2 COVID-19 numbers, opposition critics and disability advocates are calling on Ontario’s government to publicly release its COVID-19 triage protocol, which would guide doctors on how to determine who should get life-saving treatment if hospitals are overwhelmed by coronavirus patients.
 
The purpose of the protocol, which would only be invoked as a last resort if critical care resources needed to be rationed, is to minimize overall mortality by prioritizing patients with the best chance of survival.
 
The Ministry of Health says the protocol is still being reviewed and will not be made public at this time.
 
Read more about the Triage Protocol.

Renewed COVID-19 visitor restrictions

The province has updated its visitor policy to address areas where there is higher community spread of COVID-19. Starting Wednesday, October 7, 2020, general visitors will not be allowed in long-term care homes in the following communities. Only essential visitors, including up to one caregiver per resident, will be allowed to visit. If the home is experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 the local public health unit will provide direction on further visitor restrictions and other measures.
 
Visitor restrictions will apply in Ottawa, Peel Region and Toronto.
 
Read more about renewed visitor restrictions at long-term care homes.