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Information Media Centre Statement on the Federal Court Decision to provide access for Deaf Canadians
Information Media Centre Statement on the Federal Court Decision to provide access for Deaf Canadians
Statement on the Federal Court Decision to provide access for Deaf Canadians
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In a country where a fundamental principle of our
democracy is open access to government, the Federal Court of Canada’s
decision of August 11, 2006 enforces this right for Deaf citizens. The
ruling supports existing legislation and legal precedents addressing the
obligation to provide accessible services, e.g. the Canadian Charter of
Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, the provincial
Human Rights Codes, the Eldridge decision and other Supreme Court of
Canada rulings.
August 30, 2006
Official statement concerning the August 11, 2006 federal court decision regarding access for Deaf Canadians.
Toronto, ON – In a country where a fundamental principle of our democracy is open access to government, the Federal Court of Canada’s decision of August 11, 2006 enforces this right for Deaf citizens. The ruling supports existing legislation and legal precedents addressing the obligation to provide accessible services, e.g. the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, the provincial Human Rights Codes, the Eldridge decision and other Supreme Court of Canada rulings.
We at The Canadian Hearing Society applaud the decision as a victory for both Deaf Canadians and the government. We have every confidence that the implications of the decision can be practically met and affordably implemented. Just as you would schedule an appointment with your doctor, the federal government would schedule a sign language interpreter upon request when meeting with a Deaf Canadian.
This is an issue of equity. To ask voting, tax-paying Deaf Canadians to pay for access to their own government is like asking people in wheelchairs to bring their own ramps.
Deaf Canadians should have the same access to their government as hearing Canadians. The federal court decision of August 11 guarantees this.
-30-
The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) www.chs.ca: provides services that enhance the independence of deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people, and that encourage the prevention of hearing loss. Established in 1940, CHS is the largest agency of its kind delivering 17 programs, from Employment Counselling and Sign Language classes to Hearing Aids and Communication Devices, through 28 offices.
Contact:
Adrienne Clarke
Manager, Public Relations
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: (416) 928-2500 Ext. 284
TTY: (416) 928-2545
Official statement concerning the August 11, 2006 federal court decision regarding access for Deaf Canadians.
Toronto, ON – In a country where a fundamental principle of our democracy is open access to government, the Federal Court of Canada’s decision of August 11, 2006 enforces this right for Deaf citizens. The ruling supports existing legislation and legal precedents addressing the obligation to provide accessible services, e.g. the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, the provincial Human Rights Codes, the Eldridge decision and other Supreme Court of Canada rulings.
We at The Canadian Hearing Society applaud the decision as a victory for both Deaf Canadians and the government. We have every confidence that the implications of the decision can be practically met and affordably implemented. Just as you would schedule an appointment with your doctor, the federal government would schedule a sign language interpreter upon request when meeting with a Deaf Canadian.
This is an issue of equity. To ask voting, tax-paying Deaf Canadians to pay for access to their own government is like asking people in wheelchairs to bring their own ramps.
Deaf Canadians should have the same access to their government as hearing Canadians. The federal court decision of August 11 guarantees this.
-30-
The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) www.chs.ca: provides services that enhance the independence of deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people, and that encourage the prevention of hearing loss. Established in 1940, CHS is the largest agency of its kind delivering 17 programs, from Employment Counselling and Sign Language classes to Hearing Aids and Communication Devices, through 28 offices.
Contact:
Adrienne Clarke
Manager, Public Relations
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: (416) 928-2500 Ext. 284
TTY: (416) 928-2545
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