This is our Fifth Annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities Event and the first year we are doing the event virtually. Going virtual this year means we have speakers and panelists from across Canada!

This year's theme is "Together One Voice, More Choices - Don't Leave Us Behind". If you have been frustrated or frightened at the way the disability community has been disproportionately left behind during the pandemic, then this event is for you!

Who we are?

We are a group of community service organizations supporting persons with disabilities. For the past 5 years, we come together to commemorate and celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Our goal is to foster and strengthen collaboration and support for each other, and to share our successes and challenges so that we can learn about and participate in programs and services designed for persons with disabilities.

Opening Remarks-Michael Prince, Professor, University of Victoria, COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group, Federal Government, Minister Carla Qualtrough

Keynote Speaker-Louise Gillis, National President, Canadian Council of the Blind, Responding to Challenges in a Time of Crisis

Speaker-Ramya Amuthan, Producer and Presenter, Accessible Media Inc, How the Pandemic is impacting Youth-in Society

Panel Discussion 

What are some best practices that are working well and what are community organizations doing to keep their members engaged during the pandemic?

How is the pandemic impacting youth in society? 

How do we as people with disabilities respond to these challenges in a time of crisis?

How are the governments and social structures supporting the rights of people with disabilities and what steps can be taken to protect their rights?  

Panelists

Rex Banks, Au. D,, Doctor of Audiology, Director, Hearing Health, Quality and Knowledge Enterprise, Infection Control Officer, Canadian Hearing Services

Samantha Moore, Co Chair 2019 National Young Leaders Program, Fighting Blindness Canada, Coordinator, Public Relations & Youth Programs, Canadian Council of the Blind

Alicia Grace Official, Public Speaker, Advocate for People with Disabilities  

John Rae, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, Human Rights Advocate for People with Disabilities, Public Speaker and Writer

Partners

Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians Toronto Chapter (www.blindcanadians.ca), Baker McKenzie (www.bakermckenzie.com), Balance for Blind Adults (www.balancefba.org), Canadian Council of the Blind Toronto Visionaries ( ccbtorontovisionaries.ca), Canadian National Institute for the Blind  (cnib.ca), Jobstart (www.jobstart.org), Ontario Chamber of Commerce (occ.ca), Ontario Federation of Cerebral Palsy (www.ofcp.ca) and Trailblazers Tandem Cycling Club (www.trailblazerstandem.org)

Sponsors

Gold Sponsors - Baker McKenzie, Canadian Council of the Blind

Silver Sponsor - Trailblazers

This is a Zoom event, and all registered attendees will be emailed meeting details 24 hours before the event. If you require ASL or Closed Captioning, please email AEBCToronto@gmail.com and we will be happy to accommodate you.

If you have questions for our speakers or panelists please email AEBCToronto@gmail.com and we can ask them live during the conference.

We look forward to meeting you virtually!