1. Human Rights Working Group Calgary Ability Network (CAN)
By: Tenaya Price- University of Calgary, Practicum Student

2. Calgary Ability network is about Community

3. Calgary Ability Network
Is a collaborative partnership involving professionals and individuals from the disability community working together
Our purpose is to bridge the gap between fragmented disability communities in Calgary and to put forward action plans to advance policies
6 different working tables. Recreation, Transportation, Poverty Reduction, Employment, Human Rights, and Accessible Housing (partnership).

4. CAN- Human Rights A new table
Human Rights is a broad subject that many are hesitant to speak directly about…Nor do we think of it as being an issue in our own backyard
Often associated with International poverty issues in third world countries, or as a violation of international, and national law as it pertains to an individual
Urgent need for collaboration in the Disability Community here in Calgary

5. What are Human Rights?

6. Human Rights may mean something slightly different for everyone, particularly as it pertains to a certain issue…
Common definition is…
Human rights are the understood as the inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because he or she is a human being
They are Universal (applied everywhere)
They are Egalitarian (the same for everyone)

7. What is our Goal?
Raising awareness to the public and community around human rights issues
Working as a unified team to address issues at the community level for individuals with disabilities on many fronts, and across several domains
Starting a dialogue on the issues in our current system and the barriers that people experience in our sector as they pertain to individuals human rights

8. Environmental Scan Through a Disability lens
Our purpose…

9. Environmental Scan-Human Rights
To focus our efforts in the disability community
Need to be aware of what other organizations are doing and if there are other committees in existence
This information allows us to be more effective in the community and encourages the need for collaboration with partners in the community
In doing so this allows us to reassess current strategies and develop new ones as they are needed
As a sector what do we do? How do we create awareness in the community to address change?
Our ultimate goal is to promote education and create awareness

10. Calgary Ability Network (CAN)
International
Calgary Ability Network (CAN)

11. Legislation The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Generally agreed to be the foundation of International human rights law
Canada is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Protection of human rights is therefore a part of our commitment to International law.

12. Examples
Disabled People International: An International network of Organizations or Assemblies of Disabled People
Human Rights Watch: Defend and Protect Human Rights
(Search Disability and a host of information and publications will come up on Disability Issues from around the world)

13. Examples Continued…
The UN convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 50
The Convention follows decades of work by the United Nations to change attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities
Shaped the way that countries protect and support people with developmental disabilities
Creates an expectation on human rights for all countries to follow and use in their legislation and policy making

14. The UN Convention CoNt’d
There are provinces that have adopted their own strong legislation which they hold to
For example, Nova Scotia- celebrated the ratification by holding educational sessions in various universities across Nova Scotia
Produced a Webinar called the “Civic engagement Webinar for Person’s with Disabilities”

15. Federal
"Equality is a right guaranteed to all Canadian citizens. The values inherent in the concept of equality include self-determination, autonomy, dignity, respect, integration, participation and independent living.” (Government of Canada Website, 2014).

16. Legislation The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
15.html
The Canadian Human Rights Act
6/fulltext.html
These policies create a platform for ALL Canadians to be treated equally regardless of race, sexual orientation, religion, disability etc.

17. Examples Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) www.ccdonline.ca
Amnesty International Canada
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities- Ratification by Canada
chPublications/ e.htm

18. Calgary Ability Network (CAN)
Provincial
Calgary Ability Network (CAN)

19. Legislation Alberta Human Rights Act
A25P5.pdf
Benchmark that we follow
Alberta Human Rights Commission
.asp
Body or tribunal, that ensures the act is followed

20. Examples Public Interest Alberta
services-poverty
Alberta Civil Liberties Research
The John Humphreys centre for Human rights

21. Other provinces by comparison
Calgary Ability Network

22. Examples BC (Vancouver) Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Quebec
Nova Scotia
North West territories

23. Municipal
City of Calgary

24. Legislation Alberta Human Rights Commission (Calgary)
Follows the mandate of the Alberta commission
Website links and publications

25. Calgary- What’s Being done at home
Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative
The International Society for peace and Human rights (Calgary chapter)
Sheldon Chumir Foundation

26. Current Concerns for Persons with Disabilities
Discussion
Current Concerns for Persons with Disabilities

27. What are your thoughts? What are your experiences?
Where have you noticed the gaps?

28. References
Parliament of Canada website (2014)
Council of Canadians with Disability Website (2014)
Government of Canada Website, Constitution (2014)
Amnesty International website (2014)
The Calgary ability Network (2014)
Alberta Human Rights Act
Alberta Human Rights Commission
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Disabled People International
Human Rights Watch
The UN CRPD
Public Interest Alberta
Alberta Civil Liberties research
The JH Centre
The Canadian Charter of Rights and freedoms
The Canadian Human Rights Act
The Canadian UN ratification
Disabled Persons Commission Nova Scotia
Public Interest Alberta
The VIHRC
Amnesty International Saskatchewan
Sask voice
Manitoba Association for Rights
Government of Manitoba Website
Ontario Human Rights Commission
Quebec Cashra
Nova Scotia CPN
NWT Government website
Alberta Human Rights Commission website
CUAI
ISPHR
Sheldon Chumir Foundation