In the 2012/13 fiscal year, 21% of applications filed with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario alleged discrimination with respect to goods, service and facilities. In addition, the introduction of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act has increased awareness and focus on providing services in a way that is inclusive and accessible. This conference will cover a wide variety of topics related to service based human rights issues relevant to accessibility and human rights professionals in municipalities, transit providers and enforcement. The speakers will address recent cases, legislative and government initiatives and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario’s processes.
Fee
$325.00 plus $42.25 HST (13%), totalling $367.25 per person
Agenda
8:00 |
Registration and Continental Breakfast |
8:50 |
Opening Comments |
9:00 |
Trends in serviced based discrimination claims you need to know aboutAmanda J. Hunter, Patty G. Murray, Mark H. MasonA discussion of the recent human rights cases and issues in the provision of services – from managing competing human rights to medical marijuana to ladies nights. |
9:45 |
AODA – Where we are and where we are going with respect to providing services to the publicPaul E. BroadAn overview of the current and future regulations and the compliance obligations on organizations. |
10:15 |
Coffee and Networking Break |
10:35 |
Responding to applications at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario: The process demystifiedSamantha M. Crumb, Andrew N. ZabrovskyWhat can you expect if a human rights application is filed against your organization? In this session we will outline the steps in the process from the first response to the hearing. We will also discuss options to request early dismissal, deferring the complaint and summary hearings. Finally, we will discuss the benefits of mediation and settlement and enforcing settlement orders, including confidentiality clauses. |
11:15 |
Access and the cost of failing to provide accessible public facilities- remedies at the HRTOSamantha M. CrumbWhat exactly does “undue hardship” mean? The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has extensive powers to order remedies to remove barriers to service. In this session we will discuss some of the creative, and expensive, remedies ordered by the Tribunal as well as recent damage awards where there has been a finding of discrimination in the provision of services. |
11:30 |
“Not in My Back Yard” – planning and access to housing and servicesAmanda J. HunterThis session will be a discussion of the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s publication In the Zone: Housing, Human Rights and Municipal Planning and the Commission’s initiatives to review municipal housing licensing by-laws and encourage inclusive community planning. |
11:45 |
Religious accommodation in providing public servicesMark H. MasonCan you display the message “Merry Christmas” on programmable bus signs? Can you restrict religious content in advertisements on public property? Do you have an obligation when providing services to accommodate religious based restrictions on interacting with members of the opposite sex? The answers to these questions and more…. |