Citizens with Disabilities - Ontario (CWDO): Citizens With Disabilities’ Protected Rights

Project Type: Public Legal Education (presentations, workshops, podcasts, brochures, blogs, etc.) and Research (memoranda used for internal purposes only)

Fields of Law: Constitutional (Federalism or the Charter), Human Rights, Other (accessibility law pertaining to people with disabilities in Ontario).

Positions Available: 2

This is a joint project in which University of Toronto students will work with students from Lakehead University.

 

About:

Citizens With Disabilities - Ontario (CWDO) is committed to the rights of all persons to participate fully in the civil, cultural, economic, political and social life of their communities. We actively promote the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of persons with disabilities through community development, social action, and member support and referral. Our primary activity is public education and awareness about the social and physical barriers that prevent the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in Ontario. CWDO acts in the interests of the 1.85 million Ontarians who live with one or more disabilities. Our registered members reside in almost every electoral district in the province.

 

Project Details:

Students will conduct research into the protected rights of Ontarians with disabilities. This year’s topics may include medical assistance with dying, as well as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and how it is implemented at the provincial and municipal levels.

Students will undertake research, prepare memoranda of law, prepare versions of findings in plain language for use on blogs, newsletters, or information for the general public. Students may have the opportunity to present their findings in webinars for the public aiming to educate individuals about their rights and avenues for remedies. They will also have the opportunity to present summaries of findings to municipal and provincial committees undertaking consultations on accessibility for and integration of persons with disabilities.

Students will be able to choose their research topic from a variety of issues which the Board of CWDO would like to investigate. Research may build on previous work or explore new topics. Students’ research may provide a foundation for CWDO to take further action regarding a particular issue.

 

Will the student(s) be expected to show up for regular shifts each week, or is the schedule flexible?

The schedule is flexible but there may be scheduled meetings, webinars or deputations involving the student(s) at fixed dates and times. All work will be done remotely using Zoom and the students’ own computer and software.

 

Requirements and Expectations:

No prerequisites required but students will become very familiar with the human rights legal framework pertaining to disability rights law e.g., the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; the Accessible Canada Act and federal regulations applying to disability rights and services (e.g., transportation, radio & telecommunications); the Ontario Human Rights Code; the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and accessibility provisions of the Ontario Building Code; and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation; as they relate to each topic. 

Students with disabilities are welcome and will be accommodated as needed. CWDO is welcoming of students with any background (i.e., Indigenous, cultural/racial, LGBT2QS, etc.) Ideally, students will be interested in disability law, with a focus on Ontario, Canada, and the United Nations.