Through Know Your Rights, the CNIB Foundation Ontario has developed plain language resources (handbooks, videos, training, etc.) to empower Ontarians who are blind, partially sighted or Deafblind to better understand their rights, navigate the provincial legal system, and self-advocate to challenge discrimination.
In the fall of 2018, the CNIB Foundation Ontario received funding from the Law Foundation of Ontario to present legal information in a way that speaks directly to our communities' specific needs.
We held eight focus groups across the province, where more than 40 participants and community members shared their experiences with discrimination. Through this research, we identified eight key areas of concern: education; employment; housing; healthcare; transportation; built environment, and government and consumer services. We also identified a need for self-advocacy and essential legal information resources.
Today, in honour of Human Rights Day, we're thrilled to share the Know Your Rights handbooks with you. In addition to these resources, the Know Your Rights team has produced several educational videos, and facilitated training for CNIB Foundation Ontario, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario and Deafblind Community Services staff, and community partners.
Visit cnib.ca/KnowYourRights to learn more. If you have questions or comments, please email knowyourrights@cnib.ca.
The CNIB Foundation Ontario continues to seek opportunities to advance this vital work. We will be working with law students from Pro Bono Students Canada to develop additional resources in the coming months.
A special thanks to Avery Au, Shannon Kinch and Kat Clarke for bringing this project to life.
Duane Morgan
Executive Director, CNIB Foundation Ontario East
Executive Lead, CNIB Know Your Rights Project