Accessibility Is A Human Right

The CHRC logo on a white background.
The word ACCESSIBILITY appears behind the leaf logo.
NARRATOR: Accessibility is a human right. It’s about removing barriers.
A community is created – a home, an apartment building, a bank, a post office and an office tower with stairs to the front doors.
NARRATOR: And creating communities, workplaces and services that everyone can access.
The community transforms, the fence comes down, signs light up stores and businesses, and the stairs become a ramp.
NARRATOR: That means: Buildings and public spaces and services that meet everyone’s needs.
The view zooms to a computer where it's written SCREEN READER. The view widens revealing a video playing on a tablet. The words CLOSED CAPTIONING appear.
NARRATOR: Inclusive technology like screen-readers and closed captioning.
The tablet transforms into a clipboard, holding a paper with the heading HIRING PRACTICES. Below this heading, checkmarks next to text:
FOCUS ON UNDERSTANDING A PERSON’S ABILITY
GIVE EVERYONE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE AND CONTRIBUTE
NARRATOR: Hiring practices that focus on understanding a person’s ability and that give everyone equal opportunity to participate and contribute.
The clipboard moves off screen, revealing words that say:
MORE THAN 6,000,000 PEOPLE IN CANADA HAVE A DISABILITY
NARRATOR: More than six million people in Canada have a disability.
6,000,000 remains on screen. The zeroes roll sideways in a row. The lead zero bumps into stairs that it cannot climb. A sign on the stairs says SERVICES and points up. The lead zero bounces backwards, sending a zero and the six off screen.
NARRATOR: Many face barriers when accessing services.
The remaining five zeroes gather in front of a blackboard with the word SCHOOL.
NARRATOR: going to school...
The blackboard transforms into a bullhorn with the word JOBS. One of the three remaining zeros dons a hard hat and follows the bullhorn off screen, leaving the other two behind.
NARRATOR: … or finding employment.
The final two zeroes transform into spectacles on the nose of a face with a white beard.
NARRATOR: With the number of older people in Canada on the rise, the need for accessibility is critical
Text appears that says ACCESSIBILITY BENEFITS EVERYONE. The six zeroes roll back into the frame, and transform into wheels of a wheelchair, one wrapped in a bandage with a crutch, the fourth grows grey-hair and wrinkles, and the last two turn into a stroller.
NARRATOR: Accessibility benefits everyone: People with a disability and those with temporary injuries, seniors, caretakers, and parents using strollers.
The text changes to say ACCESSIBLE CANADA ACT. A Canadian flag fills the frame. Two shingle signs with symbols that represent federal service providers. A blue sky with clouds floating with the words, BUILDINGS, TECHNOLOGY, SERVICES, and JOBS.
NARRATOR: The Accessible Canada Act is law and will create a barrier-free Canada. The law requires federal employers and service providers to make sure everyone can access their buildings, technology, services and jobs.
New words appear on the clouds that say, CONSULTATION, DEVELOPMENT, POLICIES, and PLANS, PROGRESS.
NARRATOR: The Act requires that people with disabilities be consulted on the development of accessibility policies and plans. It also requires that people with disabilities have the opportunity to provide feedback on progress.
The CHRC leaf wipes across the screen to reveal the text CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION. Two hands perform a handshake, and then the text changes to FEDERAL EMPLOYERS and SERVICE PROVIDERS. The text changes to say ACCESSIBILITY REGULATIONS.
NARRATOR: The Canadian Human Rights Commission and its partners are responsible for making sure federally regulated employers and service providers are following accessibility regulations.
Two hands with DISCRIMINATION written across the palms. The hands pull apart to reveal the text ACCESSIBLE CANADA ACT and PROACTIVE. The hands give the thumbs up. On the back of the hands, the words INDIVIDUALS and GROUPS appear. The hands leave frame. A magnifying glass with a fish eye lens appears with text that says INSPECT and TAKE ACTION.
NARRATOR: Unlike protection from discrimination, the Accessible Canada Act is proactive and does not depend on individuals or groups filing complaints for the Commission to inspect and take action.
The text changes to EMPLOYERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS and then IDENTIFY and REMOVE BARRIERS. An then changes to ACCESSIBILITY.
NARRATOR: Federally regulated employers and service providers are required to take it upon themselves to identify and remove barriers for accessibility.
The zeroes gather into dots that resemble braille and hand signing that translate to EVERYONE BENEFITS.
NARRATOR: Accessibility is about inclusion. When everyone can participate freely and fully in all aspects of life in Canada, everyone benefits. To find out more about the Accessible Canada Act, visit: http:// accessibilitychrc.ca