RESOURCES
EVAC+CHAIR® ARE PROUD TO WORK IN ASSOCIATION WITH VALUED KEY PARTNERS
“We are involved in accessibility because we believe in its capacity to catalyze an inclusive world for everyone.”
Level Playing Field provide a full range of accessibility consulting services helping architects, designers, engineers, builders, managers, developers and government organizations implement Universal Design principles and accessible best practices.
They collaborate with other key organizations, such as Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Deaf & Hear Alberta, Calgary Ability Network, Autism Society and seniors’ organizations, to name a few. Level Playing Field are a consulting agency that provides innovative Universal Design solutions based on the social model of disability. Their expertise in national and international building codes and accessibility standards and site auditing is complemented by their ability to conduct extensive qualitative research and stakeholder engagement. Level Playing Field apply a social justice framework to their evaluations and accessible best practice recommendations for all urban environments including education, health care, residential, commercial, recreational, retail, and entertainment events among many other spaces. More than ensuring buildings and events comply with legal accessibility standards, Level Playing Field strive to elevate conversations beyond accessible built environments and provide thought leadership around inclusive social policies, programs and guidelines. Their work stems from the belief that all future and existing environments should be accessible by everyone, regardless of age, ability or circumstance.
Until you experience a disability—permanent or temporarily—it is hard to imagine what a challenge it can be to just get around. Level Playing Field are proud to be industry leaders in our training, and in bringing an unparalleled level of lived experience and passion to every project they are involved in.
“We believe that everyone, regardless of physical or financial challenges deserves to be independent.”
In 1949, in an effort to find a cure for the polio virus, mothers across Canada joined a North America-wide fundraising effort. These dedicated volunteers, known as the Marching Mothers®, went door-to-door collecting donations of ‘just a dime’ to donate to the Canadian Foundation for Poliomyelitis (sic) for research for a cure to polio.
In 1951, the Canadian Foundation for Poliomyelitis was granted use of the name ‘Ontario March of Dimes’. Funds raised went to support research into the cure for polio.
In 1955, the polio vaccine created by Dr. Jonas Salk proved effective in limited test trials. With the threat of polio greatly diminished, Ontario March of Dimes began funding assistive devices for people who had contracted the polio virus, as well as providing programs focused primarily on rehabilitation and job training for polio survivors. Click here to learn more about the history of March of Dimes Canada.
By the early 1960s, the organization shifted its mandate to serve the broader needs of all adults with physical disabilities, regardless of whether the disability was a result of a disability at birth, the polio virus, an accident, or even due to aging.
In 2001, a national charity subsidiary registered as the Rehabilitation Foundation for Disabled Persons, Canada (RFDP Canada) inaugurated Post-Polio Canada in 2001 and Stroke Recovery Canada in 2004.=
In 2006, Ontario March of Dimes looked to expand its service offering to people with physical disabilities outside of Ontario and the name ‘March of Dimes Canada’ was registered. The robust offering of programs and services that were offered under Ontario March of Dimes (in Ontario) since the early 1960s have been gradually expanded and offered throughout the country under March of Dimes Canada. Click here to see the progress of more programs and services offered by March of Dimes Canada.
Ontario March of Dimes had four subsidiaries to meet the various needs of the community: March of Dimes Canada, Ontario March of Dimes Non-Profit Housing Corporation (NPHC), OMOD Independence Non-Profit Corporation, Rehabilitation Foundation for Disabled Persons Inc., U.S.. Ontario March of Dimes and March of Dimes Canada issue a consolidated annual report and financial statements each year. The annual reports and financial statements for the subsidiaries are reported separately and are available online.
In 2012-2013, we began the transition of Ontario March of Dimes to the national organization, March of Dimes Canada, by applying for continuance under the new Canada Non-Profit Corporations Act. All current programs and services, administrative departments, and communications will cease operating under the name Ontario March of Dimes in 2013-2014 and continue as March of Dimes Canada.
By the end of 2013 the current RFDP Canada will become March of Dimes Canada Foundation. Ontario March of Dimes Non-Profit Housing Corporation also sought continuance as March of Dimes Canada Non-Profit Housing Corporation and this too has been approved. The two provincial entities ceased to exist and became national entities in May 2013.
March of Dimes Canada believes that everyone, regardless of physical or financial challenges deserves to be independent, able to work, learn and participate fully in their community.
Today, we could not be more proud of our accomplishments. Accomplishments that are only made possible because of generous donations and people who care. Because of you – today there are thousands of children and adults with disabilities who are more independent, active and empowered. We thank everyone who has made this possible and look forward to helping even more Canadians in the years to come.
“Our mission is to advance excellence in occupational therapy.”
The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is the national organization that supports more than 20,000 occupational therapists (OTs), occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) and students who work or study in Canada.
OTs improve the health and well-being of Canadians by working in partnership with people and communities that help them participate more fully in activities that are important to their everyday lives. CAOT provides resources, services and learning opportunities that assist OTs in achieving excellence in their professional practice. Additionally, CAOT provides leadership in the development and promotion of the occupational therapy profession in Canada and internationally.
CANADIANS WITH DISABILITIES
BIO OF ED ‘EDDIE’ RICE
Rice promotes products that improve the quality and safety of daily living for all Canadians.
A Polio Survivor, and a retired Prosthetist. Rice has always been involved with a variety of community service organizations and a member of B’nai Brith Canada since 1973.
In 1998, Rice was approached by B’nai Brith Canada to be the Chairman of a new committee, dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities. ‘Canadians with Disabilities – Sub Committee of B’nai Brith Canada’s League for Human Rights’ (www.bnaibrith.ca). Working with other disability organizations, he was instrumental in getting Canada’s first Provincial Accessibility Legislation passed in 2005, in Ontario, the AODA.
Using his medical and mechanical expertise, Rice takes on all arenas of accessibility. A resource for Mobility and Assistive Devices products and information. Consulting with projects to prevent and remove barriers by going above and beyond the building codes, resulting in a safer, easier to use, longer lasting environment.
Advocacy, on disability issues is a constant part of Rice’s responsibilities. Dealing with organizations, all levels of governments and various forms of the media has become second nature. Rice promotes products that improve the quality and safety of daily living for all Canadians.
One of the recent success is the nationwide launch of the promotion of the ‘fuelService’ app. This app allows drivers with disabilities to get full service at the gas pump and the kiosk at over 1300 SHELL Canada stations. The app is fee at the APP Store and easy to use. Rice is also the Co-Chair of the CCMCD.ca, the Canadian Coalition of Mobility Challenged Drivers (2017), email Rice: cwdbbc@outlook.com or info@ccmcd.ca
