top of page
Search

On October 15 from 1-3 PM we are hosting an in person Arts based workshop to understand the experiences of young Black and racialized girls (and non binary youth) between the ages of 12-7, who also live with disabilities. This workshop will occur at the Workers' Art and Heritage Centre. It is paid and is part of a research study in collaboration with the Disabled Women's Network of Canada (DAWN) and the University of Guelph. See poster for more details and email info@djno.ca to sign up! This workshop will be facilitated by Sahra Soudi.


ID: The background is soft watercolour blobs in light purple, pink, blue, and yellow. On the top left is DJNO and DAWN Canada's logos. Below is text beside an illustration of a paintbrush that reads "Arts-Based Workshop for girls with disabilities. email info@djno.ca to sign up." Below are 4 squares in the colours orange and purple with text about what to expect from the workshop. The date, location and time reads as "Saturday October 15th, 2022 at the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre from 1pm-3pm." On the bottom right is an illustration of a group of women and girls with disabilities.


Over a black background with blue borders, reads “JUSTICE means a DISABILITY-CENTERED response to COVID-19.” Below is a yellow path. On the left side of the path is a brown mother in a wheelchair holding hands with her daughter. They are wearing pink and blue. Towards the front of the path is a Black woman walking with a walker, wearing blue and black. In the bottom right corner is the DJNO logo, which has the words Disability Justice Network of Ontario written in dark blue. The words Disability Justice Network are in bold, and the words of Ontario are not. Small flower petals are positioned like a crown over the words Disability and Network, in colors yellow, light blue, and dark blue. To the right of the path is a Black woman walking with a white man. They are wearing blue and red. In the center at the bottom is a wooden sign with four dark blue planks pointing in different directions of the path. From top to bottom, they read: “MUTUAL AID”, “AFFORDABILITY”, ”LIVABILITY” and "ACCESS"
Over a black background with blue borders, reads “JUSTICE means a DISABILITY-CENTERED response to COVID-19.” Below is a yellow path. On the left side of the path is a brown mother in a wheelchair holding hands with her daughter. They are wearing pink and blue. Towards the front of the path is a Black woman walking with a walker, wearing blue and black. In the bottom right corner is the DJNO logo, which has the words Disability Justice Network of Ontario written in dark blue. The words Disability Justice Network are in bold, and the words of Ontario are not. Small flower petals are positioned like a crown over the words Disability and Network, in colors yellow, light blue, and dark blue. To the right of the path is a Black woman walking with a white man. They are wearing blue and red. In the center at the bottom is a wooden sign with four dark blue planks pointing in different directions of the path. From top to bottom, they read: “MUTUAL AID”, “AFFORDABILITY”, ”LIVABILITY” and "ACCESS"

In 2021, DJNO released a survey for disabled Canadians to share their experiences and needs from the COVID-19 pandemic, titled, “Just Recovery as it relates to Disabled People in Canada”. The survey was completed by a total of 176 respondents across Canada, 156 of whom were Ontario-based. For survey analysis, DJNO reached out to the McMaster Research Shop, where researchers Manisha Pahwa (lead), Hazel Dhaliwal, Jocelyn Lee, Syed Mahamad and Em Murdoch conducted a descriptive analysis of survey responses.

Major themes that emerged from the survey were Education and Labor Force (Accessibility of Education System and Labor Force); Social Assistance (Amount of and Access to Social Assistance); Justice System; Housing (Accessible and Affordable Housing; Healthcare (Accessibility and Affordability of Healthcare, Home and Long-Term Care, Medical Assistance in Dying); Affordability and Accessibility to Goods and Services; and Gender-Based Issues. Analysis can be found in Section 5 and Appendices of the final report.

Over a black background with blue borders, reads “In 2021, DJNO released a survey for disabled Canadians to share their experiences and needs from the COVID-19 pandemic, titled, “Just Recovery as it relates to Disabled People in Canada [blue text]”.” The survey was completed by a total of 176 respondents across Canada, 156 of whom were Ontario-based” in white text. To the bottom right are three Black children smiling and playing tag. To their right is a Black man on crutches with a soccer ball. In dark blue text to the bottom right reads, “Key findings [with an arrow pointing to the right]” in front of a white text box with dark blue borders. To the top right is the DJNO logo, which has the words Disability Justice Network of Ontario written in dark blue. The words Disability Justice Network are in bold, and the words of Ontario are not. Small flower petals are positioned like a crown over the words Disability and Network, in colors yellow, light blue, and dark blue.
Over a black background with blue borders, reads “In 2021, DJNO released a survey for disabled Canadians to share their experiences and needs from the COVID-19 pandemic, titled, “Just Recovery as it relates to Disabled People in Canada [blue text]”.” The survey was completed by a total of 176 respondents across Canada, 156 of whom were Ontario-based” in white text. To the bottom right are three Black children smiling and playing tag. To their right is a Black man on crutches with a soccer ball. In dark blue text to the bottom right reads, “Key findings [with an arrow pointing to the right]” in front of a white text box with dark blue borders. To the top right is the DJNO logo, which has the words Disability Justice Network of Ontario written in dark blue. The words Disability Justice Network are in bold, and the words of Ontario are not. Small flower petals are positioned like a crown over the words Disability and Network, in colors yellow, light blue, and dark blue.

This project also included interviews/consultations with organizations across Ontario and Canada, including DAWN Canada, Inclusion Canada, ODSP Action Coalition, YWCA Hamilton, Ontario Disability Coalition (ODC), the Learning Disabilities Association of Hamilton-Halton (LDAHH) and Ontario Students for COVID Safety. Similar themes emerged from these organizations, who have worked directly with disabled Canadians throughout the pandemic.

Adjacent to the Just Recovery Coalition of Hamilton report, the final report includes several final recommendations which provide direction for decision-makers across local, municipal, provincial/territorial and federal jurisdictions, though the report is mostly Ontario-based. Most notably, key recommendations include (re)enforcing pandemic safeguards, ensuring intra-government collaboration, expanding disability supports/social assistance, and more.


Recommendations from this report are as follows:


RECOMMENDATION #1: Implement communications and information technology resource plans across jurisdictions to address ongoing isolation.


RECOMMENDATION #2: Immediately increase Ontario Disability Support Payment (ODSP) rates, and make them reflective of inflation rates.


RECOMMENDATION #3: Expand suspensions to eviction enforcements, orders and hearing (and begin rent relief post-pandemic) to eventually halt all evictions.


RECOMMENDATION #4: Create a disability-centered plan to address the shortfallings of Ontario’s education system with respect to pandemic safeguards and learning.


RECOMMENDATION #5: Amend the federal Childcare Agreement, ensuring priority access for low-income, racialized and disabled families.


RECOMMENDATION #6: Move away from long-term care models and expand efforts to make home care accessible to all.


RECOMMENDATION #7: Halt any further expansions of Bill C-7 and all other MAiD-related decisions and conduct an third-party investigation into practices of coercion.


RECOMMENDATION #8: Expand funding for mutual aid networks across jurisdictions.


RECOMMENDATION #9: Create a pandemic response plan with respect to women and LGBTQ+ communities.


RECOMMENDATION #10: Reinforce mask mandates and implement paid sick days.


RECOMMENDATION #11: Expand access to COVID-related resources for prisoners.


RECOMMENDATION #12: Allow children in the child welfare system to receive more support and ensure that it is not halted once they turn 18.


RECOMMENDATION #13: Conduct investigations into conditions of congregate living settings, similar to the LTC Commission Investigation (i.e. prisons, group homes, psychiatric wards, foster homes, rehabilitation centers, etc.).


RECOMMENDATION #14: Expand mobility and accessibility efforts among both infrastructure and transit.


RECOMMENDATION #15: Initiate a publicly accountable, intra-governmentcoordination plan for a just recovery across local, provincial and federal levels of government.



Background colours are purple and light blue. At the top, the text reads Assistive Devices Library Catalogue, after first round of donations. There  6 small circles in the colours orange and pink. Each circle has an image and text of an assistive device. The first circle is glucose monitors, the second is wheelchairs and tilt wheelchairs, the third is walkers, the fourth is white canes, the fifth is crutches, and the sixth is ankle braces/boots.
Background colours are purple and light blue. At the top, the text reads Assistive Devices Library Catalogue, after first round of donations. There 6 small circles in the colours orange and pink. Each circle has an image and text of an assistive device. The first circle is glucose monitors, the second is wheelchairs and tilt wheelchairs, the third is walkers, the fourth is white canes, the fifth is crutches, and the sixth is ankle braces/boots.

Our Assistive Devices Library is now open for rentals! Browse through our catalogue and email info@djno.ca with the subject line: Assistive Devices Rental Request to book a time to pick up your equipment. All equipment has been sanitized, and we ask that you return it in the same condition it was borrowed with. All rentals are for 6 weeks with renewal upon request. To donate equipment to the library, email info@djno.ca with the subject line: Equipment Donation.


Background colours are purple and light blue. At the top, the text reads Assistive Devices Library Catalogue, Wheelchairs/Tilt Wheelchairs. There are three Maple Leaf Tilt Wheelchairs and specifications are listed as follows: -450 of infinite tilt -14” to 18” Seat Width -16” to 18” Seat Depth -13” to 18.25” Seat to Floor height -Available pin or plug-in style footrests -Anti-Tippers & Adjustable Stroller Handle  There is one Blue Streak Wheelchair and specifications are listed as follows: -Actual Product Weight: 41.25 lbs. -Seat Depth: 16" -Seat Width: 16" -Overall Product Height: 36" -Overall Product Length: 42" -Overall Product Width: 23" -Folded Dimensions: 42" x 12.5" x 36"  There is one unknown model/brand of wheelchair. The picture shows the wheelchair as manual and standard size.
Background colours are purple and light blue. At the top, the text reads Assistive Devices Library Catalogue, Wheelchairs/Tilt Wheelchairs. There are three Maple Leaf Tilt Wheelchairs and specifications are listed as follows: -450 of infinite tilt -14” to 18” Seat Width -16” to 18” Seat Depth -13” to 18.25” Seat to Floor height -Available pin or plug-in style footrests -Anti-Tippers & Adjustable Stroller Handle There is one Blue Streak Wheelchair and specifications are listed as follows: -Actual Product Weight: 41.25 lbs. -Seat Depth: 16" -Seat Width: 16" -Overall Product Height: 36" -Overall Product Length: 42" -Overall Product Width: 23" -Folded Dimensions: 42" x 12.5" x 36" There is one unknown model/brand of wheelchair. The picture shows the wheelchair as manual and standard size.


Wheelchairs and Tilt Chairs

Maple Leaf Tilt Chairs (3 in stock)

Dimensions: 450 of infinite tilt

14” to 18” Seat Width

16” to 18” Seat Depth

13” to 18.25” Seat to Floor height

Available pin or plug-in style footrests

Anti-Tippers & Adjustable Stroller Handle


Blue Streak Wheel Chair (1 in stock)

Dimensions: Actual Product Weight: 41.25 lbs.

Seat Depth: 16"

Seat Width: 16"

Overall Product Height: 36"

Overall Product Length: 42"

Overall Product Width: 23"

Folded Dimensions: 42" x 12.5" x 36"

Unknown Model (Manual Wheelchair) (1 in stock)

Dimensions: unknown, call for site visit


Background colours are purple and light blue. At the top, the text reads Assistive Devices Library Catalogue, Crutches and Ankle Boots. There is an image of Guardian crutches and text that says there is 14 available and specifications are standard. There is an image of an ankle brace/boot and text that says there is 7 available in the following sizes: -1 xsmall -1 small -3 medium -2 large  There is an image of an iWalk Hands Free Crutch and a picture of a person modelling them. Specifications are listed as the following: -1 size fits from 4'10" to 6'6" -Adapts for Left or Right leg in seconds without tools
Background colours are purple and light blue. At the top, the text reads Assistive Devices Library Catalogue, Crutches and Ankle Boots. There is an image of Guardian crutches and text that says there is 14 available and specifications are standard. There is an image of an ankle brace/boot and text that says there is 7 available in the following sizes: -1 xsmall -1 small -3 medium -2 large There is an image of an iWalk Hands Free Crutch and a picture of a person modelling them. Specifications are listed as the following: -1 size fits from 4'10" to 6'6" -Adapts for Left or Right leg in seconds without tools

Crutches and Ankle Boots:

Guardian Crutches Dimensions (14 pairs in stock)

Ankle Boots (7 pairs in stock)

Sizes:

1 x-small set

1 small sets

3 medium sets

2 large sets

iWalk Hands- Free Crutch 2.0 (1 in stock)

Dimensions:

1 size fits from 4'10" to 6'6"

Adapts for Left or Right leg in seconds without tools

Background colours are purple and light blue. At the top, the text reads Assistive Devices Library Catalogue, Walkers and Canes. There is a picture of a nexus rollator and text that says there are 4 available in standard sizing. There is a picture of an unknown brand walker with text that says there are 4 available in standard sizing. There is a picture of a cane with text that says there are 8 available in adjustable sizing.
Background colours are purple and light blue. At the top, the text reads Assistive Devices Library Catalogue, Walkers and Canes. There is a picture of a nexus rollator and text that says there are 4 available in standard sizing. There is a picture of an unknown brand walker with text that says there are 4 available in standard sizing. There is a picture of a cane with text that says there are 8 available in adjustable sizing.

Walkers and Canes:


Nexus Rollator(4 pairs in stock)

Dimensions:

Standard Size


Nexus Rollator(4 pairs in stock)

Dimensions:

Standard Size

​​

Adjustable Canes (8 pairs in stock)

Dimensions:

Standard Size


White Canes (2 pairs in stock)

Size: 40 inches


White Canes (2 pairs in stock)

Size: 60 inches

Background colours are purple and light blue. At the top, the text reads Assistive Devices Library Catalogue, Glucose Monitors + Strips/Sensors and White Canes. There is a picture of a Freestyle Libre monitor and sensor with text that reads only one package available. The sensors expire on May 31st, 2022. There is a picture of Freestyle Lite Monitor and testing strips with text that reads only one package available. The testing strips expire in August 2023. There is a picture of a White Cane with text that reads there are two 40inches available and two 60 inches available.
Background colours are purple and light blue. At the top, the text reads Assistive Devices Library Catalogue, Glucose Monitors + Strips/Sensors and White Canes. There is a picture of a Freestyle Libre monitor and sensor with text that reads only one package available. The sensors expire on May 31st, 2022. There is a picture of Freestyle Lite Monitor and testing strips with text that reads only one package available. The testing strips expire in August 2023. There is a picture of a White Cane with text that reads there are two 40inches available and two 60 inches available.

Glucose Monitors and Strips:

Freestyle Libre Monitor + Sensors (1 pair in stock)

Sensor Expiration: May 31st, 2022

Freestyle Libre Monitor + Sensors (1 pair in stock)

x1 Freestyle Lite Monitor + Strips

Strips Expiration: August 2023

© 2023 by Disability Justice Network of Ontario.

  • Facebook - White Circle
  • Twitter - White Circle
bottom of page