Category Archives: Human Rights

Complaint against press gallery goes to court

A human rights complaint involving the P.E.I. legislative assembly’s press gallery has made its way to the courts after the defendants filed an application for a judicial review.

Wayne Thibodeau, Charlottetown Guardian reporter, named in Human Rights complaint for discrimination on the basis of association, physical or intellectual disability, and source of income. (Facebook photo)

Charlottetown Guardian – In 2010, Stephen Pate filed a complaint with the P.E.I. Human Rights Commission alleging members of the P.E.I. legislative assembly press gallery discriminated against him because of his disability.

Guardian reporters Wayne Thibodeau and Teresa Wright were also named in the complaint, along with CBC producer Donna Allen, who were all members of the press gallery.

They denied the allegations of discrimination.

Instant Savings with No Mail-In Rebates!

The application for a judicial review was filed April 29 after P.E.I. Human Rights Commission chair Anne Nicholson overturned an earlier decision to dismiss the complaint. Continue reading →

CBC kills story about Human Rights complaint by wheelchair-bound journalist

“Aren’t we supposed to be the good guys? A fight breaks out in the CBC newsroom when reporters discover CBC management has hidden a human rights story for two years.

CBC News Producer Donna Allen named in Human Rights Complaint – dodging the bullet (CBC photo)

“Wayne Thibodeau and Donna Allen have won journalist Stephen Pate’s human rights complaint against CBC and Transcontinental,” court reporter Brian Higgins gleefully told the May 1st 2013 meeting.

Cheers and laughter broke out in the CBC Newsroom on University Avenue in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Higgins waved in the air a copy of the Supreme Court application for a judicial review that had just been served on the PEI Human Rights Commission.

Thibodeau, political reporter for the Charlottetown Guardian, and Allen, the Executive Producer of CBC News on Prince Edward Island asked the court to “overturn the decision by Anne Nicholson” PEI Human Rights Commission chairperson. Continue reading →

How the mentally disabled are lost in the legal system

Without legal aid, people with cognitive and learning disabilities cannot cope with the demands of the law

Maria was busking to earn bus fare back to Vancouver. She told a long and convoluted tale, a tortured story of mental illness, homelessness and rejection. (Photo Eric Parker Flickr Creative Commons)

Canadians with cognitive and learning disabilities are falling through the cracks of Canada’s legal system.

They often lack the skills to deal with details like court dates, the demands for clear thinking and the pace of the courts.

Unless they get legal aid, those living with mental disabilities are not being treated fairly by the Courts or the Human Rights system that are supposed to protect them.

“Individuals who live with cognitive and perceptual impairments need more time to understand what they are facing, what their options are and how to respond,” said Toronto lawyer Sarah Shartal. (Toronto Star)

“Informed consent or informed participation takes talk…it takes time to explain things to people who have difficulty thinking clearly.”

Continue reading →

President Bush in intensive care

Say a prayer for the recovery of former President Bush who cared enough for Americans with disabilities to pass the ADA

Former US Presidents George W. and George H Bush, champions of human rights for Americans with disabilities (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua D. Sheppard/Released)

Former US President George H. Bush was admitted to intensive care tonight battling a fever.

The 88-year-old Bush has been place on liquids but is said to be improving.

Concerned people might say a prayer for President Bush who championed human right for people with disabilities.

George H. Bush sponsored the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to give those living with disabilities a place in American society.

“Today’s legislation brings us closer to that day when no Americans will ever again be deprived of their basic guarantees of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” said the President in 1990. Continue reading →

Justice Denied for People With Disabilities

Confrontational Canadian system makes people with disabilities fight for their human rights in court

Jeff Moore needed special education which was his right says Supreme Court (CBC photo)

It took Jeffery Moore 20 years to get special educational funding that he needed in elementary school.

By the time his case was decided by the Supreme Court of Canada (Moore v. British Columbia (Education), 2012 SCC 61), Jeffery graduated high school and was employed as a plumber. Continue reading →

US Senate Blocks Disability Treaty

Republicans block treaty citing abortion and home schooling as issues, despite veteran Bob Dole on floor

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) with disabilities on the Senate floor in a wheelchair

Live Leak- Republican Senators on Tuesday voted to block a United Nations treaty that would have helped to protect disabled Americans — including veterans — while they are in foreign countries.

Thirty-eight Republicans voted no, giving them five votes more than necessary to defeat the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities treaty, 61 to 38. Continue reading →

Human Rights Commission says big gaps for disabled in Canada

Canadians with disabilities have lower incomes, less likely to finish university or have a full-time job

Canadian Human Rights Commission

When compared to other adults, adults with disabilities:
are half as likely to get a university degree, more likely to settle for part-time work and have lower annual incomes.

A new study by the Canadian Human Rights Commission paints a bleak picture of how well those with disabilities fare in Canada. Continue reading →

NJN Network

Windows 8, Technology, Bob Dylan, Music, Musicians Resources, Disability, Lifestyle