Nova Scotia Disability Rights are Human Rights
Human Rights Case Posts
The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal allowed three national organizations that advocate on behalf of people with disabilities to join an appeal of a human rights Board of Inquiry decision made earlier this year.
These organizations are the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL), and People First Canada.
3 national organizations granted intervener status in disabilities human rights appeal
“A judge has granted intervenor status to three national disabilities groups in an appeal of a human rights board of inquiry decision involving discrimination against three Nova Scotians.” -ChronicleHerald
“On 20 June 2019, the Canadian Association for Community Living ( “CACL”), the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (“CCD”) and People First of Canada (“PFC”) (together, the “national organizations”) were granted leave to intervene at the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal in a case which is of critical importance for the human rights of persons with disabilities across Canada.” -The Nova Scotia Advocate
Several groups are seeking to appeal a Human Rights Board of Inquiry decision that found that people with intellectual disabilities face no systemic discrimination in terns of housing.
The Disability Rights Coalition has filed an appeal of the March 4, 2019 Board of Inquiry Decision which dismissed the DRC’s complaint. The DRC complaint addressed the discriminatory impact of the Province’s policies and practices that have resulted in the unnecessary institutionalization of hundreds of people with disabilities, and a growing delay in obtaining supports and services to live in the community for other people with disabilities – currently numbering over 1500 people.
As many of you have likely heard, Joanne Larade passed away last week, just one day after moderating No More Warehousing’s ‘Celebrating Mothers’ event. Joanne was a very passionate, outgoing disability rights advocate with lots of optimism and life. We are so saddened by her sudden passing.
At the conclusion of her mission to Canada, the UN’s expert on disability rights expresses ‘extreme concern’ concerning the failure of Canadian governments (incl. Nova Scotia) to ensure adequate community-based supports for persons with disabilities. She was also critical of the idea of making individual families file their own human rights complaint.
Last Thursday disability advocacy groups presented a letter to the premier, calling on the provincial government to address systemic warehousing of people with disabilities.
For all of Brendon’s 29 years, his parents have been his caregivers, his lifeline. But as Kim Smith and Kathleen Purdy get older, there is growing anxiety about what Brendon’s future will look like — where he will live, who will care for him?