Annual Report
2017-2018 

ARCH Disability Law Centre

55 University Avenue, 15th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5J 2H7
Phone: 416-482-8255  1-866-482-2724
TTY: 416-482-1254  1-866-482-2728
www.archdisabilitylaw.ca
 @ARCHDisabilityLawCentre
@ARCHDisability

Vision

A society in which laws, policies and legal systems ensure full participation, inclusion, dignity, and equal rights without discrimination for persons with disabilities.
Mission Statement

ARCH Disability Law Centre, as a specialty legal clinic with a provincial mandate, undertakes to achieve this Vision by: 

•	Advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities, including the removal of systemic barriers;
•	Promoting awareness and providing education on the rights of persons with disabilities;
•	Addressing issues that have a particular impact on low income persons with disabilities; 
•	Ensuring that ARCH’s work has Ontario-wide impact; 
•	Engaging in national disability rights work and influencing the realization of international disability rights norms in Canada and Ontario;  
•	Continuously developing and utilizing ARCH’s expertise in local, provincial, national and international law as it affects persons with disabilities; 
•	Addressing the heightened disadvantage and discrimination faced by persons with disabilities, including as a result of other intersecting grounds of discrimination, including gender, race, age, language, place of origin, economic status, sexual orientation, and others.  
Values and Principles 

ARCH is guided by the following set of core values:

•	The dignity and worth of all persons with disabilities must be respected;
•	Persons with disabilities have the right to dignity, equality, self-determination, disability-related supports and full participation in a barrier-free inclusive society; 
•	Persons with disabilities themselves are in the best position to determine their own priorities;
•	All persons have a common responsibility to create inclusive communities accessible to all persons with disabilities.  

Additionally, ARCH is guided by the following set of core organizational principles:

•	ARCH operates in accordance with the above core values;
•	ARCH is a community-based organization, governed by a Board of Directors composed of a majority of persons with disabilities;
•	ARCH is accountable to persons with disabilities in Ontario, its members and its funders.
Adopted by the ARCH Board of Directors on March 27, 2018

Table of contents

ARCH’s Vision, Mission Statement, and Values and Principles		2
Table of Contents									3
Message from the President							4
Message from the Executive Director						6
Remembering Teresa Daw								8
ARCH Board of Directors								10
ARCH Staff List									11
Highlights of our Work								12
Providing Legal Services Across Ontario						13
Law and Policy Reform								16
ARCH Submissions and Publications						19
ARCH Initiatives									20
ARCH In the Media									22
National Access Awareness Week						23
Financial Overview									24
Thank-you to our Supporters							25

A Message from the President

This has been both a sweet year with some unfortunate bitterness. The Board has been very active throughout the year, and particularly significant is the adoption, through an extensive process, of a new strategic plan, which will direct ARCH’s priorities and work for the next five years. The four objectives established are:

1)	To strengthen good governance of the Board of Directors and enhance and maximize its efficiencies and effectiveness.

2)	To ensure that ARCH is best positioned to continue providing the highest quality professional legal services to persons with disabilities and to achieve impactful systemic outcomes in ARCH’s areas of practice.  

3)	To advance positive change in identified systemic legal issues of importance to disability communities across Ontario. 

4)	To ensure that ARCH continues to be responsive to issues of greatest concern to disability communities, from a cross-disability perspective, from intersectional identities, and in under-represented communities.

The Executive Committee has commenced planning for how to implement goal number one and monitor the three other goals as implemented by ARCH’s highly dedicated staff.

ARCH has come through a couple of years of transition, with a move to new offices in a co-op setting, to staffing changes, and systems changes, to a place of greater stability and clearly demonstrated resilience. 

Despite these changes, ARCH has maintained its productivity and professionalism, always representing persons with disabilities as its first priority. This can be seen in the high-level representations ARCH undertakes to seek systemic change, often in alliance with key partner organizations who serve persons with disabilities. In fact, ARCH continues to play a significant role at the international level, building on our work on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we have partnered on a significant education research study on inclusive education in Ontario, and we produced a detailed analysis of the new federal accessibility bill to assist our communities in their advocacy efforts. ARCH continues to be a leader in providing high level law reform submissions on disability issues and resources to the private bar and other legal clinics on disability human rights. Through its new strategic plan, ARCH has sharpened its focus on test-case litigation that has the potential to make systemic change for the community of persons with disabilities.

It has been a bitter year for the Board in the tragic loss of our President Teresa Daw. Her illness and passing came as a significant shock to the Board. We miss Teresa’s dedication and boundless energy for ARCH and her steadfast leadership. We have strived to further her legacy by implementing policies aimed at furthering the Boards professional governance and adopting the strategic plan that she had a major hand in creating.

I would like to thank all our board members for their dedication and significant time contributions in serving on the Board and its committees, to assuring ARCH’s policies, finances and management are in place for the continued service of ARCH’s mission. Particularly, I want to thank our outgoing board member Manjusri Welikala, for his years of dedicated service to ARCH.

None of these accomplishments would be possible without our wonderful staff and particularly the leadership of our Executive Director Robert Lattanzio.

Lastly, I express thanks to all our volunteers, funders, donors and community partners and members, who make up our community. Specifically, acknowledgment is due to Legal Aid Ontario, our principle funder, whose mandate and resources make it possible for ARCH to continue to advance the rights of persons with disabilities in Ontario.

We look forward to ARCH’s continued success in the upcoming year.

Douglas Waxman

President
ARCH Disability Law Center 

A Message from the Executive Director

On behalf of our Board of Directors and staff, it is my privilege and honour to report the accomplishments of ARCH Disability Law Centre for the period of September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2018.  
ARCH continues to strive for excellence in its service delivery to persons with disabilities across Ontario and maintains its focus on systems, and removing barriers that those systems create. This past year, ARCH has provided leadership and support throughout Ontario, while also continuing to make contributions on the national and international stage. This report highlights select work that ARCH has initiated and undertaken throughout this past year. 
In January 2018, our Board President, Teresa Daw, tragically passed away after a short battle with cancer. This organization suffered a tremendous and unexpected loss. Teresa was an invaluable asset and her dedication, commitment, wisdom and support were vital to the growth and successes that we are experiencing both at the Board and staff team level. We lost an exceptional leader and a close friend. 
ARCH adopted a new Strategic Plan for 2018 – 2023 in March 2018. Teresa was a driving force for our new plan. Our new Strategic Plan focuses on increased accountability, and the development of processes to ensure more strategic, proactive and calculated approaches to larger systemic work. Our plan keeps us grounded in maintaining the highest quality standard of service and ongoing communication with our communities, and encourages increased responsiveness to emerging community needs. 
In addition to our ongoing programs that provide direct legal services to persons with disabilities across Ontario, ARCH has conducted a number of substantial projects, test cases and initiatives. ARCH, with partners, launched an important research study about barriers that students with disabilities face accessing public education. A final report summarizing our findings was released in June 2018. ARCH has been working closely with disability organizations across the country regarding federal accessibility legislation and we produced a comprehensive analysis of the draft legislation for our communities. ARCH continues to conduct test case litigation at all levels of courts and tribunals, and has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada twice this year. ARCH is also grateful to have been granted funding stemming from the Dolmage v Ontario class action settlement that will support and grow our innovative Respecting Rights program. 
ARCH is in the process of developing a new fully accessible website, a re-branding of our materials, and the development of new public legal education materials. These steps improve how we communicate with our communities and help us achieve the highest level of accessibility in every facet of our work.  
ARCH continues to undertake a steady increase in work, which would not be possible without a passionate, dedicated and talented staff team. I am exceptionally proud of all our team members, and moreover, of how this team works together. They have shown an exceptional commitment to our organization and our communities. We are fortunate to have added Jessica DeMarinis to our legal team on a permanent basis. She is a brilliant and hard-working lawyer and has made a significant impact on our team and on the delivery of our services. Tess Sheldon, who has been with ARCH in different capacities for many years, has accepted an academic position at the University of Windsor and we wish her the very best in her new endeavor.  I wish to thank Tess for all her countless contributions and her ongoing commitment to the work of ARCH.  I also wish to thank Doreen Way and Kerri Joffe for their efforts in filling in as acting management for the duration of my leave. 
ARCH’s Board of Directors continues to provide strong governance and leadership that maintain our organizational health and relevance. Most importantly, our Board keeps us rooted and responsive to the communities we are mandated to serve. I am grateful to each of them for this guidance and for their unwavering commitment to the mission of ARCH. Our Board members volunteer their time and expertise, and bring a level of commitment and dedication that is unmatched. In particular, I wish to thank Douglas Waxman who took over the leadership role that was left vacant with Teresa’s passing. It was an incredibly difficult time for all of us, and Douglas provided strength and leadership at a much needed time.  I also wish to thank our outgoing board member Manjusri Welikala for his dedication and contributions during his longstanding tenure as a member of our Board.
Lastly, I wish to thank our funders without whom we would be unable to take on this important work. I wish to begin by thanking our primary funder, Legal Aid Ontario, and our additional funders all listed in this report. I wish to acknowledge the contributions of all our stakeholders, partners, supporters, and extend my gratitude to all those who have contributed this year including, students, volunteers, funders, donors, our membership and community partners. 

Roberto Lattanzio
Executive Director
ARCH Disability Law Centre 	

Remembering Teresa Daw 

			Photo courtesy of the Law Society of Ontario
Teresa joined our board because she was a natural leader, compassionate and committed to addressing the injustices that she observed. She wanted to make a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities.  Teresa came to us having extensive and impressive experience in social justice and disability rights, on the international, national and local level. With a sophisticated policy lens, extensive advocacy experience, and lived experience as a person with a disability, Teresa quickly became a leader of our Board. 
She was a true inspiration to us all. She was an ardent advocate; brilliant, thoughtful and compassionate.  
Teresa had an excellent ability to truly connect with people, and develop meaningful, positive and sometimes life changing relationships.  She impacted all of us, Board members, staff, and our communities. She connected with everyone. Any opportunity to meet and speak with members of our community and discuss their experiences – she was the first to volunteer.  
Teresa inspired everyone at ARCH to be better, work harder as a team, and set a higher standard for ourselves. Her goal was for us to have more impact, make more significant systemic change, and empower marginalized communities to find their voice.  She always reminded us to remain accountable to the people that really need us. Her vision began taking shape very quickly as she began a thorough policy review and quickly identified areas that we needed to strengthen and focus on in our future planning. This work culminated in the review of all of ARCH’s policies and the development of needed ones. Her influence at ARCH was significant. All of this led to the adoption of our Strategic Plan; Teresa being the driving force. 
Her strength of character was inspiring. She had an ability to use the challenges that she faced and overcame with strength and grace, as a way to help others, often with timely insight. 
One of Teresa’s aims was to establish a legacy fund and bequest policy for ARCH. That policy has now been adopted and sadly, she will now be the first to have a legacy fund in her name. Her generosity and dedication was always unparalleled. Teresa bequeathed a significant amount of funds to ARCH to help us continue important work in areas that she was passionate about. More details will come about the programs that will be supported by Teresa’s Legacy Fund and the charitable donations that ARCH received in her name. 
ARCH board and staff miss her guidance and vision. The communities she helped and advocated for will miss her voice for change. She has made ARCH a much better organization and all of us better advocates and people. Her impact and legacy will live on.

ARCH Board of Directors 
2017 - 2018

Teresa Daw 	          	              President 
                                        (September to December) 

Douglas Waxman                      President
		                                    (January to present) 

Wade Poziomka                        1st Vice-President

Bonnie Quesnel                         2nd Vice-President

Monica Ackermann                    Treasurer   

Roxanne Mykitiuk 			Secretary

Sandi Bell					Director

Sandy Gdyczynski			Director

Effie Prattas					Director

Yvonne Simpson 				Director

Laura Upans					Director

Manjusri Welikala 			Director

Roberto Lattanzio                      Ex Officio member                                

ARCH Staff

Roberto Lattanzio		Executive Director
Jessica DeMarinis	Staff Lawyer 
Mary Hanson 		Librarian 
Kerri Joffe			Staff Lawyer
Lila Refaie			Staff Lawyer 
Luke Reid			Staff Lawyer
Theresa Sciberras	Program and Litigation Assistant
Mariam Shanouda	Staff Lawyer
Yangtzee Tamang		Operations and Litigation Assistant
Amanda Ward		Information/Referral Worker
Doreen Way			Office Manager
Dianne Wintermute 	Staff Lawyer
Yedida Zalik                 Staff Lawyer (on leave)

Highlights
	
ARCH provided direct legal services to over 2,000 persons with disabilities across Ontario. 
ARCH launched a new Blog for lawyers, paralegals and advocates that covers a variety of topics about disability rights. 
ARCH and partners launched a comprehensive research report about inclusive education.  
Respecting Rights has presented workshops to almost 900 attendees across the province. 
ARCH’s publications reached nearly 18,000 individuals provincially, nationally, and internationally. 
ARCH produced a detailed analysis of Bill C-81 – Accessible Canada Act and launched a consultation with our communities. 
ARCH underwent rebranding of our materials, social media and is developing a new website. 
ARCH’s presence and activity on social media increased with over 1100 followers on Twitter and over 500 followers on Facebook. 
Image on this page in the original Annual Report is a pie chart with the breakdown of ARCH Activities – Cases being the majority of the pie chart covering almost 75%. Public Legal Education, Community Development and Law Reform are the remaining 25%. 

Providing Legal Services across Ontario

ARCH provides direct legal services to persons with disabilities across Ontario. During this reporting period of September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2018, ARCH provided a range of legal services in over 2,000 matters on behalf of Ontarians with disabilities. ARCH is mandated to pursue systemic change. Advancing precedent setting test cases is one important way that we fulfill our mandate for systemic change. We also provide legal assistance in a range of areas of law through other services such as our Summary Advice and Referral program. 

Image on this page in the original Annual Report is a pie chart with the breakdown of calls to ARCH. Almost 50% of the calls are Intakes. Approximately 30% of the calls are Referrals and the remaining 20% of the calls are Cases. 

Second image on this page in the original Annual Report is a pie chart with the breakdown of Types of Cases. The majority of cases ARCH receives are under Human Rights and Accessibility Laws. 2nd top area is Education and Human Rights. 3rd top areas are Decision-Making Rights, Human Rights in Post-Secondary Education and Accommodation in the Workplace. 4th top areas are Accessible Transportation and Attendant Services.

The following are samples of our casework this past year: 
ARCH intervened in two matters before the Supreme Court of Canada 
Image on this page in the original Annual Report is a picture of the Supreme Court of Canada.
ARCH represented the intervener Council of Canadians with Disabilities in the appeal of CHRC v Canada. Known as the Matson and Andrews case, this Appeal began as complaints to the Canadian Human Rights Commission challenging discriminatory provisions in the Indian Act that deal with “Indian Status,” and who is allowed to pass that Status to their children. The Supreme Court of Canada’s decision says that the Canadian Human Rights Act cannot be used to challenge discrimination that results directly from the wording of a federal law. Instead, these cases will have to be brought before the courts as Charter challenges. The decision may limit access to human rights justice for equity seeking communities, including persons with disabilities.
ARCH intervened on behalf of our client the Council of Canadians with Disabilities to the Supreme Court of Canada in the matter of S.A. v Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation. This appeal challenges the use of Henson trusts (discretionary trusts) in social benefit schemes. A decision has not yet been rendered by the Supreme Court. 
Disability related Accommodations in Ontario and Federal Prisons
Last year, ARCH settled a breach of settlement application on behalf of our client regarding provincial correctional services. The parties agreed on terms of settlement that included individual and systemic remedies. Since then ARCH and the Respondent have been working together to execute the terms of the settlement, which include a poster that tells people how to access accommodations and medical services while in prison in English, French and Braille. These posters have now been distributed to provincial correctional facilities across the Province. 
ARCH represented a client who had lodged a human rights complaint against Correctional Services Canada regarding a failure to accommodate.  The parties were able to reach a settlement.

Terminated employment due to addictions disability
ARCH represented a complainant at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal who alleged that his federally-regulated employer terminated him due to an addictions disability. ARCH negotiated a settlement that was to the satisfaction of both parties. This case is significant because it was the first case about an addictions disability that ARCH has litigated since intervening at the Supreme Court of Canada on Stewart v. Elk Valley Coal Corp., 2017 SCC 30. It raised a number of important systemic issues, including the interpretation and application of that decision.
Accommodations in Recreational Programming 
ARCH represented a minor before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario who was effectively prevented from participating in a recreational program because of his disability-related needs. ARCH negotiated a settlement with the service provider that was satisfactory to all parties which included systemic remedies. 
Human Rights and Inclusive Education 
ARCH settled an application at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario that dealt with the failure to accommodate a child with complex intellectual and physical disabilities. The child had been out of school for approximately 7 months due to the School Board’s inability to provide the necessary accommodations. The matter was very close to a hearing, having had numerous failed mediation attempts. 

ARCH settled a Human Rights Application in a case that involved a school board not accommodating our client whose disability-related needs required specific classroom modifications. The parties were prepared to proceed to a hearing but after lengthy negotiations, a settlement was reached. 

Getting Compensation from the Human Rights Tribunal 

ARCH and Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) represented the Intervenors, Council of Canadians with Disabilities, ODSP Action Coalition and ISAC in the matter of Abbey v. Ontario at the Ontario Divisional Court. The issue before the Divisional Court was whether the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario was right to refuse to award damages for injury to dignity because the Government cannot be held responsible if it applied a law that it thought was legal. ARCH argued that the limits of the remedial scope of the Charter should not apply to Ontario’s Human Rights Code. The Divisional Court upheld this part of the ruling.  Unfortunately, this could mean that people who complain of discrimination against the government and bring a case before the HRTO may find that they will not be awarded any compensation for injury to dignity.

Coroner’s Inquest
ARCH was granted standing as a party in the Inquest into the death of Mr. Blight. Mr. Blight was a person with a mental health disability and also a person with a temporary physical disability. In July 2015, Mr. Blight was driving his vehicle in the city of Sudbury, when he was involved in a fatal accident. The inquest was held in order to determine whether any steps could be taken in the future by police officers, doctors, or the Ministry of Transportation to prevent similar deaths from happening. Although Mr. Blight’s mental health disability was not a factor in the accident, it became an issue at the Inquest. ARCH represented the perspective of persons with mental health disabilities to ensure that no policies were recommended that would adversely affect drivers with a mental health disability. ARCH made submissions on the dangers of mental health profiling, as well as the importance of individualized assessments of drivers regardless of their disability. 
Privacy Rights 
ARCH, in coalition with HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO) and Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC), intervened before the Superior Court in the matter of Toronto Star v Ontario. This is a case about privacy and freedom of expression, and the applicability of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to administrative tribunals.  The Court released its decision and found a breach of section 2 (b) of the Charter which means that the Government will have one year to make changes to the law. ARCH’s concern is that the decision may have a direct impact on privacy and confidentiality of persons with disabilities who bring matters before an administrative tribunal. The Government has decided not to appeal.  

Accessible Transit 

ARCH represented a person with a vision disability at the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) against a transportation provider. The applicant was awarded a number of systemic remedies, namely, that the transportation provider ensure that an automated stop announcement (ASA) system be installed on every bus operating in the City of Windsor. During times when the ASA system is unavailable, the drivers are required to call each and every stop on every route out loud in order to accommodate persons with vision disabilities.  The CTA also agreed with the Applicant’s request that it be held responsible for monitoring the respondent to ensure it is complying with the CTA’s orders and implementing the remedies. 

 Law and Policy Reform
5
Setting groundwork for effective Federal Accessibility Legislation

ARCH released an initial report on Bill C-81 (the Accessible Canada Act) and a companion accessible summary in plain language. Our initial report provides a legal analysis and initial recommendations for the bill. Disability rights lawyers from across the country contributed to the report. Following the release of the initial report, ARCH consulted with our communities, and incorporated the feedback from the consultations into a final report. ARCH is also developing a set of recommendations for strengthening the bill. ARCH is working closely with disability organizations across Canada and our communities. 
Image on this page in the original Annual Report is a photo of Robert Lattanzio, Minister K Duncan and Kerri Joffe. 
ARCH attended a meeting regarding the federal accessibility legislation, with Hon. Kirsty Duncan, who was then the Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, as well as a number of other disability organizations. 

Advancing Inclusive Education in Ontario 

In partnership with Brock University, Western University, Community Living Ontario, Inclusive Education Canada, and Brockville and District Association for Community Living, ARCH conducted extensive research on the barriers to meaningful and inclusive education from K to 12 in Ontario. The final report, titled ‘If Inclusion Means Everyone, Why Not Me?’, was released in English and French in May 2018 during a panel presentation hosted by Ryerson University. Some of the barriers identified in the Report include: 
•	Students with disabilities routinely denied access to school and/or classroom;
•	Limited access to appropriate accommodations;
•	High levels of conflict between educational staff and families, with limited recourse to dispute resolution mechanisms; and 
•	Limited data on disability-related barriers in the education system. 
Image on this page in the original Annual Report is an image of a book titled "If Inclusion Means Everyone, Why Not Me?" in English and French.
ARCH, with our partners, also released a series of comprehensive advocacy tools and modules   on human rights and education. It is aimed at parents, advocates, and students with disabilities in primary and secondary school. 

www.advocacyforinclusion.com

Image on this page in the original Annual Report is an image of a module titled "Education Advocacy for Students with a Disability".

Advocating for Safeguards in Medical Assistance in Dying

ARCH staff continue to be advisors to the Vulnerable Persons Standard (VPS) and co-drafted a submission to the Federal Government on the proposed Regulations for Monitoring of Medical Assistance in Dying on behalf of VPS. ARCH also wrote an open letter to the Federal Minister of Health urging for strong monitoring measures. 

Unjust fees levied on survivors of institutional abuse 
ARCH contacted the Ontario Ombudsman regarding legal fees that the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee charged persons who made claims for compensation under the Huronia, Rideau and Southwestern class action settlements. We conducted research, compiled evidence of these charges and asked the Ombudsman’s office to investigate the issue. The Ombudsman’s office investigated and is pursuing the issue with the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee and class counsel. 

Supported Decision Making 

ARCH completed its paper on supported decision making in the mental health legislative context. The paper was part of a larger project that ARCH partnered on and was funded by the Federal Government (the Office for Disability Issues). ARCH’s paper explores the extent to which mental health laws in some provinces comply with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. , Our paper has been accepted by the 2019 International Congress on Law and Mental Health in Rome. The abstract was titled 'Involuntary Detention and Involuntary Treatment Through the Lens of Sections 7 and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.'

ARCH Submissions and Publications 

Legal Analysis of Bill C-81, An Act to ensure a barrier-free Canada: Draft Report for Comment -  August, 2018
Submission on the Initial Recommendations for Review of the AODA Employment Accessibility Standard - July 2018
If Inclusion Means Everyone, Why Not Me? -  May 2018 
Involuntary Detention and Involuntary Treatment Through the Lens of Sections 7 and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms – March 2018
Towards a More Robust Monitoring Regime for Medical Assistance in Dying Submitted to the Federal Minister of Health, prepared by the Advisors to the Vulnerable Persons Standard – February 2018 
The Unpaved Road to Inclusive Education in Canada: It’s Time for a Plan – February 2018
Using legal services: tips for persons with disabilities – January 2018
Tips on providing accessible legal services for persons with disabilities – January 2018
ARCH Alert:
ARCH Alert Volume 19 Issue 2 - July 2018
ARCH Alert Volume 19 Issue 1 -  April 2018
ARCH Alert Volume 18 Issue 3 -  November 2017
ARCH Blog:
FOCUS: The Law of Service Animals in Ontario - July 13, 2018
FOCUS: A More Contextual Approach to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario’s One-Year Limitation Period - June 29, 2018
ARCH Celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day - Highlights Work of BCANDS - June 21, 2018
Accessible Practice: The Importance of Privacy for Clients with Disabilities - June 15, 2018
New Federal Accessibility Legislation on the Horizon - June 8, 2018
Accessible Practice: When Your Client Cannot Sign Documents - June 1, 2018
Letter from the Executive Director: National AccessAbility Week - May 28, 2018 

ARCH Initiatives

Respecting Rights 
Respecting Rights continues to provide innovative rights education and build the capacity of self-advocates labelled with intellectual disabilities across Ontario. ARCH was awarded funding from the Special Projects Initiative which will be critical in supporting and expanding this program. These funds were made available because of the settlement agreement in the institutional abuse class action against the Government of Ontario regarding Huronia Regional Centre. 
Disability Law Intensive – York University
ARCH continues its exciting partnership with Osgoode Hall Law School at York University called the Disability Law Intensive. The purpose of this program is to introduce second and third year law students to the complex issues faced by persons with disabilities and to help them learn the most effective ways of delivering legal services to our communities, through law reform and policy work, and direct client centered work.  This program is the first of its kind in Canada. Now in its sixth year, twelve students were selected to participate in the 2018-19 Disability Law Intensive at ARCH. 
Student Proposed Internships - University of Ottawa 
ARCH continues to provide placements to students from the University of Ottawa through the Student Proposed Internship program. This is a program in which students gain experience working with lawyers on case file work.  
Social Work Student program – York University
Our social work student was involved in many facets of ARCH work, such as public legal education, community development, outreach, research, and writing. 
Association for Human Rights Lawyers 
ARCH continues to host monthly meetings of the Association of Human Rights Lawyers. Lawyers in private practice, the Human Rights Legal Support Centre, Ontario Human Rights Commission and our colleagues in various legal clinics attend the meetings to discuss important decisions, Human Rights Tribunal procedures, and consult on ongoing cases. 
ARCH Library
ARCH endeavours to make as much disability and legal information available to the public as possible. To that end, we are continuously adding and updating the information available in our library. The ARCH Library makes this material, including information on rights, available through its online catalogue which is accessible through our website. For items not available electronically, the public are welcome to view the print versions in the 15th floor Resource Centre and to use the computers with assistive technology made available for general use. 
Image on this page in the original Annual Report is a photo of the name plate in the Library, near ARCH's office.
ARCH commissioned Think Link Graphics to create a graphic representation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This exceptional graphic representation has become an important tool in our public legal education sessions about the CRPD and human rights. 
Image on this page in the original Annual Report is an image of UN Convention graphic.
ARCH Alert 
ARCH Alert is ARCH’s quarterly newsletter. It provides timely information on proposed legislation, significant court decisions, government consultations, community initiatives, and other disability-related legal developments. ARCH Alert has over 4,000 subscribers who receive the newsletter directly, and additionally is available on our website free for anyone to access.  Combined with our other publications, ARCH has reached nearly 18,000 individuals. 

The ARCH Blog

ARCH launched its very own blog in June 2018. The blog is geared towards other members in the legal profession, but is available and accessible for anyone to read. ARCH publishes a blog article every other Friday and explores issues related to disability rights, the legal profession and some matters that may fall in between.  Since June 2018, ARCH has published posts on accessible practice, the history of National Access Awareness Week, featured an interview with an advocate from the Indigenous community speaking about disability issues, and published a post analyzing the judicial treatment of specific legal concepts (both procedural and substantive) by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

ARCH in the Media

“Advocates question independence of provincial accessibility review” - The Toronto Star, March 8, 2018  

« Droit de suspension du permis de conduire pour raison médicale : un jury délibère » – Radio Canada, April 12, 2018 

“Activists push for independent enforcement of Ontario’s accessibility law” – The Toronto Star, April 18, 2018 

“Ontario educational system failing students with intellectual disabilities: report” – The Toronto Star, May 4, 2018 

«Trop d'obstacles dans les écoles ontariennes pour les jeunes handicapés intellectuels» – Radio Canada, May 4 2018 

“City man files complaint after service dog denied access at dental office” – The Sarnia Journal, July 3, 2018 

“People with disabilities face significant barriers in education, rights commission says” - Toronto Star, August 31, 2018 

National Access Awareness Week

Access Awareness Event

Image on this page in the original Annual Report is a photo of Robert Lattanzio, Sunil Gurmukh, Mariam Shanouda, Maureen Haan, Marian MacGregor at the Access Awareness event.

ARCH co-hosted its annual Access Awareness event with the Law Society of Ontario on June 5, 2018.  The theme of this year’s event was privacy as it relates to persons with disabilities.  The panel consisted of: Sunil Gurmukh from the Ontario Human Rights Commission, Mariam Shanouda, Staff Lawyer at ARCH, Maureen Haan, President & CEO of The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work, and moderated by Marian MacGregor, Law Society of Ontario.

The panellists shared their expertise and provided practice tips for lawyers on how to respect the privacy rights of clients and colleagues with disabilities. Also discussed were developments in the case law relating to the privacy rights of persons with disabilities. Over 100 people attended the event and over 650 web streamed it live. 

ARCH at ReelAbilities 

ARCH was invited to be a panelist at the screening of Defiant Lives at the ReelAbilities Film Festival in Toronto. 

Image on this page in the original Annual Report is a photo of Robert Lattanzio, Peter Park, Marissa Blake, Mika Hjorngaard, Sue Hutton at ReelAbilities Film Festival. 

ARCH’s activities for National AccessAbility week also included the launch of our Blog, an increased social media presence with daily posts regarding accessibility and inclusion on Twitter and Facebook, and a Lunch N’ Learn session for community legal clinics regarding the forthcoming federal accessibility legislation.

Financial Overview

ARCH receives funding from various sources.  ARCH wishes to acknowledge the on-going support of Legal Aid Ontario (LAO), our primary funder.  

Additional Funders

The City of Toronto has once again provided ARCH with a Community Service Partnership Grant that supports our education, information and referral program.  These funds enable ARCH to employ administrative staff not funded by Legal Aid Ontario.    

ARCH is licensed by the Ontario Lottery Corporation to participate in the Break Open Ticket program.  Receipts from this initiative support our information and referral services, library purchases, disability accommodations, our website and staff training.  

ARCH was granted funds through the Special Projects Initiative available pursuant to the class action settlement of Dolmage v. Ontario. 

ARCH would like to thank the above funders for their support, and also thank members of the public for their ongoing support through their generous donations.  

Image on this page in the original Annual Report is an image of ARCH's Statement of Financial Position.

For a copy of the full audited statements please contact our office

Thank you 

ARCH is very appreciative of the support of the staff of the Co-operative of Specialty Legal Clinics, legal clinics, the private bar, and the pro bono assistance of lawyers and law students provided to ARCH and our clients.  ARCH thanks the many volunteers who have given ongoing support and  offered insight, expertise and information that has advanced our work.
ARCH gratefully acknowledges the contributions from our volunteers, lawyers and supporters:
Amina Patel		Project Coordinator, Community Living Ontario
Andy Willemsen		Brampton Caledon Community Living 
Brendan Pooran		PooranLaw
Courtney Mulqueen	MK Disability Lawyers
David Lepofsky		Chair of the AODA Alliance
Dulcie McCallum	Expert Advisor on Canada's Delegation (UNCRPD) to the UN; former B.C. Ombudsman and N.S. Privacy Commissioner
Elisa Mangina		PooranLaw
Gaye Jackson		Bookkeeper
Gord Kyle	Director of Policy Analysis, Community Living Ontario
Dr. Gordon Porter	Director, Inclusive Education Canada
Dr. Jacqueline Specht	Faculty of Education, Western University
Jennifer Stone	Health Justice Initiative, Neighborhood Legal Services
Jody Carr			University of New Brunswick
Joëlle Pastora Sala	Attorney, Public Interest Law Centre
Kimberley Gavan	Executive Director, Brockville and District Association for Community Living
Laura	 Johnston		Lawyer, Community Legal Assistance Society
Mariana Versiani		Co-operative of Specialty Legal Clinics 
Marissa Forturne-Hall	Co-operative of Specialty Legal Clinics 
Melanie Benard	Disability Rights Lawyer, Co-founder Québec Accessible
Dr. Monique Somma	Faculty of Education, Brock University
Peter Park			Self-advocate, co-founder of Respecting Rights 
Rebecca White		Brock University
René Guitard	Réseau Francophone and of la Clinique francophone de'Est d'Ottawa
Dr. Ruby Dhand	Associate Professor of Law, Thompson Rivers University
Rupa Karyampudi	MK Disability Lawyers
Sarah Danglish		Contract Administrative Assistant
Sheila Wildeman		Associate Professor of Law, Dalhousie University
Dr. Sheila Bennett	Faculty of Education, Brock University
Steven Estey		Co-ordinator Canada’s Parallel Report on the CRPD
Think Link Graphics		
Tom Patch			Retired Human Rights Lawyer
Dr. Xiaobin Li                Faculty of Education, Brock University
Sunil Gurmukh             Ontario Human Rights Commission
Maureen Haan	Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work
Marian MacGregor	Law Society of Ontario
Nadia Sayed	Law Society of Ontario 	
Neil Belanger	BCANDS
ARCH gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the following students:
Alyssa Granato			Disability Law Intensive Student
Brody Cormons			Disability Law Intensive Student
Christina Faith Cameletti	Disability Law Intensive Student
Dina Gang				Disability Law Intensive Student
Ilona Agivaeva			Disability Law Intensive Student
Jennifer Tattrie			Disability Law Intensive Student
Keesha Chase			Disability Law Intensive Student
Kirsten Cirella			Disability Law Intensive Student
Madison Goodacre		Disability Law Intensive Student
Rafeea Abdulla			Disability Law Intensive Student
Stephen Petrina			Disability Law Intensive Student
Aden Benarroch	Osgoode Hall Law School-sponsored summer law student placement
November Davies	Paralegal placement student, Sheridan College
Kadene Massop	Master of Social Work practicum student, York University
Jake Miller	Master of Information practicum student, University of Toronto
Alicia Oliveri			Communications Intern, York University
Jessica Scifo	Student Proposed Internship program, University of Ottawa

For more information about our ongoing work, please visit our website at www.archdisabilitylaw.ca and subscribe to the ARCH Alert newsletter. 

ARCH thanks our Supporters and Partners!

Image on this page in the original Annual Report is an image of the logo of ARCH's Supporters and Partners

Logos of:
•	Legal Aid Ontario
•	Community Living Ontario
•	City of TOronto Community Services Grants Program
•	Law Society of Upper Canada - Equity Initiatives Department
•	York University
•	University of Toronto
•	University of Ottawa
•	Osgoode Hall Law School - York University
•	Western University
•	Alcohol and Gaming Commission (through Break Open Ticket Sales)
•	Neeson & Associates Court Reporting & Captioning
•	Ryerson University
•	Inclusive Education Canada
•	Brock University
•	Brampton Caledon Community Living
•	People First of Ontario

Notes: