Canadian Labour Congress 3rd National Disability Rights Conference

2008-07-31 10:25

“Shatter the Barriers: Persons with Disabilities at Work”
November 15 – 18, 2008 – Montréal, Québec

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The Canadian Labour Congress is proud to announce that our Third National Disability Rights Conference, “Shatter the Barriers: Persons with Disabilities at Work” will be held November 15 to November 18, 2008 (registration desk opens at 4 pm on the 15th) at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montréal, Québec.Our conference will focus on doing MORE to build the voice of activists with disabilities and our allies, on doing MORE to build our political agenda and our commitment to shatter the barriers which prevent persons with disabilities from getting employment, keeping it and thriving at the workplace. We will discuss our work strategy within a framework which includes universal design, access to information, transportation, and income and service supports. We will look at emerging issues and approaches at the workplace and share breakthroughs. We will leave with a plan to shatter the barriers and move forward.

In order to ensure a strong base for participation of people with disabilities, we are holding a one day Forum for activists with disabilities from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm on November 15th prior to the evening opening of the Conference. A registration form for this Forum is attached, along with the conference registration form.

We want to ensure that this conference is truly representative of the diversity of our movement. We are asking you to remember that people with disabilities are women, racialized people, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered, Aboriginal people, people from different cultures and varying ages. Please make a concerted effort to send members that reflect all our communities.

The following suggestions might help encourage disabled activists from these constituencies to attend the Conference:

– advertize the Conference in your union publications;
– add a special call for people with disabilities from the designated groups;
– send Conference notices to your women’s, human rights, and equity committees;
– consider sending more than one participant;
– personally encourage disabled people from the designated groups to attend.

Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth Hotel has set aside blocks of rooms for Conference participants at a special rate of $199 per night plus applicable taxes. Reservations are to be made directly with the hotel. Call their toll-free number at 1 800 441-1414, their direct number at 514 861-3511 or if you are hearing or speech- impaired, their TTY number at 1 800 267-6511. The deadline for the special rate is Friday, October 10, 2008. When making reservations, quote the CLC Conference group code number DRC08 to obtain the conference rate.

Air Canada has offered savings to our delegates who will be travelling by air to the Conference. If you wish to take advantage of these savings, please visit their website at www.aircanada.com or contact them: toll free at 1 888-247-2262, TTY users at 1 800-361-8071 or their direct number 514-393-3333, or your travel agent. In all cases, please quote the Promotional Code # ZP2CQA71.

Please note the deadline for registration is Tuesday, October 14, 2008. You can register by downloading the form in TEXT format or PDF format.

If you require additional information, please contact:

Canadian Labour Congress
3rd National Disability Rights Conference
2841 Riverside Drive
Ottawa ON K1V 8X7
Phone: 613-521-3400 extension 202
Fax: 613-521-4655
Website: www.canadianlabour.ca
Email: womens-hrights@clc-ctc.ca

In solidarity,
Kenneth V. Georgetti
President