The Canadian Centre on Disability Studies (CCDS) is hosting a webinar, VisitAbility in Social and Affordable Housing, on November 25th, 2015. This webinar is intended for municipal, provincial, and territorial planners and developers; however, we welcome anyone who is interested to attend. The webinar is free of charge. Please feel free to distribute the webinar information below and the attached poster to those who might be interested.

VisitAble Housing

“VisitAble Housing” is the concept of designing and building homes with basic accessibility. VisitAble homes provide easy access on the main level for everyone.

VisitAble homes have three basic accessibility features:

  1. No-step entrance (at the front, back or side of the house)
  2. Wide doorways and clear passage on the main floor
  3. A main floor washroom (or bathroom) that can be accessed by people who use mobility devices

Purpose and Content of the Webinar

There is a lack of accessible social and affordable housing in Canada. VisitAble Housing allows basic accessibility for all homes with minimal costs. VisitAble Housing is already common in England and many jurisdictions in the United States. Several jurisdictions in Canada, including some First Nations, have adopted VisitAble Housing in their policies and practices. Among those jurisdictions that have incorporated VisitAbility in social and affordable housing policies and initiatives are the Province of Manitoba and the City of Ottawa. This webinar is intended to inform municipal, provincial, and territorial planners and developers of Canadian examples of advancing VisitAbility in social and affordable housing. The presenters will address the following issues in their local, regional, and national contexts:

  • Policies related to VisitAbility in social and affordable housing
  • Incorporating VisitAbility in public housing projects
  • Relevant challenges and considerations

Date and Registration

Date: Wednesday, November 25th, 2015
Time: 9:00am Pacific / 11:00am Central – Manitoba / 12:00pm Eastern
Length: One hour
Target audience: Municipal, provincial, and territorial planners and developers
Registration Fee: Free

Presenters:

  • Dwayne Rewniak, MCIP., Executive Director, Housing Delivery/Land Development, Manitoba Housing
  • Saide Sayah, MCIP., RPP., Program Manager, Affordable Housing Unit, Housing Services Branch, Community and Social Services Department, City of Ottawa
  • Olimpia Pantelimon, RPP, MCIP, MOUQ, Chair of Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) Healthy Communities Committee,  Member CIP National Initiatives Advisory Committee
  • Youn-Young Park, Ph.D., Senior Researcher and Project Manager, Canadian Centre on Disability Studies

To register, please click the following link and fill out the REGISTRATION:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5043436017229613826

Spaces are limited. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

If you have any questions, contact VisitAbility@disabilitystudies.ca.

More information is available on the following poster: Social and Affordable Housing Webinar