CUPE’s disability rights campaign continues this week with the release of a fact sheet.
Titled What is the duty to accommodate? the fact sheet provides in-depth information on accommodating disabilities in the workplace, what conditions are considered disabilities, examples of workplace accommodations, and more.
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Download the fact sheet [PDF]
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Order printed copies by emailing equality@cupe.ca
CUPE 951 member Pat Shade knows all about the importance of the duty to accommodate. As co-chair of CUPE BC’s Persons with Disabilities Working Group and a member of the national working group—not to mention second vice president of his local at the University of Victoria—Shade has been supporting workers in need of accommodation for many years.
“Being a member of CUPE has given me a sense of being a part of something greater,” says Shade. “One person can affect change at a local, provincial and national level. It has opened my eyes to disability access and accommodation, and allowed me to access training and resources to interpret the case law that applies to disability rights.”
Shade is applying what he’s learned at all levels.
“Recently I helped a member who was suffering from mental health issues achieve a successful accommodation,” he explains. “We guided him through the process to get the help he needed.”
The Solidarity of Abilities campaign is a great new initiative, says Shade.
“In my eyes the purpose is to raise awareness, educate and promote inclusion of our members and all peoples with disabilities. Through my union I have received excellent training on return to work, human rights and facilitator training so that I may teach courses on disability accommodation.”
Find out more at cupe.ca/disability-rights