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Advocacy
 2012 Social Action Committee
What Do We Do?
The Ottawa Chapter's Social Action Committee (SAC) was the first such committee formed within the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, predating both the Ontario Social Action Committee and the National Social Action Committee. Formed in November 1983, it has been continuously active since then. The SAC's role is to advocate on various problems and concerns shared by the community. Over the years, the SAC has been involved in a number of issues such as:
- Improving all types of public transportation that affect persons with disabilities in Ottawa, such as lobbying for more accessible taxis, improved access to OCTranspo buses, and improved service on the ParaTranspo service,
- Enhanced health care services, with particular attention to community care, including the LHIN, Local Health Integrated Network and CCAC, Community Care Access Centre,
- Improved housing for persons with disabilities, especially housing with on-site health care services,
- Accessibility to public buildings, including curb cuts, parking spaces and location, washrooms, and accessibility within buildings,
- Education, including support services for students with disabilities at community colleges and universities in the Ottawa region,
- Employment of persons with disabilities, including activities nder the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Our Accomplishments
Over the past few years, the SAC has played a leading role in the following activities:
- stablished the Peggy Allan Memorial Award, awarded annually to the person with a disability in Ottawa, who has made a major contribution in the areas of accessible transportation, independent living, and barrier-free access,
- The first group in Eastern Ontario to get service under the Attendant Outreach Program,
- Establishment of priority seating on all OCTranspo buses (which resulted in a priority seating policy provincially),
- Stronger recognition of disabled parking permits in Ottawa, and their enforcement by municipal and police authorities,
- Provision of improved curb cuts, better parking for persons with disabilities, and better access to public buildings,
- Advocating against the increase in hydro expense for necessary services for persons with disabilities such as air conditioning.
Our Current Interests
The current focus of our activities is aimed at improving legislation, policies, practices, opportunities and attitudes that affect people with MS through the following actions:
- We work at building relationships with decision-makers at various levels. However, we concentrate on influencing the local level through regular contact with City councillors and City officials.
- We regularly deal with OCTranspo accessibility issues such as broken elevators and lack of power doors at transit stations,
- We hold meetings with the executive staff of the Premier several times a year to influence Ontario policies and legislation,
- Periodically, we assist the National level of the MS Society in lobbying the Federal Govt., in areas of their jurisdiction,
- We also work in cooperation with other organizations with similar objectives including MS Ontario's Social Action Committee , the In Community , formerly the Disabled Persons Community Resources (DPCR), the Research Education Advocacy Centre for the Handicapped (REACH) , the Ottawa Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) and the VHA Health and Home Support .
How Can You Help?
If you would like to offer help in dealing with issues you read about here, please contact Robyn Olivier, Coordinator, Client Services at the Ottawa Chapter at robyn.olivier@mssociety.ca or 613-728-1583 ext. 224.
Current News
- AccessAbility" Day, December 9, 2011 at Ottawa City Hall
Several members of Ottawa Chapter Social Action Committee attended this event. They particularly concentrated on the Transportation discussion. CLICK HERE to see a report on the day. General information about Accessibility at the City of Ottawa can be found at by clicking HERE .
- Travelling Around Ottawa -Transportation Choices for Persons Living with Disabilities
The Champlain Spinal Cord Injury Solutions Alliance Transportation Working Group has published a document with the assistance of various community agencies, as well as OC Transpo, to provide residents with information on the types of accessible private and public transportation available in Ottawa and the ways to access it. CLICK HERE to read it.
- Taxi Coupon Program
Find out more about the City of Ottawa's taxi coupon program for registered Para Transpo riders. CLICK HERE for more information.
- Acquiring a Community Pass
The SAC has received reports that it is very difficult to purchase a Community Pass, which is designed to provide a discount on transportation for persons with disabilities. The SAC is currently pursuing this with the City and OCTranspo. If anyone has had similar problems, please contact Robyn Olivier, Coordinator, Client Services, at robyn.olivier@mssociety.ca .
Last Updated:
March 5, 2012
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