Alberta Human Rights Information Service September 16, 2004
In this issue:
Alberta Community Development diversity news
Other human rights and diversity news
Commission News
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Calling all Alberta organizations!
Alberta organizations are invited to submit an entry for the 2005 Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission Diversity Leadership Award of Distinction. Sponsored by the Commission, this award honours organizations that have displayed excellence in embracing diversity in their workforce, encouraging respect and inclusion, and working toward eliminating discrimination and barriers to fair employment practices. It is one of 13 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction to be awarded to Alberta businesses in 2005. Businesses and not-for-profit and public sector organizations are all eligible to enter.The deadline for nominations is November 15, 2004. The awards will be presented at a gala banquet, February 23, 2005 at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton. Read the news release.
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Letter from the chief commissioner: Chief Commissioner Charlach Mackintosh has written to the editors of the Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun about reports alleging racial profiling at some Calgary nightclubs and bars. His letter was published in the Calgary Herald on September 7th. Read the letter.
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New Commission publication: The Commission has published a new interpretive bulletin, Duty to accommodate students with disabilities in post-secondary educational institutions.
This publication will help students and educators understand how students with disabilities can be included in all aspects of the post-secondary educational environment. It provides practical advice to both students and educators about how they can arrange effective accommodations. It also outlines the responsibilities of both the student and the educator in the accommodation process.The publication reflects the Commission's position on the legal duty to accommodate, based on current human rights legislation and case law. It was developed in consultation with a wide variety of stakeholders, including students with disabilities; community organizations that serve persons with disabilities; and various individuals who work at post-secondary educational institutions throughout Alberta. Stakeholders shared their experiences and their questions related to accommodation.
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Revised Commission publication: The Commission has revised its information sheet Drug and alcohol testing. A is now available. The text version will be available in October 2004.
The information sheet has been revised to: clarify the Commission's position on testing; explain that if employers can show that testing is reasonable and justifiable, then the testing is acceptable under the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act; and provide the current legal information in summaries of four leading cases on drug and alcohol testing.
PLEASE NOTE: In the following sections of the newsletter, we publish news and information provided by other organizations. We also cite other Web sites related to human rights and diversity. The Commission is not responsible for the content provided by other organizations on their Web sites or by other means. Please direct comments or inquiries regarding these organizations or their Web sites to the organization in question.
Alberta Community Development diversity news
- Grant application deadline: The next deadline for grant applications for the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund is October 1, 2004.The objectives of the Human Rights and Multiculturalism Education Grant Program are to help Albertans reduce discrimination and racism; or to help Albertans reduce systemic discrimination by changing policies, practices and procedures.
Other human rights and diversity news
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International Day of Peace: On September 21 of each year, the United Nations asks warring parties around the world to observe one day of cease-fire. You too can observe the International Day of Peace on September 21, 2004. Observe a minute of silence at 12 noon, plant a tree, schedule an assembly with a peace theme, hold a conflict resolution workshop, ring a bell for peace. Many ideas and resources are available at http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/.
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Peace Education Conference: The Second Annual Alberta Peace Education Conference will take place in Athabasca from October 22 to October 24, 2004. The purpose of the conference is to explore the various aspects of a vision of a "just peace" and a "culture of peace," and how we might build peace through education wherever we are.
Due to confidentiality concerns, the Commission cannot reply
to complaints of discrimination using the Internet.
Please contact the Commission by telephone or regular mail
if you have a specific complaint.
The Commission will make publications available in accessible multiple formats upon request. Multiple formats provide access for people with disabilities who do not read conventional print.
