|
| Vol. 6, No. 8 |
december 20, 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ETFO Accessibility Plan Released
 To improve accessibility for all Ontarians, the provincial government passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in 2005. The act aims to make Ontario barrier-free by developing accessibility standards in five areas:
- Customer service,
- Employment,
- Information and communications,
- Transportation, and
- The built environment.
All organizations and businesses with at least one employee must comply with the first accessibility standard—Customer Service—by January 1, 2012. The remaining standards will be implemented in stages over the next few years.
The ETFO provincial office is committed to excellence in serving people with disabilities when visiting the provincial office or communicating with our staff. Recently ETFO provided its staff with customer service accessibility training and released a new policy about providing goods and services to people with disabilities. For more information on ETFO's plan, please visit our website.
To provide feedback on our Accessible Customer Service Plan please contact Ruth Alam, Human Resources Manager, at ralam@etfo.org.
For further information on accessibility or the AODA contact Adam Peer, Executive Assistant, Equity and Women’s Services (apeer@etfo.org) or visit the Ministry of Community and Social Services website located at www.ontario.ca/AccessON. |
|
|
|
Holiday Contact Information
 The Provincial Office will close at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2011 and will reopen on Monday, January 9, 2012 at 8:00 a.m.
The Emergency Legal Assistance system will be operational over the holiday period to respond to critical calls only.
The general mailbox will be checked daily and an effort will be made to return critical calls within 24 hours. Non-critical calls will be responded to after the holiday.
ETFO's Executive and staff extend sincere best wishes to you and your family for a joyous and restful holiday season. Thank you for all of your efforts on behalf of Ontario's elementary students. |
|
The Workshop Presenter's Palette - Provincial Office,
December 12, 2011
View Photo Album
|
|
Seeking Members for Confidential LGBT Focus Groups
 Recently ETFO's Provincial Executive passed a motion calling for a strategy to challenge homophobia and champion safe workplaces for all members.
As part of the strategy, ETFO is inviting LGBT members to participate in focus groups this January to help us identify the challenges that members face, regardless of whether they are ‘out’ at work or not. Insights from the focus groups will be used to develop resources that ensure members experience workplaces that are safe and free from homophobia and transphobia.
These focus groups will be organized and held in the strictest of confidence by two ETFO LGBT staff members. No information regarding the identity of participants will be shared with others.
To participate in confidence please contact one of the following staff members by phone or email, and provide your first name, and the name of your town/city:
- Valerie Dugale, Staff Liaison - ETFO’s LGBT Standing Committee
Email: vdugale@etfo.org
Telephone: 1-888-838-3836 x2331
- Adam Peer: Executive Assistant - Equity and Women’s Services
Email: apeer@etfo.org
Telephone: 1-888-838-3836 x2239
For more information on participating in the focus groups, please visit the ETFO website. |
|
-
The registration deadline has been extended for the Assertiveness Training Regional Workshop, Windsor, January 20-21, 2012. Please note that this workshop is for male and female members. It was erroneously listed as a women's program in the last issue of @ETFO/FEEO. Apply by this Friday, December 23. For more information, please contact Diane Balanyk-McNeil at 1-888-838 3836 ext. 2287, dbalanyk@etfo.org.
-
The latest issue of Research for Teachers focuses on bullying and was written by Debra Pepler from York University. Research has identified bullying as a relationship problem requiring a relationship solution. Strategies for teachers to use both with those being bullied and those bullying are outlined. Access this and five other issues of Research for Teachers at etfo.ca.
-
The nominations deadline for the Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence is February 6, 2012. The Premier's Awards recognize educators and staff who are helping Ontario students and young children realize their full potential. There are two new awards this year: Early Childhood Educator of the Year and Full-Day Kindergarten Team of the Year. For more information on how to nominate a colleague, please visit the Premier's Awards website. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|