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Archive for March, 2013

International Day For The Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Posted on: March 21st, 2013 by Nellie's No Comments

On March 21st 1960, South African police opened fire on a group of peaceful protesters, killing 69 and injuring many more. This day is commemorated every year to continue the struggle to eliminate racial discrimination, which denies people basic human rights.

“Racism and sport” is the focus of this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Racism in sport, both by fans and competitors is an on going concern of the UN Human Rights Office. In September 2012, the Human Rights Council noted that, “Despite the immense potential of sport in promoting tolerance, racism in sport is still a serious problem.” (source.)

Elimination of Racial descrimination

Racism in sport is part of a larger societal problem of oppression, exploitation and patriarchy. Sport is a vehicle that reinforces traditional masculine roles as well as promotes gender-based hierarchies that encourage a culture of acceptance for gender-based violence. Achieving equality in sports as well as eliminating racism in sports will serve to empower women in all parts of society.

Physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle and all women and children should be able to participate without fearing discrimination because of their race or gender. Here at Nellie’s we are committed to challenging all forms of oppression and violence. So let us challenge these norms and let’s move!

 

New Website Launches on International Women’s Day

Posted on: March 8th, 2013 by Nellie's No Comments

We are excited to celebrate International Women’s Day this year with the launch of our brand new website! Over a year ago, YOU helped us win 3rd place in TBK Creative’s Website Charity Challenge.  Today, we have a brand new website thanks to everyone in our community who voted for us in this contest.

Our new website brings many changes to the way we can communicate with you.  Here are some of the highlights:

– Our blog now appears on our homepage
– An interactive calendar listing important social justice and fundraising dates
– Feminist Twitter Guide so you can  keep up with all the latest feminist news
– Social Media Integration
– Updated content, including survivor stories

We invited you to browse our new site and leave your feedback in the comments below!

new Website launch

(Happy International Women’s Day from everyone at Nellie’s)

Today, we are also officially launching our latest position paper on Accessibility: Women with Disabilities and Deaf Women. This paper, written by Nellie’s Social Justice Committee, focuses on the  societal perceptions and personal biases about Disabilites, including the impacts of ableism on various communities such as immigrant and newcomer women, Aboriginal women and women of colour. The paper is launching in conjunction with the second cycle of our “Women on the Move Support Group.” The full position paper can be found here. 

On International Women’s Day, we would like to say thank-you to everyone who supports our work to create new beginnings for women and children leaving situations of violence, poverty and homelessness.  We couldn’t do this work without you! Happy International Women’s Day!

Nellie’s Launches Position Paper on Accessibility

Posted on: March 7th, 2013 by Nellie's No Comments

Nellie is very proud to announce the launch our Position Paper on Accessibility: Women with Disabilities and Deaf Women. In this paper we explore the issues impacting women with Disabilities and Deaf women, identify challenges and emerging issues, and develop strategies for working with women and ensuring are our services are accessible to all.

The paper highlights societal perceptions and personal biases about Disability.  We explored the impacts of ableism on various communities including immigrant and newcomer women, Aboriginal women and women of colour. We identified key attitudinal shifts necessary for the development and implementation of policies and service provisions needed to ensure services are accessible to women with disabilities and Deaf women.

Accessibility

In 2011, through an analysis of current issues and trends, the Social Justice Committee recommended to Nellies Board of Directors that we write a position paper exploring the issues of Accessibility and Ableism.  Following this, the Social Justice Committee  organized a subcommittee to develop this position. Key stakeholders were identified and contacted, and invited to an initial consultation regarding the direction of the paper.  It was decided that Nellie’s Social Justice Committee would draft the position and then organize a focus group to give feedback. A draft of the position was written and in June 2011, a focus group was invited to give feedback on the position.  Approximately 20 women attended the focus group.  The feedback was used to revise the position and a new draft was sent out to all key stakeholders internally and externally to obtain any final feedback.  The final draft of the position paper was approved in February 2013.

On March 7, our second cycle of “Women on the Move: A Psycho/Educational Support Group for Women with Disabilities”  began out of our Community Support and Outreach office.  This program is run in Partnership with Springtide Resources.  We have also finalized our Accessibility for Ontario’s with Disabilities (AODA) policy and we will continue staff training on the implementation of the position paper and policy in 2013.  A copy of our position paper can be found here.

Here are some questions for self-reflection:

1) How do you see ableism on display in your daily life?

2) What are some of the measures the organization where you work has taken to ensure services are accessible for women with Disabilities and Deaf women?