Health law

The Law Times has published an editorial in support of Bakerlaw client Donna Jodhan's Charter of Rights challenge against the Federal Government over websites that are inaccessible to blind and partially sighted web users.

"The government should drop its reluctance and heed Jodhan’s call for improved accessibility," writes Glenn Kauth, the author of the editoral. "As the online world grows in importance, there’s no justification for leaving people with disabilities behind."

Click here to view the full editorial on the Law Times website.

Donna Jodhan's web accessibility Charter Challenge against the Federal Government has been covered by a number of major media outlets. Bakerlaw's David Baker and Meryl Gary are in Federal Court from September 21st-23rd arguing Ms. Jodhan's case.

The governments of many countries, including the United States, EU member states and Australia have already made their websites accessible to blind users. Canada's Federal Government is refusing to follow suit, despite the fact that accessible sites are easy and inexpensive to build and maintain.

Bakerlaw will soon be headed to federal court with client Donna Jodhan. Jodhan, who is among approximately 10 per cent of the population with vision disabilities, is asking the government to provide vision impaired Canadians with equal access to government information and services online. Bakerlaw hopes to compel the government to update its web accessibility standards and ensure its websites are accessible to all Canadians.

The Canadian Association of Retired People (CARP) recently published an article on the issue of reimbursement for necessary out-of-country medical services.

The piece notes Bakerlaw's extensive work on this issue in the courts, and includes discussion from Nicole Chrolavicius on this important healthcare issue.

Click here to read the article on CARP's website.

In January of this year, Bakerlaw clients won a landmark ruling requiring airlines to provide an extra seat to disabled Canadians for a medical attendant or if required by their condition.

The decision takes effect on January 9th, 2009. In the meantime, unfortunately, Air Canada has required a Newfoundland woman to pay for an extra seat because her leg is in a cast and cannot be bent.

Click here to read the Western Star's report.

The Globe and Mail today published an excellent opinion piece by Andre Picard on the one person, one fare case. (In January of this year, Bakerlaw and its clients, the council of Canadians With Disabilities, won a landmark ruling in the case requiring airlines to provide an extra seat to disabled Canadians for a medical attendant or if required by their condition.)

A number of media outlets have reported on the Supreme Court of Canada's refusal to grant leave to appeal in the Autism Class Action Lawsuit.

Click here to read the CBC's story.

Click here to read the Globe and Mail's story.

Click here to read the Toronto Star's story.