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"I am relieved, humbled, and delighted at this decision," Donna Jodhan, the woman behind the initial legal challenge told the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). "This is a victory for all Blind Canadians and this moment belongs to all of us.
Toronto (05 June 2012) - The Federal Court of Appeal issued a decision upholding a 2010 court ruling that the federal government must post key website content in a usable format for blind and partially-sighted Canadians.
A three-judge panel upheld the 2010 Federal Court decision which determined the federal government had discriminated against Donna Jodhan and others with vision disabilities due to its lax and obsolete online accessibility standards.
Despite the fact that more than three million people cannot read due to blindness or partial blindness, the federal government appealed the decision, with lawyers arguing there were alternate ways people could access the same information.
"I am relieved, humbled, and delighted at this decision," Donna Jodhan, the woman behind the initial legal challenge told the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). "This is a victory for all Blind Canadians and this moment belongs to all of us. This was never mine to win, but ours not to lose. I can only urge our government to work with us to ensure that equal access to information is obtained as soon as possible."
NUPGE has been a strong supporter of Jodhan's fight for equal rights and has been closely following the case. Just after the first court victory in 2012, NUPGE invited Jodhan to speak to its conference of equality and human rights activists about her struggle.
The National Union congratulates Jodham and all disabilities activists on this monumental victory.
More information:
Canadians with disabilities score human rights win
NUPGE puts spotlight on equality and human rights
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE