[community] SSAI Public Survey Invite

[Gloria Bernal Gomez]

Hello IDRC community, the City of Pickering in collaboration with the Government of Ontario, Ministry of seniors and accessibility is pleased to announce their research project on the use of Service and Support Animals Initiative<http://www.pickering.ca/ssai> in the community (SSAI).  This project consists of 2 parts:

  1.  A general survey to yield responses from diverse communities on challenges and barriers.

Survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/vil-survey

  1.  The launch of a 3-part virtual innovation lab  (January 2021) to co-design and co-develop solutions.

VIL Registration:<VIL%20Registration:>  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/vil-registration

The SSIA initiative will engage stakeholders, including business communities,  throughout Ontario to design solutions that mitigate barriers for individuals who are handlers of service and support animals.  The goal is to develop clarifying resources and tools with respect to service and support animal legislation, regulations, policies, and best practices for community access.

The SSAI project team is organizing a 3-part exciting event - Virtual Innovation Lab (VIL) where stakeholders and service and support animal handlers will co-design solutions, resources, and tools to improve access.

I am writing to you today to ask for your help in soliciting participants to take part in this innovative way to improve access.  Kindly distribute the VIL registration form within your organization as well as other stakeholders in your community.

We need a diverse group of participants from the following stakeholder groups:

1. Variety of service and support animal users, including visible and non-apparent needs.
2. Service animal support, e.g., service animal training, user advocacy, support.
3. Customer facing businesses, e.g., restaurants, retail, other businesses who serve the public.
4. Transportation, e.g., municipal, regional, taxi/rideshare.
5. Government entities, e.g., regional, municipal, libraries, customer-facing service providers, enforcement, and licensing.
6. Educational institutions, e.g., public education, post-secondary education.

Please distribute the Virtual Innovation Lab registration form broadly using the above list to stakeholders.

If you are interested in participating in the virtual innovation lab (VIL),  please complete and submit the registration form by Friday, December 18, 2020.  As we will want to ensure we have a diverse group of participants. To learn more about the Service and Support Animals Initiative please visit the following link: www.pickering.ca/ssai

VIL Registration:<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/vil-registration>  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/vil-registration

In addition, please distribute the attached survey to individuals within your organization and other stakeholders in your community to help us yield as many responses as possible.

Survey:<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/vil-survey>  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/vil-survey

Questions on the VIL? Contact:

Ather Shabbar
Organizational Development/Inclusive Designer
ather.shabbar at gmail.com<mailto:ather.shabbar at gmail.com>
416 402-022
Or
Pina D’Intino
Accessibility Strategist and Project Lead
Pina at aequumaccess.com<mailto:Pina at aequumaccess.com>
(416) 948.3348

Exert from our communication plan to help distribute the message…This can be used to distribute and share amongst your contacts.

****Opinions Wanted
You have a unique opportunity to influence Ontario thinking on Business & Community Access for Service & Support Animals

Unique Opportunity
The Service & Support Animal Initiative (SSAI) has been charged with pooling stakeholder input on the challenges and barriers experienced with service and support animals in the community.  Challenges continue to grow as more and more owners are accessing the community with their animals.  As part of the broader community, we’d love to get your thoughts and would appreciate if you fill out our survey.

START THE SURVEY<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/vil-survey>
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/vil-survey
In addition to the survey, other opportunities are available for helping us all gain from your awareness & experiences, such as our upcoming Virtual Innovation Lab.
Let us know!
More about the SSAI & Virtual Innovation Lab<https://www.pickering.ca/en/living/service-support-animals-initiative.aspx>
Thank You