Young people on the autism spectrum may experience barriers to receiving a quality education. These barriers may include discrimination and prejudice, bullying, limited teacher training and teacher preparation, limited human and material resources and limited administrative support.

This is exacerbated by the covid19 pandemic. According to the UN, “many students with autism have been especially hard hit and studies show that they have been disproportionately affected by disruptions to routines, as well as services and supports that they rely on.”

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/03/28/quality-education-for-all/

In August 2017, the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona SCORTT, reconstituted the Equal Opportunity Commission (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Commission’) for another three (03) year term.

In accordance with section 7, 8 and 9 of the Freedom of Information Act 1999 (FOIA) the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) is required by law to publish this statement, which lists the documents and information generally available to the public from the EOC

As the leading state advocate on equality, the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) joins United Nations members to magnify the voices of those who experience racism, whose opportunities are limited and who struggle to enjoy basic human rights.

Data at the commission shows that complaints filed based on the status grounds of race and ethnicity are the most lodged complaints that we receive at our offices. In Trinidad and Tobago and in the world, racism exists in undertones and overtones. The keyword, if you would allow us to play on that word, is tone, relating to our voices.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/03/21/magnifying-voices-against-racism/

The most lodged complaints that the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) receives at its offices are under the category of employment. This has consistently been the trend since the inception of the EOC; sometimes outweighing all other categories combined. However, the Equal Opportunity Act covers four broad categories: provision of goods and services, provision of accommodation, employment and education. It is important to understand the categories contained in the act so that members of the public can access the full range of coverage.

 To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/03/14/categories-covered-by-the-act/

Data at the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) shows that since its inception, the most complaints that are lodged at our offices are by women in the category of employment. This is supported by data from International Women’s Day Global, where almost 60 per cent of women experience bias at work. Whether it is deliberate or unintentional, biases make it harder for women to get hired or promoted in certain fields.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/03/07/break-the-bias-against-women/

Zero Discrimination Day (ZDD) is a global movement that focuses on raising awareness and taking action to ensure that everyone can live a life of dignity and have access to opportunities by ending all forms of discrimination and promoting inclusion. UNAIDS launched the first ZDD in 2014 and it has been observed March 1 every year since.

In our last article, we addressed the topic of reasonable accommodation and looked at key concepts within its definition. Today we will delve further into submitting requests for accommodation and how an employer should handle each employee’s request.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/02/14/requesting-reasonable-workplace-accommodation

Trinidad and Tobago signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on September 27, 2007 and it was further ratified into domestic law on June 25, 2015. Even before this convention was ratified, the Equal Opportunity Act (EOA) Chap 22:03 placed a duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments for their staff to assist them in overcoming disadvantages resulting from any impairment.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/02/07/what-is-reasonable-accommodation

The Equal Opportunity Commis­sion was recently invited by the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce to present on vaccine discrimination at a webinar for its members. Mr. Haran Ramkaransingh, Legal Director at the Commis­sion joined the esteemed panel on the topic.

The Equal Opportunity Act is often described as a progressive piece of legislation. While the act is still somewhat limited in protecting the full spectrum of human rights, it is a ground-breaking piece of legislation that partially fills a critical gap, one which the Equal Opportunity Commission hopes would one day be closed.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/01/31/seeking-redress-underequal-opportunity-act/

One of the core functions of the EOC is to receive and investigate complaints of discrimination and offer the process of conciliation to the disputing parties.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/01/24/what-to-expect-at-conciliation

The word status can have many meanings, but exactly what does it mean under the Equal Opportunity Act? Status refers to characteristics inherent to an individual and discrimination against individuals based on these protected characteristics is contrary to the act.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/01/17/status-under-equal-opportunity-act

As we start the New Year, we remind members of the public about the mandate and core functions of the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) so that they can access the full range of benefits that the EOC offers. It is prudent to ensure that members of the public understand and appreciate that the EOC does not just receive complaints, but we are empowered and positioned to be the leading public advocate on equality and discrimination.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2022/01/10/core-functions-of-the-eoc

The Christmas season is upon us and it is as good a time as any to talk about your rights when you are attempting to access goods, facilities and services.

Service providers should not alter the terms or deny someone a service or access to a service based on their sex, marital status, race, ethnicity, origin (including geographic origin), disability or religion. Denying someone a service based on the above is discriminatory and in contravention of the Equal Opportunity Act.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2021/12/20/you-have-shopping-rights/