Eight people recently became the first group for northerners certified as Accessible Customer Service Standard trainers here in Thompson.

The training is in response to a new law, the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, which says that all businesses and organizations need to train staff and volunteers about the Accessible Customer Service Standard before November 1st of this year.

The eight participants in the “train-the-trainer” program took the course over the course of one day, and each left with a facilitators guide, a binder of resources, a PowerPoint presentation which can be personalized to suit each audience and access to a made-in-Manitoba video series focused on accessibility, understanding barriers, legal requirements, human rights and customer service.

The participants from the initial course here in Thompson represent different groups including the City of Thompson, the Juniper Centre, the Thompson Supported Employment Program and Community Futures North Central Development. 

There are around 30 trainers located throughout the province.