This is a joint project between Osgoode Hall, University of Toronto Faculty of Law & Lincoln Alexander School of Law.
Name of Organization: Black Legal Action Centre
Website of Organization: www.blacklegalactioncentre.ca
Organization’s Mandate: Established in 2017, the Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC) is an independent not-for-profit community legal clinic, funded by Legal Aid Ontario, that combats individual and systemic anti- Black racism by providing free legal services, conducting research, developing public legal education materials, and engaging in test case litigation and law reform.
Project Name: Anti-Black Racism in Human Rights Tribunal
Project Type: Public Legal Education (presentations, workshops, podcasts, brochures, blogs, etc.) & Client services (court forms, shadowing, mock hearings, intake, legal clinic, etc.)
Project Delivery: Remote
Description of Project: BLAC regularly receives more requests for assistance with Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) applications than the clinic can fulfill. The goal of this project will be to allow clients to help themselves, even if BLAC does not have the capacity to represent them.
The student will create a resource which will help clients complete applications regarding discrimination, specifically anti-Black racism, in services, accommodation (i.e. housing, occupancy), contracts, and employment. The resource should allow clients to answer relatively straightforward/plain language questions and receive a completed form which is ready to be reviewed by BLAC and/or filed at the HRTO.
The form currently exists in Google Form. The student will investigate potential tech solutions for this resource, such as a more complex AI/wizard. The student can look at other examples of similar tools (Steps to Justice, Human Rights Legal Support Centre, etc.) or see if there is a software engineer/tech company willing to volunteer to help.
Additionally, the student will research how the HRTO may be using administrative processes (notice of intent to dismiss) to unjustly dismiss applications on the basis that they “fall outside their mandate,” and try to address this through the resource. For example, the resource should ask specific questions to try and find the nexus between the ‘unfairness’ the person is experiencing and the related ground of discrimination.
The student will also research decisions from the HRTO that address anti-Black racism to update BLAC’s HRTO decision tracking chart.
Role of Student Volunteers: Expand on BLAC’s step-by-step resource which clients can use to produce a completed form which can be reviewed by BLAC and/or filed at the HRTO, as discussed above.
Role of Supervising Lawyer(s):
• Review the students’ work for accuracy and thoroughness.
• Review and approve PLE resources produced by the student before they are used by the organization.
• Provide ongoing guidance and feedback to students.
Type of Law: Human Rights Code
Main Project Deliverable: Creating produced content (e.g. research memos, brochures, podcasts, etc.)
Number of Student Placements: 1 student
Hours per week the student volunteer(s) will be expected to work: 3-5 hours/week
Regular shifts or a flexible schedule: No regular shifts. Schedule is flexible.
Is there a workspace provided for the student at the Organization: Most of this work can be done remotely. However, BLAC does have laptops, desks, and printers that students can use, if needed.
Devices and technologies the students will be required to have: Computer, internet, phone.
The student will be given access to BLAC’s Canva accounts to create interactive videos and documents.
Is there an expectation for the student(s) to be bilingual: No.
Law School Pre-Requisites: N/A
Other Requirements or Expectations: Understanding of provincial human rights system. Ability to translate complex legal processes and issues into plain language. Background in adult education is an asset Familiarity with technology an asset.