Eddie Morten

Eddie Morten
Personal information
Born (1962-05-29) 29 May 1962 (age 62)
Home townBurnaby, British Columbia
Sport
CountryCanada
Sport
DisabilityDeaf–blind
Achievements and titles
Paralympic finals
Medal record
Paralympic Games
Wrestling
Gold medal – first place 1984 Stoke Mandeville/New York -65 kg
Racewalking
Bronze medal – third place 1980 Arnhem 5 km walk
Para judo
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Seoul -71 kg
Updated on 2 September 2012

Eddie Morten (born 29 May 1962), also spelled 'Eddy', is a Canadian Paralympic athlete who won bronze in the 5 km Walk in 1980, gold in the -65 kg category in Wrestling in 1984, and bronze in Para judo in the -71 kg category in Para judo in 1988.[1] Morten has been the Coordinator of the Deafblind Services Society of British Columbia's Volunteer Intervention Program since 2007, and in 2009 was awarded the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing's Award of Merit for his advocacy on behalf of the deaf-blind community.[2][3] He is the younger brother of Pier Morten, another successful Canadian Paralympian. Morten was born deaf but with good vision, which has gradually deteriorated due to Usher Syndrome. He is now completely blind in his left eye and has severely limited vision in his right eye.[4]

Human Rights Tribunal

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In August 2004, Morten asked his travel agent to book him a flight from Vancouver, British Columbia to San Francisco, California, but was told that the airline, Air Canada, would not allow him to fly without an attendant because he is deaf and partially blind. Morten filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission in September 2005, alleging that Air Canada had discriminated against him because of his disability. In January 2009, the Tribunal ruled that Air Canada had discriminated against Morten and ordered the airline to pay him $10,000 plus interest for pain and suffering.[5][6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Eddie Morten". Canadian Paralympic Committee website. Retrieved 27 August 2012.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Board & Staff". Deafblind Services Society of British Columbia website. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  3. ^ "WIDHH Award of Merit". Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing website. Retrieved 2 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Air Canada challenges deaf, blind man's right to travel alone". The Vancouver Sun. 7 April 2009. Archived from the original on 14 November 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Tribunal finds Air Canada discriminated against disabled man". CBC News website. 26 January 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  6. ^ "Decision - Eddie Morten". Canadian Human Rights Tribunal website. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
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