Accessibility Standards Committee
Chair: Sousan Zaribaf
Click here for Chair's background.
Welcome to the Accessibility Standards Committee! We are working on raising awareness about barriers and concerns related to full participation of persons with disabilities who live and work in Ontario.
BIG NEWS!
The government has just released three new accessibility standards:
All three standards are in one regulation, called the Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation.
The Accessible Built Environment standards (e.g., buildings, parks, outdoor areas) are still under development
- Existing Ontario Building Code
The Accessible Customer Service standards are now law. The private sector, including not-for-profit organizations, will need to comply by January 1, 2012. Government, municipalities, school boards, colleges, universities and hospitals are already in compliance with the accessible customer service standards.
Click here to find out what the Accessible Customer Service standards require.
A Martin Prosperity Institute report shows that improved accessibility could help Ontario's tourism sector generate up to approximately $1.5 billion in new revenue, and consumer retail sales to rise by up to $10 billion. Click here to find out why it makes economic sense to be accessible.
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Read the Martin Prosperity Institute report - Releasing Constraints: Projecting the Economic Impacts of Increased Accessibility in Ontario
We are also monitoring Federal standards for transportation:
Click here to see our Terms of Reference (under development).
Click here to see who is on our Committee.
Click here for articles and issues.
Independent Review of the AODA
- Ontario Launches Review Of Accessibility Legislation
- Charting a Path Forward: Report of the Independent Review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
News
A positive editorial citing some of the right reasons for setting standards for accessibility. We recognize the rationale voice of Durham Region News.
- Link to Durhamnews.com's Editorial (October 16, 2009)
- Editorial in text format
Helping Employers Expand Their Talent Pool - Ontario is partnering with the Business Takes Action project to create opportunities for people with disabilities and help employers make their workplaces more accessible.
- Link to news release "Helping Employers Expand Their Talent Pool" (October 1, 2009)
Toronto Port Authority proposes an underground tunnel and pedestrian walkway to its Island airport, but so far it looks like accessibility for travellers is not part of the plan. Link to: Toronto Star news article (August 24, 2009) and Toronto Star news article (August 24, 2009)
Ontario Seeks Input On Draft Accessibility Standard - The Built Environment
- See articles and issues page for information on the standard and how to respond
With more member involvement, we could do more!
Our Committees always welcome new members who share CWDO’s mission and values. We meet as needed, using the IDEAL Conference® system.
To join this Committee and to find out the next meeting date, please contact the Committee Chair. You must first be a member of CWDO to join a committee, and have the Chair’s approval.
If you are new, you will need to complete and send us a Membership Form.
Please review our IDEAL Conference® instructions to find out how to participate on a Committee.