And Other Accessibility News
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities
November 5, 2015
SUMMARY
1. History Repeats Itself Again in Ontario Unfortunately!
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Welcomes You!
We hope you find this site a great resource for all things to do with the AODA and that you'll come back often as we continually update the site.
This site is part of the Accessibility News Network.
Note: This is NOT a Government run Site!!.
The AODA Clock is Ticking
There are till a fully Accessible Ontario! Will you be compliant?
Latest Headlines
Wynne Government Commendably Announces Targeted AODA Enforcement Blitz on Workplace Barriers Aimed at Large Retail Establishments in Ontario
What Could This Mean for the Campaign to Make Ontario Fully Accessible for 1.8 Million People with Disabilities?
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities
November 2, 2015
SUMMARY
On October 5, 2015, the Wynne Government issued a News Release and Backgrounder announcing a targeted Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) enforcement initiative. We set out the Governments announcement below. What does this mean for people with disabilities?
AODA Audit Blitz for Retail Organizations
October 30, 2015
Christopher Lytle MA CDS
I am guessing that there are a few business owners who are scratching their heads with regards to new information concerning an AODA “Audit Blitz” for retail organizations. In a field pot marked with consulting companies one would figure that the use of terminology that strikes fear into the hearts of businesses is a little unnecessary. Granted, accessibility is a crucial part of the business landscape in Ontario, but scaring the bejesus out of business owners is counterproductive.
2015 ANA Multicultural Marketing & Diversity Conference presented by Time Inc
In 2014, ANA partnered with eSSENTIAL Accessibility to introduce the People with Disabilities category to the Multicultural Excellence Awards and the Multicultural Marketing & Diversity Conference. In its first year, the People with Disabilities Category won the Best-in-Show award for Duracell and Derek Coleman’s story.
Read more at
https://www.essentialaccessibility.com/newsletter-news
Ryerson University Takes Innovative Approach to Accessibility Challenge
Between October 23 and November 6, Hack-cessibility Will Explore Creative Digital Media Solutions TORONTO, ON–(Marketwired – October 21, 2015)
“How can we accelerate the dialogue on accessibility with the goal of helping to shift attitudes and change behavior?”
The answer to that question is at the heart of Ryerson University’s Hack-cessibility competition, an event taking place between October 23 and November 6, that will bring together students, businesses, members of the accessibility community, entrepreneurs and policymakers to envision creative digital media solutions to accessibility challenges.
Full Accessibility of Voting in the October 19, 2015 Federal Canadian Election Remains an Unacceptable Uncertainty for Voters with Disabilities
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities
October 16, 2015
SUMMARY
In the final days leading up to the October 19, 2015 federal election, voters with disabilities still have no assurance from Elections Canada that the vote will be fully accessible to them. This shows all the more why we need a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act.
Below we set out two recent news reports that highlight this issue.
AODA – New Deadlines Are Fast Approaching, And So Is A Compliance Audit
Author: Andrew Cogswell
Date: 2015.10.08
As most employers are already aware, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”) was passed in 2005 and brings with it a number of requirements for employers, related to ensuring their workplace is accessible for employees, clients, and the public at large.
Another important piece of legislation, under AODA, was passed by the Ontario government in 2011 – the Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation (“IASR”). The IASR affects nearly all employers in Ontario that have at least one employee. CCPartners previously blogged on the IASR at https://www.ccpartners.ca/blog/details/the-employers-edge/2012/08/09/aoda-update-ontario-government-recently-publishes-integrated-accessibility-standards-guidelines-that-will-impact-ontario-workplaces .
Toronto to Stage International Paralympic Committee’s VISTA Conference in 2017
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced that the eighth VISTA conference for scientists and experts in para-sport will be held in Toronto, Canada, between 19-22 September 2017.
Organised through a partnership between the IPC, the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO), the theme of VISTA 2017 will be “Opportunities and challenges in Paralympic sport science and medicine support.”
The Earth Martian
By Victor Schwartzman
October 12, 2015
Mark Watney had multiple physical challenges. The morning after the federal election he woke to find he had been deserted, just as if he had been an astronaut abandoned on Mars. However, Mark had not been deserted by his crew on a distant planet. He was on Earth and had been deserted by his society. This is because a person with disabilities in Canada can often feel like an abandoned astronaut on Mars, left alone to survive.
Clarington Taxi Law Updated for Accessibility
No extra fees allowed for wheelchairs, service dogs
Clarington This Week
Taxi owners and drivers cannot charge extra for passengers with a disability, or charge extra to transport wheelchairs, and now all service animals must be allowed, after Clarington updated the bylaw that regulates taxi licences.
Council voted to amend its taxi bylaw to ensure it complies with the requirements set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
