Durham Regional Council has passed The Regional Municipality of Durham’s 2016 Accessibility Report, a document that outlines completed initiatives that will help to further eliminate barriers across Regional operations.
“In order to preserve dignity and independence for individuals of all abilities, we are continually working to achieve an inclusive and accessible environment,” said Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer. “One of our top priorities remains creating a safe and fully inclusive community for our residents.”
The Accessible Employment Standard comes into effect for businesses and non-profits: January 1, 2016 for businesses and non-profits with 50+ employees January 1, 2017 for businesses and non-profits with 1-49 employees
Following an emotional public input session, the Community and Protective Services Committee has voted to continue providing discounted bus passes for the blind and visually impaired.
Council will have the final say next week on the proposed changes to transit subsidies in London, which includes bringing an end to automatic discounts for seniors.
Managing Director, Neighbourhood, Children and Fire Services Lynne Livingstone explained during Tuesday’s meeting that it was meant to explore a proposal to provide subsidies for low income residents by scrapping both the subsidy for the blind and seniors.
TransHelp celebrated 35 years of providing transportation to Peel’s disabled residents this month. This man thought it fitting to take a photograph of the 35-year journey told in pictures. (Visit the link at bottom for more pictures)
As TransHelp prepares for a major system change in the new year, the transportation service for Peel residents with disabilities celebrated 35 years in operation this month.
Federal Government to Consult on Adopting the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Ontario Public Service Restructures Who Leads Its Own AODA Compliance
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities https://www.aodaalliance.org aodafeedback@gmail.com Twitter: @aodaalliance
December 8, 2016
SUMMARY
This is our last AODA Alliance Update for 2016. Enjoy the peace and quiet as we take an email and social media break until the new year.
The Parliamentary Committee released its report “Strengthening Democracy in Canada : Principles, Process and Public Engagement for Electoral Reform” last Thursday only in pdf which it knew was unreadable by blind electors.
“It is ironic and very disturbing that the same day Ministers Qualtrough and Dion announced that Canada was moving to sign the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities that a report of importance to all electors was released in a format that Canadians who are blind could not read,” says John Rae, a long time disability rights advocate.
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities https://www.aodaalliance.org aodafeedback@gmail.com Twitter: @aodaalliance
December 5, 2016
SUMMARY
This news is hot off the presses! In Question Period today, Progressive Conservative MPP Bill Walker asked Premier Wynne to agree to develop an Education Accessibility Standard to tear down the accessibility barriers impeding hundreds of thousands of students with disabilities in Ontario schools, colleges and universities. Premier Wynne said yes. In fact, she said it twice, after MPP Walker asked her twice. Her final words were:
Check out the Open Letter and AODA Alliance News Release and a Toronto Star Article on This
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities https://www.aodaalliance.org aodafeedback@gmail.com Twitter: @aodaalliance
All buses will be updated to make audio and visual announcements of current and next stops Kawartha Lakes This Week
LINDSAY – Starting in December, Lindsay Transit is taking important steps towards providing fully accessible services.
City of Kawartha Lakes officials say all conventional buses will be updated to make audio and visual announcements of current and next stops using an automated system and digital signage.
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities https://www.aodaalliance.org aodafeedback@gmail.com Twitter: @aodaalliance
December 3, 2016
SUMMARY
Let’s look back at a very important letter that Kathleen Wynne wrote to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance four years ago today, on December 3, 2012. December 3 is the day which the United Nations declares as the International Day for People with Disabilities.
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities https://www.aodaalliance.org aodafeedback@gmail.com Twitter: @aodaalliance
December 2, 2016
SUMMARY
An excellent article in the Toronto Star on December 2, 2016, set out below, reports on the AODA Alliance’s video which depicts a number of accessibility problems in the brand-new Centennial College Culinary Arts Centre. The article lets far more members of the public know about this incident, and about our YouTube video.
Deeply Worrying After the AODA Alliance’s Online Video Shows Significant Accessibility Deficiencies at Centennial College’s Brand-New Culinary Arts Centre
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities https://www.aodaalliance.org aodafeedback@gmail.com Twitter: @aodaalliance
December 1, 2016
SUMMARY
1. Will Troubling History on Accessibility Repeat itself?
Here is yet more proof that the Ontario Government needs to agree to develop an Education Accessibility Standard.
By Tim Miller, The Intelligencer
Friday, November 25, 2016
Tim Miller/The Intelligencer Prince Edward-Hastings MPP Todd Smith and Ken Wilman cuts the ribbon on a new pool-side accessibility lift at the Belleville YMCA while Sarah Tokley, manager of association aquatics applauds on Friday. The new lift was made possible by a $14,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant.
When Ken Wilman wants to go for a swim at the YMCA in Belleville he has a much easier time of it, thanks to a new accessibility lift.
The inclusive design in digital media program will be in a part-time format starting in January. Wed., Nov. 16, 2016
When a student asked Humber College professor Anne Zbitnew to ensure videos presented in her class were captioned, she not only fulfilled the request but also recognized a need to help others to understand inclusive design in digital media. As a result, Zbitnew and her research partner, Hillary Rexe, designed a program to address that need. This January, Humber will begin to offer the inclusive design in digital media program in a part-time format.
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities https://www.aodaalliance.org aodafeedback@gmail.com Twitter: @aodaalliance
November 29, 2016
SUMMARY
1. A Video You Must Watch
The AODA Alliance today makes public a striking 18-minute video, and a shorter 6 minute version. These shows significant accessibility barriers in a brand-new public building that was just built with public money, the new Culinary Arts Centre at Toronto’s Centennial College. This video depicts accessibility issues regarding the specific design of such things as door openers, parking signage, outside stairs and ramp to the front door, the parking pay machine, washrooms, elevators, interior signage, and more. Ontario’s community colleges operate under the Ontario Government.
