McGuinty Government Developing New Accessibility Standards

TORONTO – The McGuinty government is developing three new accessibility standards to target barriers in information and communications, the built environment, and employment for people with disabilities, Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Ontarians with Disabilities, announced today.

“We are on the side of Ontarians with disabilities and business owners who employ and serve them, because greater accessibility is something that benefits us all,” said Meilleur. “It means more customers for business, a larger talent pool for employers and an Ontario where all citizens are able to participate fully in society.”

Meilleur made the announcement on the first anniversary of the passage of the landmark Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. The act calls for new province-wide accessibility standards to be developed, implemented and enforced in stages of five years or less, leading to an accessible Ontario by 2025.

The next three proposed accessibility standards will be developed by standards development committees which will include people with disabilities or their representatives, members from businesses and organizations across Ontario as well as government representatives. The two proposed standards already in development in the areas of transportation and customer service are expected to be ready for public review this fall.

The development of enforceable accessibility standards are just one of the ways the McGuinty government is working to build a province where everyone has a chance to contribute. The government is also:

• Committing nearly $276 million in new funding to strengthen community supports for adults with a developmental disability
• Investing nearly $11 million in interpreter and intervenor services for the deaf and deafblind community
• Providing $28.2 million to help universities and colleges provide services for students with disabilities to help them succeed.

“Everyone who lives in this province should have the same opportunities to participate in all aspects of community life from finding a job, to riding the subway, to going to the movies,” said Meilleur. “That is our goal and with the help of the people of Ontario, we’re going to get there.”