ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMMITTEE

Conservative Government's 13 Commitments to
Ontarians With Disabilities

INTRODUCTION

In 1995 Mike Harris promised to enact the Ontarians with Disabilities Act in his first term. On November 5, 2001, in its second term, the Conservative Government introduced Bill 125, the proposed Ontarians with Disabilities Act, into the Ontario Legislature. That bill was debated in the Legislature in fall 2001. The Legislature passed it on December 13, 2001. It received Royal Assent on December 14, 2001. It is now called the Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001 (ODA 2001).

During the Legislature's debates and public discussions around this bill, the Conservative Government made a series of 13 commitments. These are listed here. A summary is provided at the end of this document. The Government's public statements which make each commitment are set out under corresponding headings in a separate document entitled "Conservative Government Statements Setting Out Its 13 Commitments to Ontarians with Disabilities."

THE 13 COMMITMENTS

1. ONTARIO TO BECOME BARRIER-FREE

Ontario will become a barrier-free province for persons with disabilities, in which existing barriers are removed and new barriers are prevented from being created.

2. ODA 2001 WILL MAKE ONTARIO BARRIER-FREE AS SOON AS REASONABLY POSSIBLE

A key component of the Government's strategy to achieve this goal, the ODA 2001 will achieve a barrier-free Ontario as soon as reasonably possible, and can do so far sooner than the U.S. will.

3. ONTARIO TO BECOME CANADA'S MOST INCLUSIVE PROVINCE

Ontario will become the most inclusive province in Canada.

4. NO NEW BARRIERS

In Ontario, no new barriers will be created against persons with disabilities. This includes a commitment that tax dollars will not be used to create new barriers against persons with disabilities, and Government-funded capital expenditures including new infrastructure will meet accessibility standards.

5. MANDATORY REGULATIONS WILL COVER ALL SECTORS

Under the ODA 2001, standards will be set. Regulations will be enacted which impose mandatory requirements. Regulations will cover every sector in Ontario, including the private sector. There is a time frame for the private sector to act. Regulations will be made over barriers in the private sector if compliance is not happening fast enough. The Government is developing regulations that could contain enforcement features if necessary.

6. DISABILITY COMMUNITY IN DRIVER'S SEAT AND SETTING STANDARDS

Ontario's disability community will be put in the driver's seat, in the forefront of change, and driving change in the province. The regulations to be enacted under the ODA 2001 will be developed by the disability community. Ontario's disability community will be pivotal in setting the standards under the ODA 2001. Ontario's disability community will help to set the guidelines, the mandatory terms of reference, and the time frames for completion of accessibility plans to be implemented under the ODA 2001. Ontario's disability community will decide when Ontario's cities will become fully accessible.

7. ONTARIO ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL'S ROLE

The new Ontario Accessibility Advisory Council will decide the point in time when it will be "reasonably possible" for Ontario to become a barrier-free province. The Ontario Advisory Council will drive the reforms in Ontario including working on regulations, examining and developing mandatory plans for the private sector and driving the work on developing enforcement mechanisms under the ODA 2001 necessary to ensure compliance. The Ontario Advisory Council and local municipal Advisory Committees will be accessible to the disability community. The Government will be open to their advice. The ODA 2001 contains a  mechanism for persons with disabilities to tell the Government what barriers they face, and when and how they should be removed.

8. SPECIFIC ACTIONS BY ONTARIO GOVERNMENT

The ODA 2001 includes mandatory requirements which will be monitored and
enforced. The Government will force compliance with the ODA 2001, based on guidelines and accessibility plans that will be made public for every sector, and based on time frames. Transit providers will be required not only to make accessibility plans, but also to comply with them. The Government will take on a leadership role and set a high standard. Its new Accessibility Directorate will undertake several specific actions to promote accessibility, including launching a new public education campaign and new barrier-removal incentive program. The Government will select specific private sector companies for compliance. The Government's November 1, 2001 "Vision Statement,"  committing Ontario to become a barrier-free province for persons with disabilities, will be widely posted in public buildings. The Government has key players prepared to swing into action to implement change. The Government will not rest until it achieves its vision for persons with disabilities.

9. ONTARIO GOVERNMENT'S SPECIFIC RESULTS

The Government will achieve specific accessibility results. The business of Ontario ministries will be made more accessible to employees and customers with disabilities. Services will be reviewed and improved. New guidelines for accessibility of government buildings will be developed in conjunction with persons with disabilities and others. New construction will be accessible. Access to public buildings will be considerably improved. Goods and services will be more accessible. Access to government information will be greatly enhanced. Public awareness of disability issues will be heightened significantly. Thousands of suppliers throughout Ontario will have to become aware of, and consider the accessibility of the goods and services they provide, if they wish to sell to the government. The Government itself should be in full compliance within five years.

10. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS' SPECIFIC RESULTS

Specific accessibility results will occur at the municipal level. These include significant improvements in community accessibility, higher visibility and public awareness of disability issues throughout the community, more buildings and other sites (such as parks and recreational facilities) being accessible, greater public accountability, and an ongoing and participatory role in decision-making for persons with disabilities. No new subdivisions or construction will occur  without consideration of accessibility features. Curb cuts and audible traffic signals and inclusive design will become more common features in communities across Ontario. Municipalities will be required to take accessibility into account when issuing licenses. More than 160 municipalities will plan for accessibility as a regular part of doing business. All Ontario municipalities covered by the ODA 2001 will be required to meet or exceed the standards now achieved in Windsor and Thunder Bay.

 11. BROADER PUBLIC SECTOR SPECIFIC RESULTS

Specific accessibility results will be achieved in the broader public sector e.g. schools, hospitals, public transit, and universities. Some 159 hospitals, 25 colleges, 17 universities, and 78 school boards will be developing and implementing accessibility plans. These will significantly enhance access by persons with disabilities to education, training and services. This will result in increased access to schools, colleges, universities and hospitals, and better services for persons with disabilities at these institutions. As a result of increased accessibility in public transportation, persons with disabilities will find it easier to move around their communities safely. This will significantly enhance their ability to participate fully in community life. There will be greater public accountability and heightened public awareness.

12. PRIVATE SECTOR SPECIFIC RESULTS

Specific accessibility results will be achieved in the private sector, including development of flexible, industry-appropriate standards which eventually become law, private sector commitment, and partnerships between industry and persons with disabilities. Every sector of the community and the economy will be engaged in improving accessibility to meet or exceed its own sector standards. 

Opportunities for persons with disabilities will significantly improve throughout the province as sectors move towards greater accessibility. The accessibility bar will move higher as each sector learns and benefits from each other. There will be improved access to business facilities for those people in Ontario who use motorized scooters, wheelchairs, walkers and other assistive devices. Independence of persons with disabilities will be enhanced. There will be increased retail job opportunities for persons with disabilities and considerable potential for retail businesses to attract customers with disabilities.

13. MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The ODA 2001 will make a meaningful difference in the lives of Ontarians with
disabilities.

SUMMARY

These commitments can be summarized in these general themes:

•	Ontario will become barrier-free for persons with disabilities as soon as reasonably possible, far ahead of the U.S., at a point in time which the disability community will determine, making Ontario Canada's most inclusive province, with the ODA 2001 a key measure to achieve this.

•	No new barriers will be created against persons with disabilities.
•	Created under the ODA 2001 will be regulations imposing mandatory requirements, covering all sectors including the private sector.

•	Ontario's disability community will be in the driver's seat, and the forefront of change, playing a pivotal role in setting standards under the ODA 2001.

•	The Government will enforce compliance with the ODA 2001, will take on a leadership role and will set high standards.

•	Specific accessibility results will be achieved in the Government, the broader public sector (e.g. schools, universities, colleges and hospitals), municipalities and the private sector. These will include e.g. improved and more accessible services and opportunities in all sectors, significant improvement in community accessibility, enhanced access to schools, hospitals, colleges and universities, greater ease in moving around communities safely, significantly enhanced ability to participate in community life, greater accessibility in the private sector, and increased retail job opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Contact us: oda@odacommittee.net

Visit our website at www.odacommittee.net