ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMMITTEE 
BY-ELECTION FACT SHEET

1.5 Million Ontarians with Disabilities Are Counting On You

Do you think children with disabilities should be able to play in parks with their friends and have access to a good education?

Do you think people with disabilities should have the same access to health care and post-secondary education as everyone else?

Do you think people with disabilities who are qualified should have the same chance to work as all other Ontarians?

Like other Ontarians, the 1.5 million people with disabilities in Ontario want to go to school, get jobs, go out with friends and participate in every aspect of life. Right now they face many unnecessary barriers that prevent them from fully participating.

Do you have a disability? If not, chances are someone close to you does. Chances are you will acquire a disability in your lifetime. If barriers are prevented and removed today, it will help you tomorrow.

What Can Be Done To Make Ontario Barrier-Free?

Ontario needs a strong new law implemented to tear down barriers that keep people with disabilities from participating in every aspect of life. A strong Ontarians with Disabilities Act would do that. We are not asking for job quotas, just removal of barriers.

Last fall, after a seven-year delay, the Conservative government passed a new law but many found it disappointing.

Ask your candidates in the upcoming by-election where they stand on this issue. Tell them it's important to you in deciding who to vote for.

Where Do The Parties Stand?

Conservatives:  
The Conservatives promised before the 1995 election to pass the Ontarians with Disabilities Act in their first term in office. They passed nothing in their first term, passed only a limited law last fall, and rejected most amendments which people with disabilities proposed. They still have not proclaimed in force a majority of its provisions.  People with disabilities have been waiting seven years.

Liberals:   
After pressing the Harris Government for years to keep their 1995 election promise, Dalton McGuinty promised that a Liberal Government would pass a strong Ontarians with Disabilities Act.  His party proposed amendments to strengthen the Government's law, but the Government rejected almost all of them.

NDP:   
After pressing the Harris Government for years to keep their 1995 election promise, Howard Hampton promised that an NDP Government would pass a strong Ontarians with Disabilities Act.  His party proposed amendments to strengthen the Government's law, but the Government rejected almost all of them.

In this by-election we ask incoming Premier Ernie Eves to proclaim immediately all provisions of the disability law his Government passed last fall, and to meet with persons with disabilities to talk about how to implement it. 

Do You Want To Know More About The Campaign For A Barrier-Free Ontario?

The Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee is a non-partisan coalition that believes Ontario will benefit when barriers are removed and prevented.

We welcome your help.  

Please leave a voice mail message at (416) 480-7012, or use TTY to contact Susan Main at (416) 964-0023 ext. 343 or visit our website at www.odacommittee.net

Your Vote Can Help Make Ontario Barrier-Free For 1.5 Million Ontarians With Disabilities.

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