1.9 Million Ontarians With Disabilities 
Are Counting On You This Election

•	Should people with disabilities be able to shop in stores and eat in restaurants along with their friends and families?

•	Should children with disabilities have access to a good education and be able to play in parks with their friends? 

•	Should people with disabilities have the same access to health care and post-secondary education as everyone else?

•	Should qualified people with disabilities have the same chance to work as all other Ontarians?

Like other Ontarians, 1.9 million Ontarians with disabilities want to go out with friends, go to school, get jobs, and participate in every aspect of life. But many can't.  Unnecessary barriers prevent them from fully participating.

If you don't have a disability now, chances are you will as you age. Someone close to you likely has a disability.  If barriers are prevented and removed today, it will help you tomorrow.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE ONTARIO BARRIER-FREE?

Ontario needs a strong new law 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.

Ask your candidates if they support a strong law to remove these barriers.  Let them know it's important to you in deciding who to vote for.

WHERE DO THE PARTIES STAND?

PCs: In 1995, the PCs promised to pass the Ontarians with Disabilities Act in their first term. They later pledged it would be a strong, effective law.  In 2001, after delaying 6 years, they passed a weak, unenforceable Ontarians with Disabilities Act that doesn't require removal of barriers.  Municipalities and other public sector organizations have to file accessibility plans, but they can leave in place any barriers they wish.  The plans have to be made public, but they don't have to be implemented. The PC election platform doesn't promise to strengthen this weak law. After 8 years in power, the PCs failed to make significant progress towards the barrier-free Ontario that they promised.  

Liberals:  The Liberals proposed amendments to strengthen the Conservatives' weak law. The Conservatives voted these down.  The Liberals pressed the Conservative Government for years to keep the PC's 1995 election promise.  Dalton McGuinty promises that a Liberal Government would strengthen the Ontarians with Disabilities
Act within 1 year.     

NDP: The NDP proposed amendments to strengthen the Conservatives' weak law. The Conservatives voted these down. The NDP pressed the Conservative Government for years to keep the PC's 1995 election promise.  Howard Hampton promises that an NDP Government would strengthen the Ontarians with Disabilities Act within 1 year.   

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN FOR A BARRIER-FREE ONTARIO

The non-partisan Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee believes all Ontario will benefit when barriers are removed and prevented.  Visit www.odacommittee.net or leave a message at (416) 480-7012, or TTY message at (416) 964-0023 ext. 343

YOUR VOTE CAN HELP MAKE ONTARIO BARRIER-FREE FOR 1.9 MILLION ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES.  

AVAILABLE IN AN ALTERNATIVE FORMAT