The Next Phase of Our Disability Accessibility -- What Government Promises We've Gained

During this election campaign, all three parties in the Legislature reaffirmed their support for the AODA and for its goals. This remains a unanimously-supported agenda. It has been such since the Legislature unanimously passed the AODA in 2005. There are not many political issues that continue to secure comparable unanimous support. This is clearly a result of our advocacy efforts.  Kathleen Wynne has made very clear and specific commitments to us on disability accessibility.

Right now Ontario is not on schedule for full accessibility. We look forward to working with the Government to kick-start progress which, in recent years, has slowed and slowed. If we are not on schedule and on track for full accessibility by 2018, there will only be some six years left to play catch up. For this reason, the next four years are by far, the most critical. Ontario needs a comprehensive plan now to ensure that Ontario will reach full accessibility by 2025.

It is important that this minister not also be the Economic Development, Trade and Employment Minister. It would be a counter-productive conflict for the same minister to have lead responsibility for enforcing the AODA, on the one hand, and lead responsibility for the Government itself obeying the AODA, on the other. 

What else can the Ontario Liberal party do to make accessibility a priority?

If you are interested in learning more about Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or how to make accessibility a natural part of your business through the application of Corporate Social Responsibility, please contact Sandra Broekhof @ 416-579-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca