Does A Toronto Star Queen’s Park Columnist Hint that David Onley’s AODA Independent Review Will Find Ontario’s Disability Accessibility Situation in Need of Reforms?

The February 9, 2019 Toronto Star includes a column by veteran Star columnist Martin Regg Cohn, set out below, that reports on David Onley’s great frustration with the accessibility barriers he continues to face. On January 31, 2019, Mr. Onley submitted his final report on his Government-appointed Independent Review of the implementation and enforcement of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Read more at
https://aoda.ca/does-a-toronto-star-queens-park-columnist-hint-that-david-onleys-aoda-independent-review-will-find-ontarios-disability-accessibility-situation-in-need-of-reforms/

Accessibility News February 9,2019 Update

Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/acnewsca

Inclusive Media and Design Inc is a proud supporter of Accessibility News.

Inclusive is ready to caption and video describe all your video for web, DVD, and computer desktop. They can also assist you in understanding and implementing Ontario’s AODA Integrated Standards’ media requirements. Consider having them check that any of your new web site content is compliant with an Accessibility Audit.

Visit http://www.inclusivemedia.ca to find out more.

The AODA Clock is Ticking

There are 5 years, 46 weeks, 5 days until a fully Accessible Ontario! Will you be compliant?

In this Issue

Opinion: Canada’s Pending Accessibility Law Comes Off As the Liberals Just Fulfilling An Election Promise

We are getting sunny words about equal participation, opportunity and dignity, written around legislation that is too broad to actually achieve it.

Canada is finally on the verge of passing federal disability legislation. So why aren’t I, a disabled woman, celebrating?

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/opinion-canadas-pending-accessibility-law-comes-off-as-the-liberals-just-fulfilling-an-election-promise/

Now that The Ford Government Received David Onley’s Independent Review Report on the AODA, the AODA Alliance Has Called on Accessibility Minister Raymond Cho to Immediately Lift the Government’s Freeze on the Work of the Health Care and Education Standards Development Committees

The Ford Government’s Stated Reason for Maintaining its Freeze on the Work of Ontario’s Education and Health Care Standards Development Committees has now Vanished It’s Time for the Government to Lift that Freeze

Read more at
https://aoda.ca/now-that-the-ford-government-received-david-onleys-independent-review-report-on-the-aoda-the-aoda-alliance-has-called-on-accessibility-minister-raymond-cho-to-immediately-lift-the-governments-fre/

Make Waterloo Region’s Roundabouts Safer for Blind Pedestrians

For all the people with 20-20 vision who find it challenging to navigate one of Waterloo Region’s roundabouts, just imagine what it’s like for a pedestrian who’s blind.

If you think it’s hard to weave your car into those seemingly endless lines of swirling vehicles or walk across a busy traffic circle, think how daunting, even terrifying, a task it is for someone who can’t see and is trying to do it alone, on foot.

Read more at
https://aoda.ca/make-waterloo-region%c2%92s-roundabouts-safer-for-blind-pedestrians/

Canada’s Senate To Debate Bill C-81, the proposed Accessible Canada Act – Here’s Our Strategy to Strengthen this Weak Bill

Last fall, Canada’s House of Commons passed Bill C-81, the proposed Accessible Canada Act. It is now headed for debate in Canada’s Senate. We want to bring you up to date on what’s going on, and what to expect in the weeks ahead.

Read more at
https://aoda.ca/canadas-senate-to-debate-bill-c-81-the-proposed-accessible-canada-act-heres-our-strategy-to-strengthen-this-weak-bill/

Accessible Parking in Ontario

Under the Design of Public Spaces Standard of the AODA, cities and other organizations building or reconstructing on-street or off-street parking spaces must make those spaces accessible to visitors with disabilities who hold accessible parking permits. Some people with permits will drive themselves, while others will drive with family or friends. Moreover, some people need accessible spaces because they use mobility aids and need more room to enter and exit their vehicles. In contrast, other people need accessible spaces close to the places they are going to because they cannot walk long distances.

Read more at
https://aoda.ca/accessible-parking-in-ontario/

How Ontario Communities are Making Themselves More Senior-Friendly

The right kind of infrastructure can keep older adults healthier and happier longer and cities and towns are starting to make it a priority

Read more at
https://aoda.ca/how-ontario-communities-are-making-themselves-more-senior-friendly/

Accessible Exterior Paths of Travel

Under the Design of Public Spaces Standard of the AODA, cities and other organizations building or reconstructing exterior paths of travel, such as sidewalks and walkways, must make those paths accessible to travellers with disabilities. Rules for accessible exterior paths of travel apply to private organizations with 50 or more workers and all public sector organizations.

Read more at
https://aoda.ca/accessible-exterior-paths-of-travel/

White Cane Week

This week is White Cane Week!

White Cane Week, celebrated across Canada in the first full week of February every year, raises awareness about how blind people travel and make a difference in their communities. In 2019, White Cane Week takes place from Sunday, February 3rd to Saturday, February 9th.

Read more at
https://aoda.ca/white-cane-week/