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Taking Proactive Steps to Comply With the AODA is a Smart Business Move

Published on Wednesday December 26, 2012
Sharon Aschaiek Special to The Star

Blending into the building’s exterior design, a curved concrete ramp is the first clue that The Foundery embraces accessibility.

Similar clues can be found almost everywhere inside the co-working and event space at 376 Bathurst St. in Toronto’s west end: flexible work stations with customizable desks and chairs; cupboards and lockers at wheelchair height; fully accessible main-floor washrooms; and an elevator for the two-storey space.


New AODA Accessibility Standards – Design of Public Spaces in the Built Environment

Posted December 22, 2012

The Ministry of Community and Social Services amended Ontario Regulation 191/11, the Integrated Accessibility Standards (IAS) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA,) to include new standards governing the design of public spaces in the built environment.

Read more at
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/source/regs/english/2012/elaws_src_regs_r12413_e.htm#skipmenu


Ontario Accessibility Standards: What Comes After the December 31, 2012 Reporting Deadline?

by Yosie Saint-Cyr
December 20, 2012

Ontario’s Accessibility Standard for Customer Service came into effect on January 1, 2012 for all businesses and not-for-profits in the province with more than one employee. If an organization has more than 20 employees, an online report must be filed by December 31, 2012 to demonstrate to the government that accessibility has been achieved under the Customer Service Standard.


Hamilton Turns an “Oops” into a HUGE Mess!

The issues raised in the County of Brant and in Hamilton demonstrate a disturbing trend of using the Integrated Accessibility Standards for transportation as a tool to create an exclusive rather than inclusive society and the removal of independence and freedom that we’ve had in favour of attempting to imprison us in our homes and deny us services.

Read more at
http://enforcement.aoda.ca/hamilton-turns-an-oops-into-a-huge-mess/


Blind Hamiltonians Fight for the Right to Keep Their Bus Passes

Al MacRury Tue Dec 11 2012

Some legally blind Hamilton Street Railway riders are shocked by the city’s recent decision to take away their “free” bus passes.
Hamilton Spectator file photo Blindsided.

That’s how some legally blind Hamilton Street Railway riders — including myself — feel about their municipality’s recent decision to take away their “free” bus passes. And using the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) to justify such an action leaves us lost in the dark.