All posts by Lisa Kovac

In the third review of the AODA, the Honourable David Onley recommends needed improvements to the Act. One of these improvements is the need for housing that is accessible for people with disabilities. Currently, there are no AODA standards that require houses and apartments to be accessible. Most housing developers do not think about the needs of people with disabilities when they build living spaces. Instead, they assume that everyone living in the spaces they design can use features like stairs and narrow doorways. As a result, there is a shortage of accessible housing. Therefore, Onley’s review recommends that the government should create an AODA standard for housing. In addition, the review recommends that the government create incentives for housing accessibility.

Incentives for Housing Accessibility. Read full article.

In the third review of the AODA, the Honourable David Onley recommends needed improvements to the Act. One of these improvements is the need to remove many barriers in buildings throughout Ontario. Currently, the barrier-free requirements in the Ontario Building Code only apply to new or renovated buildings. Similarly, the Aoda’s Design of Public Spaces Standards apply only to spaces that are new or being redeveloped. As a result, these legal limitations mean that older buildings and spaces are closed or unwelcoming to people with certain disabilities. However, incentives for retrofitting buildings can encourage accessibility by making retrofitting buildings more affordable.

Retrofitting Buildings. Read full article.

In the third review of the AODA, the Honourable David Onley recommends needed improvements to the Act. One of these improvements is the need for stronger AODA standards mandating accessibility in buildings and public spaces. During the public meetings Onley held while preparing his review, attendees outline how weak building accessibility is today. Therefore, Onley’s review recommends stronger AODA standards governing buildings and public spaces.

Stronger AODA Standards Governing Buildings. Read full article.

In the third review of the AODA, the Honourable David Onley recommends needed improvements to the Act. One of these improvements is the need for more AODA standards. In addition, the review recommends that the government update the General Provisions of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR). During the public meetings Onley held while preparing his review, attendees outlined the need for creating more AODA standards and updating general ones.

Creating More AODA Standards. Read full article.

In the third review of the AODA, the Honourable David Onley recommends needed improvements to the Act. One of these improvements is the need for updating the Information and Communications Standards. During the public meetings Onley held while preparing his review, attendees state that the existing standards do not make current technology accessible. As a result, the standards must address the accessibility of new ways that people access information.

Updating the Information and Communications Standards. Read full article.