The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 calls on us to work together to develop and implement accessibility standards that will apply to public, private and non-profit sectors. Standards are being developed in five important areas of our lives, one of which is transportation.
The Transportation Standards Development Committee began meeting in early 2006 to develop and draft a proposed standard for accessible transportation. This standard is the only one that is sector specific, that is, it relates specifically to modes of transportation that come under the jurisdiction of provincial and municipal governments.
The initial proposed standard was released for its mandatory public review period from June 27, 2007 to September 28, 2007.
The committee has revised the initial proposed standard to reflect the public’s input. At their last meeting on October 31, 2008, the committee voted on the standard clause by clause.
The final proposed standard has now been submitted to the Minister of Community and Social Services for consideration as law.
About accessibility standards
The Ontario Government passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 on June 13, 2005. The act:
- makes Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to create comprehensive accessibility standards in all areas of daily life, and
- calls on all of us – the business community, the public sector, the not-for-profit sector and people with disabilities or their representatives – to develop, implement and enforce mandatory accessibility standards.
Ontario’s first accessibility standard, the customer service standard is now the law. It came into effect on January 1, 2008.
From November 17, 2008 to February 6, 2009, the Ontario government released the initial proposed Accessible Information and Communications Standard for a public review period.
Two other standards in employment and built environment are currently being developed by standards development committees.
Learn more :
About the Accessible Transportation Standards Development Committee
About the other accessibility standards: Where we are now
About the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005