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.
On June 27, 2007, the government posted the proposed standard on the Web for public review and feedback. The public review period ended on September 28, 2007.
The Transportation Standards Development Committee is now reviewing the public’s input before finalizing the proposed standard and submitting it to the Minister of Community and Social Services.