On March 8, 2017 I had the Executive Committee adopt a recommendation to implement Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) compliance measures for Committee Rooms 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Toronto City Hall. This was done to ensure all residents have the same opportunities when addressing our municipal government. Embarassingly someone I know personally lodged their wheelchair under a presentation desk so badly….they flipped the desk over trying to free themselves
“Updating the City’s Multi-year Accessibility Plan” was adopted by the Executive Committee yesterday. The plan directs City staff to proactively remove barriers to access in City services. The civil service-wide implementation, training, accountability and compliance with a completion date of 2025. The plan however does not include addressing immediate and long overdue needs for everyone in accessing not only the City Hall Council Chamber, but committee meeting rooms where residents attend to speak throughout the month.
“All residents have the right to address Standing Committees. I had noted for some time residents who require additional support to accommodate physical disabilities are not being given the support they need to make their comments to City Councillors”, I stated yesterday . “An immediate change is necessary to provide all speakers the ability to address Committees confidently.”
Residents will now see interim measures instituted to achieve access for Committee Rooms 1, 2, 3 and 4 at City Hall.
The updated multi-year plan spans from 2017 -2025 to include full compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Compliance measures into all City operations; along with strategic identification, prevention with removal of barriers by 2025 will be done. The plan will also include collecting data from employees to ensure all barriers are addressed.
I will also be requesting the Scarborough Civic Centre along with all Civic Centre meeting rooms implement similar interim measures to achieve AODA compliance.
All my Best,
Paul .