Accessibility in Ontario Part II

I'm spending a lot of time reading these days, trying both to learn how bureaucrats approach accessibility issues here, and more about why the implementation of 'AODA' has been so appallingly poor!

I've now referred back to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th reviews and all consider that 'the pace of change is agonizingly slow'.  Over 17 years there's still a belief among the disabled that not much has been accomplished.  The most recent review, by Donovan puts it in the strongest terms, describing the legislation as an unequivocal failure, describing his findings as 'utterly shocking' and ending his review by asking "Mr. Premier, do you care?"

David Onley's third review described the failure to move forward on improving accessibility as discrimination, plain and simple.  Noting the anger and frustration he heard he stated:  "We are the only minority group in our society that faces blatant, overt discrimination and whose civil rights are infringed upon every day from multiple directions."  He wrote that the only word to describe it is discrimination.  It must end, It's a violation of human rights.  (Onley is a former Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, who used a scooter himself after childhood bouts with polio).

Onley also emphasized the need for a massive public education campaign and strong government leadership.  He wrote that all the standards, meetings and policies in the world will not help without leadership to make this a priority.  No government party has chosen to do that in 17 years.

"It is widely believed that achieving accessibility will take more than laws and regulations – it will take a massive cultural transformation – a societal change to make accessibility foremost in mind rather than an afterthought."  What's needed isn't so much compliance as 'accessibility mindfulness'.

Also needed is the willingness to listen to the disabled themselves.  Sometimes changes can meet the letter of the standards based on expert advice, but in fact still be difficult, even still present a barrier.  An example for me is disabled parking spaces that are not in fact wide enough to allow a side-loading van to unload (which takes at least 8 feet outside our van.  Almost all the disabled parking spaces we've seen in five years are too narrow.

My own impression is that the province has spent far too much effort developing standards for such things as transit, customer service, staff training and more, but has not put any effort into enforcing or encouraging adoption of these standards.  No financial incentives for retrofits have been provided, and no effort has been made to familiarize the public with these issues.  Even I, as a disabled person, didn't know anything about 'AODA' until the past week!  I expect not 1 in 100 local citizens would have the vaguest idea what you were talking about!

I have two next questions.  First, I have no idea where Meaford stands in the province, though I expect we're doing better than average.  Second, I am confused over whether this just applies to public agencies, buildings and programs, or also to the private sector - including all those restaurants downtown that I can't get into.  I'm going to ask my local contacts at the municipality about those things.  I think there's a widespread misconception for example, that only public buildings need to be accessible.

With my background teaching university, I've had a vague uneasy feeling that there must be some way in which I could contribute more to my own local community.  As John said in yesterday's comments, I have had some problems of my own to deal with (that's putting it mildly), but perhaps now I'm ready to contribute more here.  It has taken me 5 years to become as fully functional as I am.  My own father always said you should look for ways in which you can give back to your community.  Lots to learn yet, but I think I've found a way in which I can give back..