TORONTO – A former Ontario lieutenant-governor tasked with reviewing the disability legislation says the province is nowhere near meeting its stated goal of full accessibility by 2025.
David Onley’s scathing report says the vision put forward in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act is a “mirage.”
He says “soul-crushing” barriers exist in nearly every aspect of life for people with disabilities, and the law enacted nearly 14 years ago hasn’t done enough to address the situation.
The act has formed the basis for all subsequent accessibility legislation in the country, including the proposed federal law that’s currently being reviewed by the Senate.
Onley, who uses a motorized scooter, was appointed by the previous Ontario Liberal government to review the current implementation of the provincial law.
He’s issued an urgent call to action and 15 recommendations to the current Progressive Conservative government, including making accessibility part of the education curriculum and offering financial incentives to improve physical accessibility in public buildings and private homes.