The Transportation Standards under the AODA and the Transportation Standard under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) both require organizations to make transportation accessible to people with disabilities. Moreover, both standards require many of the same processes and practices to ensure accessibility. However, there are many important differences between the standards. The third review of the AODA recommends that the Ontario government should coordinate with other provinces and the federal government to ensure that accessibility laws are consistent across Canada. Therefore, requirements in the AODA may one day change to align with mandates under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act. In this article, we will explore requirements for accessible transit stops in Ontario and Manitoba.
Accessible Transit Stops in Ontario and Manitoba
The AODA’s Transportation Standards and the Accessible Transportation Standard of the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) both require cities offering conventional transit to have plans for accessible transit stops. These plans must include requirements for:
- Design of accessible stops
- Construction of new accessible stops
- Conversion, renovation, or replacement of inaccessible stops to make them accessible
Differences
In Manitoba, plans for accessible stops must also include requirements for maintenance of the stops, including during:
- Winter
- Construction
In contrast, the Ontario standards do not require maintenance of accessible stops.
On the other hand, Ontario plans for accessible stops must include design, construction, renovation, and replacement of bus shelters. However, Manitoba’s standard does not mention shelters.
Furthermore, Ontario cities creating plans must consult:
- Their municipal accessibility advisory committees (MAACs)
- The public
- People with disabilities
Conversely, Manitoba’s standard does not require similar consultation.
In addition, Ontario cities must list the stops needing accessibility in multi-year accessibility plans. Moreover, these plans should outline the steps cities will take to make those stops accessible. However, Manitoba cities do not need to include this information in their accessibility plans.