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 audio and visual announcements on conventional transit in Ontario and Manitoba.
Audio and Visual Announcements on Conventional Transit in Ontario and Manitoba
The AODA’s Transportation Standards and the Accessible Transportation Standard of the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) both require audio and visual announcements on all conventional transit vehicles. Announcements displaying information that all passengers need to know should be both audible and visual. In other words, conventional transit vehicles should always use both verbal announcements and visual signs.
At every stop, pre-boarding announcements should tell potential passengers about the vehicle’s route. Signage displaying the same information should be visible at the entrances where passengers board.
While the vehicle is moving, on-board announcements should tell passengers about each approaching stop.
Visual announcements must be legible and use good colour contrast. Signs on the same vehicles should be in the same place, and be the same colour, shape, and size.
Additionally, signs should avoid glare or shadowed areas. Sign surfaces should also be glare-free. Furthermore, signs should have solid characters instead of hollow ones. Finally, signs may include pictograms or symbols.
Differences
Ontario pre-boarding announcements must include not only a vehicle’s route, but also:
- The direction it is going
- Its destination or next major stop
Conversely, Manitoba vehicles do not need to announce their directions, destinations, or next major stops before passengers board.
Furthermore, Ontario’s standards specify that audio announcements should be electronic. On the other hand, Manitoba’s standard does not require a specific format for these announcements.
Moreover, Manitoba’s mandate provides more detailed requirements for on-board announcements. Audio announcements must be audible throughout the vehicle. Likewise, visual announcements must be visible to all passengers in forward-facing or rear-facing seats. In contrast, Ontario does not specify the clarity or visibility of on-board announcements.