Resources on issues of accessibility and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
The design of public spaces standard of the AODA outlines the need for newly constructed or redeveloped public spaces to be accessible for people with disabilities. This requirement may leave people asking: What is the Design of Public Spaces Standard?
The Design of Public Spaces Standard describes ways to make communal spaces more accessible. Most of the spaces it covers are outdoors. For instance, there are requirements for accessible:
Under the Transportation Standard of the AODA, colleges, universities, and hospitals that offer transportation services around or between their campuses must make those services accessible upon request. Accessible transportation for colleges, universities, and hospitals applies to all:
Moreover, these organizations may use integrated or equivalent services.
The Transportation Standard of the AODA has numerous rules mandating how specialized transportation providers must operate. Many of these rules play an important role in ensuring that travellers with disabilities have equal opportunities to move around their communities. However, in practice, some specialized transportation providers are unable to obey a few of the transportation standard’s regulations. Increased demand for specialized transit makes it more difficult for providers to follow the standard’s guidelines regarding bookings and hours of service.
Under the Transportation Standard of the AODA, specialized transportation providers must make their services accessible to passengers with disabilities. Here we will outline how people use specialized transportation in Ontario and describe some of the rules that make these services a valuable alternative to conventional transit.
People travelling with support persons need assistance with mobility, communication, accessibility, or personal or medical care during trips. A support person can be a paid personal support worker (PSW), a volunteer, a family member, or a friend.
