Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Legal Expert’s Review Will Help Make Ontario Accessible by 2025

September 10, 2013
Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment

Ontario has appointed Mayo Moran, Dean and James Marshall Tory Professor of Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, to lead a review of the province's Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).  

Since the AODA became law in 2005, Ontario has established accessibility standards for customer service, information and communications, employment, transportation and the design of public spaces.

The first review of the act was conducted by Charles Beer, former provincial Minister of Community and Social Services and was completed in 2010. Beer's review examined the process for developing accessibility standards, municipal accessibility advisory committees and the government's administration of the AODA.

Making Ontario accessible for people with disabilities by 2025 is the goal of the AODA and will help build a fair society so that everyone can contribute their skills to our economy.

Quick Facts

  • One in seven people in Ontario has a disability and this number is expected to grow in an aging society.
  • The Act requires that within four years of coming into force, a reviewer be appointed to undertake a review of its effectiveness, and that subsequent reviewers be appointed within three years of the previous report being tabled.
  • Dean Moran was appointed to her current position at the University of Toronto in 2006. Her appointment was renewed for a second term in 2011.

Quotes

"Ontario is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to mandate accessibility. I’m proud that our efforts will improve the day to day lives of people living with disabilities by making workplaces, stores, buses and communities more accessible. We’re focused on ensuring that Ontarians of all abilities have the chance to contribute to our province’s growing economy. I am excited that Dean Moran’s work will help our efforts to make Ontario an accessible province by 2025.”

Dr. Eric Hoskins

Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment

"Equality is one of our most fundamental values and I am pleased to contribute to making our province a place where everyone has a chance to succeed. That's why I am delighted to lead a review of this very important legislation and I look forward to this significant undertaking.”

Mayo Moran

Dean and James Marshall Tory Professor of Law, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto