disabilities

Ontario is not as accessible as it should be.

That is the feeling of the disability advocates.

Brenda Cervantes, chair of the Canadian Union of Public Employees’ Workers with Disabilities Committee, says despite the passing of a new disabilities act in 2005, many public spaces remain inaccessible.

“We still have people with disabilities, including CUPE members, who cannot access buildings and the services they deserve,” says Cervantes.

“These barriers continue to restrict our ability to apply for jobs, be employed, and become a productive member of society.”

When it was passed, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act set 2025 as a deadline of 2025 to organizations and facilities to be compliant.

To illustrate how that objective is not being met, CUPE has relaunched a campaign that asks people to take photos of areas where barriers still exist for people with disabilities.

They started with a tour of the Ontario Legislature.

Thunder Bay-Suprior North MPP Lise Vaugois says the province has made funding available, but many of the grants have been small and few have been issued.

She suggests the need for a new agency to oversee the AODA and ensure compliance.

“We need an independent officer of the legislature able to hear from constituents, from workers, and able to advise all branches of government,” says Vaugeois.

She adds that the Human Rights Tribunal has been routinely dismissing claims without hearings to reduce its backlog.

“Where do you go if an employer is unwilling to accommodate a disability or sets barriers in the way of returning to the workplace after an injury? Where can people turn for justice for removing barriers that keep people from being able to fully participate in society if the highest law on the land is not interested?” asks Vaugeois.

The minister responsible paints a different picture.

Raymond Cho says Ontario is meeting and exceeding the standards set by AODA.

“All 444 municipalities have accessible plans to meet the goals of the AODA in their communities,” says Cho.

“In 2025, our government worked with more than 6,000 organizations across Ontario and performed 1,349 attestation audits, 834 verification audits, and 61 direct orders issued.”

He says 99% of audits conducted reveal that organizations and their facilities are compliant with the law.