ODA Action Tip January 31, 2002 SEND IN YOUR VIEWS TO THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT'S CONSULTATIONS ON THE ONTARIO BUILDING CODE

The Ontario Government is now conducting a consultation on the disability access provisions of the Ontario Building Code. Below is a form letter that we recently received that tells you how you can learn more about this, and can send in your views. We encourage you to do this. The deadline for sending in submissions by email, fax or regular mail has been extended to March 1, 2002. Piecemeal improvements to the Building Code are no substitute for the strong and effective ODA that we seek. Despite this, it is still worthwhile to avail ourselves of this opportunity. Whether you are writing them as an individual or as part of a group or organization, you might wish to: * Give examples of barriers you face that the Building Code might be amended to remove and prevent; * Ask that the Building Code's provisions be extended to fully cover and require removal of existing barriers, as well as the prevention of new barriers with respect to buildings, and that it apply to all kinds of buildings except where non-compliance can be justified. It should apply to all the grounds around a building and not just the building structure itself; * Suggest that Building Code provisions should address barriers regarding buildings facing people with all kinds of disabilities, be they physical, mental and/or sensory, be they visible or invisible. Now the building Code largely deals with barriers relating to disabilities that are mobility and/or vision-related. Even then, it does not fully and effectively deal with those barriers. * Recommend that the Building Code be made more freely accessible so all can easily get a copy and know what standards are imposed; * Urge that the remedies for non-compliance with the Building Code be toughened, and * Ask the government to hold face-to-face consultations with both persons with disabilities and building construction experts at the table together so that we can work out common ground based on our combined expertise. Let us know what you choose to do vis a vis this consultation and let us know what response you get from the Government. ***** Ministry of Citizenship Minister 5th Floor 400 University Avenue Toronto ON M7A 2R9 January 28, 2002 Dear Reader, In early December of 2001, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced public consultations to solicit views on priorities for changes to the disabled access requirements of the Ontario Building Code. This consultation was scheduled to end on January 25, 2002. To allow for more input by the disability community, the consultation has been extended for another month until March 1, 2002. This consultation is an example of the government's commitment to its vision to an accessible Ontario. We encourage you to take the opportunity to share your ideas and thoughts on this important topic. A copy of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing consultation paper on barrier-free access requirements is available through its web site at: http://www.barrierfree.mah. gov.on.ca/ Groups and organizations can provide their feedback to it by e-mail at codes@gov.on.ca Or by mail at: Public Consultation on Barrier-Free Access, Requirements in the Ontario Building Code, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Building and Development Branch, 777 Bay Street, 2nd Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2E5 By Fax: You may fax your submission to: Public Consultation on Accessibility (416) 585-7531 More Information For more information, or to get an electronic version of the response paper, visit the consultation website: www.barrierfree. mah.gov.on.ca or call Ontario's Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing at: (416) 585-7000 TTY: (416) 326-0148 Toll Free: 1-888-335-6611 I am confident that by working together Ontarians, with disabilities, communities, builders, designers and businesses will come up with creative approaches to ensure that existing barriers are removed and no new ones are created. Sincerely, Cam Jackson Minister of Citizenship January 2002

 

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Last updated February 5, 2001