Ministry of Education and Training
Minister
Mowat Block
Queens Park
Toronto ON M7A 1L2
Telephone (416) 326-2600
Facsimile (416) 326-2608
March 19, 1996
David Lepofsky
Co-chair
Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee
c/o 40 Orchard View Boulevard, Suite 255
Toronto, Ontario
M4R 1B9
Dear David Lepofsky:
Thank you for your letter of January 31, 1996 concerning the proposed Ontarians with Disabilities Act and your proposal for mandating accessibility for persons with disabilities to all new computing equipment acquired for schools.
I note that you have sent a copy of your letter to my colleague Marilyn Mushinski, Minister of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation. She is the appropriate person to respond to you regarding the legislative changes you propose.
I agree with you about the importance of ensuring access to computer equipment for students with disabilities, including persons who are blind or have low vision. I also believe that technology can provide unique accommodations that enable some students with disabilities to communicate and/or to learn more effectively. Staff of the ministry's Special Education Policy Unit are working with staff in other areas of the ministry, and with staff of the Assistive Devices Program of the Ministry of Health, to ensure that our technology initiatives are inclusive of persons with disabilities.
While my schedule does not permit me to meet with you at this time, you may wish to contact Bill Wyman in the Special Education Policy Unit. Bill can be reached at t416) 325-2829.
Sincerely,
John C. Snobelen
Minister
cc: The Honourable Marilyn Mushinski
Minister of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation