ODA Committee Update
May 21, 2002

ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMMITTEE UPDATE SUMMARY The ODA Committee today received its first letter from new Citizenship Minister Carl DeFaria, although the letter is actually dated May 9, 2002. (See text below.) The Minister addresses questions we raised in our April 16, 2002 letter to him. A CLOSER LOOK This letter provides us with some new information on the Government's approach to the ODA 2001's implementation. We do not propose to comment here on everything in this letter. However, we provide some information that may help you as you read this letter. Regarding proclamation of the ODA 2001's unproclaimed provisions, the Minister states, among other things: "We have been working to establish implementation priorities and timelines for proclaiming the remaining sections of the act, and we anticipate proclaiming the balance of the act in the fall." It will be important to see what implementation priorities the Government sets, and whether it will consult with the disability community on these. We would welcome the chance to have direct input into those priorities. We had asked the Government to establish an open process for selecting members of the new provincial Advisory Council, in which the disability community would have a say. The Minister stated: "...we took steps to ensure an open selection process." The Minister did not indicate what steps were taken, or what "open selection process" was used. Regarding criteria for selecting Council members, the Minister stated: "Members will reflect the diversity of the disability community, and will represent a broad range of skills and expertise, geographical location, and understanding of disability issues." It is of interest that he did not mention gender as a criterion. In contrast, in his February 21, 2002 letter to us, the previous minister, Cam Jackson, had listed gender as one of the selection criteria the Government would use. We have received feedback from ODA Committee members expressing concern that no women have yet been appointed to this Council. Send us your feedback on this letter to: oda@odacommittee.net ***** Ministry of Citizenship Minister 6th Floor 400 University Avenue Toronto ON M7A 2R9 May 9, 2002 David Lepofsky Chair Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee c/o Marg Thomas 1929 Bayview Avenue Toronto ON M4G 3E8 Dear Mr. Lepofsky: Thank you for your letter welcoming me as Minister of Citizenship, with responsibility for seniors and for disability issues. It is an honour to have been appointed to this ministry and one that I take seriously. I share the government's vision of a province where people with disabilities can live as independently as possible, to enjoy equal opportunity and to participate in every aspect of life in Ontario. The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, the establishment of the Accessibility Advisory Council of Ontario and the development of the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario are important achievements toward those goals. I am strongly committed to the full implementation of the act. We have made significant progress since the Ontarians with Disabilities Act was passed on December 14, 2001. As you know, key portions were proclaimed in early February 2002, including the authority to appoint the members of the Accessibility Advisory Council, and the creation of the Accessibility Directorate on February 7. In your letter, you have identified three specific actions as priority items. I appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns regarding these actions. We are committed to proclaiming the Ontarians with Disabilities Act in a reasonable manner that permits every affected organization to meet its obligations. Proclamation of complex legislation often is done in stages. We need to be sure that systems and training are in place to support it. We have been working to establish implementation priorities and timelines for proclaiming the remaining sections of the act, and we anticipate proclaiming the balance of the act in the fall. We are also working to ensure that tools and supports are in place to assist us, and our partners, in making Ontario more accessible. Two of these are the development of general guidelines for annual accessibility planning and the preparation of tool kits to help municipalities establish accessibility committees and create accessibility plans. With reference to your interest in the appointment of the Accessibility Advisory Council, we took steps to ensure an open selection process. I was pleased to announce this week the appointment of the five members of the council, including its first chair, Dave Shannon, a Thunder Bay lawyer and disability rights activist. Brampton Olympian and Paralympian Jeff Adams is vice-chair. Three other members appointed are: Dean La Bute, Barry McMahon and Duncan Read. I have enclosed a news release with further information on these first appointments to the Advisory Council. I am greatly impressed by the qualifications and dedication of the individuals nominated for the council. Members will reflect the diversity of the disability community, and will represent a broad range of skills and expertise, geographical location, and understanding of disability issues. This council will demonstrate that disabled persons are at the forefront of change. The third area of concern that you raise is related to the development and enactment of regulations. The Accessibility Directorate is working on a plan and critical path for the regulations and guidelines that will be developed once these provisions are proclaimed. The Ontarians with Disabilities Act will require the government to seek input into any regulations that are developed. In addition, the Accessibility Advisory Council will have an active role in advising me on a range of disability issues, including on the development of the regulations. As the previous Minister stated in his most recent letter to you, this will be an ongoing process, although one priority will be the development of a regulation identifying organizations that will be responsible for preparing accessibility policies. I appreciate the offer of assistance from the ODA Committee. I am always interested in hearing from you. I know that my predecessor has stated publicly on many occasions that committee members have shared knowledge and experience that has been instrumental in helping shape the legislation and in developing a higher awareness of the issues that people with disabilities face in their everyday lives. Making Ontario accessible is a shared responsibility that will benefit us all. ODAC and its member organizations remain critical to our vision and strategy for improving independence and opportunity for people with disabilities. We especially need your assistance and expertise at the local level to build and guide municipal accessibility committees to assist other organizations that must prepare accessibility plans. I would suggest that you contact Dave Shannon, Chair of the Advisory Council, for further discussions on how we can all work together to improve independence and opportunities for Ontarians with disabilities. Mr. Shannon can be reached c/o the Accessibility Directorate, 400 University Avenue, 3rd floor, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2R9. Thank you again for writing. I look forward to working With ODAC members all around the province. Sincerely, Carl DeFaria Minister c. Dave Shannon Chair Accessibility Advisory Council of Ontario

 

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Last updated May 21, 2002