Fw: oda-consult-notes-feb04

[Guest guest]

Ontarians with Disabilities Act Consultation

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

Ø Good afternoon, my name is Dora Lee Bugeja, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1981. I have been a volunteer in our Social Action Committee for the past six years. I also sit on the board as "Member at Large" for the Windsor Essex County Multiple Sclerosis Society. Attending with me today is our Chair Sharon Good.

Ø I am very" Proud" and "Pleased" to represent the more than 18,000 people with MS in Ontario.

Ø Members of the MS Society pushed for the adoption of the 2001 Ontarians with Disabilities Act. We are pleased the Act was adopted but we have always recognized that it needed to be strengthened and therefore we are very grateful for this opportunity to have this dialogue.

Ø Overall, the ODA needs to be improved to do the following

- Make barrier removal and prevention mandatory, not voluntary

- Extend its requirements to the private sector not just the public sector

- Include effective enforcement

- Require the setting of good accessibility standards.

Ø We are very pleased that Premier McGuinty is following up on the election promise of introducing within one year of forming the government, a strong and effective Ontarians With Disabilities Act

Ø We are also heartened by the Premier's letter to the ODA Committee before the election saying his government's will incorporate in new legislation all 11 principles that were adopted by the Ontario Legislature on October 29, 1998.

Ø Equally important to us as members of the MS Society and people with MS is the promise that changes will reflect the substance of amendments to the original ODA bill offered by the Liberal party in the fall of 2001.

Ø This consultation is a wonderful start and we look forward to all of these steps being taken.

Ø We were asked to comment about short term and long term objectives.

Ø Short term - the Government of Ontario should amend the ODA to state explicitly that its purpose is to achieve a barrier-free Ontario for all persons with disabilities to lead to full participation in all aspects of Ontario life.

Ø The Government of Ontario should display leadership vis-à-vis its own employees by creating and maintaining a universal access work environment so people with disabilities can obtain employment, fully participate in all aspects of work life and advance their career goals.

Ø The Government of Ontario should adopt as government policy the Ontario Human Rights Commission's policy guidelines on the duty to accommodate persons with disabilities.

Ø The Government of Ontario should immediately make universal access a requirement in the buildings it uses and the contracts it signs. Timelines are a must if we are ever to make progress.

Ø Enforcement remains an issue. Filing accessibility plans that are never acted upon unless individuals file a human rights complaint is not an effective means of ensuring justice.

Ø The first steps toward enforcement can be taken by proclaiming Section 21 which allows the imposing of fines on organizations that fail to make an plan or policy for those required under the 2001 ODA. Other enforcement measures should be considered, as well.

Ø In the longer term, a truly effective ODA must include all aspects of Ontario society. We believe the most serious omission of the ODA is the lack of any requirement that the private sector contribute to a barrier-free Ontario. As one woman with MS said, "I'm more interested in getting into my doctor's office or in shopping that I am in attending a city council meeting. This legislation does nothing for me."

Ø The MS Society believes that not only is the omission of the private sector from the ODA discriminatory toward people with disabilities, it is costing the province of Ontario money. Living here in Windsor, we have heard from more than one disabled American how "backward" they find hotels, restaurants and shops in Ontario compared to the United States where the Americans with Disabilities Act has required the business sector to make facilities accessible to the public. That means all of the public, including people who have disabilities.

Ø To us, accessibility creates opportunity, and that is the message that we hope the committee hears today.

Ø On a personal note I would like to mention "Our Children", we need to establish A TOTAL BARRIER FREE ONTARIO for them, and their DISABLIITIES, for they are and will soon be the next generations of the living and Working ONTARIOIANS, and wouldn't it be great if they have a REAL BARRIER FREE ONTARIO...

Ø I sincerely thank you for giving us the chance to express our concerns,

Ø Thank you for your time,

Ø Dora Lee Bugeja, member of The Windsor Essex County Multiple Sclerosis Society,

Ø

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