Yesterday in the Planning and Growth Management Committee in City Hall, councillor Adam Vaughan referred item PG24.9 (Affordable Housing for Persons with Disabilities) back to Toronto’s Chief Planner, Jennifer Keesmat for consideration in the review of the City’s Official Plan. Vaughan stated that he would like to see staff better reflect on the lack of accessibility being implemented in all of the new buildings going up in the City and that this should be addressed through the Official Plan and Condominium Act. He stressed that we need to start building accessible units that include wider doorways, low thresholds and lower counter tops.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) has set the requirement for mandatory accessibility standards in the private and public sectors. The Ontario government is gradually implementing these standards, but the wheels are moving too slow. In a city of over 2.5 million, 19% of Toronto’s population lives with a disability (figure from City of Toronto website www.toronto.ca). Political decision makers and city planners must take that population into account when making plans and policies to shape this City, so that it will be safe and accessible for all its residents.

To read more on yesterday’s agenda items, click here