Good meeting today, details below. But a thank you first goes out the Hon. Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility who sent this message in support: "I applaud the work of the Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee in helping us on our journey towards achieving accessibility in Ontario. Everyone in Ontario deserves to live in accessible communities and homes. Removing accessibility barriers is good for everyone – and it means that people with disabilities and seniors can participate in everyday life.”
It's time to find Build-In Accessibility Champions to help new home construction move in this direction. The City of Oshawa is the place to start! Time to tip the first domino!
It's time to find Build-In Accessibility Champions to help new home construction move in this direction. The City of Oshawa is the place to start! Time to tip the first domino!
Oshawa City Hall's lower committee meeting room was packed for the special meeting today between Oshawa City Staff, the Building Liaison Team (BLT) members, and the Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee (OAAC). Pictured here are five OAAC committee members including Chair Lisa Hart, and back left; OAAC policy advisor Lynda Lawson and Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter.
This meeting to discuss building in accessibility features in a portion of new home development projects came about when, at the Sept 30, 2019 Development Services Committee meeting six Council members (being both all members of the Committee, and a majority of Oshawa's 11 member Council) supported the direction by Deputy Mayor Bob Chapman that staff arrange a meeting with BILT
The OAAC is behind the Build-In-Accessibility initiative 100%. Hats off to the Committee members for their commitment to making our community more liveable. Also hats off to developer/builders members of the Building Industry Liaison Team (BILT) attending who tuned in to the opportunity advanced and accessibility goals being promoted for the new housing market in Oshawa
Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee (OAAC) Chair Lisa Hart spoke from the heart to the members of the Building Industry Liaison Team - starting the conversation with builders and developers in Oshawa to raise awareness of the need to build more accessible and visitable housing (new homes with level entrances (no steps, or with ramps) and wider doorways.
It is troubling the lack of awareness of the provincial legislation to remove barriers for people with disabilities, considering that the AODA, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act was unanimously passed in 2005! Time to start paying attention.
As Hon. David Onely, Ontario's Lieutenant Governor wrote this year in his Review of the AODA "Every day, in every community in Ontario, people with disabilities encounter formidable barriers to participation in the vast opportunities this province affords its residents – its able-bodied residents ...For most disabled persons, Ontario is not a place of opportunity but one of countless, dispiriting, soul-crushing barriers." https://www.ontario.ca/.../2019-legislative-review...
This meeting to discuss building in accessibility features in a portion of new home development projects came about when, at the Sept 30, 2019 Development Services Committee meeting six Council members (being both all members of the Committee, and a majority of Oshawa's 11 member Council) supported the direction by Deputy Mayor Bob Chapman that staff arrange a meeting with BILT
The OAAC is behind the Build-In-Accessibility initiative 100%. Hats off to the Committee members for their commitment to making our community more liveable. Also hats off to developer/builders members of the Building Industry Liaison Team (BILT) attending who tuned in to the opportunity advanced and accessibility goals being promoted for the new housing market in Oshawa
Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee (OAAC) Chair Lisa Hart spoke from the heart to the members of the Building Industry Liaison Team - starting the conversation with builders and developers in Oshawa to raise awareness of the need to build more accessible and visitable housing (new homes with level entrances (no steps, or with ramps) and wider doorways.
It is troubling the lack of awareness of the provincial legislation to remove barriers for people with disabilities, considering that the AODA, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act was unanimously passed in 2005! Time to start paying attention.
As Hon. David Onely, Ontario's Lieutenant Governor wrote this year in his Review of the AODA "Every day, in every community in Ontario, people with disabilities encounter formidable barriers to participation in the vast opportunities this province affords its residents – its able-bodied residents ...For most disabled persons, Ontario is not a place of opportunity but one of countless, dispiriting, soul-crushing barriers." https://www.ontario.ca/.../2019-legislative-review...