An issue that is captivating much municipal discussion, imagination and attention is the need to achieve an accessible society. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 states that its purpose is “to develop, implement and enforce accessibility standards with the goal of achieving accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises by January 1, 2025”.

The Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services, has established standards development committees in order to “develop proposed common standards that may address barriers that are common to all sectors, and may apply broadly to all persons and organizations in Ontario”.

Of particular interest to road authorities, the Built Environment Accessibility Standards Development Committee has been established by the Minister to develop such a standard. The committee is to focus on built public open spaces and streetscape elements as well as building elements hosting a range of different occupancies.

The Built Environment Committee is to work throughout 2008 with the aim of reaching consensus on a draft standard by the end of the year for submission to the Minister.

OGRA’s input at this point involves the provision of staff support to The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Resource Team that has been established to assist Kim Wood, Architectural Technologist, Facilities Design and Construction Division, City of London who is AMO’s municipal representative on the Built Environment Standards Development Committee.

OGRA will establish a working group on aspects of the built environment to support the work of Kim. The group will look at aspects such as curb ramps, exterior walks, pedestrian crossings and pedestrian crossing signals as well as trails and pathways. I’m pleased to say that some of my City of London staff are supporting Kim in this regard presently.

While these particular elements of any accessibility plan need attention, it is important that accessibility measures are advanced as quickly as possible. It is critical that the Built Environment Committee not become mired in detail but rather to establish broad principles upon which professional practitioners can design the details or to draw upon the existing accomplishments of other jurisdictions. Let’s not re-invent the wheel. This is especially important if the first phase of the built environment’s list of standards is to receive the Minister’s approval by January of 2009.

We wish these dedicated committee members well in seeking concurrence on their target areas within this timeline and moving the yardsticks on this important societal matter.