Taking Action to Remove Barriers for People with Disabilities: Ontario making buildings more accessible

TORONTO – The government of Ontario is focusing on what matters most to people with disabilities by helping to remove barriers in buildings and make communities more accessible.
Seniors and those with disabilities want and deserve to be involved in their communities. However, many buildings in Ontario continue to be a challenge for people with disabilities and seniors. This makes it hard for people with disabilities to fully participate in everyday life.

“By getting rid of barriers to accessibility, we will help make sure that our communities and businesses are more accessible and open to everyone,” said Oxford MPP, Ernie Hardeman. “That’s why we are working to ensure people with disabilities have the support they need to participate fully in our Oxford communities.”

The Government of Ontario is investing $1.3 million over two years through a new partnership with the Rick Hansen Foundation. The certification program will provide accessibility ratings of businesses and public buildings by trained professionals, and will help property managers and owners determine ways to remove barriers. With this investment, the Rick Hansen Foundation will undertake ratings of 250 facilities. The program is expected to start this fall and occur over the next two years in select communities across Ontario.

“Our government is protecting what matters most for people with disabilities and seniors in Oxford,” said MPP Hardeman. “Being accessible benefits businesses and help open them up to even more people in our communities.”

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Media inquiries please contact:

Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford
(519) 537-5222