The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 calls on us to work together to develop and implement accessibility standards that will apply to public, private and non-profit sectors. Standards are being developed in five important areas of our lives, one of which is in the area of the built environment.

What is the built environment?

Built environment refers to access to, from and within buildings and outdoor spaces and could include, for example:

• counter heights, aisle/door widths
• parking
• pedestrian access routes, and
• signal systems.

From July 14 to October 16, 2009, the Ontario government released the initial proposed Accessible Built Environment Standard for a public review period. A standards development committee, composed of representatives from the disability and business communities, developed the proposed standard.

The proposed standard aims to make the built environment in Ontario accessible, including all new construction and extensive renovations.

The committee will reconvene to review and consider the input they received during the public review period. Then, the committee will submit a final proposed standard to the government for consideration as law.

• Development of the Accessible Built Environment Standard : Where we are now