The Built Environment – Will it work
I was born with Spina Bifida, which is a disability that affects you neurologically and in muscle growth. It is not life threatening, it is a life changer. I have not let this disability affect how I live my life. In 2007 I started my own company to help both people with disabilities and the elderly. The company is called A-Motion: Accessible Lifestyle Solutions. Although it has been a difficult journey, I have learned a lot and enjoy what I do. I look forwarded to going to work. Unfortunately that is not the case for a lot of disabled people in Ontario. It is also the reason for me writing this blog.
Last week an article in the Toronto Sun was brought to my attention. You can read it here
I had the pleasure of meeting Tara in June at the Wheels in Motion fundraiser in support of research for Spinal Cord Injury. Needless to say I was impressed. Tara's outlook towards work is the same as mine, to do your job to the best of your ABILITY. As you will see in that article, she wasn't able to. Why you ask. It is because Toronto, unlike most other Metropolitan cities around the world, is not an accessible environment. This may seem like a strong statement, however allow me to back it up. Did you know that within Metro Hall, the meeting rooms where politicians and public meet to discuss current and up coming laws, are not accessible? Sure you can ride an elevator down to the appropriate floor, but getting into some of the rooms can be very difficult. Also did you know that many of the subway stops throughout the city do not have elevators to bring you to street level i.e. Yonge and Eglington..
The Government of Ontario is trying to put into place what is known as the "Built Environment". The latest version of this document can be read here:
I have read this document from cover to cover for both personal and professional reasons. Professionally so that I may better help clients in the desire to create an accessible environment for themselves, and personally because, it is something that affects my everyday life as well. I believe that the standards put forth in the Built Environment are both thorough and logical. I only have two issues with it. The first is how does the government plan to enforce these "rules"? They do have timelines put into place to make sure certain 'sectors" have transformed their environments to become accessible. However they do not mention any type of "inspections" to ensure the work has been completed. Second, although they have put time lines on these individual "sectors" to become accessible, my fear is that without making sure the work is being done, and properly, deadlines will not be met. Therefore it becomes a continuous circle.
It is unfortunate that we have lost an outstanding reporter due to the fact that her city does not provide the necessary environment for her to do her job to the best of her ability. However it is a reality that many disabled people in this province face everyday. The Built Environment is a step in the right direction in correcting that problem. However many questions are left unanswered. I leave you with one. The Built Environment, do you think it will work???
Last week an article in the Toronto Sun was brought to my attention. You can read it here
http://www.torontosun.com/news/columnists/joe_warmington/2010/09/06...
I had the pleasure of meeting Tara in June at the Wheels in Motion fundraiser in support of research for Spinal Cord Injury. Needless to say I was impressed. Tara's outlook towards work is the same as mine, to do your job to the best of your ABILITY. As you will see in that article, she wasn't able to. Why you ask. It is because Toronto, unlike most other Metropolitan cities around the world, is not an accessible environment. This may seem like a strong statement, however allow me to back it up. Did you know that within Metro Hall, the meeting rooms where politicians and public meet to discuss current and up coming laws, are not accessible? Sure you can ride an elevator down to the appropriate floor, but getting into some of the rooms can be very difficult. Also did you know that many of the subway stops throughout the city do not have elevators to bring you to street level i.e. Yonge and Eglington..
The Government of Ontario is trying to put into place what is known as the "Built Environment". The latest version of this document can be read here:
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/Built_Stan...
I have read this document from cover to cover for both personal and professional reasons. Professionally so that I may better help clients in the desire to create an accessible environment for themselves, and personally because, it is something that affects my everyday life as well. I believe that the standards put forth in the Built Environment are both thorough and logical. I only have two issues with it. The first is how does the government plan to enforce these "rules"? They do have timelines put into place to make sure certain 'sectors" have transformed their environments to become accessible. However they do not mention any type of "inspections" to ensure the work has been completed. Second, although they have put time lines on these individual "sectors" to become accessible, my fear is that without making sure the work is being done, and properly, deadlines will not be met. Therefore it becomes a continuous circle.
It is unfortunate that we have lost an outstanding reporter due to the fact that her city does not provide the necessary environment for her to do her job to the best of her ability. However it is a reality that many disabled people in this province face everyday. The Built Environment is a step in the right direction in correcting that problem. However many questions are left unanswered. I leave you with one. The Built Environment, do you think it will work???
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Comment by Ronny Wiskin on September 24, 2010 at 4:55am -
Thanks for sharing Mark. I think enforcement is going to be up to us, the people. When "Built Environment" becomes law, it can serve as legislation to assist in creating awareness about accessibility and promote change where needed. When duty to accommodate situations arise, the act will serve as a standard in retrofit scenarios and as a guide for new construction, which will hopefully be included in local building code's across Ontario and eventually Canada. If the standards become part of building code, then building inspectors will bare responsibility of enforcement as well.
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