Accessibility
Accessibility
Accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people who experience disabilities. Ontario has laws to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, and the Ontario Building Code (Accessibility Services Canada, 2023).
AODA
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) seeks to ensure that all Ontarians have fair and equitable access to programs and services and to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Act address barriers in Customer Service; Information and Communication; Employment; Transportation; the Design of Public Spaces (Accessibility Services Canada, 2023).
Disability
Defining disability is a complex and evolving matter. The term “disability” covers a broad range and degree of conditions…and should be interpreted in broad terms.
A disability may be the result of combinations of physical, sensory, mental, and/or cognitive differences and environmental barriers, such as attitudinal barriers, inaccessible information, an inaccessible built environment, or other barriers that affect people’s full participation in society.
The United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) recognizes that “disability is an evolving concept and that disability results from the interaction between persons with differing abilities and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”
This approach, often called the “social approach” to disability, or the “social model” of disability is also reflected in Supreme Court of Canada decisions (Ontario Human Rights Commission, 2016).
Creative Connection & NDACA. (2019, July 11). The Social Model of Disability [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/kmAfpmGO7DU?si=wBrlu_sZyqM0QOAxAbleism
Ableism may be defined as a belief system, analogous to racism, sexism or ageism, that sees persons with disabilities as being less worthy of respect and consideration, less able to contribute and participate, or of less inherent value than others. Ableism may be conscious or unconscious, and may be embedded in institutions, systems or the broader culture of a society. It can limit the opportunities of persons with disabilities and reduce their inclusion in the life of their communities. Ableist attitudes are often based on the view that disability is an “anomaly to normalcy,” rather than an inherent and expected variation in the human condition. Ableism may also be expressed in ongoing paternalistic and patronizing behaviour toward people with disabilities (Ontario Human Rights Commission, 2016).
Barrier(s)
Barriers are anything — including anything physical, architectural, technological, or attitudinal; anything that is based on information or communications; or anything that is the result of a policy or a practice — that hinders full and equal participation in society, including physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication, or sensory functional differences (CIHR, 2023).
Accommodation
The personalized adaptation of a workplace to overcome the barriers faced by persons with disabilities (Government of Canada, 2020). Accommodation is an individualized and reactive adaptation or adjustment made to provide a person with a disability with equitable and non-discriminatory opportunities for participation. Accommodation is not treatment or rehabilitation (Carleton University).
Accessibility Resources
Sources:
Accessibility Services Canada. (2023). Definitions. Retrieved from https://accessibilitycanada.ca/get-help/definitions/
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 11. Retrieved from https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/05a11#BK2
Ontario Human Rights Commission. (2016). Policy on Ableism and Discrimination Based on Disability. Retrieved from https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-ableism-and-discrimination-based-disability
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). (2023, May 5). CIHR glossary of terms used in accessibility and systemic ableism. Retrieved from https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/53446.html
Government of Canada. (2020, December). Accessibility Glossary. Retrieved from https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/publications/accessibilite-accessibility-eng.html#a
Carleton University. (n/d). Glossary of Accessibility Terms. Retrieved from https://carleton.ca/tls/teachingresources/wp-content/uploads/Glossary-of-Accessibility-Terms.pdf
Western University. (2023). Accessibility at Western: Western's Policy & Guidelines. Retrieved from https://accessibility.uwo.ca/aoda/policy_guidelines/index.html
