Background

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) sets out the process for developing and enforcing accessibility standards that public, private and not-for-profit organizations must follow. The goal of the standards is to identify, prevent and remove barriers for people with disabilities in all areas of daily life.

Design of Public Spaces Standards

The design of public spaces standards under the AODA were enacted in 2012, and establish minimum accessibility standards for new construction or redevelopment of public spaces including, but not limited to:

  • public sidewalks
  • public parking facilities
  • public outdoor play spaces
  • some indoor elements like service counters and waiting areas

2015 barrier-free requirements in the Ontario Building Code

The barrier-free requirements in the Ontario Building Code have been improved a number of times and establish minimum barrier-free requirements for new construction or major renovation of buildings including, but not limited to:

  • a barrier-free path of travel through most buildings
  • enhanced dimensions for doorways
  • increased requirements for barrier-free and universal washrooms
  • enhanced requirements for power door operator buttons
  • 15% of suites in new multi-unit residential buildings designed with basic accessibility features

About the consultation

In December 2021, the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility established the Design of Public Spaces Standards Development Committee. 

In September 2022, the committee began to review the province’s accessible built environment standards under the:

  • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
  • 2015 barrier-free accessibility requirements in the Ontario Building Code

The committee’s membership includes representatives from the disability community, transportation service providers, municipalities and affected government ministries. 

Based on their review, the Design of Public Spaces Standards Development Committee drafted 127 initial recommendations that focus on improving Ontario’s existing accessibility standards to further reduce and prevent accessibility barriers when designing and building public spaces.

The committee is looking for your feedback on these recommendations before they submit their final report and recommendations to the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility for consideration.

How to participate

1. Read the recommendations

Read the committee's initial recommendations.

To receive the content in an alternate format or if you have any questions:

2. Submit your feedback

After you’ve read the recommendations, submit your feedback by completing the committee’s online survey or by email at DOPSreviewSDC@ontario.ca.

Take the survey

Your privacy matters

The Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility (the “Ministry”) is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.31. The collection of personal information that you choose to provide through this survey will support the Design of Public Spaces Standards Development Committee’s (the “committee’s”) work. The committee’s work is authorized under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the ministry’s support for the committee is consistent with the ministry’s mandate. Optional personal information that you may choose to provide (for example, email address and demographic data) and your feedback will be collected by the ministry, anonymized and shared with the committee. Your responses will be reviewed by the ministry and the committee to inform the committee's advice to the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. Survey results may also be used in a summary report at an aggregate level.

If you have any questions about the collection, use or disclosure of your information, please send your inquiry to:

Kerrie Laskoski
Manager of Standards Development Unit
Kerrie.Laskoski@ontario.ca
647-241-2639

If you have questions about the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, please contact:

FOI Co-ordinator
400 University Avenue
2nd Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2R9
647-646-5503