Introduction

Each year, the Government of Ontario sets a course to prevent, identify and remove barriers for persons with disabilities. Every ministry participates through its annual accessibility plans, as required under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA).

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) is Ontario’s roadmap to become barrier-free by 2025. It includes accessibility standards in:

• Customer service
• Information and communications
• Employment
• Transportation and
• The built environment.

This year the accessibility plans will help to inform planning requirements under the new Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) enacted last summer under the AODA. The IASR requires the Government of Ontario to develop a multi-year plan to prevent and remove barriers for persons with disabilities.

Our annual accessibility plan outlines the specific steps the government is taking to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Building on last year’s plan, our 2011-12 accessibility plan will continue moving the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) toward the goal of an accessible province for all Ontarians.

The ministry’s accomplishments during this timeframe are many. Of special note, a new Ontario photo identification card was introduced to make it easier for people who do not have a driver’s licence to travel, open a bank account, and perform any other activities that require official ID.  Ontarians with disabilities, seniors and other advocacy groups provided input on the design and availability of the card. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) applauds the Government of Ontario for introducing the much-needed photo identification card. This card benefits many citizens who do not drive, including nearly 380,000 people who are blind or partially sighted. The card includes raised lettering and a corner cut to make it easier for people who have a visual disability to find in their wallet. Ontario residents who are 16 and older were able to apply for the new photo ID card at 21 selected ServiceOntario centres as of July 25, 2011 and the cards will be available in all of the approximately 300 ServiceOntario locations by 2012. As of December 2011, 20,552 photo ID cards have been issued.

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To view other ministries' Accessibility Plans, visit Ontario.ca.