A MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Every Ontarian deserves the opportunity to learn, work and play to his or her full potential. That is why I am delighted to see the publication of the Ministry of Research and Innovation’s second annual Accessibility Plan — a document that sets out the ministry’s achievements in: accessibility improvement, measures taken to prevent new barriers, and barriers to be addressed.

This plan represents an important component of our government’s commitment to building an inclusive and accessible society, one in which persons with disabilities are able to participate fully in the social, cultural and economic life of our province. As Minister of Research and Innovation (MRI), I am proud that MRI has built on the work of its initial 2006-07 plan and continues to take action to bring about improvements to accessibility in the areas of customer service, employment, communications and information, the built environment, acts and regulations and other areas that pose barriers to persons with disabilities.

Several recent developments indicate that we are moving in the right direction to improve accessibility in some key areas. The accessible customer service regulations were approved by the Lieutenant-Governor in August 2007 and will come into force on January 1, 2008. An initial proposed standard on accessible transportation has been developed by the Transportation Standards Development Committee and was posted for public review between June 27 and September 28, 2007. The committees developing the accessible built environment and accessible employment standards have been selected and will begin meeting in the fall of 2007.

As we mark the second anniversary of the passage of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, we are not only reminded of the strides we are making in ensuring that businesses, government services and communities are fully accessible to all Ontarians, but also that we must continue our efforts to break down barriers for persons with disabilities. MRI’s Accessibility Plan, and indeed all such plans implemented by public sector organizations within the province, represents an important element of those efforts.

John Wilkinson
Minister of Research and Innovation

View MRI's 2007-2008 Accessibility Plan (PDF - 123 KB)