Ontario is celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, issued a statement to mark the occasion.
“Each year on December 3, we recognize the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities to Ontario and increase awareness of the issues impacting them,” Minister Cho stated.
Ontario continues to build a more accessible province that supports the well-being and inclusion of people with disabilities and older Ontarians, including:
– Providing over $600 million annually to support people with disabilities with mobility needs through the Assistive Devices Program.
– Investing nearly $70 billion in the largest transit expansion in North America to build and expand public transit. Transit providers must ensure that all existing and future stations are fully accessible, and transit funding programs require that any transit vehicles purchased are accessible.
– Since 2021, through the Skills Development Fund, we have invested $465 million in 341 projects that have supported over 396,000 persons with disabilities.
– Investing more than $73 million since 2018 in the Home and Vehicle Modification Program to help people with disabilities continue to live safely in their homes, avoid job loss and participate in their communities.
– Investing more than $5 million since the program’s start in 2020 in Inclusive Community Grants to deliver projects that build inclusive communities.
– Investing over $7 million since 2018 in the EnAbling Change Program to support projects that promote the value and benefits of accessibility.
– Enhancing Ontario Building Code accessibility requirements for most new construction and extensive renovations of existing buildings, and working to further harmonize it with National Construction Codes.
– Requiring Ontario’s 444 municipalities to have accessibility plans to improve accessibility in services, facilities and programs.
– Providing $1.4 billion annually so provincial school boards can renew and improve schools, which includes improving accessibility by installing elevators and ramps.
“Working with our partners, Ontario will continue to advance opportunities for people with disabilities and build a province where everyone can participate in the economy and their communities,” Minister Cho stated.
“I encourage all Ontarians to learn more about increasing accessibility in their communities.”
