Improving information, communications and barrier removal

Ontario has an important law called the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.  It’s the first of its kind in Canada.  In direct relation to the mission of my company, it’s intent is to ensure that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as all others and be able to do the things that most of us take for granted.  Businesses and organizations that provide goods and services to people in Ontario will have to meet certain accessibility standards in five important areas of our lives… customer service; transportation; information and communications; employment and the built environment.   Ontario’s first accessibility standard, the customer service standard, came into effect on January 1, 2008.  My recent post,  “Are you ready for 2012?” provides more information on this important initiative.
 
I am proud to be a member of the Information and Communication Standards Development Committee, known as IC-SDC.   IC-SDC is currently reviewing the draft of the next proposed standard, the Information and Communications Accessibility Standard, on behalf of The Ministry of Community and Social Services, who’s mission is to build resilience and remove obstacles that impede opportunity and participation in community life.
 
A two-day meeting was recently held in Toronto by the IC-SDC, involving stakeholders from government, businesses and consumer groups.  The members are actively working together to develop a clearly articulated set of accessible standards that will provide clarity for organizations working to improve information and communications and barrier removal, which will result in attitudinal and behavioural change in Ontario.   It was refreshing to see that 50% of the membership is comprised of people with disabilities, providing a wealth of experience and diversity to the mandate.   Giving the disability community a more active voice at the table will not only strengthen the standards development process, but will also help us develop meaningful solutions to breaking down barriers that people with disabilities face.
 
There has been substantial progress in drafting proposed standards to date.  As a committee, we have identified opportunities to enhance a working draft, including clarification of key definitions as well as section-by-section revisions and substantive reorganization of the proposed technical requirements.   I am truly looking forward to the next meeting, which will be held in June.   I will post the developments of that meeting on this blog.  In the meantime, I welcome your thoughtful comments and invite you to obtain further information on the IC-SDC, its members and progress.