Coalition of disability organizations calls on parties to make Ontarians with disabilities a priority in Ontario election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, June 6, 2022 – In celebration of Independent Living Day in Canada, Independent Living (IL) Canada and ARCH Disability Law Centre are pleased to release a Report with findings from a survey on disability-related barriers to COVID-19 vaccines, titled: Disability Related Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccines: Highlights from the COVID-19 Vaccination Accessibility Survey 2021.

The key tenets of the Independent Living movement in Canada are consumer control, the dignity of risk, peer support and empowerment. Consumer control means that people with disabilities are in control of their lives. To be an Independent Living Centre, 51 percent of board members and staff must be persons with disabilities. Dignity of risk, means, being able to take risks, fail, learn from our mistakes, and move on. By having access to information and peer support, people with disabilities are empowered to make their own decisions.

During this pandemic, people with disabilities in Canada have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. In many cases, people with disabilities lost consumer control, as decisions were taken out of their hands, and they lacked access to important information and became disempowered throughout this pandemic.

“We undertook this survey to listen to the voices of people with disabilities and to learn what their experiences were in accessing vaccines across the country”, said Anne MacRae, Executive Director of Independent Living Canada. “We learned that while some were able to access vaccines with minimal difficulty, many did experience barriers”. These barriers included inaccessible information, inaccessible transportation, inaccessible booking systems and vaccination sites, increased financial burden, and lack of information about how COVID-19 impacted specific disabilities.

“We hope the recommendations contained in this report will help governments and stakeholders to eliminate ongoing barriers, so that as COVID-19 continues and as we prepare for future pandemics, people with disabilities will not be forgotten again”, said Robert Lattanzio, Executive Director of ARCH Disability Law Centre.

About Independent Living (IL) Canada

Founded in 1986, Independent Living Canada is a national non-profit association of Independent Living Centres led by and for people with disabilities who promote the Independent Living Philosophy. IL Canada supports the development of Independent Living Centres, and provides education and leadership for its member organizations, partners and communities.

About ARCH Disability Law Centre:

ARCH Disability Law Centre is a disability rights speciality legal clinic in Ontario, and has been a leader in disability rights advocacy and test case litigation for almost 45 years. ARCH is dedicated to defending and advancing the equality rights, entitlements, fundamental freedoms, and inclusion of persons with disabilities with low income. ARCH is primarily funded by Legal Aid Ontario.

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Contacts:

The report is available for download below:

The Recommended Areas of Improvement One Page Summary is available for download below:

Communiqué De Presse Et Nouveau Rapport- Obstacles liés au handicap en lien avec les vaccins contre la COVID-19 faits saillants du sondage sur l’accessibilité la à vaccination contra la COVID -19                                       

POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE

Ottawa, le 6 juin 2022 – Pour célébrer la Journée de la vie autonome au Canada, Independent Living Canada – Vie autonome Canada et ARCH Disability Law Centre sont heureux de publier un rapport contenant les résultats d’un sondage sur les obstacles liés au handicap aux vaccins contre la COVID-19, intitulé : Obstacles liés au handicap en lien avec les vaccins contre la COVID-19 : faits saillants du sondage de l’enquête sur l’accessibilité à la vaccination contre la COVID-19 2021.

Les principes clés du mouvement de la vie autonome au Canada sont le contrôle du consommateur, la dignité du risque, le soutien des pairs et l’autonomie. Le contrôle des consommateurs signifie que les personnes handicapées contrôlent leur vie. Pour être un centre de vie autonome, 51 % des membres du conseil d’administration et du personnel doivent être des personnes handicapées. La dignité du risque signifie être capable de prendre des risques, d’échouer, d’apprendre de nos erreurs et d’avancer. En ayant accès à l’information et au soutien par les pairs, les personnes handicapées sont habilitées à prendre leurs propres décisions.

Au cours de cette pandémie, les personnes handicapées au Canada ont été touchées de manière disproportionnée par la COVID-19. Dans de nombreux cas, les personnes handicapées ont perdu le contrôle des consommateurs, car les décisions leur ont été retirées, et elles n’ont pas eu accès à des informations importantes et sont devenues impuissantes tout au long de cette pandémie.

« Nous avons entrepris ce sondage pour écouter les voix des personnes handicapées et connaître leurs expériences en matière d’accès aux vaccins à travers le pays », a déclaré Anne MacRae, directrice générale de Vie autonome Canada. “Nous avons appris que si certains ont pu accéder aux vaccins avec un minimum de difficultés, beaucoup ont rencontré des obstacles. Ces obstacles comprenaient des informations inaccessibles, des transports inaccessibles, des systèmes de réservation et des sites de vaccination inaccessibles, une charge financière accrue et un manque d’informations sur l’impact de COVID-19 sur des handicaps spécifiques.

« Nous espérons que les recommandations contenues dans ce rapport aideront les gouvernements et les parties prenantes à éliminer les obstacles actuels, de sorte que pendant que la COVID-19 se poursuit et que nous nous préparons à de futures pandémies, que les personnes handicapées ne soient plus oubliées », a déclaré Robert Lattanzio, directeur exécutif du ARCH Disability Law Centre.

À propos de Vie autonome Canada

Fondée en 1986, Vie autonome (VA) Canada est une association nationale à but non lucratif de centres de vie autonome dirigée par et pour des personnes handicapées qui font la promotion de la philosophie de vie autonome. VA Canada appuie le développement de centres de vie autonome et fournit de l’éducation et du leadership à ses organisations membres, partenaires et communautés.

À propos de ARCH Disability Law Centre

ARCH Disability Law Centre est une clinique juridique spécialisée dans les droits des personnes handicapées en Ontario et est un chef de file dans la défense des droits des personnes handicapées depuis près de 45 ans. ARCH se consacre à la défense et à l’avancement des droits à l’égalité, des libertés fondamentales et de l’inclusion des personnes handicapées à faible revenu. ARCH est principalement financé par Aide juridique Ontario.

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Contacts:

le rapport est disponible en téléchargement ci-dessous:

Un resume d’une page est disponible en téléchargement ci-dessous:

April 1st, 2025

ARCH Lawyer Gabriel Reznick discusses the impact of school exclusions on children with disabilities in Ontario in a recent article by The Trillium titled ‘Ontario Kids Missing More School Due to Exclusions: Education Ministry Data.’ Visit the website to learn more.

For Immediate Release

March 27, 2025

On March 26, 2025, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities released the advance unedited version of their Concluding Observations which are final recommendations to Canada on how to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

53 organizations of persons with disabilities and civil society organizations across Canada came together as a coalition, known as the Civil Society Parallel Report Group, to collectively write a Parallel Report that reflected a consensus of concerns that incorporated perspectives from a variety of disability communities. 14 organizations from that coalition travelled to Geneva, Switzerland, and spoke at a private briefing session with the CRPD Committee and advocated in-person regarding the concerns of their communities.

This collective work and advocacy of all these organizations has resulted in strong Concluding Observations and recommendations by the UN CRPD Committee which include the majority of concerns and recommendations originally raised by the coalition.

Among its recommendations, the UN CRPD Committee strongly recommends that:

• Canada should repeal Track 2 MAiD, through repealing Bill C-7, and repeal the 2027 expansion of MAiD for persons whose “sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness”;
• Canada should withdraw its declaration under article 12 and reservation to article 12 (4) of the CRPD regarding the right to equal recognition before the law;
• Canada should urgently address the lack of accessible housing and community supports within Indigenous communities;
• Canada should implement a coordinated deinstitutionalisation strategy across federal, provincial, and territorial governments;
• Canada should repeal federal, provincial, and territorial mental health and substance use treatment laws and policies allowing for involuntary detention and treatment;
• Canada should ensure that provinces and territories have consistent policies on inclusive education, that the implementation of inclusive education is tracked, and that these address specific considerations related to Indigenous students with disabilities;
• Canada should establish legally defined mechanisms ensuring compliance with the CRPD by all provinces and territories, and condition fiscal transfers from the Federal level to provinces and territories on their adherence to the CRPD

These recommendations among many others are all strong wins for disability communities as the UN continues to affirm the real and pressing concerns of disability communities across Canada.

The Civil Society Parallel Report Group is deeply appreciative of the CRPD Committee’s continued dedication to engaging in a full and fair process that takes into consideration the perspectives of disability communities as it reviewed the Government of Canada.

For media inquiries please contact the co-coordinators of the Canada Civil Society Parallel Report Group Elsie Tellier, ARCH Disability Law Centre (elsie.tellier@arch.clcj.ca) and Neil Belanger, IDC/BCANDS (exdir@bcands.bc.ca)

ARCH’s Introduction Video – Available in both French and English! 

We are excited to announce the launch of ARCH Disability Law Centre’s brand-new “Introduction to ARCH video, available in both English and French! This video will provide an insightful overview of who we are and the important work we do to protect and advance the rights of individuals with disabilities. You can catch the video on our website and social media platforms starting Monday, March 31. Be sure to stay tuned and follow us on Facebook, Blue Sky, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok for the latest updates and more valuable resources!

Respecting Rights Toronto 6 Video Series on Decision-Making Rights

Respecting Rights Toronto is a project at ARCH, led by individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Respecting Rights Toronto members work with ARCH lawyers to help people with disabilities understand their legal rights.

We’re excited to announce that Respecting Rights Toronto’s new 6-video series on decision-making rights will be available starting April 7th!

This series covers important topics like an introduction to ARCH Disability Law Centre and Respecting Rights Toronto, what services ARCH provides, self-advocate meetings, and how to contact ARCH and connect with Respecting Rights. The videos also explain your rights when it comes to making decisions about money, relationships, and healthcare. One video also gives helpful information about using WheelTrans services.

Be sure to stay tuned and follow us on Facebook and visit our website for updates and more information!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 24, 2025

In a precedent-setting decision released Friday, the Federal Court of Appeal, in Air Canada v. Timothy Rose et al., upheld a decision ordering Air Canada to accommodate persons with disabilities who use mobility devices. The Court’s decision marks a significant turning point in a fight for accessibility that began over eight years ago.

In response to the decision Tim Rose says, “this case was never just about me as an individual or my right to fly to Cleveland. It was about the right of all Canadians with disabilities to access the transportation system on an equal basis with others. I am proud to have been part of this significant change and win for Canadians with disabilities, and I look forward to more barrier free travel in the future”.

The Federal Court of Appeal upheld the Agency’s decision that it would not cause Air Canada undue hardship to substitute accessible aircraft when provided with 21 days’ notice and when it cannot book a passenger on any other accessible flight. While this accommodation may come with additional costs for Air Canada, the Court emphasized that “the size of Air Canada’s enterprise” is relevant in assessing Air Canada’s ability to substitute accessible aircraft.

Moreover, the Court held that it was appropriate for the Agency to order Air Canada to report in its accessibility plan under the Accessible Canada Act on how it will factor accessibility for persons with disabilities who use power wheelchairs.

In a hearing that took place on November 26, 2024, ARCH represented Mr. Rose along with Lesli Bisgould of Legal Aid Ontario’s Clinic Resource Office to defend the Agency’s decision. We want to thank the Clinic Resource Office, and Lesli Bisgould for their expertise and dedication to this important case.

Ilinca Stefan, Staff Lawyer, ARCH Disability Law Centre, says that, “this decision demonstrates the necessary role of the courts to ensure individuals’ fundamental rights are protected when large corporations fail to make their services inclusive.”

In 2016, Tim Rose was denied access to an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Cleveland because the aircraft could not accommodate his power wheelchair. On behalf of Mr. Rose, ARCH filed an application to the Canadian Transportation Agency (the Agency), arguing Mr. Rose’s right to accessible transportation.

In August 2023, the Agency released a decision ordering Air Canada to make operational changes for services to be more accessible. The Federal Court of Appeal closely reviewed the Agency’s analysis, and upheld the Agency’s decision.

The decision is available on the Federal Court of Appeal’s website in both English and French.

ARCH Disability Law Centre (ARCH) is a specialty legal clinic that practices exclusively in disability rights law. Since its incorporation in 1979, ARCH has been a leader in disability rights advocacy and test case litigation. To learn more about ARCH, please visit ARCH Disability Law Centre

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Contact:

Ilinca Stefan and Gabriel Reznick, Staff Lawyers
ARCH Disability Law Centre
Toll-free: 1-866-482-2724 ext. 2225
Emails: ilinca.stefan@arch.clcj.ca and gabriel.reznick@arch.clcj.ca

COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE – Victoire des passagers handicapés contre Air Canada

POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE

24 mars 2025

Dans une décision faisant jurisprudence rendue vendredi, la Cour d’appel fédérale, dans l’affaire Air Canada c. Rose, a confirmé une décision ordonnant à Air Canada d’accommoder les personnes handicapées utilisant des appareils d’aide à la mobilité. Cette décision marque un tournant important dans la lutte pour l’accessibilité qui a débuté il y a plus de huit ans.

En réponse à cette décision, Tim Rose a déclaré : « cette affaire ne concernait pas uniquement ma personne ou mon droit de prendre l’avion pour Cleveland. Il s’agissait du droit de tous les Canadiens handicapés d’accéder au système de transport sur la base de l’égalité avec les autres. Je suis fier d’avoir contribué à ce changement important et à cette victoire pour les Canadiens handicapés, et j’espère que davantage de voyages sans obstacle se produiront à l’avenir. »

La Cour d’appel fédérale a confirmé la décision de l’Office des transports du Canada selon laquelle le remplacement pour avion accessible avec un préavis de 21 jours et lorsqu’il est impossible de réserver un passager sur un autre vol accessible ne causerait pas de contrainte excessive à Air Canada.

Bien que cet accommodement puisse entraîner des coûts supplémentaires pour Air Canada, la Cour a souligné que « la taille de l’entreprise Air Canada » est pertinente pour évaluer la capacité d’Air Canada à remplacer des avions accessibles.

De plus, la Cour a jugé qu’il était approprié pour l’Office des transports du Canada d’ordonner à Air Canada de rendre compte dans son plan d’accessibilité de la manière dont elle tiendra compte de l’accessibilité pour les personnes handicapées utilisant un fauteuil roulant électrique.

Lors d’une audience tenue le 26 novembre 2024, ARCH et Lesli Bisgould, du Bureau des ressources cliniques d’Aide juridique Ontario, ont représenté M. Rose pour défendre la décision de l’Office des transports du Canada. Nous tenons à remercier le Bureau des ressources cliniques et Lesli Bisgould pour leur expertise et leur dévouement dans cette importante affaire.

Ilinca Stefan, avocate de ARCH Centre du droit des personnes handicapées, affirme que « cette décision démontre le rôle essentiel des tribunaux pour garantir la protection des droits fondamentaux des personnes lorsque les grandes entreprises ne rendent pas leurs services inclusifs ». En 2016, Tim Rose s’est vu refuser l’accès à un vol d’Air Canada reliant Toronto à Cleveland car l’avion ne pouvait accueillir son fauteuil roulant électrique. ARCH a déposé une plainte auprès de l’Office des transports du Canada au nom de M. Rose, invoquant son droit à un transport accessible.

En août 2023, l’Office des transports du Canada a rendu une décision ordonnant à Air Canada d’apporter des modifications opérationnelles pour rendre ses services plus accessibles. La Cour d’appel fédérale a examiné attentivement l’analyse de l’Office des transports du Canada et a confirmé sa décision.

La décision est disponible sur le site web de la Cour d’appel fédérale en français et en anglais.

ARCH Centre du droit des personnes handicapées (ARCH) est une clinique juridique spécialisée pratiquant exclusivement en droit des personnes handicapées. Depuis son incorporation en 1979, ARCH est un leader dans la défense des droits des personnes handicapées et dans les litiges relatifs aux cas types. Pour apprendre davantage sur ARCH, visiter archdisabilitylaw.ca.

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Personne-Contact :

Ilinca Stefan and Gabriel Reznick, Avocats
ARCH Centre du droit des personnes handicapées
Sans-frais : 1-866-482-2724 ext. 2225
Courriels : ilinca.stefan@arch.clcj.ca et gabriel.reznick@arch.clcj.ca

It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we share this joint statement below to inform our communities of the sudden passing of our Board member and 2nd Vice-Chair, and dear friend, Ellen Cohen. Ellen passed on March 13, 2025 while in Geneva, Switzerland as part of the Canadian Civil Society Group advocating on behalf of disability communities at the United Nations.

Ellen joined ARCH’s Board in 2022, and has been a partner and supporter of ARCH for decades in her many advocacy roles. Her contributions have been invaluable to ARCH and to our communities. She was an integral part of ARCH’s national and international advocacy work. Ellen was highly respected and regarded within all communities that she worked with. Ellen’s larger than life personality, unparalleled compassion and generosity, unrelenting drive, and unwavering integrity were among the many incredible qualities that made her such an effective leader.

ARCH is deeply grateful for Ellen’s invaluable contributions to our organization and to the disability rights movement.  Her tireless commitment for full inclusion will continue to inspire us. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Ellen’s family and her many friends.  She will be deeply missed. Our joint statement about Ellen’s passing can be found below:

We are thrilled to announce that Michael Gottheil has joined ARCH in the role of Senior Counsel!

Michael brings a wealth of experience as a litigator, adjudicator, mediator, and educator in human rights, disability, administrative, labour, and employment law. He has held key leadership roles, including Executive Chair of the Social Justice Tribunals, Chair of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and Chief of Commission and Tribunals of the Alberta Human Rights Commission. Most recently, he served as Canada’s first Accessibility Commissioner under the Accessible Canada Act.

Throughout his career, Michael has been a dedicated advocate for access to justice, disability rights, and equity. His lived experience as a person with a disability informs his commitment to advancing meaningful change for persons with disabilities.

We are thrilled to have Michael on board and welcome his leadership and expertise as we continue our work to dismantle systemic barriers and advance equality and full inclusion.

Next week, ARCH will be in Geneva, Switzerland, along with other representatives of Canadian civil society and the Canadian government to meet with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and engage in a constructive dialogue about Canada’s implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Why ARCH’s Participation is Important

ARCH will be present with other representatives of civil society organizations, discussing disability issues related to the implementation of the CRPD in Canada. As a specialty disability rights legal clinic, ARCH will provide a perspective informed by expertise in the field of disability law, interactions with the Canadian legal system, as well as what ARCH has learned from people within disability communities.

The CRPD Review Process

In order to make sure that state governments are implementing the CRPD, the United Nations created the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee). States and civil society organizations report to the CRPD Committee on the implementation of the CRPD within their country, and states, civil society, and the CRPD Committee have a constructive dialogue. After the dialogue, the CRPD Committee makes findings and recommendations which are called Concluding Observations to states on how they can improve their CRPD implementation. States go on to implement those recommendations and the review process repeats itself.

The Government of Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD) on March 11, 2010. Currently, Canada is in its second and third review process (these processes were joined due to the pandemic).

CRPD Reports

States parties, like Canada, respond to a list of issues made by CRPD Committee by submitting a Report. Civil society can also write reports, known as shadow reports or parallel reports to the CRPD Committee regarding the implementation of the CRPD in a particular country.

In the report to the CRPD Committee from Canada, the Canadian government responded to the recommendations made by the Committee from the last reporting cycle. Canada’s report was made in response to the issues that the Committee highlighted in that last reporting cycle.

The Civil Society Parallel Report for Canada Report was prepared by the Canadian Civil Society Parallel Report Group, a group made up of 53 Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPOs) and civil society groups, representing persons with disabilities across Canada.

ARCH was one of the coordinators of this effort to bring civil society together to develop a Parallel Report to the CRPD Committee. The Report provides a response to most articles of the CRPD in the context of the List of Issues for Canada, Canada’s Report, and the 2017 Concluding Observations on the initial report of Canada. The Report highlights key concerns of disability communities, including outdated disability concepts, poor jurisdictional coordination, and weak enforcement of CRPD rights.

To read the reports that were submitted to the Committee, including Canada’s report and the reports of disability organizations, go to: https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/TreatyBodyExternal/SessionDetails1.aspx?SessionID=1141&Lang=en

To read about the earlier stages of the 2nd (and 3rd review) of Canada’s review, go to: https://archdisabilitylaw.ca/advancing-the-un-crpd/united-nations-oversight/2nd-reporting-cycle/

Tune in to this webpage for updates on Canada’s 2nd/3rd Review at the United Nations.

More about The CRPD Constructive Dialogue

Part of the review process is called the constructive dialogue, which is what ARCH is participating in on March 10 and 11. At the dialogue, representatives of civil society organizations like ARCH will have a discussion with both the CRPD Committee and representatives of the Canadian government about how well the CRPD is being implemented in Canada. This dialogue is informed by reports from both the Canadian government as well as civil society.

Before the dialogue, representatives of civil society will have opportunities to reach out to CRPD Committee members. Committee members can ask these representatives questions to clarify the situation in Canada and civil society representatives can advise the members on issues they think should be prioritised. Before the review begins, civil society are given a short session with Committee Members where they have an opportunity to raise their concerns.

The review itself covers each Article of the CRPD. Members of the CRPD Committee will ask questions on the articles and representatives of the Canadian government will be able to respond to those questions.

Concluding Observations of the CRPD Committee

At the end of the review process, the CRPD Committee will draft its Concluding Observations. The Concluding Observations include recommendations to the state under review on how they can improve their implementation of the CRPD, as well as praise on areas where they are succeeding in CRPD implementation. Getting recommendations on particular issues can be very helpful for civil society organizations and disability rights organizations to push and advance their advocacy efforts with governments.

February 27, 2025

Staff lawyer, Gabriel Reznick, was interviewed in the Toronto Star article Ontario voters with disabilities face barriers in winter election: advocates

Canada Press: Ontario votes with disabilities face barriers in winter election: advocates

Toronto Star: Ontario voters with disabilities face barriers in winter election: advocates

Also available on Global News: Ontario voters with disabilities face barriers in winter election: advocates

On February 27, 2025, Ontarians will go to the polls to cast their vote and elect a new government. There are some important dates you should know about where and how to vote, especially if you need help or accommodations.

In this article, ARCH talks about two things. First, we discuss what the four main political parties promise to do for persons with disabilities if they are elected. Second, we share the different ways you can vote, including information about accessible voting for persons with disabilities.

The Parties’ Promises About Disability Issues

ARCH co-hosted a provincial candidate debate on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Candidates representing the Liberal party, the NDP and the Green party attended and discussed their party’s position on disability-related issues. A representative from the Progressive Conservative party was also invited, but did not attend.

The debate was recorded. You can access the full debate online at: 2025 Ontario Election Candidates Debate on Disability Issues

Below is a summary of the positions of each political party about things that affect disability rights in Ontario. We have included a link to each of the Parties’ platform which are only available in PDF format. If this is inaccessible to you, we suggest you contact the party directly requesting an accessible version.

Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario

If re-elected, the Progressive Conservative Party promises to improve access to mental health services by putting more money in the mental health care system. They also promise to increase Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) rates according to inflation.

To read the Progressive Conservative Party’s full platform, go to: PCPO_PlatformBooklet_2025_02_23_v05_SPREADS.pdf

Liberal Party of Ontario

If elected, the Liberal Party promises to double Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) rates and continually increase it every year based on inflation. They also promise to increase the number of family doctors in Ontario in order to ensure every Ontarian can access a family doctor. They will try to get more personal support workers (PSW) to stay in the public health care system by increasing their wages. They promise to expand mental health services by introducing universal mental health care, including expanding mental health services covered by OHIP for more people. In the public K-12 education system, the Liberal Party promises to hire more staff supporting students with disabilities, including educational assistants (EA), mental health professionals, and social workers. Additionally, they promise to clear the wait list for assessments in special education. This would ensure that students with disabilities have quicker access to appropriate resources and supports in school.

To read the Liberal Party’s full platform, go to: BC PLATFORM.

Ontario’s New Democratic Party (NDP)

If elected, the NDP promises to help students with disabilities in the public K-12 education system. The NDP wants students with disabilities to have equal support in school, and will hire more staff to help students get the one-on-one attention they need. They also promise to change the current Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) system and support injured workers more than what is currently being done. The changes include paying workers 85-90% of their loss of earnings (the money someone can’t make because they can’t work) if they are injured at work. They want to increase the benefits for workers so they can get more help they need (such as mental health supports). The NDP also wants to pay workers for as long as their workplace disability lasts, instead of unfairly stopping payments. Finally, they promise to double ODSP rates.

To read the NDP’s full platform, go to: On Your Side: Our plan to fight rising costs and restore Ontario’s promise

Green Party of Ontario

If elected, this party also promises to double ODSP and Ontario Works (OW) rates. They would also make sure these benefits are continually raised based on inflation. This party also said that they would remove clawbacks for those who will also receive the Canada Disability Benefit. In doing so, the Green Party commits to ending poverty in Ontario. In addition, they promise to make mental health services more accessible and reduce wait times for supports and services. The Green Party said they will add more funding in K-12 public schools, specifically for supports for students with disabilities. This will include more funding for educational assistants and other supports so that students with disabilities get meaningful access to education. They have also said they will address the lengthy wait list of the Ontario Autism Program. In addition, they promise to improve the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) by removing some of the barriers in place to access the program and creating standards for device repairs through this program. Finally, this party promises to increase funding for community living agencies and the Passport program.

To read the Green Party’s full platform, go to: gpo-platform-en.pdf

How to Vote

There are many ways to vote before Election Day. You can vote in advance of the Election Day by mail, at your local election office, or at an advance voting location. If you need accommodations to vote, you can make a request with Elections Ontario. You will find more information about accessible voting below.

If you’re voting in person, make sure to bring your ID with you.

Please note that all the times below are in Eastern Time.

Voting on Election Day

You can vote at your assigned voting location on Election Day (February 27, 2025) from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Your assigned voting location is a building where voting takes place and the location depends on where you live. To find out where your voting location is, you can visit Elections Ontario’s website and search your location based on your postal code.

Accessible Voting

All voting locations must be accessible for persons with disabilities. There are different accessible options to help you vote. If you use a phone or electronic device for accessibility, you can vote with it. You can also bring a support person, guide dog, or service animal to help you. Magnifiers and Braille numbers on voting cards can be used to help you choose. If you cannot enter your voting location, you can contact your local election office and ask for curbside voting. They will bring the ballot outside your assigned voting location for you to vote.
If your voting place isn’t accessible, you can also contact your local election office by February 26 to ask for a transfer to another place.

You can request a vote by home visit if you meet two requirements: (1) it must will be very hard (or impossible) for you to vote in person and (2) you need help voting due to your disability, or if you are not able to read or write. If you meet the requirements and want to request a vote at home, you have to contact your local election office by February 26 at 6PM.

If you need other types of accommodations, you can find more options below. Keep in mind that some of these accommodations may need to be requested before Election Day. Depending on what you need, it is recommended to contact Elections Ontario before you vote.

Voting with Assistive Voting Technology (AVT)

Voters with disabilities may also use special tools to help them vote if needed, called assistive voting technology (AVT). AVT has three options that voters can use which depends on what they need.

One option is called an audio tactile interface. It has a controller that gives audio directions and has big buttons you can feel, bright colors, and Braille.

Another option are paddles that can be pressed with your hands, feet, or elbows to vote.

A third option is the “sip and puff” technology. With this, you can vote by either breathing in (“sipping) or breathing out (“puffing) into a straw to mark your vote.

AVT is available at your local election office and at advance voting locations on the days we listed above. If you want to use AVT on Election Day (February 27), you have to contact your local election office to make an appointment in advance. If you do not book an appointment and want to use AVT on Election Day, it might not be available.

Use of Sign Language Interpreter

If you need an American Sign Language (ASL) or Langues des Signes Québécoise (LSQ) Interpreter or Intervenor, you can book an appointment before Election Day. You do not have to pay for this. All Interpreters can be booked through Canadian Hearing Services (CHS). Booking an Intervenor depends on where you live. If you live in North Bay, Sudbury, or Timmins, you can contact CHS to book an Intervenor. If you live anywhere else in Ontario, you can contact CNIB DeafBlind Community Services to book an Intervenor.

Twelve organizations host election debate with more than 500 attendees

TORONTO, ON (February 20, 2025) – On February 19, 2025, a coalition made up of a broad cross-section of disability organizations hosted an Ontario election debate with a record-breaking audience, focused on issues important to 2.9 million Ontarians with disabilities. Each sponsoring community organization is non-partisan and committed to working with elected provincial leaders to advance work to make Ontario accessible and inclusive for people with all kinds of disabilities.

The coalition includes the AODA Alliance, Autism Ontario, Reena, Community Living Toronto, Community Living Ontario, Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, the Ontario Autism Coalition, OASIS, the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto, the ARCH Disability Law Centre, CNIB, and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. The debate was moderated by Isaac Callan, digital broadcast journalist, Global News.

The forum, which was attended by more than 500 people both virtually and in person at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, was an important opportunity for the community to raise issues, ask timely questions and have their voices heard. More than 150 questions were pre-submitted by registrants demonstrating tremendous interest in topics ranging from social assistance and accessible housing to inclusive schools and legislation and human rights.

All four major provincial parties were invited. Representatives from the Ontario Liberal Party, Ontario NDP and Green Party of Ontario attended. Each had the opportunity to describe what their party will do for Ontarians with disabilities if elected. The Ontario Conservatives did not send a representative, although repeatedly invited to do so.

“More than 2.9 million Ontarians now have a disability and all other Ontarians are bound to get one as they age – and far too many are being left behind,” says David Lepofsky, disability advocate and chair of the AODA Alliance. “This election comes at a critical time for Ontarians with disabilities, because Ontario is still not accessible, contrary to the legislated 2025 deadline, which the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) imposed. It takes courage for a candidate to put their record on the line and take voters’ questions face-to-face.”

Quotes from party representatives at the debate:

Marjorie Knight – Ontario NDP

“It has to be more than just doubling social assistance rates. It has become the Hunger Games amongst non-profits and community groups where everybody’s fighting over the same funding, which gets increasingly smaller and smaller. Adequate, stable funding needs to be done and it needs to be intentionally done. [Affordable] housing is the same problem. People are waiting 40, 10, 20, 15 years [for housing]. We have to get back into the business of building [affordable homes].”

Kathryn McGarry – Ontario Liberal Party

“We need to ensure that our kids can learn in barrier-free spaces. We need the supports for [the] 38,000 kids languishing on the wait list for [autism] assessment. The Liberals are committed to ensuring that…we have timely access to assessments for families with autistic children.”

Ignacio Mongrell – Green Party of Ontario

“I think the Green Party has shown that it believes in economic fairness [and] that no one should be left behind, especially the groups that are more vulnerable and have been underrepresented in the past. That’s why, as a member of the Green Party, I’m here taking action. I’m here because I care about what people with disabilities are facing…and I want to show that they have the support of the Green Party.”

Access a recording on YouTube of the full debate.

We encourage all Ontarians to raise disability issues with their provincial candidates in the lead up to the election and to vote on February 27.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Teresa Kruze
tkruze@rogers.com

David Lepofsky aodafeedback@gmail.com

Erin Pooley
epooley@hollandbloorview.ca