Accessibility
Increasing the Accessibility of Ontario’s
Public Spaces & Main Streets
Accessing Our Heritage Virtual Conference
October 20, 2021 – 12:00pm-5:00pm ET
REGISTER HERE
Note: General Registration is $99, Students are $79
FOR FULL PROGRAM (SEE ATTACHED DRAFT)
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT MEDIA RELEASE
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CONFERENCE BACKGROUND:
This project is being guided by an Advisory Committee made up of BIAs, Municipal Accessibility Staff, individuals with disabilities, and business owners. The committee members include:
Jim Mountain, Adjunct Professor,
Carleton University, Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism. Former
Director of Heritage Regeneration Projects for the National Trust for Canada
Amanda Motyer, Accessibility Specialist,
Lett Architects Inc.
Mark Buffone, Accessibility Compliance
Coordinator, City Peterborough
Hayley Nabuurs, Master of Urban &
Regional Planning Candidate, Queen’s University
John Lane,
Director, Ontario Building Officials of Ontario (OBOA) and Manager, Building
Inspections, City of Hamilton
Sarah Cossette, Manager, Library, Arts and Heritage Services
Unit, Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
Kay Matthews, Executive Director, Ontario BIA Association
Constance Exley, Accessing our Heritage
Project Manager and CEO of Accessibility Services Canada
The Business of Accessibility Handbook
The Business of Accessibility Handbook: How to Make Your Main Street Business Accessibility Smart offers no cost and low-cost ideas, gathered from people with first-hand experience, to inspire businesses to go beyond the minimum requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).
The handbook includes:
- Low cost and no cost tips on how businesses can be more accessible in such areas as lighting, signage, websites, space layout, and more
- The business case for accessibility and Ontario’s changing demographics
- A Built Environment Accessibility Checklist
- Stories of Ontario businesses
- Frequently asked questions
- Built environment accessibility resources