Accessible Canada Act Assented To 21st June 2019

On June 21st, 2019, a significant milestone was reached in the quest for inclusivity and equal rights for persons with disabilities in Canada. The Accessible Canada Act, a vital legislation that aims to improve accessibility and remove barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, received royal assent, making it the law of the land.

What is the Accessible Canada Act?

The Accessible Canada Act, also known as Bill C-81, is a landmark piece of legislation designed to ensure that Canada becomes fully accessible to all individuals, regardless of their physical or mental abilities. The act aims to prevent and remove barriers that hinder the participation of persons with disabilities in society, with the ultimate goal of achieving a barrier-free Canada by 2040.

Key Provisions of the Act

The Accessible Canada Act includes several important provisions that will have a significant impact on the lives of persons with disabilities:

ACCESSIBLE CANADA ACT: ASSENTED TO 21ST JUNE 2019

by Mary Manjikian(Kindle Edition)

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1. Accessibility standards: The act establishes a framework for developing accessibility standards in areas such as employment, information and communication, transportation, and the built environment. These standards will help guide organizations and businesses in making their services accessible to everyone.
2. Enforcement and monitoring: A new Accessibility Commissioner will be appointed to oversee the implementation and enforcement of accessibility standards. The Commissioner will have the authority to investigate complaints, conduct audits, and issue penalties for non-compliance.
3. Accessible procurement: The act requires the government of Canada to ensure that all federally-funded programs, services, and infrastructure are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This provision aims to set an example for other organizations and promote the adoption of accessible practices across the country.
4. Reporting and accountability: The government and organizations subject to the act will be required to report on their accessibility measures and progress. This transparency and accountability will help track the implementation of the act and identify areas for improvement.
5. Promoting collaboration and inclusion: The act establishes the Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization (CASDO) to facilitate the development of accessibility standards in partnership with persons with disabilities, organizations, and industry experts. The inclusion of diverse perspectives ensures that the standards reflect the needs and realities of the disability community.

The Impact on Canadians

The Accessible Canada Act has the potential to profoundly impact the lives of millions of Canadians with disabilities.

Improved Accessibility

By setting accessibility standards and ensuring their enforcement, the act will lead to significant improvements in accessibility across various sectors. Persons with disabilities will have increased access to employment opportunities, public spaces, transportation, information and communication, and more.

Empowerment and Inclusion

The act empowers persons with disabilities by giving them a platform to voice their concerns and participate in the development of accessibility standards. This inclusion ensures that their unique perspectives and needs are taken into account, leading to more effective and inclusive solutions.

Enhanced Quality of Life

With improved accessibility, persons with disabilities will experience a higher quality of life. They will have greater independence, freedom of movement, and equal opportunities to fully participate in society, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate Canada.

The Road Ahead

While the Accessible Canada Act marks a significant step forward, the journey towards full accessibility and inclusivity is far from over. Achieving a barrier-free Canada will require continued collaboration, commitment, and the active participation of all Canadians.

Individuals, organizations, and businesses must embrace the spirit of the act and work towards making accessibility a priority in their daily practices. By fostering an inclusive mindset and taking proactive steps to remove barriers, we can collectively create a Canada where everyone can thrive.

The Accessible Canada Act is a testament to the progress Canada has made in recognizing the rights of persons with disabilities. It sends a strong message that inclusivity and accessibility are essential values that should be upheld by all Canadians. With the act now in place, Canada is poised to become a global leader in accessibility and a shining example of what can be achieved when a nation comes together to work towards a more inclusive future.

ACCESSIBLE CANADA ACT: ASSENTED TO 21ST JUNE 2019

by Mary Manjikian(Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2146 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	181 pages

FREE

An Act to ensure a barrier-free Canada

Assented to 21st June 2019
The purpose of this Act is to benefit all persons, especially persons with disabilities, through the realization, within the purview of matters coming within the legislative authority of Parliament, of a Canada without barriers, on or before January 1, 2040, particularly by the identification and removal of barriers, and the prevention of new barriers, in the following areas:

• employment;
• the built environment;
• information and communication technologies;
• communication, other than information and communication technologies;
• the procurement of goods, services and facilities;
• the design and delivery of programs and services;
• transportation; and

This Act is to be carried out in recognition of, and in accordance with, the following principles:

• all persons must be treated with dignity regardless of their disabilities;
• all persons must have the same opportunity to make for themselves the lives that they are able and wish to have regardless of their disabilities;
• all persons must have barrier-free access to full and equal participation in society, regardless of their disabilities;
• all persons must have meaningful options and be free to make their own choices, with support if they desire, regardless of their disabilities;
• laws, policies, programs, services and structures must take into account the disabilities of persons, the different ways that persons interact with their environments and the multiple and intersecting forms of marginalization and discrimination faced by persons;
• persons with disabilities must be involved in the development and design of laws, policies, programs, services and structures; and
• the development and revision of accessibility standards and the making of regulations must be done with the objective of achieving the highest level of accessibility for persons with disabilities.