Making It Easier for Businesses and Communities to be More Accessible
Ontario Providing Free Accessibility Resources on Convenient Web Page
News.ontario.ca
October 25, 2019
When communities and businesses are accessible, everyone wins. People with disabilities can take part in everyday life, and businesses gain potential qualified talent, customers and higher profits.
That is why the government is providing free online resources and guides that make it easier for businesses and communities to get the information they need to help them be more accessible and inclusive.
Today, Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, announced the "Accessibility in Ontario: Information for Businesses" resource at the Ontario Disability Employment Network's Rethinking Disability Conference.
"This is another example of the actions our government is taking to support people with disabilities to fully participate in their communities and the economy," said Minister Cho. "It is especially important, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, to promote these valuable resources that will help make it easier for businesses and communities to get useful information to be more accessible -- in one convenient place online."
"It's really helpful to have one place online that employers can rely on for practical and easy-to-use resources to help their workplace be accessible and inclusive for everyone," said Jeannette Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Disability Employment Network. "This comprehensive one-stop-shop web page includes valuable information to make it easier for employers to find qualified talent from an untapped market pool."
The web page will continue to be updated regularly with helpful resources and guides on topics such as inclusive hiring, how to make workplaces more accessible and the economic benefits of hiring people with disabilities.
Ontario remains committed to protecting what matters most to people with disabilities, seniors and their families.
Quick Facts
- Providing these resources is consistent with recommendations made by David Onley in his review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act from March 2019.
- There are 2.6 million people in Ontario with a disability, roughly a quarter of the population, and more than 40 per cent of this population is over the age of 65.
- In Ontario, the employment rate for people with disabilities is 58 per cent, compared to 81 per cent for people without disabilities.
