Communications

OHA Appears Before Legislative Committee to Help Support Ontarians with Disabilities

For the Attention of Hospital CEOs, Board Chairs, OHA Board of Directors and CACN Members

From Hilary Short, President and CEO

Ensuring resources and funding are dedicated to enhancing accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities was a key recommendation made yesterday (February 1) by Ontario’s hospitals at a panel discussion of the Standing Committee on Social Policy, as MPP’s review Bill 188, the province’s proposed new Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

The province is holding six days of public hearings on Bill 118, which aims to make Ontario barrier-free for residents with physical, mental or sensory disabilities. Dr. Gaetan Tardif, Vice-President, Medicine and Physician-in-Chief at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and Director, Division of Physiatry at the University of Toronto was the OHA representative at the hearings.

Key issues highlighted by Dr. Tardif included:

  • The need for dedicated funding for the implementation of new accessibility standards and supporting technology, including the installation of accessible washrooms and website redesigns;
  • The need to reduce attitudinal barriers through the development of educational materials; and
  • The need for systemic system planning to ensure consistency across all sectors, so that when patients return home to their communities, they have the supports they need to live full and independent lives.


The OHA and Ontario hospitals are very supportive of efforts to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities. Over the past two years, the OHA has collaborated on initiatives to help hospitals prepare annual accessibility plans required by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA), and enhance disability planning programs through various educational offerings.

For any questions relating to the Bill and/or the hearings, please contact Elizabeth Carlton, Senior Advisor, Legislation and Policy at (416) 205-1429.