Ontario Marks National Access Awareness Week

    McGuinty Government Breaking Down Barriers For People With Disabilities

    TORONTO, May 30 /CNW/ -

    NEWS

    As part of its commitment to break down barriers for people with
disabilities, Ontario is celebrating National Access Awareness Week,
May 26 - June 1, 2008.
    People with disabilities face daily barriers that prevent them from
working, enjoying and participating in their communities. Each year, National
Access Awareness Week encourages Canadians to think about the barriers
(http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/topics/pop_ado_barriers.htm) people
with disabilities face, and to find ways to help remove them.
    Under its landmark accessibility legislation
(http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/accessibilityOntario/accesson/
compliance/about_2005), Ontario is making progress toward its goal of becoming
an accessible province for people with disabilities by 2025. Ontario's first
accessibility standard(http://www.accesson.ca/ado/english/business/standards)
- for customer service
(http://www.accesson.ca/ado/english/business/standards/customer)- is already
in force, and new standards are in development for:

        -  Transportation
        -  Information and communication
        -  Employment
        -  Buildings and other structures.

    Across Ontario, businesses and communities are already finding ways to
make themselves more accessible to people with disabilities. For example, the
Hampton Inn in Ottawa incorporates accessibility into everyday business. The
hotel provides guests with accessible rooms, that have wide entrances and
accessible washrooms, and staff trained to help people with disabilities.

    QUOTES

    "Accessibility is good for our economy and our society. It means a bigger
talent pool for Ontario's workforce, more customers for our businesses and
communities that include people of all abilities," said Community and Social
Services Minister Madeleine Meilleur
(http://www.accesson.ca/ado/english/video/minister_accessweek.htm).
    "We are responsible for meeting our customers' needs and respecting those
needs, whatever they are. That's our business," said Franco Falcucci, General
Manager, Hampton Inn Ottawa.

    QUICK FACTS

        -  Today, 15.5 per cent of Ontarians have a disability. This number
           will grow as the population ages.
        -  Between 2001 and 2006, Ontario's population grew by about
           seven per cent, but the number of people with disabilities
           increased by 22 per cent.
        -  Canadians with disabilities have an estimated spending power of
           about $25 billion annually.

    LEARN MORE

    Find out how to serve customers with disabilities
(http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/accessibilityOntario/business/
wel_cus_disability.htm).

    Learn more about why accessibility is good for your business
(http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/accessibilityOntario/business/
why_access_bus.htm).

    What are you doing to make the province accessible? Tell us your story
(http://www.accesson.ca/ado/english/tell_story).
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For further information: Julia Sakas, Minister's Office, (416) 325-5219;
 Erika Botond, Media Office, (416) 325-5760