Main Street Accessibility

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The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) was enacted in 2005 to ensure an accessible society for people with disabilities by 2025, including both private and public businesses and organizations.  How does the Act actually work, and what difference does it make in communities in Ontario?  These questions motivated a small group of citizens in Thornbury, Ontario to seek support from the Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario (CPAO) and the Canadian Disability Policy Alliance (CDPA) to examine accessibility and make recommendations.

The bustling town of Thornbury is located on the rocky Georgian Bay shore close to the Blue Mountain ski area. The main street is filled with one-of-a kind shops, restaurants and services in an eclectic mix of older buildings.  During the summer of 2012, researchers from Queen’s University collaborated with CPAO to conduct field research on physical accessibility and attitudes towards disability among “main street” businesses.   Based on an accessibility audit of 41 business over 3 blocks, they found that more than 50% of Main Street businesses are at least minimally wheelchair accessible – about 25% are ideally accessible, and 25% have compromised accessibility.

To read the full report click on the link below:

Main Street Accessibility in Thornbury Ontario

To view a copy of the accessibility checklist used in this initiative click on the link below:

Main Street Accessibility Checklist