Ontario names new committee chair to improve accessibility in public spaces

Ontario has named a chair of the Standards Development Committee to lead the province’s work towards making public spaces more accessible for people with disabilities.

Julie Sawchuk has accepted the invitation to lead the committee that will include people with disabilities from all across the province.

Sawchuk is a best-selling author, professional speaker, and accessibility strategist.

The province says Sawchuk’s lived experience as a person with a spinal cord injury offers and important perspective.

“Creating accessible public spaces in Ontario is not the job of one person, it is the responsibility of all,” said Sawchuk.

“I’m both grateful and incredibly proud to be asked to lead this discussion and look forward to adding a rural perspective as often as I can.”

The committee will review the current accessibility standards and see whether new standards might be needed.

The government says its commitment to making the province more accessible and inclusive includes breaking down barriers in public spaces such as bike paths, parks, service counters, and washrooms.

The committee is expected to begin work in early 2022.