Time: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Advancing Accessibility Through Legislation and Litigation
Join the Law Society of Ontario and ARCH Disability Law Centre for our annual National AccessAbility Week program.
Together we will examine critical issues in advancing accessibility, including discussion of the Accessible Canada Act.
Next, a panel will consider developments in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in the context of the fourth legislative review that is currently underway.
The panel discussion will conclude by exploring the landmark judicial review decision for equal access in Hejka v. the Regional Municipality of Durham – a case centred around access to accessible transit.
Panelists will discuss the case in relation to two key issues: Failure to properly interpret the AODA and relevant regulation, as well as failure to provide sufficient reasons for a decision that had such a significant impact on the applicant.
Learn why the Divisional Court determined the original decision was not in line with the AODA, and found that it created rather than removed barriers.