Anne Beninger BArchSc, PMP, LEED AP Project Manager Pretium Engineering
Accessibility
Ramp Up Your Retrofits Let’s Disable Ableism in our Buildings!
Nearly every article that discusses accessibility starts with similar statistics. We all generally get it. We should design spaces that can be navigated comfortably and independently by all people, regardless of ability. Despite knowing the statistics, weak legislation and lack of awareness persists. We continue to maintain barriers in our buildings; even worse, we still create them. A barrier may be obvious – such as stairs – or more subtle – such excessive glare from the brilliantly buffed floor that
is painful or disorienting to people with certain sensory impairments. Building Codes, Standards, and Guidelines In Ontario, there are two pieces of legislation that provide minimum requirements for accessibility in and around our buildings: • The Ontario Building Code (OBC)’s accessibility requirements are generally found in Section 3.8 Barrier Free Design. Other sections are referenced for stair and guard dimensions, minimum lighting, visual fire alarms, etc. Significant changes have been made to the OBC over the past decade related to accessibility, with a comprehensive update in 2015. In general, the minimum dimensions for elements such
as circulation areas, door widths, and accessible washrooms have increased, and additional safety provisions have been added. • The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) became law in 2005 and applies to all non-profit and private sector businesses in Ontario that have one or more employees – this includes condominiums. The AODA sets out a process for developing and enforcing accessibility standards. The standards for the built environment are discussed in Part IV.1 Design of Public Spaces (DOPS), which became law circa 2013. Generally, the AODA’s DOPS covers exterior publicly accessible areas, such as parking areas and pedestrian paths. In contrast, CONDOVOICE SUMMER 2022
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ILLUSTRATION BY JAMIE BENNET
According to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), approximately 1 in 5 Canadians (22%) live with some form of disability. Furthermore, nearly 14% of Canadians are 65 or older – a figure that is expected to double in the next 25 years. As we age, we experience losses in mobility, strength, stamina, hearing and vision. Ensuring an accessible built environment ensures equitable access to housing for all and affords ourselves and our elders the dignity to “age in place” – the ability to live in the same home or community safely, independently, and comfortably, as a person ages.
