Recommendations
Based on the data collected in the monitoring interviews and the issues identified in this report, the recommendations from this study are as follows
- Guarantee income security and ensure the right to a decent standard of living to all persons with disabilities in Ontario.
This study showed that many persons with disabilities in Toronto are experiencing economic insecurity. The level of income provided through the existing support program is considered inadequate to meet the high cost of living in the city. Income insecurity creates many barriers to persons with disabilities including significant challenges to finding adequate and accessible housing. Living with economic insecurity creates a vicious circle of marginalization, isolation and exclusion that places an additional strain on the mental and physical health of persons with disabilities. Thus the government is urged to improve the level of supports provided and review the current rules concerning access to income security and the right to the highest standard of health and well-being.
- Improve accessibility in the public transit system in the city of Toronto and the quality and availability of the adapted transportation service Wheel-Trans.
Public transportation remains largely inaccessible in the city of Toronto. To address this situation, the city offers an adapted transportation, door-to-door service. However, the number of available adapted buses is insufficient, which results in long rides and overdue schedules. This causes a insurmountable problems for persons with disabilities who rely on this service to go to work, attend school and socialize while putting at risk the enjoyment of a basic human right – the right to mobility and self-determination. Thus the government is urged to improve the quality and availability of adapted transportation services in the city as well as the level of accessibility in mainstream public transit.
- Improve accessibility to the built environment and in information and communication systems in the city of Toronto.
Accessibility is key to exercising human rights for people with disabilities. Many participants in this study reported persistent barriers in the built environment and lack of use of alternative communication systems in the city, hindering their full and equal access to information and social participation. These barriers cause the exclusion of persons with disabilities and some times might put their lives at danger. It is recommend that the city government improve accessibility for persons with mobility and sensorial impairments in public places including the street landscape, cross-walks and public spaces across the city of Toronto, and to provide information in a variety of accessible formats.
- Improve personal assistance services and enlarge the number of beneficiaries of direct funding schemes in the city of Toronto.
Social participation emerged as the area of life of most concern to people with disabilities in terms of their ability to exercise their rights. The right to live independently and be included in the community is protected under article 19 of the CRPD, and the provision of personal supports is integral to this right. Without adequate and flexible personal assistance many persons with disabilities are prevented from taking part in society on equal terms with others.
In the provision of assistance and supports, ensuring consumer choice and control, and guaranteeing flexibility and individualized solutions rather than “one size fits all”, agency-based controlled services are a key condition to enabling rights. Consulting with persons with disabilities and their organizations, involving them in decisions on issues that concern them directly and adequately addressing current disability support needs is fundamental. Therefore, it is recommended that the government improve funding to personal assistance services and enlarge the number of beneficiaries of direct funding schemes in the city of Toronto to increase autonomy and dignity
- Raise awareness and educate the public about disability as a human rights issue.
Raising awareness and public education about disability and how to include people with disabilities is one step to enabling the exercise of rights. The findings of this study clearly show that there are significant gaps in the understanding of non-disabled people that people with disabilities share with them their entitlement to exercise human rights. These gaps need to be filled. The government is urged to develop training programs, awareness campaigns and other initiatives to promote the human rights of persons with disabilities. These initiatives should be planned and developed with the full participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations. The best possible campaign to change the way in which society thinks and deals with disability is to ensure that each person with disability is able to enjoy a life with equal rights and dignity.