The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (Bill 118) received Royal Assent on June 13, 2005. Like some groups in the disabilities community, the OFL raised concerns about the too long a time (20 years) to establish accessibility in Ontario and about the generalities and vagueness of this legislation. This flawed legislation is now law and the OFL should work with our allies in the disabilities community to use it to make whatever positive changes are possible.

The OFL has a long history of working with our members to end discrimination against persons with disabilities. Indeed, more than four decades ago, in 1963 to be specific, an OFL Convention Resolution called on the Ontario government to immediately enact legislation to deal with barriers to employment.

In 1981, the OFL Statement on Employment of the Disabled endorsed by the Convention called for equal access for disabled people to a full range of opportunities in employment, accommodation, education, transportation, recreation and community services.  In 2001, the OFL Convention endorsed the Convention Policy Paper Persons with Disabilities - Labour’s View.

Unions bring unmatched expertise in workplace issues, as well as important insights and decades-long commitment to disability and accessibility issues. We have extensive experience in dealing with the issues of “return-to-work” and “modified work” and developing workplace accommodations that are often required by workers with disabilities. And, we are experienced in a range of human rights issues that affect members in the workplace.

The advances we have made and will make are as a result of the active involvement of labour activists with disabilities who worked within their respective unions and the broader labour movement to develop understanding and support for these issues.