The Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance (FALA) wants Bill C-81 to be improved and become law.
This proposed federal accessibility legislation is the first of its kind in Canada. We applaud the Government of Canada for its leadership in accessibility. Partner organizations of FALA and their members, through consultations, workshops, interviews and surveys over the past two years, have advised on the content of Bill C-81 – much of which has been incorporated. Collectively, we believe that the proposed legislation will pave the path towards a more inclusive Canada. However, before the bill becomes law, we have a number of recommendations we would like to see adopted.
After reviewing Bill C-81, FALA has called on its 56 Partner Organizations to give feedback and inform our recommendations for the improvement of the bill. A full list of finalized recommendations will soon be on our website at www.include-me.ca. The following are recommendations we would like you to consider right now:
- Include terminology that mandates action by replacing the word “may” with the word “shall” throughout the proposed legislation
- Set target dates for the development and implementation of standards and regulations for each of the targeted barrier areas:
- Built environment
- Employment
- Information and communication technologies
- Procurement of goods and services
- Program and service delivery
- Transportation
- Add “communication” to the list above of targeted barrier areas to ensure access and inclusion for people with speech, language and communication disabilities
- Require any entity that receives funding from the Government of Canada to comply with federal accessibility standards and regulations
- Mandate that the committees of the Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization that develop standards and regulations that must include a majority of people with disabilities
- Ensure a standardized, process for the timely resolution of complaints , and a single point of access that supports people with disabilities who present complaints
- Recognize ASL/LSQ as the official language of the Deaf in Canada
- Recognize the unique needs of people with disabilities who face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and marginalization
- Recognize the unique barriers faced by Indigenous peoples with disabilities
We look to you, as a representative of Parliament, to review, strengthen and enact the proposed Accessible Canada Act in this current Parliament. For more information, contact info@sci-can.ca.