Item - 2013.DI6.2

On October 2, 2012 City Council adopted a motion requesting a report to the Disability Issues Committee on how the StopGap Ramp Initiative can be supported by the City of Toronto and incorporated into its implementation of accessibility standards established under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

This report provides background on the StopGap Ramp Initiative in relation to the AODA; summarizes feedback from discussions with staff from a number of City divisions and requests the Disability Issues Committee to endorse staff recommendations.

The StopGap Ramp Initiative is a program that provides free, non-permanent ramps, which enable temporary access to buildings with a one-step entrance. The colourful ramps are in use in some of the City's Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), e.g. Kensington Market, Roncesvalles, the Junction. The Ramp Initiative has been advertised in the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) Newsletter which is distributed to all of the City's BIAs.

The City of Toronto is committed to meeting its legislated obligations consistent with AODA accessibility standards and the Ontario Building Code in order to provide the best possible service and to promote an accessible, supportive, healthy and safe service environment for the public and its employees.

This report finds that the program is not a fit for the City since use of the ramp does not constitute compliance with the AODA, and should not be viewed as such. In addition, possible health and safety risks may be associated with its use. However, there may be a possibility for use of the ramps by non-profit organizations with a Below Market Rent agreement and small businesses as a temporary measure.