Item - 2017.EX28.23

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council request the City Manager to investigate the feasibility of the creation of a grant program for business owners to retrofit their entrances on private property to improve accessibility, report on the results to the appropriate Committee by the end of June 2018 and provide an update to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee.

2.  City Council request the City Manager to explore potential funding sources for the proposed grant program from the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, or other relevant ministries within the Province of Ontario.

3.  City Council advocate to the Province of Ontario to support small businesses to retrofit their buildings to improve accessibility.

4.  City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to investigate the feasibility of establishing guidelines to permit private ramps on the public right-of-way, conduct stakeholder consultations, report on the results to the appropriate Committee in the second quarter of 2018 and provide an update to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee.

At its meeting of September 27, 2017, the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee considered a presentation from the Project Manager, Public Realm, Transportation Services on Private Entrance Ramps on Sidewalks.