Item - 2019.EX10.5

The Executive Committee:

1.  Directed the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management to report back on the implementation of the Dynamic Symbol of Access at City facilities to the Executive Committee with an update in the event that the Province updates the Ontario Building Code or the Highway Traffic Act to include references to the Dynamic Symbol of Access.

In response to direction from the Executive Committee and City Council, this report addresses 1) the feasibility of implementing the Dynamic Symbol of Access at City-owned properties, and 2) the feasibility of piloting an accessibility certification program at a City facility.

1) Dynamic Symbol of Access

In January 2018, City Council requested that the Province of Ontario amend the Ontario Building Code and the Ontario Highway Traffic Act to include reference to the Dynamic Symbol of Access, which has been proposed as an alternative to the currently-used International Symbol of Access to denote accessible spaces or features. Since the City Council request, the Province has not amended the Ontario Building Code to include a reference to the Dynamic Symbol of Access. Accordingly, while the Dynamic Symbol of Access could be implemented in some areas of City facilities where use of the International Symbol of Access is not required, its implementation would result in inconsistency in signage and could result in confusion around the use of accessible spaces. A decision regarding the implementation of the Dynamic Symbol of Access should be deferred until the Province makes changes to the Ontario Building Code and the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.

2) Accessibility Certification Program

Accessibility certification has been proposed as a means of identifying improvements to buildings that would increase accessibility. Following consultation with stakeholders and a review of existing documentation pertaining to accessibility certification programs, staff have determined that an accessibility certification program may not enhance the accessibility of City buildings. Existing measures, including accessibility audits and planned capital upgrades in line with the Toronto Accessibility Design Guidelines, would exceed accessibility requirements established in the Ontario Building Code and achieve the proposed benefits of the accessibility certification assessment process.

While independent assessments by certifying organizations may help identify required accessibility upgrades, they would not guarantee certification or ensure that buildings meet applicable codes or legislation. Furthermore, the introduction of an additional accessibility standard may complicate efforts to plan capital building upgrades and put the achievement of current capital accessibility program targets at risk. Accordingly, it is not advisable to implement an accessibility certification program at City facilities.