The new amended Ontario building code includes several provisions that improve accessibility for those with disabilities.
The changes include power door operators at entrances to more buildings and at barrier-free washrooms and common rooms in multi-unit residential buildings. The code also requires more accessible and adaptable seating spaces in public buildings such as theatres, lecture halls, and churches. New public pools and spas also must be barrier-free.
The amendments were spurred from the 2005 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act that set a target date of 2025 for “an accessible province.” The leader of an advocacy group warned that the pace of change is so slow the government is unlikely to meet its 2025 target, though.
The revamped Ontario building code also helps communities prepare for an aging population, a provincial government spokesman said.
(http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2015/01/20150101-132413.html)
Related Stories
| Oct 18, 2012
EPA commercial building lead paint rule pushed back to 2015
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's inclusion of commercial buildings in a residential lead paint rule is being delayed until 2015.
| Oct 18, 2012
Chicago pushing green roofs to reduce heat island effect
The city of Chicago has mandated that all new buildings that require any public funds must be LEED certified, usually with a green roof.
| Oct 11, 2012
OSHA launches pilot program for alternative dispute resolution on whistleblower complaints
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is launching an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) pilot program for complaints filed with OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program.
| Oct 11, 2012
Bill promotes investment in commercial, multifamily retrofits
The Commercial Building Modernization Act recently introduced in the Senate would extend and streamline a current tax deduction to encourage commercial and multifamily residential building owners to perform comprehensive energy-efficient retrofits.
| Oct 11, 2012
Morristown, N.Y., settles code violation dispute with Amish
The town of Morristown, N.Y., has dropped charges of building code violations against local Amish communities to settle a First Amendment complaint.
| Oct 11, 2012
Mesquite, Nev., rebels against state-mandated energy code
The city council of Mesquite, Nev., voted against adopting a new energy efficiency code adopted by the state.
| Oct 11, 2012
Bloomingdale, N.J., restricts ground solar and wind energy installations
The borough of Bloomingdale, N.J., recently adopted regulations for solar-energy and wind energy systems.
| Oct 3, 2012
Bill introduced to extend home energy efficiency tax credit
A bill to extend the expired residential energy efficiency tax credit for installing qualified furnaces, boilers, central air conditioners, and heat pumps was recently filed in the U.S. House of Representatives.