SUBMISSION TO
Economic Concerns Committee site
SUBMISSION TO ONTARIO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
RE ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT SERVICES IN ONTARIO
FROM CANADIAN PENSIONERS CONCERNED Inc., ONTARIO DIVISION
JUNE 30, 2001
Canadian Pensioners Concerned, Inc., was founded in 1969 by
retirees concerned about the future of their pensions. It is a national
organization with an Ontario Division, which advocates on issues such as
pensions, health care, housing and transportation. As parents and
grandparents, we are concerned not only about those matters which
involve older persons but about all of the factors which make for a
just, caring, compassionate society for all age groups.
Accessibility.
Accessible transit services are a key factor in assisting
people to participate fully in the community -- getting out and
about, getting to work, conducting business, reaching health care,
participating in events, being with friends, and combatting
loneliness and isolation.
Denying the disabled access to full participation in the community not
only deprives them of the right to achieve their full potential but
deprives all of us of the contribution they could make to our
society as citizens, workers, family members and taxpayers.
The Ontarians With Disabilities Act.
Canadian Pensioners Concerned, Inc., Ontario Division, is a
member of Ontarians With Disabilities Act Committee, which calls
for an act which would remove barriers for the disabled. Such an Act
was promised by Premier Harris prior to his first election as
Premier but, in spite of the tremendous effort by the Ontarians with
Disabilities Act Committee and their many supporters, legislation has so
far not been realized.
In the report of the Liberal Consultation Tour of the province in
regard to the need for an Act, the summary of more than 60
submissions states the following in regard to Transportation:
Notwithstanding existing physical barriers, systematic failure
to address transportation needs continues to wreak havoc upon the lives
of persons with disabilities.
Abandoned by the province, municipalities now have sole
responsibility for public transit within their boundaries. Like
most downloading of responsibility by the province, confusion and cuts
prevail. The present government provided a one-time lump sum grant to
municipalities through the Community Transportation Action Program to
"co-ordinate local transportation services, including transportation for
persons with disabilities". Since transportation costs cannot be
frozen, municipalities have been unable to provide transportation
services for disabled persons comparable to those provided to the
general public. Some municipalities may even opt to cut paratransit
service altogether when faced with decreasing revenue and
increasing budgetary responsibilities.
Private transportation needs for persons with disabilities require
greater attention. As our population ages, the need for accessible
parking increases. There is a greater need for more spaces close to the
entrances to buildings and facilities. Many complain that fraud within
the permit system hinders those with real disabilities when
they try to access services within the community.
Disabled participants at the above consultations left no doubt as to
their concerns about lack of transportation services, the difficulties
of becoming enrolled in para-transit services, the requirement of
advance bookings, long waits for buses, lack of elevators for
wheelchairs in subway stations, access to buildings and washrooms,
traffic lights that do not allow sufficient time to cross, etc.
Transit for Seniors.
The Disability groups will no doubt inform the human Rights Commission
in detail as to their concerns and frustrations with
transportation. The purpose of this paper is to deal with the question
of transportation for seniors who may because of the aging process,
failing health and strength and increasing frailty, find it difficult
to achieve full accessibility and integration the Human Right
Commission Discussion Paper talks about.
For those who still drive, the lack of parking spaces close to
entrances to buildings and facilities and the fraudulent use of such
spaces as exist, have already been mentioned.
For those who have given up driving on their own volition or have
been required to do so, switching to public transportation is
difficult. In residential areas, it may be several blocks from home to
bus stop and a real challenge to those with rheumatic and/or heart
ailments or recovering from accidents or surgery.
While some buses and subway cars seem equipped for wheelchairs and
steps that can be raised or lowered, this writer has never seen a
wheelchair on a bus or subway train or the steps being adjusted. Buses
seldom move in to the curbs (special bus lanes would help with this)
and the passenger has to stretch from street level to step and then
up steps to the seat level. On leaving the bus, one has to jump from
step to platform or curb (hoping that one's knee or ankle does not
give way in the process). Back exit steps are usually even further
from the curb. Street cars seem even more difficult to get in and out.
Although some seats are reserved for seniors and disabled, this
request is largely ignored. There are few elevators in subway stations.
Often one gets off the train to find that the up escalator is not
working and one must walk up the stairs (the equivalent of three
flights in some areas).
In some subway stations there are long walks necessary to transfer from
one service to another or to street level and no benches for taking a
break.
Snow Shovelling.
Different municipalities have different arrangements for clearing
sidewalks. In the old Toronto City, outer sidewalks are cleared by the
city for pensioners and disabled persons. This is a very helpful
service and removes from the householder responsibility for
disability in case of falls. Commercial property owners and other
residents are often slow in clearing sidewalks and this
makes walking difficult for older persons. It is often difficult to
cross streets because snow ploughs have piled snow up at the curbs
and people often suffer falls over the banks.
Conclusion.
In conclusion there are many shortcomings in the provision of
both paratransit services for the disabled and in closing the gaps
between those eligible to use the paratransit system and those who are
unable to access or have great difficulty in accessing
the conventional system.
Recommendations.
- That Ontarians With Disabilities Act be drafted in consultation
with Ontario's citizens with disabilities and enacted by the
Legislature by November 23, 2001.
- That provincial funding to all municipalities be adequate to provide
for both paratransit systems and adequate services to those who have
difficulty accessing the conventional system, e.g.elevators, access for
wheelchairs.
- That the use of community buses be extended to help the disabled and
the frail connect with the bus, streetcar and subway system and to
transport people in smaller centres.
- That transport vehicles become more truly accessible. Perhaps in
non-rush hours buses at pre-arranged times could be designated to serve
the disabled and frail.
- That more parking spaces be provided for the disabled and frail and
protected for this purpose.
- That on wider streets, a bus lane be designated so buses can pull
in to curbs.
- That there be benches for resting in stations with long walks
between transfers or exits and in all bus shelters.
- That sidewalk snow shovelling and clearance at crossings be further
encouraged to allow for walking and to prevent falls.
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