Accessibility advocates express cautious optimism about Ontario budget

Michelle McQuigge, The Canadian Press, CTV Kitchener News, March 31, 2018
Accessibility advocates are expressing cautious optimism about measures in the latest Ontario budget that fund programs for developmentally disabled people, enhance social assistance and boost mental health support. Over the next three years, the budget promises to pump $1.8 billion into services for developmentally disabled people and invest $2.3 billion into social assistance programs, which will loosen restrictions recipients have long contended keep them in poverty. Implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) — which promises full accessibility — has fallen behind in recent years, advocates say, arguing the budget contains no plan to ensure the law is completely in place by 2025 as promised.