First Reference Talks

Discussions on Human Resources, Employment Law, Payroll and Internal Controls

By | 2 Minutes Read

Accessibility and transitions

There is an accessibility consideration that I have been thinking about for quite some time which isn’t covered under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is the accessibility of transition. It was a thought that started around the same time as when the new subways started to show up in Toronto, and the height and width became a new barrier for some people who rely on transit to get to and from work.

By | 7 Minutes Read

Pretty hazards: the accessible built environment

A photo of a beautifully designed stairway with an integrated accessibility ramp recently caught my eye. It is a fine example of a creative and attractive solution to a problem we are seeing more and more. Unfortunately, I think the stair is actually a hazard for anyone who uses it, not just persons with disabilities!

By | 4 Minutes Read

AODA: The one-step ramp conundrum

Andrew Lawson recently introduced our readers to the StopGap one-step ramp project at www.stopgap.ca. The group offers businesses in Ontario a one-step accessibility ramp for free. Sounds great, right? Well, during my several years on Ontario’s accessible built environment standards committee, we addressed the issue of one-step ramps and members raised valid reasons not to assume this is a fix in all situations. So what is the conundrum?

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Established in 1995, First Reference Inc. (known as La Référence in Quebec) provides Canadian organizations of any size with practical and authoritative resources to help ensure compliance.

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