A Bizarre Moment When Raising Disability Issues During the Ontario Election Campaign

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Update

United for a Barrier-Free Ontario for All People with Disabilities

Website: www.aodaalliance.org

Email: aodafeedback@gmail.com

Twitter: @aodaalliance

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aodaalliance

 

A Bizarre Moment When Raising Disability Issues During the Ontario Election Campaign

 

February 3, 2025

 

SUMMARY

 

Here’s a recent moment in our non-partisan disability advocacy efforts during the current Ontario general election that may surprise you!

 

As background, during each election campaign, the AODA Alliance encourages you to press candidates from all the parties to make strong commitments on making Ontario accessible for the 2.9 million Ontarians with disabilities. Opportunities to do this can arise when you least expect it. Since we are non-partisan, we don’t support or oppose any party. Our goal is to get all the parties to make strong commitments.

 

Last Thursday, January 30, 2025, AODA Alliance Chair, David Lepofsky, got an unexpected opportunity to practice what the AODA Alliance preaches. The following is his explanation, in his own words, which he has posted on Facebook. It speaks for itself!

 

Feel free to share it with others. Email us your thoughts at aodafeedback@gmail.com. Let us know what happens when you try to raise disability issues with candidates and their canvassers.

 

Stay tuned for more election news, and more action tips!

 

January 30, 2025: Facebook Post by AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky

 

I just had quite an event at my front door. As background, I’m strictly committed to being non-partisan in our efforts in the current Ontario election and to getting the strongest commitments from all the parties I can on our disability issues. I encourage people with disabilities and indeed everyone to press candidates and their volunteers for commitments on our disability issues as they are campaigning.

 

I just got my first opportunity in the current Ontario election to do so, quite unexpectedly. It took an unexpected twist.

 

Our doorbell rang a few minutes ago. I opened the door. A young man said he was canvassing for our Tory candidate and for Doug Ford, and wondered if they would have my support.

 

I asked what Doug Ford was planning to do for students with disabilities? The young man said that they had made record investments.

 

I said that earlier this week, they announced 1.3 billion dollars for new school construction but did not require them to be accessible. I said he should check out www.aodaalliance.org

 

He then proudly said: “I’m friends with David Lepofsky. I worked with MPP Robin Martin (this riding’s outgoing Conservative MPP).”

 

I did not recognize his voice. He obviously did not recognize me, the person with whom he was saying that he was friends.

 

I said: “I’m David Lepofsky! What’s your name?”

 

He did not answer. Instead, he rapidly turned on his heels and walked away quickly down the path from our front door to the street. As he was leaving, he said “have a nice day.” It sounded as if he was facing away from me when he said this, while walking away from me.

 

Disability advocacy can sure have its moments!

 

David Lepofsky

 

January 30, 2025