Check Out A Comprehensive and Growing List of All the Videos In the AODA Alliance’s Collection to Learn About Our Advocacy for Accessibility for People with Disabilities

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance

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

 

Web: www.aodaalliance.org

Email: aodafeedback@gmail.com

Twitter: @aodaalliance

Facebook: www.facebook.com/aodaalliance/

 

 

Here is the AODA Alliances updated and substantially expanded collection of online videos about the non-partisan grassroots campaign for accessibility for people with disabilities. These videos include speeches and lectures, news conferences, major media interviews and other key events in our campaign that were captured on video. We added up the total number of views that each of these videos have gotten as of November 29, 2022, when this inventory of videos was first posted on the AODA Alliance website. It combines to an amazing number in excess of 100,000! Over time, that number will keep on growing.

 

In 2014 and 2017 we released a much smaller collection of videos. This package adds many to those earlier offerings. These videos will interest you if:

 

  • You want to learn about disability rights, disability advocacy or the history of our disability rights movement.
  • You want to advocate on disability rights, and want to see this advocacy in action, to learn how it is done.
  • You are a lawyer, law student, or future lawyer or law student, who wants to learn about disability rights legal issues.
  • You work in the field of disability accessibility.
  • You are involved in any equity or social justice advocacy or campaigning and want to learn from our experience.
  • You work at a disability community organization of any sort.
  • You are involved in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work, and want your efforts to fully include people with disabilities as an equality-seeking group.
  • You teach law, politics, public or social policy, disability issues, human rights and discrimination, social justice, social work, history, political science, architecture and other areas of design, public planning, and other topics that can touch on disability accessibility, disability inclusion or disability rights.

 

Some of our videos have been used in schools, and in college and university courses. We are delighted. Any teachers should feel free to use them as much as they wish! You don’t need to ask us in advance, but we would love to know when they are being used, if possible.

 

78 videos in our inventory. After that list we include a fuller description of each video, including its title, the link to it, a description of it, and a list of additional resources on the topic that the video covers. Anyone using these videos to teach a course, or to write a paper for a course, will find that background information helpful.

 

Over time, we will create more videos. We will add them to our package. The newest ones will be added at the bottom of the list. To find out what’s new, just jump to the end of this web page, and then scroll up.

 

In this inventory, the videos are not listed in any particular order. To make it easier for you to find videos that would interest you, the AODA Alliance will release a series of much shorter video series in the upcoming weeks and months. Each series will be drawn from the videos in this inventory package. Each video series will focus on a theme and include selections of videos from this larger collection that relate to that theme. We invite you to visit the AODA Alliance website’s videos page in the future, to look for these video series.

 

 

 

Quick Guide

  1. Introduction to 2014 David Lepofsky Osgoode Hall Law School Lectures on Advocating for Disability Rights

 

  1. A Personal Perspective on the 1980-82 Advocacy to Amend the Canadian Charter of Rights to Protect Disability Equality

 

  1. History of the 1994-2005 Grassroots Campaign to Win the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

 

  1. Designing the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act from 2003 to 2005 – What Regulatory Powers Should a Strong Disability Accessibility Law Include?

 

  1. From 2005 to 2014, What Progress in Ontario Towards Full Accessibility for People with Disabilities?

 

  1. Ontario’s Slow Progress Toward Fully Accessible Transportation for People with Disabilities -The Challenge of Getting Accessibility Barriers in Ontario’s Transportation System Removed and Prevented

 

  1. Using the Ontario Human Rights Code to Force the Toronto Transit commission to Reliably Announce all Bus & Subway Stops for Blind Riders – Lepofsky v TTC

 

  1. Making Courts and Mediations Accessible for People with Disabilities

 

  1. Practical Strategies for Community Organizing and Community Advocacy- Lessons from Ontario’s Grassroots Disability Accessibility Campaign

 

  1. How to Negotiate for a Community Not an Individual – tips from Experience in Ontario Disability Accessibility Advocacy

 

  1. The Battle for Ontario’s Disability Accessibility Laws– Lessons Learned about Law, Lawyering, Legal Education and Scholarship

 

  1. The Next Steps in Early 2014 in the Grassroots Campaign to Make Ontario Disability-Accessible – What Goals? What Strategies?

 

  1. Community Organizing and Social Justice Advocacy – An Integral part of Ethical Lawyering

 

  1. Accessing Accessibility — David Lepofsky Interview on TV Ontario’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin” May 29, 2010

 

  1. Accessibility in Ontario – David Lepofsky Interview on TVOntario’s the Agenda with Steve Paikin September 22, 2011

 

  1. Creating a Barrier-free Ontario – David Lepofsky’s Interview on TVOntario’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin”

 

 

  1. The AODA Alliance’s 2014 Ontario Election News Conference, Unveiling the Parties’ Platforms on Disability Accessibility May 16, 2014

 

  1. Breaking Down Barriers – David Lepofsky’s Interview on TVOntario’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin” June 11, 2014

 

  1. AODA Alliance Celebration at Queen’s Park of the 20th Anniversary of Ontario’s Grassroots Campaign for Strong Disability Accessibility Legislation November 28, 2014

 

  1. November 28, 2014 AODA Alliance Queen’s Park News Conference to Mark the 20th Anniversary of Ontario’s Grassroots Campaign for Accessibility Legislation

 

  1. Champions for the Disabled — David Lepofsky and David Onley Interviewed on TVOntario’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin” February 2, 2015

 

  1. Special Education Update – David Lepofsky’s Interview on TVOntario’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin” March 3, 2016

 

  1. Why Ontario Needs an Education Accessibility Standard Enacted under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act November 29, 2016

 

  1. Accessibility Problems at the Centennial College Culinary Arts Centre November 29, 2016

 

  1. The Need to Train All School Teachers to Be Able to Teach All Students, Including Students with Disabilities January 30, 2017

 

  1. Controversial 2006 Changes to the Enforcement of Human Rights (Anti-discrimination) Legislation in Ontario – The Important Debate around Bill 107’s Privatization of Human Rights in Ontario February 6, 2017

 

  1. Tackling Disability Accessibility Barriers in the Built Environment February 7, 2017

 

  1. A New Approach to Resolving Disability Accessibility Discrimination Claims – Structured Negotiations, A Winning Alternative to Law Suits By Lainey Feingold February 10, 2017
  2. A Champion for Disability Rights– Lainey Feingold on TVOntario’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin” February 13, 2017

 

  1. What Should Canada’s Promised National Accessibility Law Include? – A Policy Experts’ Conference August 22, 2017

 

  1. Accessibility Problems at Ryerson University’s New Student Learning Centre October 29, 2017

 

  1. David Lepofsky January 29, 1981 Interview on CBC Radio This Country in the Morning re Disability Amendment to Charter of Rights

 

  1. David Lepofsky November 26, 1981 Interview on CBC Radio This Country in the Morning re Disability Amendment to Charter of Rights

 

  1. David Lepofsky September 8, 1994 Interview on CBC Radio Toronto Metro Morning Re Toronto Transit Commission Not Announcing Subway Stops

 

  1. David Lepofsky December 9, 1994 Interview on CBC Radio Toronto Metro Morning Re Toronto Transit Commission Agreeing to Announce Subway Stops

 

  1. Audio David Lepofsky January 16, 2006 Interview on CBC Radio Toronto Metro Morning Re Need for Toronto Transit Commission to Audibly Announce All Bus and Streetcar Stops

 

  1. TTC Chair Howard Moscoe January 16, 2006 Interview on CBC Radio Toronto Metro Morning Re David Lepofsky ‘s Case Calling for Toronto Transit Commission to Audibly Announce All Bus and Streetcar Stops

 

  1. David Lepofsky July 27, 2007 Interview on CBC Radio Toronto Metro Morning Re Winning Human Rights Case requiring Toronto Transit Commission to Audibly Announce All Bus and Streetcar stops

 

  1. July 26, 2007 CBC Radio Metro Morning Interview with Toronto Transit Commission Chair Adam Giambrone on the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario Ruling in Lepofsky v. TTC#2 Requiring TTC to Announce All Bus and Streetcar Stops

 

  1. January 30, 2019 Queen’s Park Toronto News Conference by the AODA Alliance and Ontario Autism Coalition on Power of School Principals to exclude Students from School

 

  1. AODA Alliance Chair Presents to Federal Government’s February 8, 2017 Consultation on Forthcoming National Accessibility Legislation

 

  1. TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin: Deciding Who Lives: Is Ontario’s Crisis Triage Discriminatory?

 

  1. Help Stop Toronto from Allowing Electric Scooters that Endanger People with Disabilities and Others

 

  1. Disability Filibuster – David Lepofsky on Medical Assistance in Dying (Doctor-Assisted Suicide)

 

  1. What Should Ontario’s Health Care Accessibility Standard Include?

 

  1. Summary of the 2021 Draft K-12 Education Standards Development Committee report & How & Why to Give Feedback on It

 

  1. Introduction to the Duty to Accommodate People with Disabilities

 

  1. TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin: Title: Does Ontario’s COVID Plan Ignore Disabled People?

 

  1. TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin: The Most Important Election for People with Disabilities?

 

  1. Ontario’s Provincial Election Candidates’ Forum on Disability Issues

 

  1. Blueprint to Make Ontario K-12 Education Barrier-Free & Accessible for Students with Disabilities

 

  1. How and Why the House of Commons Must Strengthen the Weak Bill C-22, the Proposed Canada Disability Benefit Act – AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky’s November 14, 2022 Testimony Before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

 

  1. Practical Tips for Parents of Students with Disabilities on How to Advocate for Your Child’s Needs at School

 

  1. AODA 101 – Introduction to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

 

  1. Advocating to Address Added Hardships COVID-19 Imposes on People with Disabilities

 

  1. Disability Rights During Critical Medical Care Triage During COVID-19 Pandemic

 

  1. AODA Alliance Presentation to Ontario Bioethics Table on Disability Rights and COVID-19 Critical Medical Care Triage Protocol

 

  1. Disability Discrimination in Ontario Critical Care Triage Protocol

 

  1. What Progress in Ontario on Disability Accessibility by Spring 2018?

 

  1. What should Canada’s promised national accessibility legislation include?

 

  1. AODA Alliance December 3, 2019 Queen’s Park News Conference to Mark the 25th Anniversary of the Birth of Ontario’s Non-Partisan Grassroots Movement Campaigning for Disability Accessibility Legislation

 

  1. AODA Alliance Presents to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Bill C-81, the Proposed Accessible Canada Act

 

  1. AODA Alliance Opening Presentation to the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science, and Technology regarding Bill C-81, the proposed Accessible Canada Act

 

  1. Question AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky and Others’ Q&A on Bill C-81At Senate Standing Committee

 

  1. CTV Your morning- Does Canada’s Accessibility Legislation Go Far Enough?

 

  1. First of 3 Virtual Town Hall Meetings on Meeting the Urgent Needs of People with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic Held by the AODA Alliance and Ontario Autism Coalition

 

  1. Second of 3 Virtual Town Hall Meetings on Meeting the Urgent Needs of People with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic Convened by the AODA Alliance and the Ontario Autism Coalition Focusing on Education Barriers during COVID-19 facing Students with Disabilities

 

  1. Third of 3 Virtual Town Hall Meetings on Meeting the Urgent Needs of People with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic Convened by the AODA Alliance and the Ontario Autism Coalition Focusing on Education Barriers during COVID-19 facing Students with Disabilities

 

  1. The Agenda with Steve Paikin Making Progress on Disability Issues

 

  1. The Agenda with Steve Paikin – Fighting for a Barrier-Free Ontario

 

  1. The Agenda with Steve Paikin – Demanding Disability Rights Amid COVID-19

 

  1. The Agenda with Steve Paikin – “A Disaster”: Online Learning in Ontario for Students with Disabilities

 

  1. Accessibility Problems at New Toronto Area Public Transit Stations (Short Version)

 

  1. Accessibility Problems at New Toronto Area Public Transit Stations (Long Version)

 

  1. Accessibility Problems at New Toronto Area Public Transit Stations (2 minute Version)

 

  1. Accessibility Problems at New Toronto Area Public Transit Stations (4 minute Version)

 

  1. How to Design a Regulatory Law to Achieve Accessibility for People with Disabilities
  2. 2018-2019 Campaign to get Canada’s parliament to Pass a Strong Accessible Canada Act

 

  1. May 16, 1996 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

 

  1. May 15, 1997 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

 

  1. April 22, 1998 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

 

  1. August 4, 1998 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

 

  1. October 29, 1998 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

 

  1. November 24, 1998 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

 

  1. April 14, 1999: Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

 

  1. June 8, 1999: Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

 

 

  1. March 27, 2000: Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

 

  1. August 3, 2000: Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

 

  1. 15, 2000: Passing Bill 118 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act & News Conference

 

  1. November 23, 2000: Queen’s Park News Conference by Ontario Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty

 

  1. May 10, 2005: Passing Bill 118 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act & News Conference

 

  1. June 21, 2005: Celebrating Enactment of Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

 

  1. 9, 2006: Queen’s Park News Conference Human Rights Advocates Opposing Against Ontario Bill 107

 

  1. 28, 2006 Queen’s Park News Conference Opposing ON Bill 107 Privatizing Human Rights Enforcement

 

  1. September 7, 2007: AODA Alliance Queen’s Park News Conference on Bill 107

 

  1. July 2, 2008: Queen’s Park News Conference Raising Concerns re Bill 107

 

  1. 9 2009 AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky Addresses ON Select Committee on Government Agencies

 

  1. March 31, 2010: AODA Alliance Presentation to Ontario Legislature Standing Committee on Bill 231

 

  1. September 2, 2011: AODA Alliance Queen’s Park News Conference

 

  1. Serious Disability Rights Issues Swirl Around Medical Assistance in Dying

 

  1. Tips for Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees or Special Education Advisory Committees

 

  1. Extended version of David Lepofsky Opening Statement Senate Social Affairs Committee: Bill C-22!

 

  1. David Lepofsky Opening Statement Senate Social Affairs Committee: Strengthen Bill C-22!

 

  1. Is Ontario Doing Enough for Students with Disabilities?

 

  1. Dec 12 1980 David Lepofsky at Parliamentary Committee on Constitution of Canada

 

  1. Trudeau Liberals’ Flip-Flop Oppose then support Amending Bill C-22 Canada Disability Benefit Act

 

  1. June 2 1995 – CityTV News – David Onley interviews David Lepofsky and PC leader Mike Harris

 

  1. David Lepofsky as witness with Question and Answer at Bill C-22 session at parliament, Nov, 14, 2022

 

  1. Dec 5 2001 ODA Committee Addresses Standing Committee re Bill 125 Ontarians with Disabilities Act

 

  1. Feb 1 2005 ODA Committee at Legislature: Bill 188 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

 

 

 

Detailed Guide

 

Video 1) Title: Introduction to 2014 David Lepofsky Osgoode Hall Law School Lectures on Advocating for Disability Rights

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L26ZU5p5qY&list=PLDGgB77j2ZYrl_rtpe32nSjOXfrDAGvnn&index=2

Description: David Lepofsky gives a brief introduction to this 12-part, captioned, series of lectures on disability accessibility and disability rights advocacy.

Related resources

  • You can also watch David Lepofsky’s December 12, 1980 presentation to the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada on the constitution of Canada by visiting this link.

 

Video 2) Title: A Personal Perspective on the 1980-82 Advocacy to Amend the Canadian Charter of Rights to Protect Disability Equality

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrYzAAKXOrc&list=PLDGgB77j2ZYrl_rtpe32nSjOXfrDAGvnn&feature=share&index=1

Description: In this January 22, 2014 guest-lecture in Prof. Richard Haigh’s State and Citizen course at Osgoode Hall Law School, disability rights activist David Lepofsky recounts his volunteer advocacy efforts in 1980-82, as one of many who successfully campaigned to get Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms amended to protect disability equality. He was one of many who successfully fought to win the disability amendment to section 15 of the Charter of Rights. This captioned lecture gives his personal recollections of his own involvement in that campaign.

 

Video 3) Title: History of the 1994-2005 Grassroots Campaign to Win the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA1VSPgbzMg&list=PLDGgB77j2ZYrl_rtpe32nSjOXfrDAGvnn&index=3

Description: In this captioned January 14, 2014 lecture to York University’s Introduction to the Critical Disabilities Studies course (taught by Prof. Geoffrey Reaume), David Lepofsky describes a 10-year Ontario grassroots community advocacy campaign from 1994 to 2005 that led to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, to address accessibility for people with disabilities. He describes the non-partisan Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee’s goals, strategies, and many uphill challenges.

Related resources

  • For an exhaustive resource on the advocacy efforts of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee from 1994 to 2005, that led to the enactment of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001 and later the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005, visit the ODA Committee’s website. Even though the ODA Committee has wound up, and been succeeded by the AODA Alliance, we have preserved the ODA Committee’s website online as a legacy, and as a public record of the long and arduous fight to win those new laws.

 

Video 4) Title: Designing the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act from 2003 to 2005 – What Regulatory Powers Should a Strong Disability Accessibility Law Include?

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_83CX9ffWvw&feature=share&list=PLDGgB77j2ZYrl_rtpe32nSjOXfrDAGvnn&index=3

Description: In this January 15, 2014 lecture to Osgoode Hall Law School’s Advanced Regulatory Policy seminar (taught by Dean Lorne Sossin), David Lepofsky describes what Ontarians with disabilities wanted the Ontario Government to include in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005, policy analysis that led to this platform, what they won in 2005, and reforms they sought since 2005. This captioned video focuses on the challenge of deciding what specific ingredients to include in a new disability accessibility law to make it strong and effective.

Related resources:

  • To read the Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee’s June 28, 2004 Discussion Paper, referred to in this lecture, entitled “Putting Teeth Into The Ontarians With Disabilities Act: A Discussion Paper On Options For Creating An Effective Compliance / Enforcement Process For The ODA”, visit this link.

 

Video 5) Title: From 2005 to 2014, What Progress in Ontario Towards Full Accessibility for People with Disabilities?

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNCCCIfaXCA&list=PLDGgB77j2ZYrl_rtpe32nSjOXfrDAGvnn&feature=share&index=4

Description: In this captioned February 3, 2014 open lecture to students at the Osgoode Hall Law School, David Lepofsky critically examines Ontario’s progress towards becoming fully accessible to persons with disabilities, since the enactment of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005. How much progress have we made? Has Ontario’s disability accessibility law lived up to its expectations? Where has it fallen short?

 

Video 6) Title: Ontario’s Slow Progress Toward Fully Accessible Transportation for People with Disabilities -The Challenge of Getting Accessibility Barriers in Ontario’s Transportation System Removed and Prevented

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guOau7bfd7Q&feature=share&list=PLDGgB77j2ZYrl_rtpe32nSjOXfrDAGvnn&index=5

Description: In this captioned January 23, 2014 lecture to the Policy Course in York University’s Critical Disabilities Studies program taught by Prof. Rachel Gorman, David Lepofsky provides an in-depth exploration of the gains made and obstacles encountered in grassroots disability community efforts to use the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 to tear down barriers impeding persons with disabilities in Ontario when seeking to use transportation services like public transit or taxis.

Related resources

  • To download in MS Word format the May 28,2007 initial proposal for a Transportation Accessibility Standard that the Transportation Standards Development Committee recommended, visit this link.
  • To read the AODA Alliance’s August 13, 2007 brief on the initial proposal for a Transportation Accessibility Standard, visit this link.
  • To read the final proposed Transportation Accessibility Standard that the Transportation Standards Development committee recommended to the Ontario Government early in 2009, visit this link.
  • To read the AODA Alliance’s April 8, 2009 brief to the Ontario Government on the Transportation Standards Development Committee’s final proposal for a Transportation Accessibility Standard under the AODA, visit this link.
  • To download and read the AODA Alliance’s March 11, 2011 final brief to the Ontario Government on the proposed 2011 Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation (which included transportation accessibility requirements), visit this link.
  • To download and read the Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation enacted on June 3, 2011 under the AODA, including requirements for transportation accessibility, visit this link.

 

Video 7) Title: Using the Ontario Human Rights Code to Force the Toronto Transit commission to Reliably Announce all Bus & Subway Stops for Blind Riders – Lepofsky v TTC

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV_yG-fchNk&feature=share&list=PLDGgB77j2ZYrl_rtpe32nSjOXfrDAGvnn&index=6

Description: In his captioned January 24, 2014 lecture to Osgoode Hall Law School’s Disability Rights Intensive course taught by Prof. Roxanne Mykitiuk and Marion MacGregor, David Lepofsky describes his 13-year saga to force the Toronto Transit Commission to audibly announce all subway, bus and streetcar routes to accommodate the needs of blind passengers like himself. This included his 2 discrimination cases at Ontario’s Human Rights Tribunal against the TTC, Lepofsky v. TTC #1 (2005) and Lepofsky v. TTC #2 (2007).

Related resources

  • The various rulings in Lepofsky v. TTC #1 (regarding the effort to get TTC to audibly announce all subway stops) include:
    • Interim Decision of Hon. Alvin B. Rosenberg dated April 18, 2005: Lepofsky v. Toronto Transit Commission, 2005 HRTO 12 (CanLII) available at this link.
    • Interim Order of Hon. Alvin B. Rosenberg dated June 30, 2005: Lepofsky v.
    • Toronto Transit Commission, 2005 HRTO 20 (CanLII), available at this link.
    • Interim Order of Hon. Alvin B. Rosenberg dated July 7, 2005: Lepofsky v.
    • TTC, 2005 HRTO 21 (CanLII), available at this link.
    • Final Decision of Hon. Alvin B. Rosenberg dated September 29, 2005: Ontario Human Rights Commission v. Lepofsky, 2005 HRTO 36 (CanLII) available at this link.
  • The various rulings in Lepofsky v. TTC #2 2007 (regarding the effort to get TTC to audibly announce all bus and street car stops) include:
    • Interim Order of Hon. Alvin B. Rosenberg dated July 26, 2007: Lepofsky v. TTC, 2007 HRTO 23 (CanLII), available at this link.
    • Final Decision of Hon. Alvin B. Rosenberg dated November 21, 2007: Lepofsky v.
    • Toronto Transit Commission, 2007 HRTO 41 (CanLII), available at this link.

 

Video 8) Title: Making Courts and Mediations Accessible for People with Disabilities

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3d73LGpGXY&feature=share&list=PLDGgB77j2ZYrl_rtpe32nSjOXfrDAGvnn&index=7

Description: In this captioned January 21, 2014 lecture to Osgoode Hall Law School’s Negotiations and Mediation Seminar taught by Prof. Martha Simmons, David Lepofsky describes specific strategies for ensuring that persons with disabilities can fully participate in court proceedings and in mediation and negotiations processes connected with litigation.

Related resources

  • To learn more about the barriers that impede many persons with disabilities from full access to and participation in court proceedings, and strategies for removing and preventing these barriers, read “Making Ontario’s Courts Fully Accessible to Persons with Disabilities – the December 2006 Report of the Ontario Courts Disabilities Committee (The Weiler Report), available at this link.

 

Video 9) Title: Practical Strategies for Community Organizing and Community Advocacy- Lessons from Ontario’s Grassroots Disability Accessibility Campaign

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR6qKBC_j58&list=PLDGgB77j2ZYrl_rtpe32nSjOXfrDAGvnn&feature=share&index=8

Description: In this captioned January 31, 2014 lecture in Osgoode Hall Law Schools Law and Discrimination Intensive course taught by Prof. Bruce Ryder, David Lepofsky describes practical tips for effective community organizing and advocacy, drawn from the experience of Ontario’s grassroots campaign from 1994 to the present to make Ontario accessible for persons with disabilities.

 

Video 10) Title: How to Negotiate for a Community Not an Individual – tips from Experience in Ontario Disability Accessibility Advocacy

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01A0ZgvhI8M&list=PLDGgB77j2ZYrl_rtpe32nSjOXfrDAGvnn&feature=share&index=9

Description: In this captioned January 21, 2014 lecture to Osgoode Hall Law School’s Negotiations seminar taught by Prof. Martha Simmons, David Lepofsky reviews some of the unique challenges and strategies facing a grassroots community organization when it is negotiating with a government over new laws to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. How does it differ from efforts at negotiating on behalf of an individual?

 

Video 11) Title: The Battle for Ontario’s Disability Accessibility Laws– Lessons Learned about Law, Lawyering, Legal Education and Scholarship

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5Dwb0h8wHg&list=PLDGgB77j2ZYrl_rtpe32nSjOXfrDAGvnn&feature=share&index=10

Description: In this captioned January 29, 2014 Osgoode Hall Law School Faculty Seminar, David Lepofsky reflects on what 20 years of disability advocacy taught him about law, lawyering, legal education, and legal scholarship.

Related resources

  • To read the Toronto Star’s January 29, 2014 article on a troubling disability accessibility barrier in transportation, referred to in this lecture, visit this link.

 

Video 12) Title: The Next Steps in Early 2014 in the Grassroots Campaign to Make Ontario Disability-Accessible – What Goals? What Strategies?

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6ckGAOu1Ho&list=PLDGgB77j2ZYrl_rtpe32nSjOXfrDAGvnn&feature=share&index=11

Description: In this captioned February 4, 2014 York University public forum on disability accessibility, David Lepofsky describes the immediate Ontario Government action needed to get Ontario back on schedule for full accessibility by 2025. He details strategies for grassroots action.

Related resources

  • To read the AODA Alliance’s January 26, 2014 Action Kit for raising disability accessibility issues in the two Ontario February 13, 2014 by-elections, visit this link.
  • To read the 9 priorities for immediate accessibility action that the AODA Alliance made public on December 3, 2013, visit this link.

 

Video 13) Title: Community Organizing and Social Justice Advocacy – An Integral part of Ethical Lawyering

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUqdaqgbu0s&feature=share&list=PLDGgB77j2ZYrl_rtpe32nSjOXfrDAGvnn&index=12

Description: David Lepofsky delivers this captioned opening lecture on August 29, 2013 to Osgoode Hall Law School’s first year students, its Class of 2016. On their very first day at law school, he highlights the important ways they can include community organizing and social justice advocacy in their careers, using the example of disability accessibility advocacy in Ontario.

 

Video 14) Title: Accessing Accessibility — David Lepofsky Interview on TV Ontario’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin” May 29, 2010

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocRbsLQC_y4

Description: In this interview on TVOntario’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin, David Lepofsky talks about the accessibility barriers that impede voters with disabilities, and the steps needed to remove and prevent them.

Related Resources

  • The AODA Alliance’s multi-year campaign to remove the voting barriers impeding voters with disabilities in Ontario, available at this link.
  • The March 17, 2010 AODA Alliance brief to the Ontario Legislature which recommended amendments to strengthen Bill 231, a 2010 law aimed at modernizing Ontario elections., available at this link.
  • The June 26, 2013 AODA Alliance analysis and critique of Elections Ontario’s report on telephone and internet voting, for which the AODA Alliance continues to advocate, available at this link.

 

Video 15) Title: Accessibility in Ontario – David Lepofsky Interview on TVOntario’s the Agenda with Steve Paikin September 22, 2011

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB3yTuq1ErE

Description: In this interview, AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky discusses the disability accessibility issues that are in play during the October 2011 Ontario general election.

Related resources

  • The summary of the September 2, 2011 AODA Alliance Queen’s Park news conference on the disability issues in the Ontario 2011 general election and the positions of the political parties on these issues, available at this link.
  • The AODA Alliance’s comparison of the major parties’ positions and promises on the 2011 Ontario election’s disability accessibility issues, available at this link.
  • The September 23, 2011 Toronto Star article on the disability accessibility issues in the 2011 Ontario general election, available at this link.

 

Video 16) Title: Creating a Barrier-free Ontario – David Lepofsky’s Interview on TVOntario’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin”

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHWxUCzhTsU

Description: In this TVOntario interview, AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky gives an update on progress towards a fully accessible province. He also addresses the disability issues as they relate to the then-ongoing leadership race in the Ontario Liberal Party, to choose the replacement for outgoing Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. The AODA Alliance had solicited commitments on accessibility from each of the candidates for Liberal leadership.

Related Resources

  • The commitments on accessibility which the AODA Alliance sought from the candidates for leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party, available at this link.
  • The accessibility commitments which Kathleen Wynne made on accessibility in her December 3, 2012 letter to the AODA Alliance, available at this link. Kathleen Wynne was to go on to win the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party and to become Ontario’s premier.

 

Video 17) Title: The AODA Alliance’s 2014 Ontario Election News Conference, Unveiling the Parties’ Platforms on Disability Accessibility May 16, 2014

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05AoTreGF7A

Description: On May 16, 2014, in the midst of the 2014 Ontario provincial general election, the AODA Alliance tried a novel strategy to focus public attention on disability issues. It held a “Virtual News Conference”, entirely online. It simultaneously released the election commitments on disability accessibility that it had secured from the major political parties. During this Virtual News Conference, AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky summarized the parties’ election commitments. This let the media cover this news conference without having to leave the campaign trail. This video is captioned.

Related resources

  • The May 16, 2014 AODA Alliance news release on the major parties’ 2014 election pledges on disability accessibility issues, available at this link.
  • The speaking notes for the May 16, 2014 AODA Alliance virtual news conference on the parties’ election pledges on disability accessibility in the 2014 Ontario election, available at this link.
  • The AODA Alliance’s May 16, 2014 analysis of the major parties’ 2014 election pledges on disability accessibility issues, available at this link.

 

Video 18) Title: Breaking Down Barriers – David Lepofsky’s Interview on TVOntario’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin” June 11, 2014

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLlYIhS6f_E&t=29s

Description: In this interview on TVOntario, AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky discusses the disability accessibility issues in the 2014 Ontario general election.

Related resources

  • The AODA Alliance’s May 16, 2014 virtual news conference on the 2014 Ontario election’s disability accessibility issues, and related background information, earlier in this video series (all information available at this link).

 

Video 19) Title: AODA Alliance Celebration at Queen’s Park of the 20th Anniversary of Ontario’s Grassroots Campaign for Strong Disability Accessibility Legislation November 28, 2014

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZh67zerp0E

Description: On November 28, 2014, the AODA Alliance convened an exciting event at the Ontario Legislature at Queen’s Park, Toronto to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the launch of Ontario’s non-partisan grassroots campaign for strong Ontario disability accessibility legislation. That campaign started on November 29, 1994, at the very same building, the Ontario Legislature. At this event, AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky reviewed the two decades of this campaign. This included remarks from key public figures in politics and in the media who made a difference during this campaign. This captioned video gives a good overview of the first 20 years of this effort.

Related resources

  • The November 28, 2014 AODA Alliance Update summing up the 20th anniversary of Ontario’s accessibility campaign, available at this link.
  • The November 28, 2014 AODA Alliance news conference, held right after this event, included later in this video series, available at this link.
  • The November 27, 2014 AODA Alliance news release, announcing the 20th anniversary of the Ontario accessibility movement, available at this link.
  • The Toronto Star’s November 27, 2014 column, reflecting on the Ontario grassroots accessibility campaign, available at this link.
  • The story of the events that took place on November 29, 1994, that led to the birth of Ontario’s accessibility campaign, available at this link.

 

Video 20) Title: November 28, 2014 AODA Alliance Queen’s Park News Conference to Mark the 20th Anniversary of Ontario’s Grassroots Campaign for Accessibility Legislation

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sWEcywUkmY

Description: On November 28, 2014, the AODA Alliance held a 30 minute news conference at the Ontario Legislature’s Media Studio, Queen’s Park, Toronto. This was held right after the AODA Alliance concluded its event at Queen’s Park to celebrate this anniversary. This captioned video gives a good overview of the key achievements and goals of this campaign.

Related resources

  • The video of the November 28, 2014 AODA Alliance celebration at Queen’s Park of the birth of Ontario’s grassroots campaign for accessibility legislation (link here), described earlier in this video series, and the following background documents.
  • The November 28, 2014 AODA Alliance Update summing up the 20th anniversary of Ontario’s accessibility campaign, available at this link.
  • The November 28, 2014 AODA Alliance news conference, held right after this event, included later in this video series, available at this link.
  • The November 27, 2014 AODA Alliance news release, announcing the 20th anniversary of the Ontario accessibility movement, available at this link.
  • The Toronto Star’s November 27, 2014 column, reflecting on the Ontario grassroots accessibility campaign, available at this link.
  • The story of the events that took place on November 29, 1994, that led to the birth of Ontario’s accessibility campaign, available at this link.

 

Video 21) Title: Champions for the Disabled — David Lepofsky and David Onley Interviewed on TVOntario’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin” February 2, 2015

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JRhfg4U9Us

Description: AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky and the Ontario Government’s Special Advisor on Accessibility David Onley (formerly Ontario Lieutenant Governor) give an update on progress and challenges on the road to a fully accessible Ontario for people with disabilities. This interview came on the eve of the Ontario Government’s public release of the 2014 final report of the Mayo Moran Independent Review of the AODA’s implementation and enforcement.

Related resources

  • The June 30, 2014 AODA Alliance brief to the Mayo Moran Independent Review of the AODA’s implementation and enforcement, available at this link.
  • To download the Final Report of the Mayo Moran Independent Review of the AODA’s implementation and enforcement, which the Ontario Government made public on February 13, 2015, visit this link.
  • The February 13, 2015 AODA Alliance news release responding to the Government’s release of the final report of the Mayo Moran AODA Independent Review ‘s final report, available at this link.
  • The AODA Alliance’s analysis of the final report of the Mayo Moran AODA Independent Review, including analysis of the findings and recommendations the AODA Alliance supports (link here), and the AODA Alliance ‘s analysis of the findings and recommendations the AODA Alliance does not support (link here).

 

Video 22) Title: Special Education Update – David Lepofsky’s Interview on TVOntario’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin” March 3, 2016

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p00EN6Z7GOM

Description: In this interview on TVOntario, David Lepofsky addresses the need to substantially reform the way education is provided in Ontario to students with special education needs and to all students with disabilities. He draws on his role as AODA Alliance chair, and as chair of the Special Education Advisory Committee of Canada’s largest school board, the Toronto District School Board.

Related resources

  • The AODA Alliance’s long campaign to get the Ontario Government to enact an Education Accessibility Standard under the AODA, available at this link.
  • The work and recommendations for reform of the Special Education Advisory Committee of the Toronto District School Board, available at this link.
  • Later in this video series, David Lepofsky’s November 29, 2016 lecture on why Ontario needs to enact an Education Accessibility Standard under the AODA (link here), and his January 30, 2017 lecture on why all teachers should be trained to teach all students, including students with disabilities (link here). See also the background documents listed under those two videos.

 

Video 23) Title: Why Ontario Needs an Education Accessibility Standard Enacted under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act November 29, 2016

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zFmybyl9ew&t=54s

Description: In this captioned lecture, David Lepofsky describes the many disability accessibility barriers that impede students with disabilities in Ontario’s education system. He explains why Ontario needs to enact an Education Accessibility Standard under the AODA. This lecture was delivered to the Osgoode Hall Law School course on Disability Rights. It was delivered one week before Ontario’s premier, Kathleen Wynne, agreed on December 5, 2016 that the Ontario Government would create an Education Accessibility Standard.

Related resources

  • To download the November 21, 2016 AODA Alliance Discussion Paper on what an Education Accessibility Standard should include, visit this link.
  • To download the November 9, 2016 AODA Alliance analysis of KPMG’s 2015 report to the Ontario Government on disability accessibility barriers in Ontario’s education system, visit this link.
  • The December 5, 2016 open letter to the Ontario Government, from 22 disability community organizations, calling for the enactment of an Education Accessibility Standard (link here), and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s December 5, 2016 statement in the Ontario Legislature, agreeing that the Ontario Government would develop an Education Accessibility Standard (link here).

 

Video 24) Title: Accessibility Problems at the Centennial College Culinary Arts Centre November 29, 2016

Link to the 6 minute version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRmVBmOy6xg&t=28s

Link to the 18 minute version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgfrum7e-_0&t=87s

Description: In this widely viewed captioned video, AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky narrates a tour of significant accessibility problems in the brand-new Centennial College Culinary Arts Centre. This shows why Ontario needs strong accessibility provisions on the accessibility of the built environment in the Ontario Building Code and AODA accessibility standards. This video has secured great media coverage.

Related resources

  • The November 29, 2016 AODA Alliance Update, unveiling this video, on the 22nd anniversary of Ontario’s grassroots accessibility movement, available at this link.
  • Media coverage of this video in the Toronto Star (link here), and on CBC national TV news (link here).
  • The February 7, 2017 lecture by David Lepofsky and Thea Kurdi, later in this video series, at the University of Waterloo Faculty of Architecture, on disability barriers in the built environment (which included this video), available at this link.

 

Video 25) Title: The Need to Train All School Teachers to Be Able to Teach All Students, Including Students with Disabilities January 30, 2017

Link to video: https://youtu.be/zY6Asm605UU

Description: David Lepofsky gave this captioned lecture to student teachers, studying at York University’s Faculty of Education. This lecture explores the disability accessibility barriers facing students with disabilities in our school system and the need for the next generations of teachers to be trained to be able to teach all students, including students with disabilities. This includes being trained in the principles of “Universal Design in Learning” (UDL). All teachers, all those studying to be teachers, all others working in our education system, and those who teach in teachers’ colleges should watch this video.

Related resources

  • The AODA Alliance’s multi-year campaign to win the enactment of an Education Accessibility Standard under the AODA, available at this link.
  • David Lepofsky’s November 28, 2016 lecture, included earlier in this video series, on why Ontario needs to enact an Education Accessibility Standard under the AODA, and the related documents listed with that lecture, available at this link.

 

Video 26) Title: Controversial 2006 Changes to the Enforcement of Human Rights (Anti-discrimination) Legislation in Ontario – The Important Debate around Bill 107’s Privatization of Human Rights in Ontario February 6, 2017

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH4xCi5Ye_g&t=6s

Description: In this captioned lecture, given to a first year State and Citizen course at the Osgoode Hall Law School, David Lepofsky explores the controversial changes that the Ontario Government made in 2006 to the way a discrimination victim enforces his or her human rights in Ontario, through the enactment of Bill 107. Before that change, discrimination complaints were brought to a public law enforcement agency, the Ontario Human Rights Commission. After the 2006 reforms imposed under Bill 107, an amendment to the Ontario Human Rights Code, human rights enforcement was privatized. Discrimination victims had to privately investigate and present their own case before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, without a public law enforcement agency. David Lepofsky took active part in that 2006 debate on behalf of the AODA Alliance, which vigourously opposed these reforms.

Related resources

  • The history of the unfolding debate over Bill 107 in 2006, and its aftermath, recounted in detail on a special part of the AODA Alliance’s website, available at this link.
  • The November 27, 2006 AODA Alliance brief, calling for substantial amendments to Bill 107 before the Legislature passed it, available at this link.
  • The March 1, 2012 AODA Alliance brief to the Andrew Pinto Review which the Ontario Government appointed to review the effectiveness of Bill 107, available at this link.
  • The April 12, 2012 supplemental AODA Alliance brief to the Pinto Review (link here), which the Pinto Review refused to read (link here).
  • The November 2012 final report of the Andrew Pinto Review of Bill 107, available at this link.
  • The November 16, 2012 AODA Alliance analysis of the Andrew Pinto Bill 107 Review final report, available at this link.

 

Video 27) Title: Tackling Disability Accessibility Barriers in the Built Environment February 7, 2017

Link to video: https://youtu.be/ZuxMCH6KY5Y

Description: In this captioned lecture to architecture students at the University of Waterloo Faculty of Architecture, David Lepofsky, along with accessibility specialist Thea Kurdi of DesignABLE Environments, address the pressing and too-often unmet need to ensure that those who design the built environment to ensure that full accessibility is designed in for people with disabilities. Practical examples are given. It would be great if all design professionals and all those studying to be design professionals would watch this video.

Related resources

  • The AODA Alliance videos on accessibility problems in the Centennial College Culinary Arts Centre (link here), and the Ryerson University Student Learning Centre (link here), included in this video series.
  • The October 4, 2012 AODA Alliance brief on improvements needed in the Public Spaces Accessibility Standard to be enacted under the AODA, available at this link.
  • The March 25, 2013 AODA Alliance brief to the Ontario Government on needed improvements to the #accessibility provisions of the Ontario Building Code, available at this link.
  • The July 31, 2017 AODA Alliance/ARCH Disability Law Centre brief on needed improvements to the 2011 Transportation Accessibility Standard, part of the 2011 Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, available at this link. That brief recommended, among other things, the enactment of requirements for the built environment in transportation stations and stops.

 

Video 28) Title: A New Approach to Resolving Disability Accessibility Discrimination Claims – Structured Negotiations, A Winning Alternative to Law Suits By Lainey Feingold February 10, 2017

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkNw65JEeyI

Description: In this captioned lecture to the first year class at the Osgoode Hall Law School, introduced by David Lepofsky, leading U.S. disability rights lawyer Lainey Feingold describes “Structured Negotiations”, a novel and highly successful new approach she has invented for resolving disability discrimination and accessibility cases. She explains how structured negotiations work and how they succeed.

Related resources

  • Lainey Feingold’s website at this link.
  • Lainey Feingold’s book “Structured Negotiations – A Winning Alternative to Law Suits”, published by the American Bar Association, available here.
  • Lainey Feingold’s February 13, 2017 appearance on TVOntario’s program The Agenda with Steve Paikin, later in this video series (and available at this link), where she explains to the public how structured negotiation has worked in the US, to advance the rights of people with disabilities.

 

Video 29) Title: A Champion for Disability Rights– Lainey Feingold on TVOntario’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin” February 13, 2017

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WOsT1Ppf44

Description: In this TV interview on TVOntario’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin”, US disability rights lawyer Lainey Feingold explains her novel approach to resolving disability accessibility and human rights claims, which she calls “structured negotiations”. This is especially important in Ontario, where enforcement of accessibility remains a serious deficiency.

Related resources

  • Lainey Feingold’s February 10, 2017 lecture to the first year class at the Osgoode Hall Law School, included in this video series (and available at this link, and the documents and resources listed there for more information.

 

Video 30) Title: What Should Canada’s Promised National Accessibility Law Include? – a Policy Experts’ Conference August 22, 2017

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94PEEbhI4TU

Description: In the 2015 Canadian federal election, Canada’s Liberal Party promised to enact a national accessibility law. On August 22, 2017, the Alliance for an Accessible and Inclusive Canada held a 3-hour online virtual conference of policy experts, on what the promised national accessibility law should include. This conference was moderated, and its contents were organized by David Lepofsky. This conference is meant to be useful for anyone designing or advocating for an accessibility law’s enactment or improvement, whether it is national or provincial, anywhere in the world. Taking part in the audience and at times, at the table, was Canada’s first Minister for People with Disabilities, the honourable Carla Qualtrough, then responsible for developing Canada’s promised national accessibility law. Speaking at this conference were policy experts from Canada, the U.S. Israel and Switzerland. You can hear, from example, from the former cabinet ministers who led the enactment of Ontario’s 2005 accessibility law and Manitoba’s 2013 accessibility law, from the two experts whom the Ontario Government appointed to conduct independent reviews of the implementation of Ontario’s accessibility law, from the director of the U.S. Access Board and the former director of the Office of Disability Rights at the US Justice Department, from an Israeli Department of Justice official involved in enforcement of Israel’s accessibility law, and from the lawyer who wrote Israel’s Customer Service Accessibility Regulation. During the first few minutes of this conference, David Lepofsky’s voice is a bit over-modulated, but still understandable. It clears up shortly afterwards for the rest of the conference. The other speakers are all clear throughout and the video includes captioning and ASL interpretation.

Related resources

  • The ‘AODA Alliances revised Discussion Paper on what Canada’s promised national accessibility law should include, written by David Lepofsky, to be published in the National Journal of Constitutional Law, available on request by emailing aodafeedback@gmail.com.
  • The Government of Canada’s May 2017 report on the results of its public consultation on what the promised national accessibility law should include (available at this link) and the June 13, 2017 AODA Alliance analysis of the Federal Government’s consultation report (available at this link).

 

Video 31) Title: Accessibility Problems at Ryerson University’s New Student Learning Centre October 29, 2017

Link to the 12 minute version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oe4xiKknt0&feature=youtu.be

Link to the 30 minute version: https://youtu.be/uqUZ6gK9N9k

Link to the 2.5 minute version: https://youtu.be/O9gCG33icCA (Edited by the Toronto Star)

Description: In this widely watched captioned video, released on October 29, 2017, David Lepofsky takes viewers on a narrated tour of serious accessibility problems at h Ryerson University’s new Student Learning Centre. This video, along with the video described earlier in this video series regarding the accessibility problems at the new Centennial College Culinary Arts Centre, shows that Ontario needs to strengthen the accessibility provisions regarding the built environment in the Ontario Building Code and AODA accessibility standards. This video has secured great media coverage and a great number of views on the internet.

Related resources

  • The October 29, 2017 AODA Alliance news release, announcing this video on the 19th anniversary of the Ontario Legislature’s landmark October 29, 1998 resolution, available at this link. That resolution unanimously adopted the disability movement’s 11 principles for a strong Ontario accessibility law.
  • CITY TV’s October 29, 2017 news report on the AODA Alliance video on the Ryerson Student Learning Centre, available at this link.
  • The Toronto Star’s November 2, 2017 article on the AODA Alliance video on the Ryerson Student Learning Centre, available at this link.
  • The November 3, 2017 Global TV news report on the AODA Alliance Ryerson Student learning Centre video, available at this link.
  • The AODA Alliance’s November 29, 2016 video on disability accessibility barriers at the new Centennial College Culinary Arts Centre, included earlier in this video series, and available at this link.
  • The February 7, 2017 lecture, earlier in this video series, by David Lepofsky and Thea Kurdi at the University of Waterloo Faculty of Architecture on designing an accessible built environment, available at this link.

 

Video 32) Title: David Lepofsky January 29, 1981 Interview on CBC Radio This Country in the Morning re Disability Amendment to Charter of Rights

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnqNpeGhWP0

Description: This captioned radio interview (audio only) took place on the morning after the Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Commons on the Constitution of Canada held its historic vote to amend the proposed Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to add the constitutional right to equality for people with disabilities to section 15 of the Charter of Rights. In this interview, David Lepofsky, then age 23 and a law student finishing his Ontario Bar exams, spoke on CBC National Radio’s “This Country in the Morning” program with host Don Herron. They discussed the historic importance of that vote, and the long term expectations for people with disabilities. Introduction to this recording by David Lepofsky in late December, 2020, 40 years later.

Related resources

  • Fight to Amend Canadian Charter of Rights to Protect Disability Equality at this link.
  • December 12, 1980: David Lepofsky at Parliamentary Committee on Constitution of Canada at this link.
  • What Did Disability Advocates Tell Canada’s Parliament 40 Years Ago This Fall to Help Win an Historic Amendment to the Charter of Rights to Protect Equality for People with Disabilities? AODA Alliance Update December 2020, at this link.

 

Video 33) Title: David Lepofsky November 26, 1981 Interview on CBC Radio This Country in the Morning re Disability Amendment to Charter of Rights

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcn6mZcJeLc (Audio only)

Description: Canada was debating whether to add a provision to the proposed new constitutional Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the “notwithstanding clause”, that would allow Parliament and Legislatures to override some of the new constitutional rights set out in the Charter of Rights. In this captioned interview (audio only), David Lepofsky (then 24 years old, a first-year lawyer studying for his Masters of Law at the Harvard Law School) was interviewed on CBC national radio’s “This Country in the Morning” program by host Peter Gzowski. They discussed objections from the disability perspective to the proposed notwithstanding clause being applicable to the Charter’s provision guaranteeing equality rights.

 

Video 34) Title: David Lepofsky September 8, 1994 Interview on CBC Radio Toronto Metro Morning Re Toronto Transit Commission Not Announcing Subway Stops

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88pRenlYpJQ (Audio only)

Description: In this captioned radio interview on CBC Toronto Radio’s flagship morning public affairs program “Metro Morning”, by host Matt Maychak, David Lepofsky (then a 37 year old lawyer) explained by blind subway passengers like him need the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to audibly announce all subway stops. TTC official Gerry Brolley explained why TTC refused to direct subway crews to announce each subway stop. This interview kicked off a 13-year saga that ended up with David Lepofsky winning two cases against TTC, Lepofsky v. TTC #1 and Lepofsky v. TTC #2, forcing TTC to audibly announce all subway, bus and streetcar stops. This video became an exhibit in Lepofsky v. TTC #1 2005, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario case that ordered TTC to consistently and reliably announce all subway stops.

Related resources

  • See resources listed under 7

 

Video 35) Title: David Lepofsky December 9, 1994 Interview on CBC Radio Toronto Metro Morning Re Toronto Transit Commission Agreeing to Announce Subway Stops

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJQQvz8VFqk (Audio only)

Description: In this captioned radio interview on CBC Toronto Radio’s flagship morning public affairs program “Metro Morning”, by host Matt Maychak on December 9, 1994, David Lepofsky (then a 37 year old lawyer) appeared together with senior Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) official Gerry Brolley to announce that starting in 1995, TTC subway crews would audibly announce all subway stops. Unfortunately, those announcements did not turn out to be consistent and reliable. Therefore, David Lepofsky ended up having to bring human rights cases before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario to force TTC to ensure that these announcements were consistent and reliable. This interview was introduced as an exhibit in David Lepofsky v. TTC #1, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario case dealing with the right to subway stop announcements for blind passengers. After winning that case, Lepofsky had to bring a second case, Lepofsky v. TTC #2, to force TTC to consistently and reliably announce all bus and streetcar stops.

Related resources

  • See resources listed under 7

 

Video 36) Title: Audio David Lepofsky January 16, 2006 Interview on CBC Radio Toronto Metro Morning Re Need for Toronto Transit Commission to Audibly Announce All Bus and Streetcar Stops

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89ntIUkI5YI (Audio only)

Description: In this captioned radio interview (audio only) on CBC Toronto Radio’s flagship morning public affairs program “Metro Morning” by host Andy Barrie on January 17, 2006, David Lepofsky (then a 49 year old lawyer) explained why he was taking the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario for the second time, this time to force it to have TTC drivers announce all bus and streetcar stops. This is an accommodation needed by TTC passengers who are blind, like Lepofsky. In 2005, in Lepofsky v. TTC #1, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ruled that TTC was required by the Ontario Human Rights Code to consistently and reliably announce all subway stops. Despite that ruling, TTC refused to require its bus and streetcar drivers to announce all bus and streetcar stops. Therefore, Lepofsky had to bring this second case. This interview was introduced by Lepofsky as an exhibit in Lepofsky v. TTC #2.

Related resources

  • See resources listed under 7

 

Video 37) Title: TTC Chair Howard Moscoe January 16, 2006 Interview on CBC Radio Toronto Metro Morning Re David Lepofsky ‘s Case Calling for Toronto Transit Commission to Audibly Announce All Bus and Streetcar Stops

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOwf38DlgBs (Audio only)

Description: In this captioned radio interview (audio only) on CBC Toronto Radio’s flagship morning public affairs program “Metro Morning” by host Andy Barrie on January 17, 2006, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) chair Howard Moscoe responded to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario claim by David Lepofsky (then a 49 year old lawyer) to force it to have TTC drivers announce all bus and streetcar stops. This is an accommodation needed by TTC passengers who are blind, like Lepofsky. The day before, Metro Morning interviewed David Lepofsky on this issue. This interview begins with audience feedback from several listeners to Lepofsky’s case. In 2005, in Lepofsky v. TTC #1, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ruled that TTC was required by the Ontario Human Rights Code to consistently and reliably announce all subway stops. Despite that ruling, TTC refused to require its bus and streetcar drivers to announce all bus and streetcar stops. Therefore, Lepofsky had to bring this second case. This interview was introduced by Lepofsky as an exhibit in Lepofsky v. TTC #2.

Related resources

  • See resources listed under 7

 

Video 38) Title: David Lepofsky July 27, 2007 Interview on CBC Radio Toronto Metro Morning Re Winning Human Rights Case requiring Toronto Transit Commission to Audibly Announce All Bus and Streetcar stops

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-waaqE5Uyw (Audio only)

Description: In this captioned radio interview (audio only) on CBC Toronto Radio’s flagship morning public affairs program “Metro Morning” by host Jane Hawtin, on July 27, 2007, David Lepofsky (then a 50 year old lawyer) discussed his victory before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario in his second case against the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Earlier, in 2005, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ruled in Lepofsky v. TTC #1 that TTC must consistently and reliably announce all subway stops to accommodate blind passengers like Lepofsky. This interview addresses the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ‘s ruling in Lepofsky v. TTC #2 that TTC must also consistently and reliably announce all bus and streetcar stations.

Related resources

  • See resources listed under 7

 

Video 39) Title: July 26, 2007 CBC Radio Metro Morning Interview with Toronto Transit Commission Chair Adam Giambrone on the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario Ruling in Lepofsky v. TTC#2 Requiring TTC to Announce All Bus and Streetcar Stops

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNlh_W82Cks (Audio only)

Description: CBC Radio Toronto’s afternoon drive-home show “Here and Now” on July 26, 2007 included an interview (audio only and captioned) by host Karen Horsman with Toronto City council member and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Adam Giambrone on the ruling that day by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario in Lepofsky v. TTC #2. In that case, the Tribunal ruled that TTC violated the human rights of blind TTC passenger David Lepofsky because it did not require its bus and streetcar drivers to audibly announce all bus and streetcar stops. In this interview, the TTC chair gave his response to the ruling that day against the TTC.

Related resources

  • See resources listed under 7

 

Video 40) Title: January 30, 2019 Queen’s Park Toronto News Conference by the AODA Alliance and Ontario Autism Coalition on Power of School Principals to exclude Students from School

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uJFOVHySyQ (Audio only)

Description: On January 30, 2019, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance and the Ontario Autism Coalition teamed up to hold a news conference (captioned) at the Media Studio of the Ontario Legislature building, queen’s Park, Toronto. They addressed the need for the Ontario Government to rein in the arbitrary power of school principals in Ontario to refuse to admit a student to school, also called exclusion from school. This power has been disproportionately used to exclude some students with disabilities. Speaking at this news conference was AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky, Ontario Autism Coalition president Laura Kirby-McIntosh and legal counsel at the ARCH Disability Law Centre, Luke Reid.

Related resources

  • AODA Alliance website’s education web page, at this link.
  • Joint OAC AODA Alliance January 30, 2019 news release on AODA Alliance website, at this link.
  • July 23, 2020 AODA Alliance report on the power of school principals to refuse to admit students to school (on AODA Alliance website, at this link).
  • July 24, 2020 report of the COVID-19 subcommittee of the K-12 Education Standards Development Committee on school-reopening during the COVID-19pandemic, on the AODA Alliance website, at this link.
  • MS Word format the AODA Alliance’s June 18, 2020 finalized brief to the Ontario Government on what needs to be done to meet the needs of students with disabilities during the transition to school re-opening, at this link.
  • May 4, 2020: Virtual Townhall on Students with Disabilities During COVID, at this link.

 

Video 41) Title: AODA Alliance Chair Presents to Federal Government’s February 8, 2017 Consultation on Forthcoming National Accessibility Legislation

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d4S7h3TYbo (Audio only)

Description: In the 2015 federal election, the federal Liberal Party promised to enact national accessibility legislation. In the winter and spring of 2017, the Federal Government held a public consultation on what that legislation should include. At the February 8, 2017 Toronto public consultation session (captioned), AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky made this presentation to that public forum.

Related resources

  • See resources listed under 40

 

Video 42) Title: TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin: Deciding Who Lives: Is Ontario’s Crisis Triage Discriminatory?

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkq1NmaXLwk&feature=youtu.be

Description: In the January 13, 2021 edition of TVO’s flagship public affairs program The Agenda with Steve Paikin, a debate was held on the impact of Ontario’s critical care triage protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with disabilities. That protocol was circulated to Ontario hospitals to direct which patients should be refused needed life-saving critical care if pandemic hospital overloads meant that hospitals could not serve all patients and would have to ration critical care services. Disability advocates contended that this critical care triage protocol discriminates against a number of vulnerable patients with disabilities. Debating were AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky and ARCH Disability Law Centre lawyer Mariam Shanouda on one side, and Physician Dr. James Downar (an author of the critical care triage protocol) and philosophy/bioethics progressor Udo Schüklenk.

Related resources

 

Video 43) Title: Help Stop Toronto from Allowing Electric Scooters that Endanger People with Disabilities and Others

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDdTJt9NK14&feature=youtu.be

Description: AODA Alliance Chair and Osgoode Hall Law School Visiting Professor David Lepofsky explains why electric scooters (e-scooters) (the “kick-style ones that a rider stands up on as they race around) create serious safety and accessibility dangers for people with disabilities, seniors, children, and others. This captioned video was recorded as the City of Toronto was considering whether to allow e-scooters in public places, as a feeding frenzy of e-scooter corporate lobbyists had pressed for. This illustrates the kinds of grassroots disability advocacy that people with disabilities must undertake to prevent new disability barriers from being created in their communities.

Related resources

 

Video 44) Title: Disability Filibuster – David Lepofsky on Medical Assistance in Dying (Doctor-Assisted Suicide)

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDrWgHAjguk

Description: Osgoode Hall Law School Visiting Professor of Disability Rights and Legal Education David Lepofsky identifies several serious problems with proposed new amendments to Canada’s Criminal Code before Canada’s Parliament in 2021 that would liberalize the availability of “Medical Assistance in Dying” (MAID) more accurately described as doctor-assisted suicide. This presentation was included in a collection of videos in opposition to that legislation from a spectrum of disability advocates.

Related resources:

 

Video 45) Title: What Should Ontario’s Health Care Accessibility Standard Include?

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2yuFz_z9V0&feature=youtu.be

Description: Lecture by David Lepofsky (AODA Alliance chair and Osgoode Hall visiting professor) at the Osgoode Hall Law School on what should be included in the Health Care Accessibility Standard, to be enacted under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, to ensure accessibility in the health care system for patients with disabilities and their support people with disabilities.

Related resources:

 

Video 46) Title: Summary of the 2021 Draft K-12 Education Standards Development Committee report & How & Why to Give Feedback on It

Link to video: https://youtu.be/yjQgOjRTZJ8

Description: In the summer of 2021, the Ontario Government was holding a public consultation on a draft report and recommendations on how to make Ontario’s K-12 school system accessible and barrier-free for all students with disabilities. The Ontario Government had appointed the K-12 Education Standards Development Committee to identify the disability barriers in Ontario’s school system, and to make recommendations on what the Government should include in an Education Accessibility Standard, to be enacted under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, to tear down those barriers.

In this captioned video, AODA Alliance chair and Osgoode Hall Law School Visiting Professor of Disability Rights and Legal Education David Lepofsky explains what the K-12 Education Standards Development Committee’s draft report and recommendations include. He was a member of that Standards Development Committee.

Related resources

 

Video 47) Title: Introduction to the Duty to Accommodate People with Disabilities

Link to video: https://youtu.be/y32XvjWmDAQ

Description: Osgoode Hall Law School Visiting Professor of Disability Rights and Legal Education and AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky provides this one hour, captioned presentation that explains the content, meaning, and limits of the duty to accommodate people with disabilities in employment, goods, services, and facilities, under human rights/anti-discrimination legislation and under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This is aimed at people who don’t know much if anything about the details of the duty to accommodate people with disabilities.

Related resources

 

Video 48) Title: TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin: Title: Does Ontario’s COVID Plan Ignore Disabled People?

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJcpIGlPd84

Description: After two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, TVO’s flagship Ontario public affairs program The Agenda with Steve Paikin interviews Osgoode Hall Law School Visiting Professor of Disability Rights and Legal Education and AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky about the impact of the pandemic on people with disabilities, and the Ontario Government’s ongoing failure to protect the urgent needs of people with disabilities during the pandemic.

Related resources

 

Video 49) Title: TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin: The Most Important Election for People with Disabilities?

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBAKVZG9gOY

Description: David Lepofsky, chair of the AODA Alliance, discusses why he thinks this is the most important election in two decades for people with disabilities in the province and what commitments the parties need to make to get Ontario closer to its goal of being accessible by 2025.

Related resources

 

Video 50) Title: Ontario’s Provincial Election Candidates’ Forum on Disability Issues

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpZKjpy_4vQ

Description: In the 2022 Ontario provincial election, a province-wide all-candidates’ debate was held focusing on disability issues in the election. This captioned video records the event, which was organized by several disability organizations and moderated by AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky.

Related resources

  • The AODA Alliance website’s 2022 Ontario election page, which sets out its efforts to raise disability issues in the 2022 Ontario provincial election.
  • The AODA Alliance’s November 22, 2021 letter to the Ontario party leaders, setting out the commitments on accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities that the parties were being asked to make.
  • The AODA Alliance’s May 3, 2022 news release that unveils the commitments of the Ontario political parties in the 2022 Ontario provincial election on making Ontario accessible for Ontarians with disabilities.
  • The May 11, 2022 edition of TVO Ontario’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin, in which AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky was interviewed on the 2022 Ontario provincial election’s disability issues.

 

Video 51) Title: Blueprint to Make Ontario K-12 Education Barrier-Free & Accessible for Students with Disabilities

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goIOu8WWFLI

Description: David Lepofsky provides a blueprint and roadmap on how to tear down the many barriers in Kindergarten to Grade 12 education in Ontario schools that impede students with disabilities, and how to make that education system barrier-free and accessible for those students. He is a Visiting Professor of Disability Rights and Legal Education at the Osgoode Hall Law School, the Chair of the AODA Alliance, and a member and past chair of the Special Education Advisory Committee of the Toronto District School Board.

This presentation describes the 2022 final report and recommendations of the independent advisory committee that the Ontario Government appointed to advise on what to include in an Education Accessibility Standard under the AODA, to make education accessible to students with disabilities. David Lepofsky was a member of that Committee, which had equal representation from the disability community and the education sector. He led the campaign to get the Ontario Government to agree to enact an Education Accessibility Standard under the AODA.

Related resources

 

Video 52) Title: How and Why the House of Commons Must Strengthen the Weak Bill C-22, the Proposed Canada Disability Benefit Act – AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky’s November 14, 2022 Testimony Before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Kq-DVtTu1s

Description: In the fall of 2022, the House of Commons debated Bill C-22, the proposed Canada Disability Benefit Act. This legislation was meant to create a new social benefit for people with disabilities living in poverty, to lift them out of poverty. That fall, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities held public hearings on Bill C-22. This captioned video shows the opening statement by AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky, and the question and answer exchanges that Standing Committee members had with him.

Related resources

 

Video 53) Title: Practical Tips for Parents of Students with Disabilities on How to Advocate for Your Child’s Needs at School

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtadvCvcGC0

Description: Osgoode Hall Law School Visiting Professor David Lepofsky gives practical tips to parents of students with disabilities in Ontario or other Canadian provinces on how to advocate for your child’s needs at school.

Related resources:

 

Video 54) Title: AODA 101 – Introduction to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrPLb3N1DBQ

Description: Osgoode Hall Law Visiting Professor David Lepofsky’s introductory overview of what the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act is, why it was enacted, and how it works. Useful for those who know little or nothing about it and need to learn fast.

Related resources:

 

Video 55) Title: Advocating to Address Added Hardships COVID-19 Imposes on People with Disabilities

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB5i7cCiw68

Description: Osgoode Hall Law School Visiting Professor David Lepofsky’s November 3, 2020 lecture on added hardships that the COVID-19 pandemic imposed on people with disabilities and advocacy efforts to get governments to address these.

Related resources:

 

Video 56) Title: Disability Rights During Critical Medical Care Triage During COVID-19 Pandemic

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxpHXUYNP4A

Description: Osgoode Hall Law School Visiting Professor David Lepofsky’s November 4, 2020 lecture on disability rights objections to the critical medical care triage protocol that the Ontario Government sent to hospitals in case the COVID-19 pandemic overloaded hospitals, requiring rationing of critical care with a short addendum added on November 5, 2020.

Related resources:

 

Video 57) Title: AODA Alliance Presentation to Ontario Bioethics Table on Disability Rights and COVID-19 Critical Medical Care Triage Protocol

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAigGhN5zB4

Description: AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky’s August 31, 2020 presentation to Ontario Government’s Bioethics Table on disability rights problems with the Ontario Government’s protocol for triage of critical care patients if the COVID-19 pandemic overloads hospitals with more cases than critical care beds. The introduction at the start of this video gives background that is up to date as of October 25, 2020.

Related resources:

 

Video 58) Title: Disability Discrimination in Ontario Critical Care Triage Protocol

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2yuFz_z9V0&feature=youtu.be

Description: Lecture by Osgoode Hall Law School Visiting Professor of Disability Rights and Legal Education David Lepofsky, chair of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance, on the problems of disability discrimination in Ontario’s critical care triage protocol. It directs how life-saving critical care is to be rationed if intensive care units cannot serve all patients needing critical care due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This captioned video was delivered to a graduate course on legal issues in health law at the Osgoode Hall Law School.

Related resources

 

Video 59) Title: What Progress in Ontario on Disability Accessibility by Spring 2018?

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HfInCGsN0Y&feature=youtu.be

Description: Lecture by AODA Alliance chair and Osgoode Hall Law School visiting professor David Lepofsky: By spring 2018, what progress has been made towards making Ontario fully accessible to people with disabilities? This lecture especially focuses on progress from 2014 to 2018. This lecture can be viewed on its own, or as a sequel to the following lecture on progress towards accessibility from 2005 to 2014, at this link.

Related resources:

 

Video 60) Title: What should Canada’s promised national accessibility legislation include?

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzUKVs28T8U

Description: A lecture by AODA Alliance chair and Osgoode Hall Law School visiting professor David Lepofsky on what should be included in the new national accessibility legislation which Canada’s federal government has promised to introduce. Learning from the experience with detailed disability legislation in Ontario and in other jurisdictions, a framework is outlined which formed the basis for the campaign over the following months after this lecture, when the Accessible Canada Act made its way through Canada’s Parliament.

Related resources:

 

Video 61) Title: AODA Alliance December 3, 2019 Queen’s Park News Conference to Mark the 25th Anniversary of the Birth of Ontario’s Non-Partisan Grassroots Movement Campaigning for Disability Accessibility Legislation

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkBuFvBq7mw

Description: Ontario’s grassroots non-partisan movement that campaigns for accessibility legislation for people with disabilities was born on November 29, 1994, in a committee room at the Ontario Legislature Building, Queen’s Park Toronto. To mark the 25th birthday of this movement, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance held a news conference close to that date, on December 3,2019, the International Day for Persons with Disabilities. This video is a recording of that news conference. At this news conference, AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky is interviewed by ally and disability rights advocate Laura Kirby-McIntosh, president of the Ontario Autism Coalition. This news conference was held just hours before a 25th birthday party was also held at Queen’s Park.

Related resources:

 

Video 62) Title: AODA Alliance Presents to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Bill C-81, the Proposed Accessible Canada Act

Link to video: https://youtu.be/T_nkPeSUPHg

Description: AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky’s 11-minute presentation to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities on Bill C-81, the proposed Accessible Canada Act, then before the Committee for public hearings. Two other organizations presented at the same time and then were open to questions from the Members of Parliament on that Standing Committee. Video of the entire 2 hours is available at this link.

Related resources:

 

Video 63) Title: AODA Alliance Opening Presentation to the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science, and Technology regarding Bill C-81, the proposed Accessible Canada Act

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FERCAljHbrw&feature=em-uploademail

Description: Opening presentation by Osgoode Hall Law School visiting professor and AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky on April 11, 2019 to the Standing Committee of the Senate of Canada regarding Bill C-81, the proposed Accessible Canada Act. Following this opening statement, and statements by two other organizations, the Senators asked questions of the presenters, available here.

Related resources:

 

Video 64) Title: Question AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky and Others’ Q&A on Bill C-81At Senate Standing Committee

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr0fCtB_cyw

Description: Question and answer session with Senators who sit on the Senate’s Standing Committee on April 11, 2019 regarding Bill C-81, proposed Accessible Canada Act, available here. This came after the opening statement by AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky and other organizations. David Lepofsky’s opening statement is available here.

Related resources:

  • See resources listed under 63

 

Video 65) Title: CTV Your morning- Does Canada’s Accessibility Legislation Go Far Enough?

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1_iqbrqJkY&t=12s

Description: 3-minute appearance by Osgoode Hall Law School visiting professor and AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky on CTV national television’s morning program “Your Morning” after Bill C-81, the proposed Accessible Canada Act, had been passed by Canada’s House of Commons and before it was to be debated by Canada’s Senate. Lepofsky summarizes in three minutes why Bill C-81needed to be strengthened.

Related resources:

  • See resources listed under 63

 

Video 66) Title: First of 3 Virtual Town Hall Meetings on Meeting the Urgent Needs of People with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic Held by the AODA Alliance and Ontario Autism Coalition

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ23it9ULjc

Description: The AODA Alliance and the Ontario Autism Coalition teamed up just three weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic to hold the first of three town halls, to offer constructive recommendations on how the Government can meet the urgent needs of people with disabilities during the pandemic. This first virtual town hall included interviews by AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky and OAC President Laura Kirby-McIntosh with ten disability experts. They foresaw hardships facing people with disabilities in access to health care, to income security and to education, to safe housing, to goods and services and offered practical recommendations on how to address them. Their predictions sadly all came true.

Related resources:

 

Video 67) Title: Second of 3 Virtual Town Hall Meetings on Meeting the Urgent Needs of People with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic Convened by the AODA Alliance and the Ontario Autism Coalition Focusing on Education Barriers during COVID-19 facing Students with Disabilities

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phdtibf5DbM

Description: For a second time, the AODA Alliance and the Ontario Autism Coalition teamed up, this time around 10 weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic to hold the second of three town halls, to offer constructive recommendations on how Government can meet the urgent needs of people with disabilities during the pandemic. This second virtual town hall specifically identified the many barriers facing students with disabilities during distance learning. It offered practical recommendations from experts on how front-line teachers and parents can creatively address these barriers. Experts were interviewed by AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky and OAC President Laura Kirby-McIntosh. Ontario Assistant Deputy Minister for special education, Jeff Butler, was invited to respond to these recommendations. Among other things, this town hall made public serious accessibility problems with online courses provided by TVO, (include link to home page), owned and operated by the Ontario Government.

Related resources:

 

Video 68) Title: Third of 3 Virtual Town Hall Meetings on Meeting the Urgent Needs of People with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic Convened by the AODA Alliance and the Ontario Autism Coalition Focusing on Education Barriers during COVID-19 facing Students with Disabilities

Link to video: https://youtu.be/ZB78Wt9TJGk

Description: For a third time in 2020, the AODA Alliance and the Ontario Autism Coalition teamed up, this time around five months into the COVID-19 pandemic, to hold the second of three town halls, to offer constructive recommendations on how Government can meet the urgent needs of people with disabilities during the pandemic. This third virtual town hall focused on the barriers students with disabilities continue to face during distance learning, and the barriers they were anticipated to face in the fall, when schools re-open for in-person attendance. It offered practical recommendations on how to address these barriers. Speaking during this virtual town hall included a discussion between AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky and OAC President Laura Kirby-McIntosh and Robert Lattanzio, executive director of the ARCH Disability Law Centre.

Related resources:

 

Video 69) Title: The Agenda with Steve Paikin Making Progress on Disability Issues

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFp5Ni1x4lQ&list=UUu_u-P3cBFO7D-sAjxd_I-w&index=42

Description: During the 2018 Ontario general election, TVO’s flagship public affairs program “The Agenda with Steve Paikin” discussed the disability accessibility issues being raised at the grassroots during the campaign, and the major parties’ platforms on this issue. Steve Paikin interviewed Osgoode Hall Law School visiting professor and AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky, and YVONNE FELIX.

Related resources:

 

Video 70) Title: The Agenda with Steve Paikin – Fighting for a Barrier-Free Ontario

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8MDvJ3cGUE

Description: On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the birth of Ontario’s non-partisan grassroots movement campaigning for accessibility legislation Ontario’s flagship public affairs TV program, TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin, interviewed Osgoode Hall Law School visiting professor and AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky and Thea Kurdi, an accessibility consultant specializing in making the built environment accessible to people with disabilities (with DesignAble Environments). This interview focused in large part on disability barriers in the built environment.

Related resources:

 

Video 71) Title: The Agenda with Steve Paikin – Demanding Disability Rights Amid COVID-19

Link to video: https://youtu.be/KmMlTrNbud8

Description: In 2020, Ontario’s flagship public affairs TV program, TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin, twice included panels on COVID-19’s impact on people with disabilities that included Osgoode Hall Law School siting professor and AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky as a panelist. In this, the first of these two episodes that were half a year apart, Steve Paikin interviewed both David Lepofsky and Wendy Porch, the executive director of CILT, the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto. The panel addressed the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities, and the heightened barriers they face during the pandemic, especially in access to health care and education. This interview took place less than two months into the pandemic. The issues it raised persisted for months afterwards.

Related resources:

 

Video 72) Title: The Agenda with Steve Paikin – “A Disaster”: Online Learning in Ontario for Students with Disabilities

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO0MDM54gnA&feature=youtu.be

Description: In this second of the two interviews that include Osgoode Hall Law School visiting professor and AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky, Ontario’s flagship public affairs program, The Agenda with Steve Paikin, presented a panel on the hardships facing students with disabilities in Ontario schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, both those engaged in distance learning and those attending re-opened schools. On the panel in addition to David Lepofsky were Laura Kirby-McIntosh (parent of two children with autism, a high school teacher, and president of the Ontario Autism Coalition) and Paula Boutis (parent of a child with disabilities, member of her community school board’s Special Education Advisory Committee, and president of Integration Action Now. This panel presented a very different picture from the perspective of students with disabilities than the rosy picture of distance learning in Ontario that had earlier been presented by a different panel in the November 13, 2020 edition of The Agenda with Steve Paikin, available at https://www.tvo.org/transcript/2627590/online-learning-during-covid-19.

Related resources:

 

Video 73) Title: Accessibility Problems at New Toronto Area Public Transit Stations (Short Version)

Link to video: https://youtu.be/za1UptZq82o

Description: AODA Alliance chair David Lepofsky guides you through accessibility problems in a series of new and renovated public transit stations in Ontario. These show Ontario’s accessibility laws and Building Code are too weak and that design professionals need better accessibility training. This video has been used to alert senior public officials in Government and public transit, and design professionals, about the need to design the built environment to be fully accessible, well beyond what is required under the Ontario Building Code and current inadequate Ontario accessibility standards. This 16 minute video is also available in very condensed 2 minute, 4 minute versions and in a much more detailed 30 minute version.

Related resources:

 

Video 74) Title: Accessibility Problems at New Toronto Area Public Transit Stations (long Version)

Link to video: https://youtu.be/2VZLGGfFg1g

Description: AODA Alliance chair David Lepofsky guides you through accessibility problems in a series of new and renovated public transit stations in Ontario. These show Ontario’s accessibility laws and Building Code are too weak and that design professionals need better accessibility training. This video has been used to alert senior public officials in Government and public transit, and design professionals, about the need to design the built environment to be fully accessible, well beyond what is required under the Ontario Building Code and current inadequate Ontario accessibility standards. This 30 minute video is the most detailed version. It is also available in very condensed 2 minute, 4 minute versions and in a 16 minute version.

Related resources:

  • See resources listed under 73

 

Video 75) Title: Accessibility Problems at New Toronto Area Public Transit Stations (2 minute Version)

Link to video: https://youtu.be/y7111_apq48

Description: AODA Alliance chair David Lepofsky guides you through accessibility problems in a series of new and renovated public transit stations in Ontario. These show Ontario’s accessibility laws and Building Code are too weak and that design professionals need better accessibility training. Longer versions of this video have been used to alert senior public officials in Government and public transit, and design professionals, about the need to design the built environment to be fully accessible, well beyond what is required under the Ontario Building Code and current inadequate Ontario accessibility standards. This video is also available in 4 minute, 16 minute and 30 minute versions.

Related resources:

  • See resources listed under 73

 

Video 76) Title: Accessibility Problems at New Toronto Area Public Transit Stations (4 minute Version)

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrk5jRYpmfA&feature=youtu.be

Description: AODA Alliance chair David Lepofsky guides you through accessibility problems in a series of new and renovated public transit stations in Ontario. These show Ontario’s accessibility laws and Building Code are too weak and that design professionals need better accessibility training. This video has been used to alert senior public officials in Government and public transit, and design professionals, about the need to design the built environment to be fully accessible, well beyond what is required under the Ontario Building Code and current inadequate Ontario accessibility standards. This video is also available in a very condensed 2-minute version, as well as more detailed 16 and 30 minute versions.

Related resources:

  • See resources listed under 73

 

Video 77) Title: How to Design a Regulatory Law to Achieve Accessibility for People with Disabilities

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwRY-BI7jj0

Description: As a guest lecture in Professor Sean Rehaag’s fall 2020 Administrative Law course, visiting professor and AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky was invited to give a guest lecture on how a regulatory law might be designed to get organizations to provide accessibility to people with disabilities to their goods, services, facilities, and employment opportunities.

Related resources:

 

Video 78) Title: 2018-2019 Campaign to get Canada’s parliament to Pass a Strong Accessible Canada Act

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMdC0wi5FlM

Description: Lecture by AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky and Osgoode Hall Law School visiting professor David Lepofsky (AODA Alliance chair and Osgoode Hall visiting professor) on the grassroots disability activism campaign when Bill C-81 (the Accessible Canada Act) was before parliament, to get this bill strengthened. Sequel to his lecture on what Canada’s national accessibility legislation needs to include. He discusses what was sought, what was gained, and the strategies used. Note: This lecture can be viewed alone or can be used as a sequel to this video.

Related resources:

 

Video 79) Title: May 16, 1996 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s park News Conference

Link to video: https://youtu.be/cwmMCpAq4Zo

Description: In this captioned video, the ODA Committee held this May 16, 1996 news conference at the Ontario Legislature, Queen’s Park, moderated by its co-chair David Lepofsky, to press the Mike Harris Government to enact the promised Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Related resources

  • Text of the May 16, 1996 resolution passed by the Ontario Legislature on the Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
  • The Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee website.
  • “The Long Arduous Road to a Barrier-free Ontario for People with Disabilities: The History of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act – The First Chapter”, National Journal of Constitutional Law Volume 15, Number 2, Carswell, Toronto, April 2004, 15 NJCL 125-333

 

Video 80) Title: May 15, 1997 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s park News Conference

Link to video: https://youtu.be/hbnWMxYUm7s

Description: In this captioned video, the ODA Committee held this May 15, 1997 news conference at the Ontario Legislature, Queen’s Park, moderated by its co-chair David Lepofsky, to press the Mike Harris Government to enact the promised Ontarians with Disabilities Act. @aodaalliance

Related resources:

 

Video 81) Title: April 22, 1998 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

Link to video: https://youtu.be/CigfwuexyGQ

Description: In this captioned video, the ODA Committee held this April 22, 1998 news conference at the Ontario Legislature, Queen’s Park, moderated by its co-chair David Lepofsky, to present to all Ontario political parties its comprehensive blueprint for the promised Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Related resources:

 

Video 82) Title: August 4, 1998 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

Link to video: https://youtu.be/qMDpVif66xk

Description: In this captioned video, the August 4, 1998 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee news conference was held at Queen’s Park, the Ontario Legislature. It was moderated by co-chair David Lepofsky. The ODA Committee unveiled its plans for the Ontario Government’s public consultations on the promised Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Related resources:

  • Text of the ODA Committee’s August 4, 1998 presentation to Citizenship Minister Isabel Bassett.
  • The Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee website.
  • “The Long Arduous Road to a Barrier-free Ontario for People with Disabilities: The History of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act – The First Chapter”, National Journal of Constitutional Law Volume 15, Number 2, Carswell, Toronto, April 2004, 15 NJCL 125-333.

 

Video 83) Title: October 29, 1998 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News

Link to video: https://youtu.be/_n0ALyNdp1g

Description: In this captioned video, the October 29, 1998 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee news conference was held at Queen’s Park, the Ontario Legislature. It was moderated by co-chair David Lepofsky. The ODA Committee addressed the fact that it had just gotten the Legislature to unanimously pass a resolution calling for the promised Ontarians with Disabilities Act to incorporate eleven principles to make it strong and effective.

Related resources:

 

Video 84) Title: November 24, 1998 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

Link to video: https://youtu.be/hyUN4qWt9Cw

Description: In this captioned video, the ODA Committee held this November 24, 1998 news conference at the Ontario Legislature, Queen’s Park, moderated by its co-chair David Lepofsky. It addressed the 3-page Ontarians with Disabilities Act which the Mike Harris Conservative Government had introduced into the Legislature the previous day. That widely condemned bill died on the order paper days later.

Related resources:

 

Video 85) Title: April 14, 1999 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

Link to video: https://youtu.be/V_0oo5fWXLU

Description: The ODA Committee held this April 14, 1999 news conference at the Ontario Legislature, Queen’s Park, moderated by its Chair David Lepofsky, to press the Mike Harris Government to enact the promised Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Related resources:

 

Video 86) Title: June 8, 1999: Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

Link to video: https://youtu.be/3VD_xsMCqRA

Description: Right after the 1999 Ontario election, the ODA Committee held this June 8, 1999, news conference at the Ontario Legislature, Queen’s Park, moderated by its Chair David Lepofsky, to press the Mike Harris Government to enact the promised Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Related resources:

  • The ODA Committee’s June 7, 1999 news release.
  • The Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee website.
  • “The Long Arduous Road to a Barrier-free Ontario for People with Disabilities: The History of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act – The First Chapter”, National Journal of Constitutional Law Volume 15, Number 2, Carswell, Toronto, April 2004, 15 NJCL 125-333

 

Video 87) Title: March 27, 2000: Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

Link to video: https://youtu.be/idXi5s2vz94

Description: The ODA Committee held this March 27, 2000, news conference at the Ontario Legislature, Queen’s Park, moderated by its Chair David Lepofsky, to press the Mike Harris Government to enact the promised Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Related resources:

  • ODA Committee’s March 27, 2000 news release.
  • The Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee website.
  • “The Long Arduous Road to a Barrier-free Ontario for People with Disabilities: The History of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act – The First Chapter”, National Journal of Constitutional Law Volume 15, Number 2, Carswell, Toronto, April 2004, 15 NJCL 125-333

 

Video 88) Title: August 3, 2000: Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

Link to video: https://youtu.be/PDnKihwbGxQ

Description: The ODA Committee held this August 3, 2000, news conference at the Ontario Legislature, Queen’s Park, moderated by its Chair David Lepofsky, to press the Mike Harris Government to enact the promised Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Related resources:

 

Video 89) Title: Nov. 15, 2000 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

Link to video: https://youtu.be/4v-Im7H0sC4

Description: The ODA Committee held this November 15, 2000, news conference at the Ontario Legislature, Queen’s Park, moderated by its Chair David Lepofsky, five years after disability accessibility legislation was promised.

Related resources:

 

Video 90) Title: November 23, 2000: Queen’s Park News Conference by Ontario Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty

Link to video: https://youtu.be/68G6PSLAVAQ

Description: Ontario Opposition Leader and future Premier Dalton McGuinty held a news conference on November 23, 2000 at the Ontario Legislature’s Queen’s Park media studio. He announced the findings of the Ontario Liberal Party’s shadow consultations around Ontario on what the promised Ontario disability accessibility law should include.

Related resources:

 

Video 91) Title: May 10, 2005: Passing Bill 118 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act & News Conference

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlXQhgumpH4

Description: On May 10, 2005, the Ontario Legislature passed Bill 118, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. This is the final Third Reading vote passing the bill, and then the Ontario Government’s news conference held at Queen’s Park Toronto, including Citizenship Minister Marie Bountrogianni for the Ontario Government, David Lepofsky for the Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee and Doug DeRabbie for the Retail Council of Canada.

Related resources:

 

Video 92) Title: June 21, 2005: Celebrating Enactment of Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp3kEF0j7LU

Description: On June 21, 2005, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee held a celebration of the passage of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, at CNIB Toronto. Speakers include ODA Committee Chair David Lepofsky, Ontario Citizenship Minister Marie Bountrogianni, Ontario Conservative Party leader John Tory and MC Patti Bregman.

Related resources:

  • The Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee website.
  • “The Long Arduous Road to a Barrier-free Ontario for People with Disabilities: The History of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act – The First Chapter”, National Journal of Constitutional Law Volume 15, Number 2, Carswell, Toronto, April 2004, 15 NJCL 125-333

 

Video 93) Title: Nov. 9, 2006: Queen’s Park News Conference Human Rights Advocates Opposing Ontario Bill 107 Privatizing Enforcement of the Ontario Human Rights Code

Link to video: https://youtu.be/0u7V0NXP8q4

Description: The AODA Alliance (David Lepofsky), Metro Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic (Avvy Go) and the African Canadian Legal Clinic (Margaret Parsons) spoke at a news conference on November 9, 2006 at the Ontario Legislature’s Queen’s park Media Studio. They outline serious grassroots problems with the Ontario Government’s proposed Bill 107. That bill would reform and privatize how human rights (anti-discrimination) legislation would be enforced in Ontario. They presented an alternative solution to backlogs in the Ontario human rights system.

Related resources:

  • The history of the unfolding debate over Bill 107 in 2006, and its aftermath, recounted in detail on a special part of the AODA Alliance’s website, available at this link.
  • The November 27, 2006 AODA Alliance brief, calling for substantial amendments to Bill 107 before the Legislature passed it, available at this link.
  • The March 1, 2012 AODA Alliance brief to the Andrew Pinto Review which the Ontario Government appointed to review the effectiveness of Bill 107, available at this link.
  • The April 12, 2012 supplemental AODA Alliance brief to the Pinto Review (link here), which the Pinto Review refused to read (link here).
  • The November 2012 final report of the Andrew Pinto Review of Bill 107, available at this link.
  • The November 16, 2012 AODA Alliance analysis of the Andrew Pinto Bill 107 Review final report, available at this link.

 

Video 94) Title: Nov. 28, 2006 Queen’s Park News Conference Opposing Bill 107 Privatizing Human Rights Enforcement

Link to video: https://youtu.be/XRP4Qtb8CV0

Description: On November 28, 2006, a news conference was held at the Ontario Legislature’s Queen’s Park Media Studio to oppose the McGuinty Government’s imposing closure to shut down further public hearings in the Ontario Legislature on its Bill 107. Bill 107 would privatize enforcement of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Speakers at the news conference included Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory, New Democratic Party Member of the Legislature Peter Kormos, AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky, and former Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission Keith Norton.

Related resources:

  • The history of the unfolding debate over Bill 107 in 2006, and its aftermath, recounted in detail on a special part of the AODA Alliance’s website, available at this link.
  • The November 27, 2006 AODA Alliance brief, calling for substantial amendments to Bill 107 before the Legislature passed it, available at this link.
  • The March 1, 2012 AODA Alliance brief to the Andrew Pinto Review which the Ontario Government appointed to review the effectiveness of Bill 107, available at this link.
  • The April 12, 2012 supplemental AODA Alliance brief to the Pinto Review (link here), which the Pinto Review refused to read (link here).
  • The November 2012 final report of the Andrew Pinto Review of Bill 107, available at this link.
  • The November 16, 2012 AODA Alliance analysis of the Andrew Pinto Bill 107 Review final report, available at this link.

 

Video 95) Title: September 7, 2007: AODA Alliance Queen’s Park News Conference on Bill 107 which Privatized Enforcement of the Ontario Human Rights Code

Link to video: https://youtu.be/gRpZ8ytbvCs

Description: On September 7, 2007, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance held a news conference at the Ontario Legislature’s Queen’s Park Media Studio. Speaking was acting AODA Alliance Chair Dorine Winkler and AODA Alliance Human Rights Reform Representative and future Chair David Lepofsky. Held during the 2007 Ontario election campaign, the AODA Alliance made public the written elections commitments it had received from the political parties on making Ontario accessible for people with disabilities.

Related resources:

 

Video 96) Title: July 2, 2008: Queen’s Park News Conference Raising Concerns regarding Bill 107

Link to video: https://youtu.be/VNqM9iIqY3w

Description: On July 2, 2008, David Lepofsky, Chair of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance, and Avvy Go, executive director of the Metro Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, held a news conference at the Ontario Legislature’s Queen’s park Media Studio in Toronto. They identified serious problems in the launch of the recently enacted Bill 107. It privatized enforcement of Ontario’s anti-discrimination legislation, the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Related resources:

  • The history of the unfolding debate over Bill 107 in 2006, and its aftermath, recounted in detail on a special part of the AODA Alliance’s website, available at this link.
  • The November 27, 2006 AODA Alliance brief, calling for substantial amendments to Bill 107 before the Legislature passed it, available at this link.
  • The March 1, 2012 AODA Alliance brief to the Andrew Pinto Review which the Ontario Government appointed to review the effectiveness of Bill 107, available at this link.
  • The April 12, 2012 supplemental AODA Alliance brief to the Pinto Review (link here), which the Pinto Review refused to read (link here).
  • The November 2012 final report of the Andrew Pinto Review of Bill 107, available at this link.
  • The November 16, 2012 AODA Alliance analysis of the Andrew Pinto Bill 107 Review final report, available at this link.

 

Video 97) Title: Feb. 9 2009 AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky Addresses Select Committee on Government Agencies regarding the Implementation of Bill 107, which Privatized Enforcement of the Ontario Human Rights Code

Link to video: https://youtu.be/G3pr9eXdx3w

Description: On February 9, 2009, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Chair David Lepofsky addressed the Ontario Legislature’s Select Committee on Government Agencies. He identified serious problems with the enforcement of Ontario’s anti-discrimination legislation, the Ontario Human Rights Code since its enforcement was privatized under Bill 107.

Related resources:

  • The history of the unfolding debate over Bill 107 in 2006, and its aftermath, recounted in detail on a special part of the AODA Alliance’s website, available at this link.
  • The November 27, 2006 AODA Alliance brief, calling for substantial amendments to Bill 107 before the Legislature passed it, available at this link.
  • The March 1, 2012 AODA Alliance brief to the Andrew Pinto Review which the Ontario Government appointed to review the effectiveness of Bill 107, available at this link.
  • The April 12, 2012 supplemental AODA Alliance brief to the Pinto Review (link here), which the Pinto Review refused to read (link here).
  • The November 2012 final report of the Andrew Pinto Review of Bill 107, available at this link.
  • The November 16, 2012 AODA Alliance analysis of the Andrew Pinto Bill 107 Review final report, available at this link.

 

Video 98) Title: March 31, 2010: AODA Alliance Presentation to Ontario Legislature Standing Committee on Bill 231 Amending Ontario’s Elections Act

Link to video: https://youtu.be/wZjVjlgKI5M

Description: On March 31, 2010, the AODA Alliance address the Ontario Legislature’s Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly. Speaking was AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky. With him were AODA Alliance members Courtney Keystone and Orville Endicott. They called for Bill 231 to be strengthened so that voters with disabilities could vote privately and independently.

Related resources:

  • The AODA Alliance’s multi-year campaign to remove the voting barriers impeding voters with disabilities in Ontario, available at this link.
  • The March 17, 2010 AODA Alliance brief to the Ontario Legislature which recommended amendments to strengthen Bill 231, a 2010 law aimed at modernizing Ontario elections., available at this link.
  • The June 26, 2013 AODA Alliance analysis and critique of Elections Ontario’s report on telephone and internet voting, for which the AODA Alliance continues to advocate, available at this link.

 

Video 99) Title: September 2, 2011: AODA Alliance Queen’s Park News Conference on 2011 Election Commitments from Ontario Political Parties

Link to video: https://youtu.be/-PeZf9ER8fw

Description: On September 2, 2011, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance held a news conference at the Ontario Legislature’s Queen’s Park Media Studio in Toronto. AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky revealed commitments that the AODA Alliance had received from the political parties on making Ontario accessible to people with disabilities. This event was held during the 2011 Ontario general election.

Related resources:

 

Video 100) Title: Serious Disability Rights Issues Swirl Around Medical Assistance in Dying

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uijzAakl2A4

Description: Ethics Grand Rounds – January 26, 2023 Presented by the Centre for Clinical Ethics, Unity Health Toronto. With the practice of medical assistance in dying (MAID) expanding in Canada, and slated to expand even more, health care providers need to learn about serious disability and human rights concerns that have been raised. Are there sufficient safeguards in place? Is MAID going far beyond what the public understood and expected? How do disability concerns about MAID interact with the disability rights objections to and unresolved controversy surrounding the critical care triage protocol that all hospitals received two years ago, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? These issues are addressed in this presentation by Professor David Lepofsky, a disability rights advocate and Osgoode Hall Law School Visiting Professor of Disability Rights and Legal Education.

Related resources:

  • The AODA Alliance website’s Bill C-22 page, which contrasts the rapid expansion of medical assistance in dying to the slow and weak provision of new financial supports for those people with disabilities languishing in poverty.
  • Trudo Lemmens, “Charter Scrutiny of Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying Law and the Shifting Landscape of Belgian and Dutch Euthanasia Practice” (2018) 85 Supreme Court Law Review (2nd) 453-539
  • The ARCH Disability Law Centre’s November 25, 2020 submission to the Senate of Canada on Bill C-7 regarding medical assistance in dying.
  • The AODA Alliance website’s critical care triage protocol page, to compare and see parallels in how the lives of people with disabilities were made even more vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic by Ontario’s critical care triage protocol.

 

Video 101) Title: Tips for Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees or Special Education Advisory Committees

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdBCrEtZJAk

Description: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Chair David Lepofsky gives practical tips for members of a municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee or Special Education Advisory Committee in Ontario on how to effectively advocate as a member of one of these official advisory bodies.

Related resources:

  • Introduction to the duty to accommodate people with disabilities, see video here.
  • People with disabilities, see video here.
  • Introduction to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, see video here.
  • Overview of the K-12 Education Standards Development Committee final report, see video here.
  • Tips for parents of students with disabilities on how to advocate for their child at school, see video here.
  • The AODA Alliance website’s education page.

 

Video 102) Title: Extended version of David Lepofsky Opening Statement Senate Social Affairs Committee: Bill C-22!

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BelOnQPgrc0

Description: This is an edited 35.5 minute version containing Q & A following the opening statement by Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Chair David Lepofsky to Canada’s Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, calling for amendments to strengthen Bill C-22, the proposed Canada Disability Benefit Act, on April 27, 2023. The entire senate proceedings, including witness testimony by Professor Michael Prince, is available through the Parliament’s website at https://senparlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony under the April 27th Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs – SOCI meeting #51.

Related resources:

  • The AODA Alliance’s briefto the Senate’s SOCI Standing Committee, listing the key needed amendments.
  • The widely-viewed AODA Alliance 7-minute video, showing how the Trudeau Government has flip-flopped on whether the House of Commons should have amended the bill.
  • The AODA Alliance website’s Bill C-22 page, which shows our efforts to strengthen this proposed new law.

 

Video 103) Title: David Lepofsky Opening Statement Senate Social Affairs Committee: Strengthen Bill C-22!

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqNEifLirS4

Description: April 27, 2023 opening statement by Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Chair David Lepofsky to Canada’s Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, calling for amendments to strengthen Bill C-22, the proposed Canada Disability Benefit Act.

Related resources:

  • The AODA Alliance’s briefto the Senate’s SOCI Standing Committee, listing the key needed amendments.
  • The widely-viewed AODA Alliance 7-minute video, showing how the Trudeau Government has flip-flopped on whether the House of Commons should have amended the bill.
  • The AODA Alliance website’s Bill C-22 page, which shows our efforts to strengthen this proposed new law.

 

Video 104) Title: Interview on TVO’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin” — Is Ontario Doing Enough for Students with Disabilities?

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0ikc7C31kY

Description: How well is the province doing at ensuring students with disabilities get the kind of education they deserve? On March 28, 2023,TVO’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin interviewed David Lepofsky, the volunteer chair of the AODA Alliance. On the same day that this interview later aired, Ontario’s Education Minister tweeted: “@SFLecce The best educator. That’s what students deserve.” This interview however shows that in an Ontario school system full of disability barriers, that too often is not what students with disabilities now get. This is so due to failed Ontario Government leadership and despite the best intentions and efforts of Ontario’s front-line teachers and other education workers.

Related resources:

  • In this interview, David Lepofsky referred to the K-12 Education Standards Development Committee’s final report. It documents the serious barriers impeding students with disabilities in Ontario schools and makes detailed recommendations for reform.
  • Instead of reading that entire report, learn about its reform roadmap by watching a captioned video by AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky that summarizes it.
  • During the interview, David Lepofsky talked in part about serious barriers impeding students with vision loss. He has extensive first-hand experience with those barriers. Learn more about those by visiting the Ontario Parents of Visually Impaired Children website’s advocacy page.
  • David Lepofsky told Steve Paikin that the Ontario Parents of Visually Impaired Children has twice written Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce, asking him to direct his Ministry to take action on the unfair barriers facing students with vision loss. The Minister has not answered either letter. This is just one illustration of the many barriers facing students with disabilities. You can read OPVIC’s April 6, 2021 letter to Education Minister Stephen Lecce, and OPVIC’s January 29, 2023 letter to Stephen Lecce.

 

Video 105) Title: Dec 12 1980 David Lepofsky at Parliamentary Committee on Constitution of Canada

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBdYFUtAslc

Description: December 12 1980 presentation by David Lepofsky on behalf of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind to the Joint Special Committee of the Senate and House of Commons on the Constitution of Canada on the need to include disability equality in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms This recording makes David Lepofsky’s voice sound higher pitch than it actually was at the time. 😉 (Smile!) Background on this presentation at www.odacommittee.net/ODA_Bill_125_news21.html.

Related resources:

  • Transcript of the three disability organizations’ presentations in the 1980 fall to the Joint Committee calling for the Charter disability amendment.
  • Captioned video of the December 12, 1980 presentation by David Lepofsky to the Joint Committee, on behalf of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. He is now chair of the AODA Alliance.
  • Transcript of the initial refusal on January 12, 1981 by federal Justice Minister Jean Chretien to agree to the disability amendment, which he announced during his appearance before the Joint committee – a decision the Federal Government reversed forty years ago today.
  • Online captioned lecture at the Osgoode Hall Law School by AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky on the history of the campaign for the Charter disability amendment.

 

Video 106) Title: Trudeau Liberals’ Flip-Flop Oppose then support Amending Bill C-22 Canada Disability Benefit Act

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoOYYY6ki6k

Description: In early 2023, Canada’s Senate was considering the weak Bill C-22, the proposed Canada Disability Benefit Act, promised to lift people with disabilities out of poverty. The AODA Alliance called on Canada’s Senate to strengthen it with amendments. This video shows how the Justin Trudeau Liberals first opposed amending this bill in the House of Commons in the fall of 2022, and then flip-flopped. The video shows Liberal Members of Parliament Irek Kusmierczyk and Wayne Long saying that several amendments that the opposition parties had proposed were excellent. Moderated by AODA Alliance Chair David Lepofsky, this video shows this flip-flop and argued that in the Senate, the Trudeau Liberals should not again flip-flop, trying to get the Senate not to make any more amendments to the bill to strengthen it.

Related resources:

 

Video 107) Title: June 2 1995 – CityTV News – David Onley interviews David Lepofsky and PC leader Mike Harris

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lqmN-V10uM

Description: In this June 2, 1995 City TV news report, reporter and future Ontario Lieutenant Governor David Onley interviewed David Lepofsky and future Ontario Premier Mike Harris about disability accessibility. The brand-new Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee staged their first public event to get media coverage of the need for Ontario to pass a disability accessibility law. This City TV news report covers their converging on an all-candidates debate in the 1995 Ontario provincial election held at an inaccessible school.

Related resources:

 

Video 108) Title: David Lepofsky as witness with Question and Answer at Bill C-22 session at parliament, Nov, 14, 2022

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Kq-DVtTu1s

Description: The House of Commons Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) Standing Committee questions the AODA Alliance Chair for his perspective. This is a portion of a longer session with other witnesses, followed by a Q&A session involving various ministers of parliament and all witnesses. A just-under 8 minutes video of David Lepofsky’s presentation is also available on this channel.

Related resources:

  • The November 14, 2022 open letter on Bill C-22, originally signed by 37 organizations (later increased to 41) from six provinces across Canada, that the AODA Alliance tabled with the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
  • The AODA Alliance website’s Bill C-22 page, which shows its efforts to strengthen this proposed new law.

 

Video 109) Title: Feb 1 2005 ODA Committee at Legislature: Bill 118 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iA4pHAJK9U

Description: On February 1, 2005, Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Chair David Lepofsky addressed the Ontario Legislature’s Standing Committee on Social Policy to propose amendments to Bill 118, the McGuinty Liberal Government’s proposed Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005.

Related resources:

  • The ODA Committee’s January 26, 2005 brief to the Ontario Legislature’s Standing Committee on Social Policy on Bill 118, the proposed Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
  • The Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee website
  • “The Long Arduous Road to a Barrier-free Ontario for People with Disabilities: The History of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act – The First Chapter”, National Journal of Constitutional Law Volume 15, Number 2, Carswell, Toronto, April 2004, 15 NJCL 125-333

 

Video 110) Title: May 16, 1996 Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee Queen’s Park News Conference

Link to video: https://youtu.be/cwmMCpAq4Zo

Description: In this captioned video, the ODA Committee held this May 16, 1996 news conference at the Ontario Legislature, Queen’s Park, moderated by its co-chair David Lepofsky, to press the Mike Harris Government to enact the promised Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Related resources

  • Text of the May 16, 1996 resolution passed by the Ontario Legislature on the Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
  • The Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee website.
  • “The Long Arduous Road to a Barrier-free Ontario for People with Disabilities: The History of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act – The First Chapter”, National Journal of Constitutional Law Volume 15, Number 2, Carswell, Toronto, April 2004, 15 NJCL 125-333