The City of Toronto is committed to creating a barrier free city in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). By meeting or exceeding the AODA design standards, the City is improving the accessibility and consistency of our streets and sidewalks. In addition, the City has an Accessibility Design Guidelines which are applied to all City infrastructure to ensure our City is safe and accessible for all users.
The Toronto Accessibility Design Guidelines (TADG) include best practices which can be used by all sectors to conduct accessibility audits and to plan for barrier-free development in the physical environment.
Based on the human rights principles of respect, dignity and inclusion, the Guidelines are a key component of the City’s Accessibility Plan.
The Accessibility Guidelines are the result of the collaborative effort among community and professional experts working with City staff and Members of Council.
By January 1, 2016 the City must comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), under Part IV.1 of O.Reg 191/11 on the built environment for all newly constructed or redeveloped infrastructure.
As part of these requirements a number of accessibility improvements are being implemented across the City, including raised profile tactile walking surface indicators are being installed at the bottom edge of curb ramps and depressed curbs.
For further details please consult the AODA Design of Public Spaces Standards (Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment), Part IV.1 of Ontario Regulation 191/11.
Learn more on tactile walking surface indicators, including their specifications and associated construction standards.
Learn more on Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS), how they work and the current inventory of locations.