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The Brampton Guardian
Accessibility plans finding obstacles at school board
Friday July 3 2009
Roger Belgrave

BRAMPTON - While Queen’s Park intensifies efforts towards making Ontario barrier-free for the disabled, Peel’s public school board is trying hard not to lose focus on achieving the government’s goal.

Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the province is aiming to make the province accessible for people with disabilities, by 2025, through various standards for the public and private sector. The act was passed into law June 2005 and is being implemented in stages.

Public sector organizations will have to comply with the first standard, related to customer service, by 2010. School boards and others will have to establish policies, practices and procedures on providing goods or services to people with disabilities. The private sector has until 2012.
For several years now, school boards and other organizations have been required to develop and implement annual accessibility plans under the new legislation and the Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

The Peel District School Board failed to approve an annual plan for the past school year as required by Ontario law. The board group formed to spearhead work on accessibility issues has seldom met to discuss an up-to-date plan or the approaching customer service standards.

However, school board officials insist the board will re-commit itself to meeting those legislative requirements next year and working to eliminate barriers for disabled people in its schools and offices.
Ebenezer Community Centre will get a second life thanks to funding
Thursday July 2 2009
By PAM DOUGLAS
BRAMPTON - The historic Ebenezer Community Centre was under threat of The Gore Road widening, but a recent funding announcement has secured its future.

The building will be relocated on the same site, away from the roadway, and the funding will even provide...

At-risk youth get valuable work experience
Thursday July 2 2009
BRAMPTON - Nearly 200 disadvantaged youth in Peel Region will gain valuable work experience courtesy of a summer job program supported by the Ontario government.

"This program will expose our young people to positive work experiences which will...

Bar fight leads to stabbing
Thursday July 2 2009
BRAMPTON - A Brampton man is in hospital with a stab wound to the chest after a bar brawl early Thursday morning, Peel police report.

The 20-year-old was at All-Stars Bar on Lisa Street in the area of Clark Boulevard and Dixie Road at 1:45 a.m. when a fight...