Will Toronto’s housing plan be accessible?

In the push to build more housing, especially affordable housing, the city must not overlook the need for accessible housing. New housing units built with city support must include features that make them practical living spaces for people with disabilities. Units need to be designed with disabled people in mind. They must have extra wide doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, kitchens tailored for wheelchairs and bathrooms with reinforced walls for grab bars.

These need not add significantly to the cost of units, provided they are incorporated at the design stage. Units that include such features make it possible to age in place, delaying or avoiding stays in long-term care.

Brian Deming, Toronto