Ontario is moving forward with a certification program to encourage businesses to be leaders in accessibility.
Economic Development and Infrastructure Minister Brad Duguid made the announcement at Sarnia's Imperial Theatre Friday morning.
The program, inspired by the success of 'LEED' designation for green buildings, will advance work towards an accessible province by 2025.
"We think if we did the same thing for buildings on accessibility," says Duguid. "It'll be a great incentive for businesses to go above and beyond to make their buildings, businesses and organizations more accessible."
Duguid says the province will consult with various stakeholders including industry, municipalities and disability advocates to develop a voluntary, third-party certification program.
"It opens up doors and opportunities for those businesses," says Duguid. "(It will) open their doors to more customers and open their doors to a segment of our society, our workers that can be very productive and contribute to businesses."
The minister used the Imperial Theatre as a backdrop for his announcement, saying it's an example of what they're trying to achieve in terms of accessibility.
"The Imperial Theatre is a fantastic best practice in Ontario of an organization that opens up its doors to people with disabilities," says Duguid.
Imperial Theatre Manager Brian Austin says they have strived to become as accessible as possible. Their amenities include assisted hearing devices, accessible bathrooms, accessible theatre seating, and a lowered customer service box office to accommodate those in wheelchairs.
The accessible seating area is located on floor level and accommodates eight full-sized wheelchairs with removable seating for family or caregivers to attend the performance as well.
"We're really, really proud of the strides that we have made in accessibility, but there's always room for improvement," says Austin.
One in seven Ontarians have a disability, a number that is expected to increase to one in five by 2035.
