Nikki Zhang CDNS 4901 Heritage Conservation and Sustainability

Nikki Zhang CDNS 4901 - Heritage Conservation and Sustainability Sustainable Heritage Case Study Dec 8 th, 2014 Accessible Heritage, an Imperative for Sustainable Heritage Conservation Accessible Heritage Initiative (Ontario Historical Society)

Accessible Heritage Initiative Ontario Historical Society Accessibility Directorate of Ontario Spencer, A. (2014). A Message from the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario. Retrieved 2014, Nov 24, from Ontario Historical Society: http: //www. ontariohistoricalsociety. ca/en/Accessible_Heritage_127

Lessons Canada, as a nation, is actively addressing the essential human rights issue of achieving universal accessibility for persons with disabilities— this must be an integral part of the sustainable heritage conservation movement as well. According to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, people are not disabled, poorly designed environments create barriers that disable people. Making heritage available to future generations is the core purpose of conservation, which should include people of all abilities.

Image 2 Canadian Museum for Human Rights Mbjobs. (2014). Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Retrieved 2014, Nov 24, from Mbjobs: http: //www. mbjobs. ca/Employers/1463

Description The Assessable Heritage program initiated with the publication of the Accessible Heritage Tool Kit, a resource for managers of heritage properties to improve barrierfree access. It was developed in partnership by the Ontario Historical Society and the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario in response to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005).

Timeline Establishment of the Ontario Historical Society | 1888 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act | 2005 Last amendment | December 15, 2009 Accessible Heritage Initiative | 2008 Accessible Heritage - An Accessibility Tool Kit For Ontario's Heritage Organizations and Institutions published by The Ontario Historical Society partnered with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario | 2008 Accessibility Standard for Customer Service implemented by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure Businesses & organizations | January 1, 2012 Public sector and large Ontario businesses | January 1, 2014 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Implementation Goal | January 1, 2025

Natural/Cultural Heritage Improving accessibility in historic buildings and sites poses unique challenges for conservation architects, especially in designated National Historic Sites. Traditional conservation viewpoints present potential conflicts between universal-design and heritage conservation New attitudes about human rights and sustainable heritage conservation are synergistic.

Environmental Sustainability Making existing buildings adaptable to future needs is more resilient, and saves infrastructure waste and embodied energy. A major component of environmental sustainability is biodiversity, which includes the human genome. Our built environment should be supportive of human diversity.

Socio-economic Sustainability Accessible tourism is a growing market as the Canadian population is ageing. With the AODA, and updates in other standards, places that are inaccessible will not be allowed to continue to operate.

Socio-cultural Sustainability Consider intangible heritage and the sense of place. Keeping a place alive with community involvement is as important to preserving heritage value as its physical structure, and people of all abilities should be able to fully participate. Promoting cultural diversity, differently-abled populations have history and culture that should be visible and shared. An essential step is to remove the barriers that inhibit different cultures from interacting.

Stakeholders Organizer: Ontario Historical Society Organizing Partner: Accessibility Directorate of Ontario Legislating Bodies: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Ontario Human Rights Code, Ontario Building Code. Target organizations: heritage properties, local historic sites, community museums Communities of interest: Council of Canadians with Disabilities, Citizens with Disabilities — Ontario, Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD), Dis. Abled Women's Network Canada (DAWN Canada), National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS), National Network for Mental Health (NNMH), People First of Canada, Thalidomide Victims Association of Canada

ASL interpretation provided for the Museum Highlights Tour, ROM, Toronto Government of Ontario. (2014). Access Programs and Services. Retrieved from ROM: http: //www. rom. on. ca/en/visitus/accessibility/access-programs-and-services

Tactile Tour, ROM, Toronto Government of Ontario. (2014). Access Programs and Services. Retrieved from ROM: http: //www. rom. on. ca/en/visitus/accessibility/access-programs-and-services

References Disabilities, C. o. (2013). Member Organizations. Retrieved from Council of Canadians with Disabilities: http: //www. ccdonline. ca/en/about/members Government of Ontario. (2014). Access Programs and Services. Retrieved from ROM: http: //www. rom. on. ca/en/visitus/accessibility/access-programs-and-services mbjobs. (2014, Nov 24). Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Retrieved from mbjobs: http: //www. mbjobs. ca/Employers/1463 Queen's Printer for Ontario. (2008). About the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Retrieved from Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure: http: //www. mcss. gov. on. ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/understanding_accessibility/aoda. aspx Service. Ontario. (2009, Dec 15). Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. Retrieved from E-laws Ontario: http: //www. e-laws. gov. on. ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_05 a 11_e. htm Spencer, A. (2014, Nov 24). A Message from the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario. Retrieved from Ontario Historical Society: http: //www. ontariohistoricalsociety. ca/en/Accessible_Heritage_127 The Ontario Historical Society. (2014). About. Retrieved from The Ontario Historical Society: http: //www. ontariohistoricalsociety. ca/en/