FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Disability advocates say thousands will lose access to Wheel-Trans under TTC “screening out” program
June 15, 2021 (Toronto, ON) -- Disability advocates are raising the alarm about the TTC’s plans to move forward with a “screening out” program. A report being debated at the TTC Board on June 16, 2021 says that the agency plans to “divert” 50% of Wheel-Trans users to using the conventional TTC for parts of their trips by 2025.
“Don’t screen us out of Wheel-Trans access!” said TTCriders Accessibility Committee member Adam Cohoon. “It is completely unacceptable to force disabled people onto overcrowded buses where people are not wearing masks.”
The TTC should be making transit more accessible, not less,” said David Meyers of the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto, Inc. “Yet the program to screen out existing Wheel-Trans users could see people lose their independence and transit accessibility rights at a time when the existing system is falling further behind schedule on its AODA obligation to make the TTC fully accessible by 2025."
“Seniors will become isolated and confined to their homes if they get screened out,” said Adina Lebo of the Toronto Seniors Forum. “Some seniors who have already lost access to Wheel-Trans say that the conventional system is inaccessible and they are terrified for their safety.”
Advocates are calling for a pause of the program. “Until the TTC is completely accessible, screening people out of Wheel-Trans is not an option,” said Cohoon. “Instead of trying to save money by screening out disabled people, the TTC needs more funding from all levels of government.”
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MEDIA CONTACT: Shelagh Pizey-Allen, TTCriders, [email protected]
LINK TO REPORT: http://ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Commission_reports_and_information/Commission_meetings/2021/June_16/Reports/4_Wheel_Trans_Transformation_Program_2021_Update.pdf