Weekend: Disability Rights and Wrongs: A Guide to Action with David Lepofsky

Ontario’s promise of full accessibility by 2025 has fallen short. Disability advocate David Lepofsky joins Steven Scott and Shaun Preece to explore why the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) missed its goal, what went wrong in enforcement, and how grassroots advocacy can drive real change.

In this episode of Double Tap Weekend, we revisit Ontario’s 20-year journey under the AODA. Passed in 2005 with a bold vision of full accessibility by January 1, 2025, the law has failed to deliver on its promise. Independent reviews across 2010, 2015, 2019, and 2023 highlighted systemic gaps and weak enforcement, yet most recommendations were ignored.

David Lepofsky, retired lawyer and chair of the AODA Alliance, shares insights into why progress has been slow—from poorly designed public infrastructure like billion-dollar courthouses and transit stations to the absence of strong government leadership and enforcement. He explains how grassroots advocacy, social media, and community-led action can hold institutions accountable, and introduces Disability Rights and Wrongs: The David LePodcast, his initiative to teach everyday people how to become effective barrier-busters.

Through personal stories, practical tips, and examples from healthcare, education, and urban planning, this discussion provides a toolkit for anyone looking to push for meaningful inclusion.

Relevant Links

AODA Alliance: http://www.aodaalliance.org

Disability Rights and Wrongs Podcast: Search “David LePodcast” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Downcast