This could be due to a number of factors including the Commission's diminishing credibility within the disabled community, and the unwillingness of persons with disabilities to expend their energy in a process which they do not believe will address their issues, on an individual or systemic basis, in a timely fashion. We submit that enforcement of measures to secure barrier-free access for persons with disabilities has to be under the rubric of a new and effective enforcement agency which is adequately funded and which possesses the necessary powers of enforcement and expertise to do justice to the measures. A comprehensive set of regulations, developed in consultation with the stakeholders, should accompany the legislation. Such Regulations would govern the enforcement of the Act and represent the minimum standards. The Regulations would give specific direction to the target sectors on which barriers to remove, which to avoid and how to do it.
Incentives are only useful if they work.
The Discussion Paper makes reference to tax incentives which, according to our reading, only applies to large corporations. Such incentives and subsidies should be applied to all modifications for accessibility. It would be of benefit for the government to establish partnerships and alliances with, and fund, well-established organizations of persons with disabilities. This would provide education, training, expertise and support for compliance with the Act, to those affected by the new legislation. A broad definition of disability should be applied in the new Act.