Professionals

Bob Topping
Affiliation: Architect, Designable Environments Inc.
Region: Ontario
Contact Information:
(905) 278-0665
bob.topping@designable.net

Involvement in VisitAbility/Universal Design:
Bob Topping is a Canadian architect. For over 20 years he has focused his work on accessibility issues and universal design through his consulting company, Designable Environments Inc. Bob has worked as an accessibility specialist on many projects in Canada including the Mississauga Bus Rapid Transit System, Air Canada Centre, Ricoh Coliseum, Windsor Casino and the Four Seasons Center for the Performing Arts. As the author of numerous municipal accessibility design standards, and through his work on technical committees for both Canadian and international accessibility standards, Bob has extensive experience in accessibility-related legislation and standards development, including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Collinda Joseph
Affiliation:
Office for Disability Issues
Region: Ontario
Contact Information: collinda.joseph@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca

Involvement in VisitAbility/Universal Design:
Collinda Joseph was formerly involved with CMHC’s FlexHousing program. She has been on the provincial committee for the Accessible Built Environment Standard for the AODA, as well as other committees pertaining to accessibility. She is well versed in VisitAbility as well.

Ken Ruest
Affiliation: CMHC
Region: Ontario
Contact Information: kruest@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Involvement in VisitAbility/Universal Design:
Ken Ruest has been involved in FlexHousing program and Universal Design and is knowledgeable about VisitAbility.

Christopher Simmonds
Affiliation: Christopher Simmons Architect
Region: Ottawa, Ontario
Contact Information: http://www.csarchitect.com/portfolio/ociso-den-haag/
Tel: 613.567.7888
Toll Free: 888.578.5678
45 Eccles Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 6S3

Barry J Hobin
Affiliation: Barry J. Hobin & Associates Architects Inc.
Region: Ontario
Contact Information:
Email: mail@hobinarc.com
Telephone: 613-238-7200
63 Pamilla Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 3K7
http://www.hobinarc.com/projects/portfolio/beaver-barracks/

Involvement in VisitAbility/Universal Design:
He has been involved in the City of Ottawa’s affordable housing, such as Beaver Barracks and most recently the 100% VisitAble Longfields project.

AccessAbility Advantage
Contact Information:
Phone: 416-598-0813
Email: info@AccessAbilityAdvantage.ca
10 Overlea Blvd. Toronto, Ontario, M4H 1A4

Ivan Martinovic, OAA, FRAIC
Affiliation: Archdesign Group Limited, Architects
Contact Information:
181 Cranbrooke Avenue, Toronto, ON M5M 1M6
Phone 416-913-0426
Email info@archdesign.com

Michael Saunders C.Tech, CSAHD
Affiliation: Home Accessibility Consultant / Architectural Designer
Contact Information:
71 Dewell Cres.
Courtice, ON L1E 0B8
(905) 410-6986
saundersaccess@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/SaundersAccess

Involvement in VisitAbility/Universal Design:
I am an architectural designer and home accessibility consultant with training and experience in VisitAble Housing.

Organizations

The Affordable Housing Unit, the City of Ottawa
Region: Ottawa, Ontario
Contact Information:
Saide Sayah, Program Manager
Housing Services Branch
Community and Social Services Department
City of Ottawa, 100 Constellation Crescent, 8th Floor, Ottawa, Ontario K2G 6J8
Phone: (613) 580-2424 ext. 43083

Involvement in VisitAbility:
The Affordable Housing Unit has developed several social housing projects which are 100% VisitAble.

Accessibility Professional Designation, Ontario Home Builders Association
Region: Ontario
Contact Information:
http://ohba.ca/accessibility-professional-designation

Involvement in VisitAbility:
Accessibility Professional Designation is a certificate program for members of the Ontario Home Builders Association. The program provides online training and resources on building accessible homes.

READ (Research Education Accessibility Design) Initiative, Carleton University
Region: Ottawa, Ontario
Contact Information:
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6
Phone: 613 520-2600 Ext. 1144
Email: READ_Initiative@carleton.ca
http://carleton.ca/read/

Involvement in VisitAbility:
The READ Initiative conducts research and solution based projects on accessibility. The staff people are familiar with the VisitAbility.

Policies and Legislation

Name of Policy/Legislation: Ontario Building Code, 3.8.2.1
Amended: 2013
Features: The Ontario Building Code, 3.8.2.1 now requires VisitAbility (Barrier-Free path and other relevant features) in 15% of Group C Major Occupancy Apartment Building units.
Source: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/source/regs/english/2013/elaws_src_regs_r13368_e.htm

Name of Policy/Legislation: Ottawa Accessibility Design Standards
Amended: 2015
Features: The City of Ottawa’s Accessibility Design Standards update in 2015 includes a section on VisitAbility.

Name of Policy/Legislation: Ontario Renovates
Region: Ontario
Source: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=9288
Feature: The Ontario Renovates program is funded by the federal and provincial governments through the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) program. The Ontario Renovates Program offers financial assistance to low to moderate income families to increase accessibility of their unit through modifications and adaptation. For more information, click the link above.