Coming soon: disability access rules for agritourism

Monday, December 6, 2010

by Mary Baxter

A provincial strategy to improve accessibility for people with disabilities is taking its first  steps into the private sector with the introduction of mandatory customer service standards in 2012.

But there won't be any scrambling at Don and Julie Budd's farm to meet these new requirements – or others as they come into force.

The Budds own Leaping Deere Legends Corn Maze and Museum east of Ingersoll in Oxford County. The 370-acre farm combines cash crops with an agritourism business that includes a farm store, event facility, corn maze and a collection of vintage farm implements.

From the washroom serving the store and museum to the corn maze outside, everything here is accessible. The motivation behind the improvements is personal: As a child, Don spent time in a wheelchair, says Julie, and they have other family members who rely on wheelchairs as well. "I guess it was just a given for us that we would make sure there was farm fun for everyone," she says. "That's our mission statement."

In July, the couple's initiative netted them provincial recognition in the form of a Premier's award for agri-food innovation excellence.

Some of the accessibility features at the farm were introduced earlier this year when the couple built an addition to their museum. Most of these, such as an accessible washroom, are required by the provincial building code. Dwayne Daniel, chief building official for South-West Oxford Township where the Budds' farm is located, explains that the code's requirements apply to buildings intended to be accessible to the public. They are triggered by new construction or renovations that change a building's use.

But many of the farm's features are not required under current legislation. There's a tie-down system on a wagon to secure a wheelchair or scooter. The corn maze paths are groomed and packed. In the animal shed, a hand wash station at wheelchair level and a desk make it easy for students with disabilities to participate in activities.

The Budds are well prepared for the gradual introduction of new accessibility standards, but others in Ontario's farm community might be surprised to learn of what's coming down the pike. "I don't think most people know about it at this point," says Cathy Bartolic, executive director of the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association. Bartolic is organizing a session on the new standard, which comes into effect in 2012, for the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association convention in February.

Bartolic describes the standard's rules as "not hugely onerous." Some of it "is common sense; some of it is good customer service policy, anyway."

The standard requires businesses that employ more than one employee to develop a policy about providing their goods or services to people with disabilities and how they might accommodate the supports they might use, such as a wheelchair, walker, guide dog or support person. Businesses must train staff in their policies and provide a way for people to offer feedback on them. Those with more than 20 employees must make their policy publicly available.

"It's not like everyone has to pave their parking lots and make sure that wheelchairs are totally accessible on the farm or anything like that," says Bartolic, though she notes that there are some fuzzy areas which need clarification.

What's meant by 20 employees, for example. More farmers would be required to publicize their policy if part-time employees are included than if the regulation only refers to full-time employees. Guidelines are needed on whether people with disabilities can bring in service animals, she adds. Sometimes people are using animals other than guide dogs and "there's no identification on whether they're really service animals or not." That can create awkwardness in a food setting. "It's trying to understand what has precedence – is it the health requirements or these requirements?"

Farmers who charge admission fees to farm attractions will also need to provide information ahead of time if there's a charge for someone accompanying a person with a disability. "A lot of (our members) have a policy around that," Bartolic says. "It varies from farm to farm."

The standardis the first of five to do with access and disabilities that the provincial government plans to introduce. "People with disabilities spend some $25 billion every year in Canada," explains Charlotte Wilkinson, a spokesperson for the ministry of community and social services. "As boomers enter retirement, the number of people needing some form of accommodation will skyrocket."

The other standards will address: built environments, such as buildings and other structures; employment; information and communications; and transportation. The goal is to have all standards in place by 2025. So far, only the customer service standard has made it to law. Social Services Minister Madeleine Miller is reviewing a final draft of the built environment standard that would apply to interior and exterior spaces. It proposes that businesses must comply within two years of the standard being adopted as law.

Expansions and a change of use or new building projects would trigger its terms.

Just how much should we expect this might eventually add to a farmgate business' costs?

Back at the Budd farm, the bathroom toilet cost $500 and the support bars are not the kind you can pick up at Sears, says Julie. The tie-down system on the wagon cost around $700 to install.

"All those things are pricey items," Julie says. "It takes many, many individuals to help pay for that." BF