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Appalling 8-Year Delay For a Blind Job Applicant to Win an Open-and-Shut Disability Discrimination Case at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario

David Lepofsky, AODA Alliance, December Metroland Column, December 17, 2025
It is inexcusable that it took a blind job applicant eight long years to win an open-and-shut case of disability discrimination in employment. In 2017, a blind St. Catharines resident with two computer-related diplomas applied for a job in a local call centre. His application was turned down. He filed a complaint of disability discrimination with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Eight long years later, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ruled that he was the victim of unlawful disability discrimination. The employer hadn’t fulfilled its duty to accommodate his disability in the workplace or its duty to investigate solutions. It was open to the company under the Human Rights Code to present evidence proving that it was impossible to do anything more to fulfil these duties to him, without suffering “undue hardship.” The tribunal ruled that the company didn’t prove this defence. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act requires the Ontario Government to have led Ontario to be accessible to people with disabilities by 2025 in several areas, including employment. The Government passed a very weak Employment Accessibility Standard in 2011. On January 22, 2019, the Ford Government received the final report of the Government-appointed Employment Standards Development Committee with recommendations to strengthen that accessibility standard.
St. Catharines’ discrimination case illustrates dire need for independent review of Ontario’s human rights tribunal:
Diona Macalinga, CBC News, December 9, 2025
Kamil Karamali, CTV News, November 29, 2025
David Lepofsky, Halton Region News, December 17, 2025

Pressiqa: Top 10 Leading Speakers to Follow in 2025

David Best is a digital communication strategist who helps organizations improve productivity, scalability, and market reach through innovation and inclusive design. With a degree in software engineering and experience at IBM Canada, he has developed performance-driven strategies that enable businesses to access untapped markets and strengthen customer engagement through digital accessibility. Blinded in childhood, David combines lived experience with technical expertise, making him a recognized speaker and facilitator who challenges leaders to rethink how they engage both talent and customers with disabilities. His approach demonstrates how accessibility not only removes barriers but also creates measurable value and competitive advantage. Guided by the belief that investing in people builds resilient organizations and stronger communities, David equips businesses with the tools to thrive in an increasingly diverse marketplace. SpeakersTop 10 Speakers

Woman in Callander files Ontario human rights complaint arguing municipal building isn’t accessible

Jonathan Migneault, CBC News, Sudbury, June 23, 2025
A woman from Callander has filed a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario against the municipality and the province over her concerns around accessibility at the northern town’s municipal building. Chantal Cormier, who uses a wheelchair, says ramp is needed as 2nd entrance is too steep. Chantal Cormier uses a wheelchair due to an accident a decade ago that left her unable to walk. She argues the municipality of Callander, located south of North Bay, has failed to make its municipal building accessible for people with disabilities. The building is where town council meets and residents go to access some municipal services. This barrier didn’t just arise last week, or last year, or in 2023 or 2022. – David Lepofsky, disability advocate.