Pictured is a sign for an accessible washroom and an automatic door opener on the upper level of the CMCC. These are some of the building requirements outlined in Ontario’s Accessibility legislation designed to make facilities and outdoor spaces more accessible to people with disabilities. Other examples of features with that in mind are the surface bumps on sidewalks at intersections warning pedestrians of the road location and the strategically placed disabled parking spots.
All municipalities must adhere to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) which was enacted to increase the capacity of people with disabilities to have equal opportunities within municipalities. To meet this objective, Council has established a volunteer advisory committee to provide advice regarding the requirements and implementation of Ontario’s accessibility standards.
Under this legislation, the majority of committee should be persons with disabilities, defined as a) a degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by injury, birth defect or illness, and includes epilepsy, brain injury, paralysis, amputation, visual and hearing impairment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or a remedial appliance or device, reliance on a wheelchair; or b) a condition of mental impairment or develop-mental disability or c) a learning disability of dysfunction in a mental process or comprehension in spoken language, or d) a mental disorder.
The role of the committee is to provide advice regarding the preparation, implementation and effectiveness of the municipal accessibility plan to ensure all residents have access to programs and services such as libraries, social housing, emergency services, parks and roads. This includes working towards the elimination of barriers faced by people with dis-abilities to ensure municipal by-laws, policies, goods, services, programs, employment and facilities. Their role is to ensure municipal structures are accessible, by reviewing site plans and drawings for new builds and renovations to municipal structures and out-door areas including on-street parking spaces, trail features and rest areas.
This committee was just formed in July and meets to begin its mandate at the end of August. It includes the Clerk acting as secretary, four members of the public and Councilor Byrne. Their first major task will be participating in the development of plans for the remaining CMCC lands and the downtown park. They will be advocating for the needs of children and caregivers with disabilities in our community to make sure outdoor play spaces are accessible to every-one, and ensuring rest areas along exterior paths.