Accessibility and Inclusion

We're committed to providing accessible programs, services and facilities to help achieve our vision to be the most livable town in Canada.

Material on this website is available in an alternate format upon request. Please contact ServiceOakville for more information or to make a request. 

2024 to 2029 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

We are committed to being a vibrant and livable community for all. The town's current Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (pdf) aligns with Council's Strategic Plan and the legislative requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005 and outlines the town's commitment to continuing to improve accessibility to town services and facilities from 2018 to 2023. 

Work to develop the 2024 to 2029 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan continues. We are developing this plan in consultation with our Accessibility Advisory Committee, town staff, people with disabilities and the broader community.

We received over 100 responses from the community through our accessibility survey. The feedback will help us better understand accessibility concerns and expectations related to town programs, services and facilities. Staff will share a high-level summary of the feedback at the March 21 Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting. 

Check out the summary report (pdf). Further detailed review and consultation will help to inform the draft plan. The final plan is scheduled for completion in fall 2024.

The Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) is a legislated resident volunteer committee that advises Town Council on accessibility initiatives to address requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).

The goal of the AODA is to identify, prevent and remove barriers to make Ontario accessible by 2025. We work with the AAC to promote awareness and celebrate inclusion.

The committee meets quarterly, on the second Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. Membership is appointed by Council and is made up of six residents and one member of Council. The AODA states that the majority of members must be persons with disabilities.

Interesting in applying to serve on the town's Accessibility Advisory Committee? Find more details about the application process on the town's Boards and Committees page.

Visit our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Multi-Year Plan page to learn more about the Town of Oakville’s commitment to being an inclusive workplace and community where everyone feels they belong. 

The Oakville Universal Design Standards (OUDS) was created to help staff build this commitment and provide an innovative and detailed approach for the design of barrier free and accessible facilities.

A made-for-Oakville standard, it replaces the town’s previous Oakville Universal Design Standard (version 1.0 and 2.0) with a new and updated OUDS Version 2.1. This edition of the standard has been updated for the Ontario Building Code 2020 changes and administration.

The OUDS is aligned with our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan for the Design of Public Spaces and Procurement Policy By-law. When procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities, accessible design, criteria and features will be considered in addition to all other legislation and applicable code.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005, Ontario Regulation 191/11 Integrated Accessibility Standards, Part IV.1 Design of Public Spaces Standards (DOPS) and Ontario Building Code (OBC) regulates the minimum accessibility features within building and on a site. The OUDS often go above the minimum requirements of the OBC and the AODA DOPS creating town facilities which are inclusive and user-friendly for residents and visitors of all abilities. This procedure reflects the requirements of the OUDS, where applicable. 

Please review the Oakville Universal Design Standards Version 2.1 (pdf).

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