Accessibility Advisory Committee Goals and Accomplishments

Strategic goals to provide accessible programs and services.

Under the AODA, municipalities with populations over 10,000 are required to establish an Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), with at least 50 per cent of members being individuals with disabilities. Oakville’s AAC meets quarterly to advise Town Council on accessibility-related initiatives. The committee’s mandate is to provide advice to Town Council on accessibility initiatives to address requirements under the AODA in promoting accessibility for residents of all abilities. 

The committee has representation from various community groups and disability advocates with lived experience. The town benefits greatly from their input, education, and expertise and recognizes the significant value they bring. 

Work plan for 2026

The AAC’s proposed 2026 work plan supports Council’s strategic vision to serve the community in a responsible, inclusive way, dedicated to building environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Planned activities include: 

  1. Continue to work with town staff to promote awareness and identify and remove barriers to accessibility. 
  2. Participate in consultation activities and provide feedback on the Town’s multi-year accessibility plan on accessibility initiatives to comply with the requirements of the AODA, and consultation requirements under the AODA. 
  3. Review and provide feedback on selected site plan applications as determined by the Town, as described in section 41 of the Planning Act. 
  4. Promote community awareness by participating or raising awareness through digital communication and/or social media in various events. 
  5. Present the annual status update to Council through receipt of committee minutes.

In 2025, the AAC fulfilled its mandate through the following key activities: 

  1. Collaborated with town staff to raise awareness and identify barriers to improve accessibility across the community. 
  2. Provided feedback on the Town’s multi-year accessibility plan on accessibility initiatives to comply with the requirements of the AODA, and consultation requirements under the AODA, including the 2025 Oakville Transit Annual Accessibility Plan, Town Square project, accessibility map refresh project, and the Kerr Village and Bronte Village Streetscape Studies. 
  3. Promoted accessibility and inclusion through participation in community events and awareness campaigns, including: 
    • National AccessAbility Awareness Week 
    • Community Spirit Awards 
    • International Day for Persons with Disabilities 
    • Provincial accessibility initiatives
  4. Presented the 2025 annual status update and future work plan to Council through receipt of committee minutes.

In 2024, the AAC accomplished its mandate and goal through the following deliverables: 

  1. Continue to work with Town staff to promote awareness and ensure barriers to accessibility are identified and eliminated for improved accessibility in the community. 
  2. Town initiatives and consultations 
    Deliverables: Providing feedback on the Town’s multi-year accessibility plan and annual updates on accessibility initiatives to comply with the requirements of the AODA, and consultation requirements under the AODA

    The AAC received presentations and provided feedback on: 
    • 2024-2029 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 
    • 2024 Annual Accessibility Status Update 
    • Facility Services Capital Projects Accessibility Update 
    • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Multi-Year Plan, 2024-2028 
    • Accessibility Map Refresh 
    • Oakville Transit Annual Accessibility Plan 2024 
    • Oakville Transit Five-Year Business Plan 
    • 2024 Oakville Universal Design Standards (OUDS) Update 
    • Oakville Transportation Master Plan Development 
    • Kerr Village and Bronte Village Streetscape Studies 
    • 2026 Municipal Election Accessible Voting Initiatives 
    • Fire Hall 9 Accessibility Update 
  3. Review and provide feedback on selected site plan applications as determined by the Town, as described in section 41 of the Planning Act. Information was presented to the committee on locating site plan applications on Town of Oakville website. 
  4. Community awareness and collaboration
    Deliverable: Promoting awareness of accessibility and inclusion

    In addition to quarterly meetings, staff and committee members continued to seek out opportunities to increase community awareness and collaboration in 2024 through community awareness information items, and participating in the following events and raising awareness through social media: 
    • A Call to Action to meet the Deadline of an Accessible Ontario by 2025 
    • Plain language guide standard (Accessibility Standards Canada) 
    • Electric Kick-Scooters Pilot Program Extension (MTO Pilot) 
    • Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre Facility Tour (May 2024) 
    • National AccessAbility Awareness Week 
    • Town of Oakville 2024 Community Spirit Awards
    • International Day for Persons with Disabilities 
  5. Presented the AAC’s annual report on 2023 Accomplishments and 2024 Work Plan, to Council, through receipt of the committee minutes.

In 2023, the AAC accomplished its mandate and goal through the following deliverables:

1. Town initiatives and consultations

Deliverables: Providing feedback on the Town’s multi-year accessibility plan and annual updates on accessibility initiatives to comply with the requirements of the AODA, and consultation requirements under the AODA

The AAC received presentations and provided feedback on:

  • Rainbow crosswalk reinstallations
  • 2022 Accessibility Annual Status Update
  • AAC 2022 – 2026 Committee Orientation
  • Free Transit for Youth and Seniors (May 1 program launch)
  • 2022 FCM Work Plan which included a number of priorities and key facilities; focusing on key areas as priority to meet the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act - Design of Public Spaces compliance (AODA-DOPS) by 2025
  • AAC 2022 Accomplishments and Proposed 2023 Work Plan
  • Oakville Transit Annual Accessibility Plan 2023
  • Provincial compliance updates

2.  Community awareness and collaboration

Deliverable: Promoting awareness of accessibility and inclusion

In addition to quarterly meetings, staff and committee members continued to seek out opportunities to increase community awareness and collaboration in 2023 through community awareness information items, and participating in the following events and raising awareness through social media:

  • National AccessAbility Awareness Week
  • Town of Oakville 2023 Community Spirit Awards
  • International Day for Persons with Disabilities
  • Metrolinx consultation opportunities
  • CNIB Initiatives

In 2022, the AAC accomplished its mandate and goal through the following deliverables:

1.    Town initiatives and consultations

Deliverables: Providing feedback on the Town’s multi-year accessibility plan and annual updates on accessibility initiatives to comply with the requirements of the AODA, and consultation requirements under the AODA

The AAC received presentations and provided feedback on:

  • North Park Community Centre and Public Library (re: all aspects of Oakville Universal Design Standards (OUDS) applicable to the North Park Community Centre and Public Library project)
  • 2022 FCM Work Plan which included a number of priorities and key facilities
  • AAC 2021 Accomplishments and Proposed 2022 Work Plan
  • 2022 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan
  • 2022 Municipal Election Accessibility Report
  • Oakville Transit Annual Accessibility Plan 2022
  • Oakville Public Library Accessibility Policy Report
  • Town of Oakville current state inclusivity assessment

2.    Community awareness and collaboration

Deliverable: Promoting awareness of accessibility and inclusion

In addition to quarterly meetings, staff and committee members continued to seek out opportunities to increase community awareness and collaboration in 2022 through community awareness information items, and participating in the following events and raising awareness through social media:

  • CNIB Initiatives, including:
    • Community Consultation in Oakville – Development of Strategic Plan
    • Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program and Survey Report
    • Frontier Accessibility to improve accessibility for Canadians
    • Various CNIB workshops
  • Discover Ability Network (presentation from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce)
  • National AccessAbility Awareness Week
  • Town of Oakville 2022 Community Spirit Awards
  • International Day for Persons with Disabilities
Town Hall

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