Accessibility Advisory Committee Goals and Accomplishments

Strategic goals to provide accessible programs and services.

The following is a list of some of the most recent planned goals, completed projects and initiatives of the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC). 

Proposed work plan for 2024

All actions in the AAC’s proposed 2024 work plan align with Council’s strategic mission to serve the community in a responsible, inclusive way, dedicated to building environmental, social, and economic sustainability, creating a vibrant and livable community for all.

  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. Participate in consultation activities and provide feedback on:
    • Diversity and Inclusion plans
    • Town construction, renovation, and planned projects
    • 2021-2024 Facilities and Construction Management Work Plan for accessible improvements at facilities
    • Updates to the Oakville Universal Design Standards v2.1 for town facilities
    • Oakville Transit accessibility initiatives
    • Oakville Transit Annual Accessibility Plan 2024
    • Development of the town’s 2024-2029 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
    • Updates to the towns’ procurement policy by-law to reflect amended requirements to the Accessible Customer Service Standard and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation
    • Outreach opportunities including accessibility and inclusion promotional materials
  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 the following events:
      • Local events (such as the Inspire AccessAbility Showcase and other town events and festivals)
      • Significant days/weeks (such as National AccessAbility Week and International Day for Persons with Disabilities)
      • Community Spirit Award for accessibility
    • participating in joint Halton Region initiatives
    • participating in provincial and federal government accessibility legislation consultations, as scheduled
    • networking with local agencies, businesses, and seeking support and guidance where necessary from town departments and other key groups
  5. Present 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

Recognizing the challenges and impacts the evolving pandemic continues to have on everyone and organizations, compliance with all appropriate accessibility requirements under the AODA must still happen as organizations react and adapt their operations.

In 2021, 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:

  • 2021 AAC Accomplishments and Proposed 2022 Work Plan
  • 2021 Accessibility Annual status update on provincial accessibility requirements
  • 2021 Oakville Transit Annual Accessibility Plan
  • 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan
  • Town construction, renovation, and planned projects, including:
  • Iroquois Ridge Community Centre – bench placement
  • Wallace Park redevelopment
  • Orange Crosswalk
  • North Park Sports Park
  • Fire safety/awareness for persons with disabilities
  • 2022 Oakville municipal election accessibility plan and initiatives

2. Community awareness and collaboration (deliverable: Promoting awareness of accessibility and inclusion)

Despite the evolving pandemic, the regular meeting schedule of the committee was not impacted, as virtual meetings continued to be held to enable discussions on accessibility in a safe manner.

Staff and committee members continued to seek out opportunities to increase community awareness and collaboration in 2021 through participating in the following events and raising awareness through social media:

  • Town of Oakville 2021 Community Spirit Awards
  • National AccessAbility Awareness Week
  • International Day for Persons with Disabilities
  • Town of Oakville Recreation and Culture Department participation on an Inclusive Recreation Focus Group (Parks and Recreation Ontario)
  • Installation of hearing loop technology/Speech transfer systems at the town
  • CNIB advocacy campaigns, including the 2021 Federal election, Insulin pumps accessibility, and Moneris Core Payment Terminals equipped with enhanced accessibility features
Town Hall

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