The City of Mississauga’s seventh Accessibility Plan; 2009 Annual Report and 2010 Initiatives was received today at Council. 

“Removing barriers to persons with disabilities ensures that all citizens have access to our services,” said Diana Simpson, City accessibility coordinator.  “Our staff now have the tools to accommodate and better understand customers with disabilities.”

Simpson explained that the City’s focus for 2010 and beyond will be to develop a sustainment plan for delivering accessible customer service, to continue to implement accessible improvements to Mississauga Transit and to monitor the provincial accessibility standards.

According to the report, the 2010 initiatives include:

• continued implementation of an ongoing communication campaign to increase awareness of accessibility issues and to inform staff and the public about issues related to person with disabilities;
• continued implementation of accessibility design guidelines;
• development and implementation of accessibility training in relation to the requirements of each Accessibility Standard;
• ensure that accessibility planning is included in the City’s Strategic Plan and Departmental Plans;
• continue to review and develop Corporate Policies in relation to the requirements of each Accessibility Standard, (Accessible Built Environment, Transportation Accessibility, Employment Accessibility and Accessible Information and Communication);
• monitor Future Directions – master plan for Recreation & Parks and Library Services, and Parks and Natural Areas in reference to accessibility;
• improve accessibility of Mississauga Transit;
• evaluation of Information Technology with respect to improved accessibility.

The 2010 Accessibility Plan was developed with the Accessibility Staff Working Group made up of staff from all departments, in consultation with the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC).  The AAC includes representatives from the disability community and stakeholder community groups, and two members of Council; Katie Mahoney, councillor Ward 8 and Pat Saito, councillor Ward 9.    

Background

On June 13, 2005 the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) was enacted.  The AODA requires the development of accessibility standards with the goal of leading to an accessible Ontario by 2025.

For copies of the plan please visit www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/accessibility.  For more information please contact Diana Simpson at 905-615-3608, TTY 905-616-3411 or accessibility.info@mississauga.ca

As Canada’s sixth largest city, Mississauga is home to 730,000 residents and 55,000 businesses, including 61 Fortune 500 companies with Canadian head offices or major divisional head offices. A diverse, progressive and award-winning municipality located on the shores of Lake Ontario in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area, Mississauga is one of Greater Toronto's Top 90 Employers for 2010. Enhancing its citizens’ quality of life by providing superior services, revitalizing its infrastructure and conserving the environment, Mississauga is committed to innovation, operational excellence and fiscal responsibility which is reflected in its motto: “Leading Today for Tomorrow.”.

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