Moving Closer To Success - A Fully Accessible Mississauga
Although much work needs to be done, the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) has come a long way in a short time to change attitudes and make Mississauga accessible for persons of all abilities.

"We have much to celebrate in our accomplishments but we continue to uncover areas that are exclusive to persons with disabilities and need improvement," said AAC Chair Rabia Khedr. "The work we do is satisfying and daunting at the same time but we know we are making a difference through the changes we have put into action and this is what encourages us to continue our work."

The AAC and its staff working group have made advancements in each of the areas identified by the Accessibility For Ontarians Disability Act, 2005 as being essential to ensuring accessibility for all: Transportation, Built Environment, Employment, Information & Communication, and Customer Service. 

Built Environment

The committee reviews facilities to determine what would make them more accessible. Some improvements are simple but can make a world of difference to persons with disabilities using these facilities.  The improvements and achievements listed below show the inclusive thinking that is required:

• replacement of Mississauga bus shelters with newly designed, accessible shelters  (by the end of 2007, the City had 891 bus shelters)

• installation of 100 new bus pads throughout the City to make access to transit more convenient

• installation of larger street name signs at signalized intersections to improve readability

• installation of accessible showers in pool change rooms at Meadowvale Community Centre

• improved accessibility of Cawthra Park Pool change rooms and resurfaced deck

• renovation of pool change rooms and main entrance doors at South Common Community Centre

• installation of an accessible unisex washroom at Cawthra Community Centre/Arena

• replacement of main entrance doors with full width doors at Lakeview Library to improve access to the building

• replacement of hardware on doors at David Ramsey and Applewood Pools to make them easier to open for persons of all abilities

• installation of an asphalt ramp at the door to the Mississauga Canoe Club to provide another option in addition to stairs

• installation of Audible Pedestrian Signals (APS) that improve pedestrian safety at Goreway Drive at Morning Star Drive, Rathburn Road and Station Gate Road and at Hurontario Street and Matheson Boulevard.

• creation of the Accessibility Design Handbook - the guidelines in this handbook assist with the incorporation of accessibility criteria into project designs and can be seen in City facility redevelopment projects and new facilities

Information & Communications

• A number of improvements were made to increase access to information.  

• 275 City staff have received Disability Awareness/Sensitivity Training.

• Currently, there are 25 online services offered through the City of Mississauga’s website enabling residents, businesses and visitors to conduct business with the City from home. The services include registering for recreation programs, browsing the library catalogue, purchasing transit tickets and more.

• The Communications Division reviews printed materials that are distributed citywide to ensure readability for as many people as possible.

Customer Service

Good customer service can help make services and programs more accessible by offering the customer a variety of service options. The following improvements were made in this area.

• The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario produced a Customer Service Training Manual to help serve persons with disabilities.  It has already been used for training with City of Mississauga Call Centre staff.

• Mississauga Transit’s online trip planner, Click n’ Ride, enables customers to identify accessible routes.

Employment Opportunities

Improvements in this area involved reviewing and updating advertising policies and processes with a goal of improving accessibility to job opportunities at the City of Mississauga.  

• In February 2006, the Job Postings and Advertisements Policy was improved and expanded to make job postings available in alternate formats upon request (eg. large print, electronic file).  In the section related to job advertising, the policy now states that when outreach programs are used as a method of recruitment, organizations serving persons with disabilities shall be included. 

• In addition, two mycitycareer.ca workstations were installed at the Civic Centre: one for standing and one for sitting which can also accommodate persons using wheelchairs.  Four computers were also made available for this purpose at the Central Library.

What’s Next?

Making Mississauga fully accessible to persons with disabilities is an ongoing effort; careful planning needs to take place to ensure progress continues to be made and efforts are directed where the need is greatest. During 2007, the committee is focussing on a number of challenges: raising awareness to incorporate accessibility planning into day-to-day work; continuing to remove barriers; expanding accessible transit; improving computer online access; and continuing to incorporate our Accessibility Design Handbook into facility retrofits and new building projects. 

"Each year we develop a new plan to continue removing new and old barriers. We work on anticipating what the future will bring and how accessibility for all can be achieved most efficiently," said Khedr.