City Continues Making Progress for More Accessible and Inclusive Communities

Today at General Committee, Council endorsed the City’s 15th Annual Accessibility Report and Multi-Year Plan for 2018-2022. It outlines how Mississauga continues to create accessible communities throughout the city by removing barriers and enhancing accessibility.

The report was developed by the City’s Accessibility Planning Team in consultation with the Staff Accessibility Resource Team (StART) and the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC).

“This report shows clearly the strides we have made to remove barriers for all in the city,” said Pat Saito, Councillor Ward 9 and Accessibility Advisory Committee member. “The Accessibility Advisory Committee has worked with Council and staff to achieve many successes and continues to recommend new initiatives for the future.”

Highlights for 2017 include:

• Implemented real-time bus tracker to MiWay’s Plan a Trip tool
• Installed approximately 367 new surface areas at bus stops to make transit more accessible and convenient
• Completed a City-wide accessibility audit by evaluating 97 City-owned buildings
• Initiated the Our Future Corporation (OFC) project by developing a dynamic modern workplace that gives staff choice and control of where and how they work
• Completed two new barrier-free and accessible playgrounds at Jaycee Park and Paul Coffey Park
• Redeveloped Zonta Meadows Park to incorporate accessibility for children and caregivers with various disabilities
• Awarded with a Municipal Accessibility Award for the achievements of the Staff Accessibility Resource Team
• Awarded the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessible Cities Award (Circle of Excellence) for Mississauga Celebration Square

Mississauga’s Accessibility Plan focuses on implementing a range of provincial accessibility standards such as complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR).

In addition, staff will continue working on projects over the next five years to go beyond the City’s legislated compliance. Some of these initiatives include:

• Incorporating accessibility recommendations into various facilities as per the City-wide accessibility audit
• Implementing the use of the Dynamic Symbol of Access at City facilities on a “go forward” basis, where possible
• Developing a plan to make public documents accessible
• Continuing to grow Mississauga Library’s collection of audiobooks, including digital
• Continuing to install tactile plates to approximately 400 intersections
• Increasing the number of fully accessible and inclusive play sites
• Ongoing accessibility commitment to staff with continued training, a new mental health awareness program and policy reviews to ensure it remains current

For more information about accessibility in Mississauga, visit mississauga.ca/accessibility.

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• Access and Accessibility