City services | February 26, 2014
Renovations and improvements to City of Mississauga facilities, from parks and arenas to heritage buildings and community centres, are ensuring all residents have a more accessible environment into the future.
“Small improvements can make a big difference for people with disabilities and those who have short-term challenges getting around,” said Diana Simpson, Mississauga’s Accessibility Coordinator. Parents with strollers, older adults and people with unexpected or temporary disabilities benefit from a more accessible city as well.
Simpson reported that the City replaced handles and added push button operators to doors and renovated washrooms in 2013 in a number of facilities to ensure accessibility. All recently built or renovated City facilities have accessibility built into designs. City facilities across Mississauga that are not in need of large-scale renovations will continue to undergo small but significant changes in 2014 to improve accessibility for everyone.
The City also provided updated training on new accessibility legislation to City staff in 2013. The training was a requirement of new accessibility standards introduced by the province in 2011.
The proportion of Mississauga’s population age 55 and older is projected to rise from about 20 per cent to about 38 per cent over the next 20 years, according to the City’s growth forecast.
The new accessibility plan, updated each year since the first five-year plan was approved in 2012, 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.
The plan will be considered by City Council for approval next week.
An accessible Mississauga, a goal outlined in the City’s Strategic Plan, ensures everyone feels they belong.
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 an accessible Ontario by 2025.
Mississauga’s Accessibility Plan focuses on implementing a range of new provincial accessibility standards. The standards are included in a number of regulations made under the AODA. Please visit www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/accessibility for copies of the City’s new accessibility plan. 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 741,000 residents and more than 54,000 businesses, including more than 60 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 “Leading Today for Tomorrow” by focusing on delivering services, implementing its Strategic Plan, delivering value for money and maintaining infrastructure.
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