Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee (O.A.A.C.) We help make a - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Oshawa Accessibility

Advisory Committee (O.A.A.C.)

“We help make a barrier-free Oshawa.”

Overview

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This presentation will review:

• The O.A.A.C.’s Mandate, Goals and

Objectives;

• Membership and Structure;
• How you can get involved; and
• City of Oshawa Accessible

Programs, Services and Facilities.

Accessibility Advisory Committees

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• 1.85 million Ontarians have a

disability and may face barriers to accessibility.

• Barriers make it hard to access

services and places.

• Ontario law requires municipalities

with 10,000 or more residents to create an accessibility advisory committee.

Provincial Legislation

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The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (A.O.D.A.)

• The goal of legislation is to develop,

implement and enforce standards so that Ontario is accessible to everyone by 2025.

Legislation: A.O.D.A.

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Cities must: Comply with standards:

• Customer service
• Transportation
• Information and communications
• Built environment
• Employment

Create Accessibility Plans

Accessibility Planning

The 2013-2017 Oshawa Accessibility Plan directs staff to:

• identify,
• eliminate and
• prevent barriers in the community.

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O.A.A.C. Mandate, Goals, Objectives

We:

• Advise and assist the City of Oshawa

and its agencies, boards and commissions.

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We:

• Recommend strategies and actions

toward a barrier-free Oshawa

• Have the goal of improving the quality
• f life for people of all abilities

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We:2

• Participate in the development,

implementation and evaluation of the Oshawa Accessibility Plan.

• Provide feedback on the

development of by-laws and regulations which impact citizens with disabilities.

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We:3

• Review site plans for

new developments utilizing City of Oshawa Accessibility Design Standards (i.e. floor plans, building features).

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We:4

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• Review and offer suggestions to

improve Oshawa’s policies, standards, programs, and services and facilities to ensure accessibility for people of all abilities.

We:5

• Review City owned, leased and
• perated facilities to ensure access

and to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities.

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We:6

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• Assist the City in meeting legislated
• bligations to identify, remove and

prevent barriers to people with disabilities.

Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee Membership

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• 14 volunteer citizens and 1 Oshawa

Council member are appointed to the O.A.A.C. by City Council.

• 8 members shall be people with

disabilities, and

• 6 members may not have a disability

(i.e. parents of children with disabilities or interested community members).

Applying for Membership

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The application asks for information about:

• Work and volunteer experience;
• Availability;
• Academic qualifications;
• Expertise / interest; and
• Participation in accessibility and

community affairs

Sub-committees and Working Groups1

Sub-committees assist in completing tasks of the annual work plan

• Two Sub-committees are:

Built Environment Communications

• One Working Group is:

Medical Marijuana.

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Sub-committees and Working Groups 2

• Meet when necessary;
• Complete the work plan of the

committee; and

• Report back during monthly committee

meetings. Built Environment Sub-committee

• Visits and inspects city facilities and
• Meets during the daytime.

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Sub-committees and Working Groups 3

Communication Sub-committee

• Creates awareness about

accessible City programs, services and facilities.

• Educates people about

barriers experienced by people with disabilities.

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O.A.A.C. promotes Accessibility

Canada Day 2016 with Mayor Henry

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Sub-committees and Working Groups 4

Medical Marijuana Working Group

• Research medical marijuana

legislation and advise Council of any changes as it relates to the municipality.

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Get involved with the O.A.A.C.

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Here’s how:

• The calendar of O.A.A.C. meetings,

agendas and minutes are available

• n the City of Oshawa website.
• Members of the public are welcome

to attend and to observe all committee meetings.

You may:

Speak at, present to, or participate in committee meetings:

• By invitation of the committee; and
• By contacting City Clerk Services in

advance.

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You may: 2 2

• Attend and observe a monthly

meeting at Oshawa City Hall; or

• Write to the committee with your

questions, concerns or ideas at

• City Clerk Services
• Email: clerks@oshawa.ca.

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You may: 3

• Apply to be a member of the

committee

• Vacancies are advertised in local

newspapers and on the City of Oshawa website: www.oshawa.ca.

• Appointments are made in November
• Terms are for 4 years.

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Oshawa Accessibility

Advisory Committee (O.A.A.C.) 1

Phone: 905-436-3311 Extension 2288 Email: access@oshawa.ca

City Accessibility Programs/Services

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Oshawa celebrates accessibility annually!

• Resident Accessibility

Improvement Awards; and

• Business Accessibility

Improvement Awards for providing service and/or improved access for people with disabilities.

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City Accessibility Programs/Services 2

Oshawa Recreation Access Membership Program (R.A.M.P.)

• Reduced leisure/recreation fees for

residents with permanent accessibility issues, their families plus no additional cost for a support person.

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Inclusion Services: Recreation and Cultural Program

• Staff support residents in recreation

and culture programs who require accessibility accommodations.

• Service is based on assessed needs

with 3 weeks advanced notice.

City Accessibility Programs/Services 3

City Accessibility Programs/Services 4

Waste Collection Assistance Program People with accessibility requirements may apply:

• To use receptacles that help them get

their garbage to the curb

• To adjust their garbage bag

limit due to their personal needs.

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City Accessibility Programs/Services 5

Snow Clearing and Side Yard Boulevard Grass Cutting Program People with accessibility issues may apply:

• For help to clear sidewalks and

windrows of snow and to cut grass on City corner side yard boulevards.

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City Accessibility Programs/Services 6

Municipal Property Tax Grant

• A property tax grant is available to

homeowners who have low income and have a disability (receive O.D.S.P).

• Rebate applications for the current

year must be completed by the end of April of the following year.

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City Accessibility Programs/Services 7

Tax Deferral Program

• A person with a disability may apply

for financial help with a portion of annual property tax increase if property taxes have increased more than 5% or $100.

City Accessibility Programs/Services 8

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Alternate Accessible Formats for:

• Documents
• Websites
• Communications

will be provided on request.

City Accessibility Programs/Services 9

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Communication Supports:

• Available on request to communicate
• r participate with staff or at public

meetings (i.e. magnifiers, assistive hearing devices, screen reader software, verbal explanation, On-Line Chat, American Sign Language interpreters etc.).

City Accessibility Programs/Services 10

Sidewalk Ramp Requests

• Suggestions to locate or

repair sidewalk ramps can be made to Service Oshawa. Email: service@oshawa.ca Phone: (905) 436-3311

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Accessible City Facilities in Oshawa

City of Oshawa facilities have many accessible building features! Recreation centres have:

• Power assist door operators,
• Accessible entrances,
• Accessible washrooms and change

rooms.

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Automatic Door Openers

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Accessible Drinking Fountains

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Ramp to Access Swimming Pool

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Lift to Access Swimming Pool

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Accessible Change Rooms

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Elevator to Activity Areas

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Accessible Fitness Equipment

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Accessible Washrooms

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Accessible City Facilities in Oshawa 2

• All new recreational areas including

playgrounds, parks, trails and splash pads are constructed to meet accessibility standards.

• Council allocates funding for City

facilities each year with advice from the O.A.A.C.

Accessible Play Space/Equipment

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Accessible Parking

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For More Information

City of Oshawa

• Website: www.oshawa.ca/accessibility
• Email: access@oshawa.ca
• Phone: Service Oshawa

905 436-3311

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Oshawa Accessibility

Advisory Committee (O.A.A.C.) 2

“We help make a barrier-free Oshawa.”

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