Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee (O.A.A.C.) “We help make a barrier-free Oshawa.”
Overview 2 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 3 • 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 4 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. 5 Cities must: Comply with standards: • Customer service • Transportation • Information and communications • Built environment • Employment Create Accessibility Plans
Accessibility Planning 6 The 2013-2017 Oshawa Accessibility Plan directs staff to: • identify, • eliminate and • prevent barriers in the community.
O.A.A.C. Mandate, Goals, Objectives 7 We: • Advise and assist the City of Oshawa and its agencies, boards and commissions.
We: 8 • Recommend strategies and actions toward a barrier-free Oshawa • Have the goal of improving the quality of life for people of all abilities
We: 2 9 • 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.
We: 3 10 • Review site plans for new developments utilizing City of Oshawa Accessibility Design Standards (i.e. floor plans, building features).
We: 4 11 • 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 12 • Review City owned, leased and operated facilities to ensure access and to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities.
We: 6 13 • Assist the City in meeting legislated obligations to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities.
Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee Membership 14 • 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 15 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 Groups 1 16 Sub-committees assist in completing tasks of the annual work plan • Two Sub-committees are: Built Environment Communications • One Working Group is: Medical Marijuana.
Sub-committees and Working Groups 2 17 • 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.
Sub-committees and Working Groups 3 18 Communication Sub-committee • Creates awareness about accessible City programs, services and facilities. • Educates people about barriers experienced by people with disabilities.
O.A.A.C. promotes Accessibility 19 Canada Day 2016 with Mayor Henry
Sub-committees and Working Groups 4 20 Medical Marijuana Working Group • Research medical marijuana legislation and advise Council of any changes as it relates to the municipality.
Get involved with the O.A.A.C. 21 Here’s how: • The calendar of O.A.A.C. meetings, agendas and minutes are available on the City of Oshawa website. • Members of the public are welcome to attend and to observe all committee meetings.
You may: 22 Speak at, present to, or participate in committee meetings: • By invitation of the committee; and • By contacting City Clerk Services in advance.
You may: 2 2 23 • 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.
You may: 3 24 • 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.
Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee (O.A.A.C.) 1 Phone: 905-436-3311 Extension 2288 Email: access@oshawa.ca
City Accessibility Programs/Services 1 26 Oshawa celebrates accessibility annually! • Resident Accessibility Improvement Awards; and • Business Accessibility Improvement Awards for providing service and/or improved access for people with disabilities.
City Accessibility Programs/Services 2 27 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 .
City Accessibility Programs/Services 3 28 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 4 29 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.
City Accessibility Programs/Services 5 30 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.
City Accessibility Programs/Services 6 31 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.
City Accessibility Programs/Services 7 32 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 33 Alternate Accessible Formats for: • Documents • Websites • Communications will be provided on request.
City Accessibility Programs/Services 9 34 Communication Supports: • Available on request to communicate or 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 35 Sidewalk Ramp Requests • Suggestions to locate or repair sidewalk ramps can be made to Service Oshawa. Email: service@oshawa.ca Phone: (905) 436-3311
Accessible City Facilities in Oshawa 36 City of Oshawa facilities have many accessible building features! Recreation centres have: • Power assist door operators, • Accessible entrances, • Accessible washrooms and change rooms.
Automatic Door Openers 37
Accessible Drinking Fountains 38
Ramp to Access Swimming Pool 39
Lift to Access Swimming Pool 40
Accessible Change Rooms 41
Elevator to Activity Areas 42
Accessible Fitness Equipment 43
Accessible Washrooms 44
Accessible City Facilities in Oshawa 2 45 • 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 46
Accessible Parking 47
For More Information 48 City of Oshawa • Website: www.oshawa.ca/accessibility • Email: access@oshawa.ca • Phone: Service Oshawa 905 436-3311
49 Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee (O.A.A.C.) 2 “We help make a barrier-free Oshawa.”
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