Planning for Barrier-Free Municipalities

  
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1. Introduction – Purpose of the Handbook
2. What Is a Barrier-Free Municipality?
3. Examples of Typical Barriers
4. Planning for Accessible Municipalities: Establishing the Policy Framework
5. Planning for Barrier-Free Municipalities: Implementing the Framework
6. Technology and Communications
7. Municipal Best Practices and Examples
8. Conclusion
9. Self-Assessment Questionnaire
10. Glossary 
11. Where To Get More Information
12. References
13. Internet References
    

1 Introduction – Purpose of the Handbook

Planning for Barrier-Free Municipalities raises awareness among municipalities, planning boards and the development industry on how to eliminate barriers for people with disabilities in their planning and development decisions, especially decisions involving public facilities and outdoor public spaces. This handbook provides suggestions for municipalities to develop barrier-free policies and options that will suit their local circumstances and resources.

The goal is to assist and encourage municipalities to implement local initiatives that remove existing barriers and create more accessible communities. This would include the preparation of accessibility plans and the establishment of an accessibility advisory committee, consistent with the requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA).

The purpose of the ODA is to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities and to provide for their involvement in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to their full participation in the life of the province.

The government has introduced Bill 118, which, if passed, would provide for mandatory accessibility standards in both the public and private sectors. The principles and examples in this handbook could apply to both.

The Planning Act and Accessibility

Accessibility is a provincial interest.

1. Section 2 of the Planning Act, requires decision makers under the act to have regard to the accessibility for persons with disabilities to all facilities, services and matters to which the act applies.
2. Section 51(24) of the Planning Act requires that, in considering a draft plan of subdivision, regard shall be had to accessibility for persons with disabilities.

The Ontario Human Rights Code

The Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) states that every person in Ontario has the right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of a disability. The OHRC applies to all sectors, including municipal facilities and public spaces discussed in this handbook.

How to use the Handbook

This handbook deals with outdoor spaces, especially those owned and maintained by municipalities. However, barrier-free design should include all facets of municipal life. This handbook can be used together with the Ontario Building Code (which regulates the construction of new facilities, renovations, and specific outdoor facilities), and other standards set out by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), where applicable.

Self-Assessment Questionnaire

The handbook also includes a self-assessment questionnaire that municipal officials and staff can complete to help determine the AQ-Accessibility Quotient of their municipalities. This questionnaire will allow a municipality to assess its present status in various areas of municipal service delivery, including the land use planning and development process, infrastructure design and maintenance.

Definitions for many of the terms being discussed can be found in the Glossary.

This document is available in alternate formats upon request.

2 What Is a Barrier-Free Municipality?

A barrier-free municipality is one that successfully strives to prevent and remove all obstacles in order to promote equal opportunity and participation by residents and visitors with disabilities.

Barriers may include:

• physical barriers, such as stairs, uneven pavements or narrow pathways;
• architectural barriers;
• information or communication barriers, such as a publication that is not available in large print;
• attitudinal barriers, such as assuming that a person with a disability cannot perform a certain task;
• technological barriers, such as traffic signals that change too quickly or meeting rooms without assistive listening systems for persons with hearing disabilities; and
• barriers created by policy or practices, such as not offering different ways to complete a test as part of a job interview.

Universal Design and Barrier-Free Design

Universal design creates environments that respond to the needs of the population to the greatest extent possible. It is an evolution from accessible or barrier-free design to one that is even more inclusive. While barrier-free design refers to specific solutions for specific disabilities, universal design acknowledges that people come in various sizes and have various strengths and abilities (City of Winnipeg, Universal Design Policy, October 2001).

Universal Design and Barrier-Free Design is Increasingly Important

As a result of Ontario’s population aging, universal design should be an increasingly important component of municipal administration, including land use planning and development decisions. It is estimated that there are 1.9 million people in Ontario with disabilities. This number is expected to grow as the population ages, because the incidence of disability increases with age.

Universal Design is Cost Efficient

Building more accessible municipal infrastructure, public facilities and transportation systems is not more expensive if universal design is incorporated in the initial stages of building and design. However, retrofitting infrastructure and buildings after the fact is more expensive. From the perspective of cost-efficiency and accountability, it is important that design be incorporated into planning and infrastructure development processes, as it will save resources over the long term.

3 Examples of Typical Barriers

Infrastructure and public spaces, such as intersections, parks, recreational facilities and public meeting locations, should be fully accessible to people with disabilities. A barrier is anything that stops a person with a disability from fully taking part in society because of that disability. Some examples of barriers found in outdoor environments in municipalities include:

• curb cuts, ramps and railway crossings that are too steep or not properly maintained, or contain abrupt changes in slope;
• lack of accessible parking spaces – size of spaces, location, number and enforcement of accessible parking spaces;
• lack of textural changes and colour contrasts for staircases, entrances, ramps and curb cuts;
• lack of snow clearance on a priority basis near hospitals and clinics, at intersections and transit stops and at public facilities;
• insufficient number of drop-off/pick-up areas for paratransit users;
• lack of audible traffic signals at key intersections;
• inadequate signage and lighting that can help persons with memory disabilities, as well as those who are blind or have low vision; and
• physical barriers created by business advertisements or patios on narrow walkways and other public spaces.

4 Planning for Accessible Municipalities: Establishing the Policy Framework

Planning a barrier-free municipality requires establishing a policy framework and supporting administrative structures that promote access through universal design from the beginning of the development process. This section outlines some helpful ideas on how local planning departments and other municipal departments can improve the overall level of accessibility in municipalities so that the interests of people with disabilities are included in the planning and development process.

Promoting Barrier-Free and Universal Design in the Planning Process

Prior to the ODA coming into effect, promoting barrier-free design was largely up to local municipalities. Some municipalities included policy direction in their official plans, while others set up committees of council and prepared local accessibility guidelines and procedures, with the goal of improving accessibility. The ODA requires all public bodies in Ontario to act.

Section 7 of this document provides examples of pre-ODA policies and procedures that municipalities prepared locally and often implemented through their planning and development process. This information may provide ideas for municipalities preparing and updating accessibility plans required by the ODA.

Accessibility Plans and Advisory Committees

The ODA requires all municipalities to complete an accessibility plan annually. Municipalities with 10,000 or more people must also establish an accessibility advisory committee. If a municipality has an accessibility advisory committee, the committee may request to review site plans and drawings, described in Section 41 of the Planning Act, that are submitted to support applications. Municipal councils must supply such plans and drawings in a timely manner.

Interdepartmental Cooperation

It is important that municipal departments and staff work together to identify what resources and assistance are available, and ensure constant dialogue between departments. For example, if a municipality is considering the installation of audible traffic signals (ATS), the planning, engineering, public works and transportation staff, as well as a local accessibility advisory committee, should co-operate to ensure the appropriate intersections are targeted, and the most appropriate technology is used.

It is recommended that barrier-free features are included in the design and planning stages of new construction and redevelopment projects. Municipalities, through the appropriate departments, should work with the proponents throughout the approvals process to ensure universal design is incorporated in public spaces, transportation facilities and services, as well as public and private infrastructure.

Involving Community Groups and Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees

Ongoing collaboration between planners, accessibility advisory committees and community groups is important to ensure community members have an opportunity to provide their input or ideas during each stage of the planning process.

Outreach is essential because persons with disabilities face many barriers to participation. To help reach people with disabilities, municipalities should consult with local organizations and groups for people with disabilities. This may involve the use of multiple formats for public notice of applications as well as alternative methods of communication at public meetings (see Section 6, Technology and Communications, for examples).

Making the Accessibility Plan Available to Municipal Staff and Developers

The local accessibility plan should be shared with appropriate municipal staff and key players in the development and design industry.

The ODA requires that accessibility plans include the following: a report on the measures the municipality has taken to identify, remove and prevent barriers to persons with disabilities; the measures in place to ensure that the municipality assesses its proposals for bylaws, policies, programs, practices and services to determine their effect on accessibility for persons with disabilities; a list of the bylaws, policies, programs, practices and services that the municipality will review in the coming year in order to identify barriers to persons with disabilities; the measures that the municipality intends to take in the coming year to identify, remove and prevent barriers to persons with disabilities; and all other information that the regulations prescribe for the purpose of the plan.

5 Planning for Barrier-Free Municipalities: Implementing the Framework

This section provides a list of universal design options and ideas that municipalities, planners, architects, developers and other professionals can incorporate into new developments, existing public facilities and outdoor spaces to create accessible environments. Other examples can be found in the recommended references.

Transportation

Transportation and transportation-related infrastructure often present unintended barriers that restrict the movement of people with disabilities. These barriers can be reduced or eliminated through the incorporation of universal design features.

The ministries of Transportation and Citizenship and Immigration have prepared the Coordinated Community Transportation Resource, which includes a video and resource manual to assist the coordination of local transportation initiatives, such as providing transportation services for people with mobility constraints. These can be ordered by contacting the Ontario Accessibility Directorate (see the References section for contact information).

I. Parking Lots / Permits / Bylaws
For people with disabilities who drive their own cars, barrier-free design involves ensuring an adequate number of on- and off-street designated parking spaces. Municipalities should have local parking bylaws addressing parking regulations for provincially issued disabled person parking permits. Designated parking spaces and passenger loading zones should be located near building entrances, and should be clearly marked and of adequate size.

A municipal resource package on designated parking for people with disabilities is available through the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration’s website, as listed in the Internet References section.

II. Curb Cuts and Entrance Ramps
The proper design of curb cuts and entrance ramps is essential to the safety of people who are visually impaired and persons using wheelchairs and other mobility aids, such as canes and walkers. Curb cuts in sidewalks accommodate baby strollers, delivery carts and anything else on wheels that needs to be pushed or pulled. It is recommended that the slope of a curb cut or entrance ramp be gradual with a non-slip surface. Most ramps should also have railings to improve safety.

III. Traffic Signals / Pedestrian Crossing
For municipalities installing and upgrading traffic signals, it is important to plan for and program the time provided for crossing streets so that it is long enough to allow a slow-moving person to cross safely. Push-buttons or sensor controls (push buttons are not the best device to use, as not all people have the manual dexterity to use them) for traffic lights should be low enough for wheelchair height and free from obstacles such as newspaper boxes.

IV. Audible Traffic Signals (ATS)
Audible traffic signals assist people with limited vision to cross roads and can help to establish a straight line of travel from one side of the road to the other. The sound of the north-south signal should be distinct from the sound of the east-west signal, to avoid confusion.

Recreational and Other Public Facilities

Public recreational facilities should be accessible to everyone in your community, since recreational activities are an important component to improving quality of life. Municipalities provide an important leadership role in encouraging increased accessibility to all forms of leisure activities.

Universal access to and within public libraries, playgrounds, arenas, parks, zoos, campsites and other recreational facilities is necessary for the well-being of the entire community. In addition, the amenities in these areas, such as picnic tables, benches, drinking fountains, and play areas should be universally designed and in good repair.

The Ontario Parks Association has released the Playability Tool Kit, which provides suggestions on how play areas can be made accessible for all users.

Landscape Design and Fences

Landscape design and fences can be used effectively to help orient people who are visually impaired toward entrances. For example, bushes planted on either side of an entrance can make it easier to find. The planting of thorny plants or fruit-bearing trees, however, should be avoided for safety reasons.

Sidewalks, Walkways and Paths

As noted earlier, it is important to keep walkways in a municipality clear of obstructions. Barriers on walkways make it difficult for all people to move around, particularly people with disabilities. Amenity strips or rights-of-way with textural changes in the pavement to accommodate items such as advertising signs, planters, paper boxes and light standards are a good way to keep busy pedestrian areas free of obstacles. Accessible sidewalks, walkways and paths should contain appropriate surface treatment, slope and pitch.

Street Furniture and Amenities

Street furniture includes benches, lampposts, signboards, bus stops, telephone booths, planters and drinking fountains. It is recommended that street furniture be located strategically to allow free passage of all people. Rest areas are helpful to all pedestrians, especially people with mobility problems. Amenities, such as public telephones and drinking fountains, should be designed to be within comfortable reach for children and people using wheelchairs or scooters.

Signage and Symbols

Signage includes directional and information signs, street names and numbering. Consideration should be given to both the placement and design of all signs. Signs should be well lit and mounted or hung in a prominent location, and at height that all users can read comfortably. The sign itself should use universal symbols, tactile lettering, contrasting colours and fonts in a size and type that are easy to read.

Housing

Designated municipalities and District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSABs) have the responsibility for social housing services and will have the opportunity to ensure that adaptable, universal and flexible housing options are explored in the future. Municipal service managers are required to maintain a specified number of modified units for their service areas by The Social Housing Reform Act, 2000. This includes a percentage of modified units in new housing that is developed under municipal programs, as well as alterations or additions to municipal housing projects.

These points are particularly important, as organizations assisting people with disabilities stress that more incentives are needed to ensure the availability of affordable and accessible public housing. There is a common misconception that accessible housing options are too costly. Recent studies have demonstrated that incorporating universal, adaptive and flexible design approaches at the start of development projects does not significantly increase building costs.

6 Technology and Communications

Municipalities can take advantage of emerging technologies to remove barriers and increase participation in the planning process. Notices and information can be distributed in multiple formats to reach people with vision or hearing impairments or learning disabilities. Examples include audio tapes, large print, Braille, electronic text, computer-assisted systems and closed captioning.

Public meetings should be accessible and equipped to improve communication and participation. Meeting spaces should be wheelchair accessible. In addition, information can be conveyed both visually and audibly with ALS interpretation or real-time captioning. Assistive listening devices should be available for those who need them.

Communications and Planning Policy

Some people have print disabilities, which means that they cannot read or use regular print because of their disability. This can include people who are blind, have low vision, a mental impairment or a learning disability, as well as people with physical disabilities who cannot hold publications or turn pages.

Other people cannot access or have difficulties accessing the Internet. Still others have difficulties watching or hearing video presentations. Therefore, communicating information in appropriate formats is an important local consideration.

Relevant technologies for use in conveying or receiving messages include Braille, screen reader and magnification software, e-mail, the Internet and interactive websites, closed captioning, and assistive listening systems such as infrared light technology or induction loop technology.

Equal access to information is an important component of good customer service. Advanced planning and preparation of materials in multiple formats will save time when dealing with individual requests.

7 Municipal Best Practices and Examples

Municipalities are in a position to implement accessibility strategies for persons with disabilities, whether it is through specific programs or the development of financing initiatives. Developing and sharing information on best practices is helpful. Specific examples that illustrate some of the progressive steps municipalities have taken to plan for and improve accessibility in their communities follow.

City of Peterborough

The City of Peterborough formed the Council for Persons with Disabilities in 1988–1989 to integrate and assist people with disabilities in the community. The document Access Guidelines was published in 1992 and updated in 1995. Revised guidelines were approved by the city’s Planning Committee in October 2002. The guidelines are used locally in land use planning, site development and property design initiatives.

Access Guidelines acknowledges the needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities. The guidelines attempt to strike a balance between the design and planning requirements for different types of disabilities.

The guidelines are applied to the entire community and include sections on curb cuts, walkways, recreation areas, universally designed playgrounds, accessible transportation and hosting events. In addition, the guidelines contain an excerpt from the city’s zoning bylaw regarding motor vehicle parking requirements to serve disabled people.

The Council for Persons with Disabilities includes a buildings committee to deal with accessibility issues. The terms of reference for the buildings committee require that it monitor the accessibility of local buildings; provide input to the site plan committee to ensure accessibility is considered in site plan approvals; provide information to local departments and the private sector on access requirements; ensure building code standards pertaining to accessibility are incorporated and enforced; and respond to accessibility issues raised in the community.

The City of Peterborough has developed a one-hour sensitivity training model that can be used to train volunteers and staff.

City of Windsor

Since 1981, the City of Windsor has had a standing committee of city council with a mandate to increase the awareness in the community of the needs of persons with disabilities. The Windsor Accessibility Advisory Committee has one member of Council and 14 community members, including individuals with disabilities. The committee selects a chair and vice chair from its membership. City staff are also available as resources to the committee.

The mandate of the Windsor Accessibility Advisory Committee is to:

• advise city council and staff;
• undertake needs assessments;
• promote community awareness;
• encourage co-ordinated services; and
• act as policy advocates.

Sub-committees are responsible for:

• barrier-free design;
• curb cuts, sidewalks and railway crossings;
• employment issues;
• health services; and
• transportation matters.

City of Guelph

In June 2001, the City of Guelph and the Guelph-Wellington Barrier Free Advisory Committee released Accessibility Guidelines. The guidelines are meant to assist the planning, design and development process to realize a barrier-free Guelph.

The guidelines were developed using standards and knowledge gathered from other cities and organizations across North America, including the National Building Code and Accessibility Standards (Canada), the Canadian Standards Association, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Guelph-Wellington Barrier-Free Advisory Committee. The city has adopted the following goals:

• The City of Guelph, as an employer and provider of services, is committed to barrier-free access and thus will:
• take a leadership role in achieving and setting an example to the business, institutional and volunteer sectors in terms of access and integration, employment equity, communications, recreation, transportation, housing and education;
• establish a process to identify barriers and gaps in existing services and facilities;
• continuously improve the level of accessibility of existing municipal services and facilities;
• actively encourage input from all segments of the community in the design, development and operation of new and renovated municipal services and facilities; and
• provide resources and support to give effect to this policy.

(City of Guelph, Accessibility Guidelines, June 2001)

City of Brampton

In April 2001, Brampton City Council adopted a policy on universal design for play spaces. Council also adopted a list of standards for ramping, surfacing, landings, wheelchair accessible platforms and entrances and exits.

Brampton’s objective is to enhance universal accessibility for all people with a physical or mental disability to all of the city’s playgrounds through the application of universal design principles. The goal of this policy is to ensure quality play value for every child focusing on the development of social, physical and cooperative skills, including opportunities for integration, interaction and inclusion with other children. The policy applies to both new and replacement play equipment.

City of Winnipeg

The City of Winnipeg was Canada’s first municipality to adopt a universal design policy in December 2001, thereby making a commitment to creating a city that is truly inclusive of all citizens through endorsing and incorporating the concept of universal design with the following goals:

• to accept that the population in Winnipeg has a variety of different abilities, strengths, heights, etc., and that this should not exclude or segregate anyone from participating in community life and accessing and using municipal services;
• to reduce the need and costs associated with providing disability-specific solutions by providing a generalized approach to design that accommodates a wider range of people;
• to ensure that new civic buildings, environments, products, services and programs are designed to be useable by a wide range of citizens; and
• to promote a city that is comfortable, attractive and inclusive.

During 1998 and 1999, the City of Winnipeg conducted an accessibility audit that can be used by other municipalities as a model. The city’s Access Advisory Committee, which advises council on access to information, services and properties, oversaw the project. People with disabilities assisted in designing the research, conducting the audit and analysing data (Ringaert, 2000).

Winnipeg is fostering universal design because it believes a universally designed city will be accessible, safe and aesthetically pleasing. It will be able to attract more tourists, convention dollars and improve the quality of life of its own residents, as it gives everyone the opportunity to take full advantage of the city’s services and amenities.

8 Conclusion

This handbook has been designed to raise awareness and help improve accessibility in outdoor public spaces and facilities. The Ontarians with Disabilities Act requires municipal planning and community building initiatives to take universal design into consideration. Doing so gives all members of the community the power to participate.

9 Self-Assessment Questionnaire

What is your municipality’s AQ-Accessibility Quotient?

Take the Test – The following questionnaire is designed for municipal officials, planning staff and other department staff as a “self-assessment tool” to help determine a community’s AQ.

This self-assessment questionnaire will allow a municipality to assess its present status in various areas of municipal service delivery, primarily related to land use planning, and to determine the relative strengths and weaknesses in these areas. An analysis of these strengths and weaknesses can help municipal staff determine appropriate actions to take to improve upon the weaker areas.

Why is a high AQ important & how can your municipality improve accessibility?

• Ensure equal access for all citizens and improve their quality of life in the process;
• Identify barriers within your municipality;
• Incorporate universal design principles into your planning and development process;
• Help identify measures to include in your accessibility plan required by the ODA;
• Use accessibility as a marketing tool to attract a wider range of tourists and conferences/conventions;
• Plan for the increasing numbers of people with disabilities as the population ages; and
• Help your municipality comply with the Human Rights Code.

There are four steps to determining your accessibility quotient:

1. Complete the questionnaire.
2. Total your answers.
3. Assess the results and discuss with council, access committee and other staff.
4. Prepare accessibility plans as required by the ODA and update local planning procedures and policies.

NOTE: For a broader questionnaire applying to municipal services, please refer to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities document, A How-to Manual on Municipal Access. In addition, the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration’s website includes a municipal questionnaire specifically related to the ODA.

Accessibility Quotient: the Test

Questions		Yes	No
Municipal Staff and Attitudes
1.	Does your municipality have an accessibility plan that is updated annually, as required by the ODA?
2.	Does your municipality have a main contact person/department identified to handle inquiries related to accessibility, and can the contact be reached through multiple formats? For full marks, the contact person should have information about your municipality’s approach toward creating a barrier-free environment readily available. Add a bonus point if it is already in multiple formats (e.g., TTY/TDD and Braille or other text reading software) and available on the municipality’s website.
3.	Does your municipality maintain an updated inventory of accessible municipal features?
4.	Does your municipality monitor the availability and usage of barrier-free features? Example 1: accessible parking spaces – are there enough; are they close to the buildings they serve? Example 2: curb cuts – do curb cuts comply with barrier-free design standards?
5.	Does your municipality have policies on: accommodating employees with disabilities? ensuring municipal facilities, publications, websites, meetings and services are accessible to people with disabilities?
6.	Does your municipality have a committee designated to deal with accessibility issues, which includes members with disabilities as required by the ODA?
7.	Does municipal staff discuss/coordinate developments and redevelopments with other departments to ensure universal design standards are incorporated?
8.	Does your municipality collect and analyse data regarding people with disabilities, including numbers, locations and aging demographics?
9.	Does your municipality include information on accessibility when marketing for tourism and conventions?
10.	Does your municipality offer staff sensitivity training with respect to interaction with people with disabilities and understanding issues concerning people with disabilities?
Land Use Planning and Development
11.	Does your municipal official plan contain policies promoting a barrier-free municipality?
12.	Does your comprehensive zoning by-law require or accommodate barrier-free provisions?
13.	Does the review of all planning applications ensure regard is given to accessibility for persons with disabilities as required by the Planning Act?
14.	Does your municipality ensure barrier-free designs are incorporated into new construction projects and redevelopments in outdoor public spaces?
15.	Does your municipality have an internal process for the Accessibility Advisory Committee to review site plans and drawings in a timely manner, as set out in Sections 12(5) and 12(6) of the ODA?
16.	Does your municipality provide information in multiple formats to persons with disabilities to enable them to participate in the planning process (i.e., large print, audio tapes, computer diskettes, Braille)?
Infrastructure and Maintenance
17.	When planning sidewalks and walkways, does your municipality implement accessibility features such as curb cuts, ramps, grate design and location, and grade elevations?
18.	Are all municipal buildings, parks and recreational facilities barrier-free, including playgrounds?
19.	Does your municipality use audible traffic signals at busy intersections and do people understand them?
20.	Do your municipal maintenance and snow removal plans keep walks and exterior spaces clear for wheelchairs, canes, strollers, etc.?
21.	Does your municipality use international and universal symbols and tactile signage? Consider print size, colour, lighting and contrast.
22.	Are trash receptacles, drinking fountains, benches, public telephones and other municipal accessories easily accessible for people using wheelchairs and other assistive devices?
Transportation
23.	Is an appropriate amount of public transportation available to people with disabilities in your municipality?
24.	Is sensitivity training offered to drivers and other transportation staff?
25.	Is there a transportation committee that includes members with disabilities?
26.	Does your municipality have a parking bylaw and does it adequately serve people with disabilities? Note: The province issues Disabled Person Parking Permits and municipalities are responsible for enforcing parking bylaws.
27.	Does your municipality have incentives that encourage local taxi companies to provide accessible vehicles in their fleets?
Housing and Accommodation
28.	Does your municipality promote and provide incentives to developers to build adaptable and accessible housing, and is visit-ability a consideration?
29.	Is there a sufficient inventory of barrier-free residential/rental units in the municipality to accommodate people with disabilities and seniors?
30.	Do your local hotels, motels and other short-term accommodation contain barrier-free units for guests with disabilities?

How did you score?

There are 30 questions. Award one point for each “YES” answer. Then, total your number of “YES” answers.

• Municipal Staff and Attitudes Total _____ out of 10
• Land Use Planning and Development Total _____ out of 6
• Infrastructure and Maintenance Total _____ out of 6
• Transportation Total _____ out of 5
• Housing Total _____ out of 3
• OVERALL TOTAL _____ out of 30

A score greater than 25 indicates that you are likely well on you way to being accessible. It is important, however, to look continuously for opportunities to improve access and opportunities for people with disabilities

Glossary

Accessible means that a program, activity, meeting, hearing, or other event or process is readily usable by an individual, regardless of his or her abilities. When used in reference to a building or facility, it means that a facility can be approached, entered and used by any individual, regardless of his or her abilities.

Accessibility is a set of qualities of a product, service or facility that enables people with disabilities and seniors to get to, find, reach and use it, with or without the help of special assistive devices. Barriers to accessibility faced by people with disabilities are found in employment, communication, public transportation, the built environment, government services, the use of everyday products and access to education.

Amenity Strip means a portion of the sidewalk that is distinguished by colour and texture, and is dedicated to the placement of utilities, signs, newspaper boxes, bicycle racks and other items that could otherwise inhibit the movement of pedestrians and persons with disabilities using mobility aids.

Assistive Devices are products, instruments, equipment or technological aids used by people with disabilities that help prevent, compensate, relieve or neutralise a disability.

Barrier as defined by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act means anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of his or her disability, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an information or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy or a practice.

Barrier-Free as defined by the Ontario Building Code means that a building and its facilities can be approached, entered and used by persons with physical and sensory disabilities.

Barrier-Free Design means giving users the ability to move around without restriction. The term barrier-free design is commonly interpreted as removing physical and attitudinal obstacles that prevent the free movement of persons with disabilities in a manner that is consistent with regulations, standards or codes of practice.

Curb Cut is a short ramp cutting through a curb that eliminates the step between the sidewalk and the road.

Curb Ramp is a sloped, paved area leading from a sidewalk to a curb cut at an intersection with vehicular traffic.

Detectable Surface is flooring material that is colour/brightness contrasted with the surrounding floor material and is of a different texture from the surrounding floor material. Textures should be immediately detectable, but should not present a tripping hazard. Markings should be colour fast, durable, easily cleaned and crowned to drain.

Disability as defined by the ODA and the Ontario Human Rights Code means:

1. any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,
2. a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,
3. a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,
4. a mental disorder, or
5. an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

Inclusive Design is often used interchangeably with “universal design.” Inclusiveness means right to access, right to use and enjoy without special status or burden.

Multiple Format means a form of communicating information that may be oral, written, in large type, sign language, audio cassette, use computer technology or other means that are readily understandable to, and usable by a person, regardless of his or her disability.

Tactile describes an object that can be perceived using the sense of touch.

Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Universal design seeks to create products and environments that are usable by the broadest spectrum of the population, regardless of age or physical differences.

Where To Get More Information

Provincial Planning and Environmental Services Branch
14th Floor – 777 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M5G 2E5
(416) 585-6014

Staff located in MMAH Municipal Services Offices across Ontario:

Central
777 Bay Street, 2nd Floor
Toronto M5G 2E5
General Inquiry: (416) 585-6226
Toll Free: 1-800-688-0230
Fax: (416) 585-6882

Southwest
659 Exeter Road, 2nd Floor
London N6E 1L3
General Inquiry: (519) 873-4020
Toll Free: 1-800-265-4736
Fax: (519) 873-4018

East
8 Estate Lane, Rockwood House
Kingston K7M 9A8
General Inquiry: (613) 548-6822
Toll Free: 1-800-267-9438
Fax: (613) 548-6822

Northeast
159 Cedar Street, Suite 401
Sudbury P3E 6A5
General Inquiry: (705) 564-0120
Toll Free: 1-800-461-1193
Fax: (705) 564-6863

Northwest
435 James Street South, Suite 223
Thunder Bay P7E 6S7
General Inquiry: (807) 475-1651
Toll Free: 1-800-465-5027
Fax: (807) 475-1196

References

Abilities: Canada’s Lifestyle Magazine for People with Disabilities.

Burlington (Vermont) Disability Council. Physical Accessibility Checklist. 1990.

Burlington (Vermont) Planning Commission. Removing Barriers – A Guide for Including People with Disabilities in the Planning Process. 1990.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Housing for Persons with Disabilities. 1996.

Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Ontario Division. Clearing Our Path: Recommendations on How to Make Public Places Accessible to People who are Blind, Visually Impaired, and Deafblind. August 1998.

Canadian Standards Association. CAN/CSA-B651-95, Barrier-Free Design, Public Safety, A National Standard of Canada. 1995.

Canadian Standards Association. B480-02, Customer Service Standard for People with Disabilities. June 2002.

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