Brampton City 2008 Municipal
Accessibility Plan Published

Brampton - The City of Brampton has published its 2008 Municipal Accessibility Plan (MAP), which ensures that people of all ages and abilities are able to enjoy the same opportunities to live, work and play in the City. The MAP has been developed by the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) with input from the Staff Committee and Sub Committees of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA).

"The City of Brampton aims to make all its facilities, programs and services accessible to all citizens. Every citizen has the right to equal opportunity in all areas of life. We work with various levels of government, our community and corporate partners to make sure that we continuously improve upon our accessibility plans," said Mayor Susan Fennell.

"The City of Brampton is committed to providing a vibrant, safe and attractive city of opportunity for all its citizens," said Councillor Sandra Hames, who sits on the AAC. "Our Accessibility Plan is designed to improve access to services, tools, organizations and facilities for persons with disabilities."

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), which replaces the ODA and is the guiding document for accessibility in Ontario, is provincial legislation that aims to make Ontario fully accessible for people with disabilities by the year 2025.

The AAC comprises up to 14 members, including a member of Council and at least seven public members with disabilities. The ODA Staff Committee and Sub Committees comprise staff from all City departments and the Brampton Library. The primary role of these committees is to create and recommend priorities and initiatives to remove and prevent new barriers to accessibility.

The 2008 Accessibility Plan focuses on a number of new initiatives, and continues to build on initiatives undertaken in 2007, including:

• Update of Accessibility Technical Standards, which serves as a tool for the City to prevent the creation of new barriers and to reduce and remove existing barriers for people with disabilities

• Community outreach to improve accessibility in residential, commercial/industrial and school board developments

• Review of sidewalks, walkway and trail way design and implementation policies

• Review of the Winter Control Plan and the Snow Removal Assistance Program as they relate to people with disabilities

• Review of access to and availability of accessible parking

• Studying the feasibility of an ongoing emergency services database of citizens who have identified a need for special assistance through Brampton Fire and Emergency Services.

The AAC has been involved in the design and development of a number of City facilities including the Flower City Community Centre Senior's Centre and the Brampton Soccer Centre, which is considered the most accessible facility in the City. It has also been actively involved in the design of three new facilities opening this year – the Brampton Transit Sandalwood Yard, opening in June, and the Cassie Campbell Community Centre and Century Gardens Recreation Centre, both opening in the Fall.

To view the 2008 Municipal Accessibility Plan please visit http://www.brampton.ca/accessibility/.