Background
Preparing the Accessibility Plan
This Plan was prepared by the Region of Peel Accessibility Planning Program in consultation with the Accessibility Planning Steering Committee, the Region of Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), the Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Solicitor, the Regional Clerk and Director, Clerk’s, and departmental staff.
Under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA), all municipalities have a legal obligation to prepare accessibility plans. The ODA specifies that municipalities must consult with people with disabilities in preparing their accessibility plans.
In preparing accessibility plans, municipalities must consider the following**:
- Plans must address a broad range of disability issues, taking into account the full definition of disability under the ODA and the Ontario Human Rights Code.
- Plans must examine all aspects of the municipality’s operations, including by-laws, practices, facilities, programs and services.
- Municipalities must take into consideration their role as service providers and employers.
- Plans must identify steps to be taken over time to remove identified barriers and prevent any new ones.
- It is important that municipalities consider incorporating accessibility planning into their business planning cycle to ensure a thoughtful, effective, efficient process with meaningful outcomes.
- All municipalities are accountable to their communities and, as such, must make their accessibility plans available to the public.
**Information obtained from the Ministry of Community and Social Services website.
