Centre Wellington is adopting the multi-year accessibility plan submitted by the manager of legislative services/municipal clerk Kerri O’Kane dated Oct. 20.
In her report, O’Kane stated the township “is committed to, and will continue to promote accessibility through the development of policies, procedures and practices and by ensuring they consider people with disabilities.”
She added those policies, procedures and practices must address integration, independence, dignity and equal opportunity.
The township is required to meet all regulations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
While compliance timelines vary, Centre Wellington has established its multi-year approach to ensure those deadlines are met.
The accessibility plan will be reviewed every five years.
O’Kane noted this accessibility plan outlines the municipality’s strategy and creates a road map to help meet Ontario’s accessibility laws, remove and prevent future accessibility barriers.
The plan also highlights the township’s accomplishments over the past several years, and a yearly status report will be published in future years.
When preparing a multi-year accessibility plan, the township is required to consult people with disabilities and/or their organization’s accessibility advisory committee. Centre Wellington’s multi-year accessibility plan has been circulated to the Wellington County Accessibility Advisory Committee and any comments and/or suggestions received will be incorporated.
O’Kane considered this a milestone for the municipality.
“We’re very proud to have put this together and submit it to the ministry.”
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj said the township is taking the lead on addressing these issues.
Ross-Zuj pointed to the recent renovations to the municipal building as an example of that commitment.
