Accessibility

Among Ontario’s numerous laws, the Ontario Human Rights Code has “primacy.” This means that Ontario laws, with a few exceptions, must follow the Human Rights Code.

The Code protects people from discrimination and harassment under the ground of “disability” in the “social areas” of employment, services, goods, facilities, housing, contracts and membership in trade and vocational associations. This means that people with disabilities have the right to equal treatment, which includes the right to accessible workplaces, schools, public transit, health and social services, restaurants, shops and housing, among other areas. The preamble to the code emphasizes the importance of creating a climate of understanding and mutual respect for the dignity and worth of each person, so that each person can contribute fully to the development and well-being of the community. The Ontario Code protects people with disabilities from discrimination and harassment under the ground of “disability.”

Organizations have a legal obligation under the code to not discriminate against people with disabilities and to eliminate discrimination when it happens. These obligations apply in situations where discrimination is direct and the result of a person’s internal stereotypes or prejudices. They also apply when discrimination is indirect and may exist within and across institutions because of laws, policies and unconscious practices.

Organizations and institutions operating in Ontario have a legal duty to take steps to prevent and respond to breaches of the code. Employers, housing providers, service providers and other responsible parties must make sure they maintain accessible, inclusive, discrimination and harassment-free environments that respect human rights.

The Ontario Human Rights Code’s (OHRC’s) Policy on Ableism and Discrimination Based on Disability is intended to supplement, elaborate on, and clarify the Ontario Human Rights Code by providing extensive, clear, user-friendly guidance on how to assess, handle and resolve human rights matters related to disability.

“Ableism” refers to attitudes in society that devalue and limit the potential of persons with disabilities. Ableism may be defined as a belief system, analogous to racism, sexism or ageism that sees persons with disabilities as being less worthy of respect and consideration, less able to contribute and participate, or of less inherent value than others. Ableism may be conscious or unconscious, and may be embedded in institutions, systems or the broader culture of a society. It can limit the opportunities of persons with disabilities and reduce their inclusion in the life of their communities.

Ontario’s 2016 policy Ableism assists organizations and institutions, such as the Town of Georgina, to better understand and appropriately discharge responsibilities under the Ontario Human Rights Code. The OHRC’s policies reflect its interpretation of the code, and set out standards, guidelines and best practice examples for how individuals, service providers, housing providers, employers and others should act to ensure equality for all Ontarians. The OHRC’s policy on ableism and discrimination based on disability provides practical guidance on the legal rights and responsibilities set out in the code as they relate to the ground of disability.

The 2016 policy assists organizations to better understand and appropriately discharge their responsibilities under the code. This policy will help organizations:

• understand their rights and obligations under the code;
• design their facilities, policies and procedures inclusively;
• respond to accommodation requests;
• address complaints related to disability; and,
• find further resources.

The policy is intended to provide clear, user-friendly guidance on how to assess, handle and resolve human rights matters related to disability; for example, the following guidance is provided on “appropriate accommodations”:

• In addition to designing inclusively and removing barriers, organizations must respond to individual requests for accommodation. The duty to accommodate requires that the most appropriate accommodation be determined and provided, unless this causes undue hardship.
• Accommodation is considered appropriate if it results in equal opportunity to enjoy the same level of benefits and privileges experienced by others or if it is proposed or adopted for the purpose of achieving equal opportunity and meets the individual’s disability-related needs. The most appropriate accommodation is one that most: respects dignity, responds to a person’s individualized needs and allows for integration and full participation.
• Human rights case law makes it clear that the purpose of the code is to accommodate a person’s needs, not their preferences. If there is a choice between two accommodations that respond equally to the person’s needs in a dignified way, then the accommodation provider is entitled to select the one that is less expensive or less disruptive to the organization.
• The accommodation process is a shared responsibility. Everyone involved should co-operatively engage in the process, share information and consider potential accommodation solutions. Organizations and people responsible for accommodation are not, as a rule, expected to accommodate disabilities they are unaware of.

For the Town of Georgina, policies, practices, job-specific training and accommodations regarding employment; receiving goods, services and using facilities; housing; and contracts have been informed by clarifications to the code that the policy provides.

In 2005, the Government of Ontario passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), which requires that Ontario be an accessible province by 2025. The AODA is legislation that establishes a process for developing and enforcing accessibility standards. Accessibility standards are regulations that government, businesses, non-profits and public sector organizations must follow to become more accessible.

The AODA immediately impacts those with restrictions due to age, mental, physical or intellectual disabilities; however, the standards outlined in the AODAwill affect everyone in one way or another. For example, an automatic door designed for persons with disabilities could also benefit a parent pushing a stroller or someone with their hands full. At some point in time, everyone will require assistance due to a temporary or permanent disability.

Five standards have been established by the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) under the AODA. The standards help organizations to identify and remove barriers to improve accessibility in the following areas:

Customer Service

The first standard, Customer Service, came into force on Jan. 1, 2008. Its provisions were phased in, taking effect for the provincial government and the broader public sector in 2010 and the private sector (business and non-profits) in 2012. This was also the first standard to undergo the mandatory five-year review, which began in September 2013 and resulted in a revised standard that took effect July 1, 2016.

The standard applies to all providers of goods, services or facilities. It requires them to develop, implement and maintain policies for serving people with disabilities that are consistent with the principles of dignity and independence, integration, equal opportunity and communication that takes disability into account. Among other requirements, providers must train staff and volunteers in accessible customer service, create a process for receiving and responding to feedback, and permit service animals and support persons to enter the premises.

The next three standards were combined in the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) that took effect on July 1, 2011. Again, the requirements were phased in, though coming into effect over a much longer timeframe, between 2011 and 2021. These standards are:

Information and communications

These standards address the way information is created and communicated. Organizations are required to provide accessible formats and communication support on request. The standard also covers areas such as websites and web content, educational and training materials and resources, educator training and public libraries.

Accessible websites and web content – Designated public sector organizations and large organizations are obliged to make their internet websites and web content conform with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, initially at Level A and increasing to Level AA by Jan. 1, 2021, other than live captions, and pre-recorded audio descriptions. At WCAG 2.0 level AA, it is no longer sufficient to indicate that alternate formats will be provided on request.

Employment

This standard supports accessibility throughout the employment relationship. Among other provisions, it requires employers to notify employees and the public that recruitment processes are accessible; accommodate the needs of job applicants on request; provide work-related information in accessible formats; provide customized emergency response information; and establish a process for developing individual accommodation plans. It also calls for accommodation in return to work, performance management, career development and redeployment processes.

Transportation

This standard includes an array of policy, operational and technical requirements to prevent and remove barriers in both conventional public passenger services and specialized transportation services for persons with disabilities. Among the many areas affected are accessibility planning, equipment and training; pre-boarding and on-board announcements; fares; and priority seating and storage of mobility aids. Obligations are also imposed on municipalities that license taxicabs and on school boards and other public sector organizations that offer transportation services.

In Georgina, transit is a regional service and accessibility requirements are outlined in the Region of York’s Accessibility Plan. The Town of Georgina is responsible for ensuring the requirements for accessible taxicabs are met.

Design of public spaces (built environment)

A further standard, covering parts of the Built Environment, was added to the IASR on Jan. 1, 2013. Applicable to newly constructed or redeveloped public-use areas, it was phased in between 2015 and 2018. It covers such public spaces and features as recreational trails and beach access routes, outdoor tables for eating, outdoor play spaces, outdoor sidewalks or walkways, off-street parking, waiting areas, service counters and queuing guides.

The Design of Public Spaces Standard focuses on removing barriers in areas not covered by the Ontario Building Code such as playgrounds, on and off-street parking, recreational trails and service counters. It applies to new construction or re-construction of existing spaces. It does not require organizations to retrofit in order to be compliant.

General provisions

In addition to the above standards, the IASR contains general requirements concerning accessibility policies, multi-year accessibility plans, accessibility criteria and features in procurement, accessible self-service kiosks, and training of employees and volunteers on the IASR standards and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

As of July 1, 2016, the revised Customer Service standard was folded into the IASR, bringing all AODA standards into a single regulation in order to make the requirements easier to follow and implement.

If accessibility standards under the AODA fall short of requirements under the Ontario Human Rights Code in a given situation, the requirements of the Ontario Human Rights Code will prevail.

Beyond the AODA’s Design of Public Spaces standard, other requirements for the Built Environment are found in Ontario’s Building Code, which has included barrier-free design provisions since 1990. The Ontario Building Code (OBC) regulates most aspects of the construction of buildings and other structures within the Province of Ontario.

Enhanced accessibility standards covering most new construction and extensive renovations of buildings were incorporated into the Building Code effective Jan. 1, 2015. The amendments update requirements in such areas as visual fire alarms and smoke alarms; elevator access between stories in most buildings; barrier-free path of travel throughout buildings, including power doors at entrances to a wider range of buildings; and the minimum number of visitable suites in apartment buildings, which was raised from 10 per cent to 15 per cent.

The Building Code does not apply to existing buildings where no work is planned and most accessibility requirements do not affect houses.

Legislation from other jurisdictions may sometimes provide helpful insights into accessibility/inclusion issues in Ontario. The Government of Canada, several other Canadian provinces and the United States have taken steps to implement accessibility/inclusion legislation as indicated below:

• Federal Government of Canada:
  • The Accessible Canada Act: An Act to Ensure a Barrier-free Canada, 2019
  • The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
  • The Canadian Human Rights Act
  • The Employment Equity Act
  • Standard on Web Accessibility
• Provincial:
  • The Accessibility for Manitobans Act, 2013
  • Nova Scotia Accessibility Act, 2017
  • Quebec's Act to Secure Handicapped Persons in the Exercise of their Rights with a View to Achieving Social, School and Workplace Integration, 2004
  • Accessible British Columbia Act, 2021
• United States 
  • Americans With Disabilities Act, 1990/2008

Since Ontario’s legislation and regulations relating to accessibility often specify minimum compliance requirements, the Town believes that going above and beyond the letter of the law and seeking best practices often makes practical sense in the pursuit of an inclusive community.

Other best practices are actively shared among Georgina’s various accessibility partners (discussed below), especially among York Region, its tier-two municipalities, and members of the Ontario Network of Accessibility Professionals (ONAP). A large and growing international community of interest in accessibility and inclusion is an online source for innovative thought, practices and technologies.

This section is under construction. Check back for more information.

As outlined in the AODA, the Council of every municipality having a population of not less than 10,000 must establish an accessibility advisory committee.

The Georgina Accessibility Advisory Committee (GAAC) advises and assists the Town in creating and facilitating strategies for the development and maintenance of a barrier-free community. Each year the GAAC normally holds 10 monthly public meetings except for July and August. 

Both during and between scheduled meetings, GAAC is highly active and is regularly involved in awareness raising; development and implementation of municipal accessibility policies, standards and providing advice on implementation; consultation and collaboration on accessibility issues and projects; as well as site plan application reviews.

The GAAC maintains a full authorized complement of seven, well-qualified, diverse, volunteer members who are appointed by Council. As required by the AODA, the majority of GAAC members live with one or more disabilities. Importantly, all GAAC members are competitively selected by Council for their strong interest in, and commitment to, inclusion as well as for notable expertise and insights into accessibility and to achieve a balance of differing abilities.

The Committee shall consist of seven (7) Members comprised of:

• two (2) Council Members; and
• five (5) citizen appointments

Town staff includes a temporary Accessibility Advisor who is leading the renewal of the Town’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP) and supports meetings of the GAAC and Accessibility Staff Team (GAST) to identify, discuss and advance solutions to municipal issues with respect to accessibility. The GAAC attends Council meetings to present its annual report and business plan to the Town each year and leverages this opportunity to profile the committee’s leading accessibility concerns, identify opportunities for accessibility improvements, and to maintain its positive working relationship with Council and Town staff. Copies of GAAC’s annual report and work plan will be posted to the website along with the Town’s Five-year Accessibility Plan.

The Accessibility Staff Team (GAST) provides professional expertise and technical support to the municipality and to the GAAC. The GAST ensures interdepartmental cooperation and accountability to collaborative advance accessibility initiatives and solutions. Representatives from Town of Georgina departments

• assist in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to access for people with disabilities;
• determine appropriate work plans for their area of responsibility; and,
• attend GAAC meetings as required.

The GAST meets monthly, up to 10 times annually, to discuss/resolve accessibility issues and to provide updated information on the Town’s various accessibility facilities, programs, services and initiatives.

During the development of the new Five-year Accessibility Plan (2023-2027), GAST will review all legislative requirements of the AODA and the accessibility standards developed under the AODA. In consultation with other staff in their area of responsibility, GSAT members will continue to develop action plans to meet or exceed those legislative requirements.

As implementation of the Five-year Accessibility Plan (2023-2027) proceeds, GAST reports on progress that has been made and continually reviews the legislative requirements and updates to standards. GAST also considers recommendations made by the GAAC and other community stakeholders in accessibility to determine appropriate actions to be taken, and to inform what changes or additions may be required to the Five-year Accessibility Plan (2023-2027).

Members of the Georgina Accessibility Staff Team include representatives from across the organization

• Accessibility Advisor
• Communications
• Economic Development
• Parks Development and Operations
• Recreation Services
• Operations and Infrastructure
• Development Services
• Strategic Initiatives
• Facilities
• Procurement
• Service Georgina
• Municipal Law Enforcement
• Clerks
• Fire and Rescue Services
• Human Resources
   

The Town of Georgina’s Accessibility Team are members of the Ontario Network of Accessibility Professionals (ONAP), a community of interest comprised of approximately 270 public sector accessibility professionals working collectively to remove barriers in municipalities, hospitals, universities and colleges and in other such public sector organizations across the province through the sharing of information and experiences.

Town staff also work in partnership with the Region of York and the eight area municipalities to collaboratively identify and eliminate barriers to accessibility, to and to share best practices.

The Town has established a collaborative community of interest, networks and partnerships on accessibility/inclusion with organizations such as:

• York Region and its tier-two municipalities
• The Ontario Network of Accessibility Professionals (ONAP)
• The Whitby Abilities Centre LEAD Program
• Board of Trade
• Georgina Chamber of Commerce
• March of Dimes
• Ontario Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility
• Georgina Age Friendly Initiative
• Georgina EDI Team 
• Georgina Indigenous Relationship Building Circle – liaison to Indigenous communities
• Georgina Public Library
• Various community stakeholder groups

The full list of beaches, parks and facilities you can see the accessible features of Town facilities.

See specifics about inclusion and support in the Town. 

Click the AccessNow map image below to view the accessibility of Town Facilities, Parks and Beaches.

This website section is under construction. Check back for more information.

This website section is under construction. Check back for more information.

Compared with other jurisdictions in Canada and around the world, Ontario has established an impressively comprehensive and robust legal and policy framework aimed at achieving an inclusive and fully accessible province, and to defeat ableism. 

“Ableism” refers to attitudes in society that devalue and limit the potential of persons with disabilities. Ableism may be defined as a belief system, analogous to racism, sexism or ageism that sees persons with disabilities as being less worthy of respect and consideration, less able to contribute and participate, or of less inherent value than others. Ableism may be conscious or unconscious, and may be embedded in institutions, systems or the broader culture of a society. It can limit the opportunities of persons with disabilities and reduce their inclusion in the life of their communities.

Since 2012, the Canadian population age 15+ with disabilities has grown from 3.8 million to 6.2 million. The disability ratio also climbed, from 14 per cent in 2012 to 22.3 per cent in 2017 and 27 per cent in 2022. The economic impact is substantial with 22.3 per cent of Canada’s 15.2 million households containing at least one member living with a disability. The consumer spending of those households exceeds $200 billion.

This means there are approximately 10,000 people, or more, in Georgina currently living with one or more disabilities. As the population ages, the full impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are realized and economic challenges cause additional mental health challenges in the community, it is expected that the percentage of people with disabilities will continue to increase significantly to and beyond 2025.

Notwithstanding Ontario’s significant leadership achievements in creating an inclusive and accessible society. People with disabilities continue to experience difficulties accessing employment, housing and various services throughout Ontario. Statistics Canada reports that Ontarians with disabilities continue to have lower educational achievement levels, a higher unemployment rate, are more likely to have low-income status, and are less likely to live in adequate, affordable housing than people without disabilities. “Disability” continues to be the most frequently cited ground of discrimination under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code) in human rights claims made to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO).

The Town is currently engaged in the renewal of its Multi-Year Accessibility Plan in consultation with residents living with disabilities, other accessibility stakeholders and the GAAC. Pervasive change as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic challenges and anticipated municipal growth, are themes that set the stage for Georgina’s accessibility planning to 2027.

The Georgina Five-year Accessibility Plan for 2018-2022 has been successfully completed. On an ongoing basis, the GAAC has monitored progress with respect to the plan for 2018-2022 and each spring, the GAAC presented year-end reports and work plans to Council informing them of the committee’s objective assessment of progress on accessibility as well as to keep Council continuously posted on emergent accessibility issues and priorities.

To inform the priorities and content of Georgina’s Five-year Accessibility Plan 2023-2027, a scan of Georgina’s accessibility environment is underway with input from the Georgina Accessibility Advisory Committee; the GAST, persons with disabilities in the Town of Georgina, the Ontario Network of Accessibility Professionals (ONAP), as well as the Georgina community of other accessibility stakeholders. This scan has so far identified a number of factors and considerations likely to shape Georgina’s accessibility future to 2027 and will interact with Georgina’s vision for growth as presented in its Strategic Plan and as discussed above. Some of these factors and considerations are outlined below:

• Demographics – Since 2012, the Canadian population age 15+ with disabilities has grown from 3.8 million to 6.2 million. The disability ratio also climbed, from 14 per cent in 2012 to 22.3 per cent in 2017 and 27 per cent in 2022. The economic impact is substantial with 22.3 per cent of Canada’s 15.2 million households containing at least one member living with a disability, the consumer spending of those households exceeds $200 billion. This means there are approximately 10,000 people, or more, in Georgina currently living with one or more disabilities. As the population ages and the full and longer-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are realized, we can expect the percentage of people with disabilities to increase significantly by 2027.[AW1]
• 2019 AODA Review – The Honourable David C. Onley, Ontario’s 28th Lieutenant Governor, was appointed to review the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and conducted public consultations in 2018. The 2019 report presented Mr. Onley’s numerous recommendations to the Government of Ontario for improvements to the AODA. Among Mr. Onley’s candid observations were the following:
  • “For most disabled persons, Ontario is not a place of opportunity but one of countless, dispiriting, soul-crushing barriers.”
  • “We (people with disabilities) are the only minority group in our society that faces blatant, overt discrimination and whose civil rights are infringed upon every day from multiple directions.”
  • “The message is: you don’t belong here, we don’t want you here and, while we won’t say it out loud, we will make it clear by our design barriers that this place is not for you or for any of your kind.”

• 2023 AODA Review – In 2022, the Government of Ontario appointed Rich Donovan, an expert in accessibility issues, to conduct the mandatory fourth independent review of the implementation and enforcement of the AODA. The process involved consultation with the public and key stakeholders throughout 2022 and 2023. The Independent Fourth Review of the AODA was completed in June 2023 and submitted to the province. The report was made public in Dec. 2023. The report indicated that the province will not achieve a fully accessible province by 2025, negatively impacting those living with disabilities in Ontario. With a view to moving forward, the report made 23 recommendations under three categories: crisis, strategic and tactical.
  The majority of recommendations are designed to be completed in the next three years.
  Five main concerns were outlined in the report:

  • AODA outcomes are poor and are failing people with disabilities.
  • Enforcement of the legislation does not exist.
  • The lack of data and research for people with disabilities was the "single biggest missed opportunity" since the AODA was enacted in 2005.
  • There is a "lack of urgency" on the file from both current and previous Ontario governments.
  • There is a "lack of accountability" for implementing the AODA both in the public and private sector.

  Recommendations under the Crisis category are intended to address immediate threats to public safety. This includes the creation of emergency response protocols in provincial buildings, creating a new agency dedicated to the AODA, and making sure the government, through the Crown agency, Supply Ontario, only procures accessible services and products after 2025. 

  Strategic recommendations are geared toward shifting private sector accessibility regulation to the Federal government. This is intended to help eliminate duplication and boost enforcement now that Canada is working on a Federal counterpart of the AODA, the Accessible Canada Act. 

  Tactical recommendations focus on immediate tangible improvements, such as building a team to collect, analyze and publish disability research and assembling an initial panel of 100 different people with disabilities, who are not advocates or activists, to help inform policy.

• COVID-19 Pandemic – The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, had a profound impact on almost every aspect of life, and seems destined to unpredictably shape Georgina’s future, well into the timeframe of the 2023-2027 Five-year Accessibility Plan. A few specific impacts of the pandemic include:
  • According to research by the Durham Abilities Centre, consequences of the pandemic for people with disabilities have been seeing increased physical and mental health challenges; rising stress levels; social isolation; and financial uncertainty, among others.
  • Social distancing and virtual communication became a norm.
  • For survivors of COVID-19, long-hauler symptoms of the pandemic have created a new range of disabilities such as impairments of lung capacity. A long period of physical inactivity, isolation and stress during the pandemic is likely to have a number of negative health outcomes especially relating to mental illness.
  • Most municipalities have been negatively impacted financially and operationally by the pandemic. (Georgina has resumed its planning for anticipated growth and is moving forward with a significant Accessibility Capital Budget Plan for 2023 to 2027. (see Appendix)) 
  • COVID-19 has expedited the development, refinement and user acceptance of a number of technologies that are supportive of accessibility such as videoconferencing, real-time captioning and translation, and artificial intelligence applications.
• Research – Following the pandemic, research has resumed into barriers to recreation and sports programs; causes of social isolation and inactivity for marginalized groups including people with disabilities; and impacts of exclusion on physical and mental health. This research has identified a number of community groups that remain isolated from recreational opportunities due to barriers including facility and program accessibility, transportation, cultural awareness and sensitivity, and finances. Increasingly, physical activity levels among Ontarian's are declining due to age, ability, time, availability, cost etc., while priority populations continue to experience barriers that reduce access and participation.
• Grants – A number of high value federal and provincial grant opportunities have been announced to advance accessibility/inclusion through focused projects including infrastructure renewal. More accessibility grant opportunities are anticipated through the period ending in 2027.
• Networks – The Ontario Network of Accessibility Professionals (ONAP) and York Region municipalities continue to collaborate in identifying accessibility issues, solutions and successful practices.
• Private sector innovation – A handful of forward-looking private sector builders, boards of trade and other organizations continue to pioneer innovations in accessible residential accessibility.
• Other jurisdictions –  Other Canadian and foreign jurisdictions are actively developing accessibility legislation, regulations and policies, and are pioneering best practices and technologies that are helping to shape the inclusion landscape. As an example, U.S. residential accessibility standards are far more rigorous than the Ontario Building Code.
• Adaptive and other technologies – Adaptive and other technologies are continuously emerging that promise to benefit accessibility. For example, artificial intelligence applications are becoming available such as aerially mapping and inventorying municipal infrastructure to readily assess accessibility deficiencies/opportunities for improvement.
• Surveys – Public opinion data on disability, accessibility and inclusion outlines how people with disabilities continue to face barriers to employment and how Canadians are more likely to support organizations that have specific diversity, equity and inclusion policies that focus on disability. Some highlights include:
  • 91 per cent of Canadians say that it’s unacceptable that people with physical disabilities are underemployed because of workplace barriers.
  • 40 per cent of people with disabilities say companies fall short when it comes to hiring people with disabilities. This increases to 55 per cent for 18- to 34-year-olds with a disability.
  • 92 per cent of Canadians agree that taxpayer-funded projects should be held to the highest accessibility standards.

Georgina’s 2023-2027 Accessibility Plan will provide a roadmap for Council and staff on actions to prevent, reduce and, where possible, eliminate accessibility barriers to Town facilities, programs and services. Additionally, the plan outlines how the Town will meet its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and the Ontario Building Code and continue to enhance the accessibility of its services into the future. This will be the Town’s second multi-year accessibility plan (MYAP) and will continue to build on the successful fulfilment of the 2018-2022 plan.

Since Ontario’s legislation and regulations relating to accessibility often specify minimum compliance requirements, the Town of Georgina believes that going above and beyond the letter of the law and seeking best practices often makes practical sense in the pursuit of an inclusive community. 

Georgina is a smaller but fast-growing Town among the municipalities located in the York Region. Georgina (population 47,642) is slated in its Strategic Plan for significant economic and residential growth; offering an excellent quality of life for those who live, work and play here. The Town continues to evolve as a popular destination for memorable outdoor events, and unique recreational experiences at the heart of a vibrant, inclusive, and engaged community. 

The Town of Georgina provides municipal services and programs to the residents of the Town. Services include provision and maintenance of municipal infrastructure, planning and development, economic development, municipal law enforcement, and inclusive cultural and recreational services. The Town is committed to making its community an attractive place in which to live, work and invest. It boasts top-quality outdoor and indoor recreation assets and recreation programs, a state-of-the-art, new recreation complex, a museum, libraries, as well as dozens of community and neighbourhood parks, beaches, conservation areas, waterfront facilities and hiking trails.

The Town employs many to meet the needs of its residents. The Town also maintains facilities for library services, fire services, recreation and community centres.

Georgina’s new Multi-Use Recreation Complex (MURC) not only fully complies with Ontario’s accessibility standards but models best practices in inclusive design. The Town’s future programs, events and services will continue to advance the Town's accessibility. It is Georgina’s ambition to be seen as an Ontario showcase for accessibility and inclusion.

Other Town plans that intersect with accessibility and inclusion are at various stages of development/completion and will need to be articulated and harmonized with Georgina’s new Five-year Accessibility Plan. Such plans include those dealing with recreation, age-friendly initiatives; affordable/accessible housing and, diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Town’s long-term vision is to ensure that Georgina is a caring and responsive community known for its commitment to equity, inclusion and accessibility as well as its achievements in these areas. With the support of Council, management, staff, the GAAC, volunteers and a broad range of community partners, barrier removal will continue to be a priority in Georgina. Accessibility is everyone’s responsibility and will be incorporated by design into the work of all Town Departments.

The 2023-2027 Five-year Accessibility Plan includes both new and continuing initiatives that will help meet Georgina’s commitment to an inclusive community where all residents and visitors have access to Town services, programs and facilities in a manner that is integrated and promotes dignity and independence.

In 2023-2027, the Town will continue to address the areas of accessibility outlined in the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and will also consider barriers to accessibility more broadly, and with reference to best practices and emergent opportunities, seek innovative, inclusive solutions. In addition to the standards under the IASR, the Town is committed to going beyond the legislated requirements, where feasible, to ensure that barriers to accessibility are identified and addressed throughout the community.

Georgina’s areas of priority include:

• accessibility of Town facilities, resources, programs and services
• accessibility partnerships and collaboration
• website accessibility
• mental and physical wellness, particularly through recreation and sports and access to serene, tranquil public spaces
• parks, playgrounds, pedestrian and cyclist corridors, sidewalks and trails
• accessible and affordable housing options
• accessible transportation
• community employment opportunities for people with disabilities
• signage and navigation

This website section is under construction. Check back for more information.

View agendas, minutes and meeting recordings for the Council and the Georgina Accessibility Advisory Committee (GAAC).

Ontario Legal Framework, Standards and Policies

• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 11 (ontario.ca)
  • O. Reg. 191/11: INTEGRATED ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS (ontario.ca)
• Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19 (ontario.ca)
  • New OHRC Policy on ableism and discrimination based on disability | Ontario Human Rights Commission
• O. Reg. 332/12: BUILDING CODE (ontario.ca)

Federal Legal Framework, Standards and Resources

• Government Bill (House of Commons) C-81 (42-1) - Royal Assent - Accessible Canada Act - Parliament of Canada
• About an Accessible Canada - Canada.ca
• Accessibility Standards Canada
• Services for persons with disabilities - Canada.ca

• Accessibility in Ontario | ontario.ca
• How to comply with the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation | ontario.ca
• AccessForward | ontario.ca
• Guide to Accessible Festivals & Outdoor Events (king.ca)
• Guide to Conducting Accessible Meetings (omssa.com)
• Accessible Engagement - Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (omssa.com)
• 160307102314920_IPC+Accessibility+Guide.pdf (paralympic.org)
• WCAG 2 Overview | Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) | W3C

• Accessibility Design Standards (ottawa.ca)
• Town of Aurora Accessibility Design Standards - Town of Aurora
• Oshawa Accessibility Design Standards - 4th Edition February 2022
• Accessibility Resources | Rick Hansen Foundation

• Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility | ontario.ca
• Accessibility | York Region
• Community Hub & Inclusion Incubator | Abilities Centre Whitby
• Kinark Child and Family Services
• Empowering Lives | Canadian Hearing Services (chs.ca)
• Resources | CNIB
• Autism Home Base
• Ontario Disability Support Program | ontario.ca
• Ontario Workinfonet (OnWIN) - Links - Persons With disABILITIES
• NEADS
• Accelerating Accessibility Coalition | ULI Toronto
• Free Digital Accessibility Resources | AbilityNet

• National AccessAbility Week | Rick Hansen Foundation
• Red Shirt Day & National AccessAbility Week - Easter Seals Canada