Durham Regional Council has passed the Regional Municipality of Durham 2018 Accessibility Report. The document outlines initiatives completed throughout the previous calendar year, contributing to the elimination of accessibility barriers across regional operations.
“Durham Region is more vibrant, more diverse and growing faster than just about any place in Ontario,” said John Henry Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer. “Our commitment—to continuous improvement and service excellence—allows us to make our region more accessible and inclusive. This diversity is valuable, as it supports our quality of life.”
The Region of Durham first implemented an Accessibility Plan in 2003, and since that time, the AAC (Accessibility Advisory Committee) have been working to achieve a more accessible environment through identifying, removing and preventing barriers related to attitudes; information and communication; policies and procedures; customer service; employment; programs and services; transportation; and the design of public spaces, said a media release.
Durham Region 2018 initiatives include:
- Updating the Durham Region Transit (DRT) website with an accessible design, plain language and easy-to-read fonts.
- Holding accessible document training for 420 employees who produce Regional Council reports, application forms, web pages and more.
- Releasing a step-by-step accessible document guide and checklist.
- Creating a diversity and inclusion strategy to promote inclusion and address barriers.
- Releasing an accessible web publishing policy.
- Working with Brock Township to help create an accessible template for their council reports.
- Creating an accessible procurement document; rolled out training for procurement officers.
- Installing counter loop hearing systems at service counters in all five Durham Regional Police Service divisions, plus at the Information Release Office at Regional Headquarters; five new accessible pedestrian signals at intersections; and elevator annunciators, in all four elevators, at Regional Headquarters.
- Making the Primary Care Outreach Program a permanent service in the Oshawa area; providing front-line support for those who are homeless/underhoused or have mental health and addiction challenges.
- Introducing a series of children’s books—promoting diversity and inclusion—into our six child-care centres.
Ontario’s accessibility laws require the Region of Durham to have an Accessibility Advisory Committee to advise Durham Regional Council about the preparation of accessibility plans and the achievement of actions outlined within the plan. The Region’s AAC was first established in 2002, and consists of members from various backgrounds, several local area municipalities, with different types of disabilities.