planning for barrier-free municipalities · universal design and barrier-free design universal...

A Handbook & Self Assessment Tool

Planning for Barrier-Free Municipalities


ISBN 0-7794-4276-8

© Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2005

1 INTRODUCTION – PURPOSE OF THE HANDBOOK ..................... 5

The Planning Act and Accessibility .............................................................................. 5

The Ontario Human Rights Code ................................................................................... 6

How to use the Handbook .............................................................................................. 6

Self-Assessment Questionnaire .................................................................................... 6

2 WHAT IS A BARRIER-FREE MUNICIPALITY? ................................... 7

Universal Design and Barrier-Free Design .................................................................. 7

Universal Design and Barrier-Free Design is Increasingly Important .................... 7

Universal Design is Cost Efficient ................................................................................. 7

3 EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL BARRIERS ........................................................ 8

4 PLANNING FOR ACCESSIBLE MUNICIPALITIES:Establishing the Policy Framework ......................................................... 9

Promoting Barrier-Free Design and Universal Design in the Planning Process ............................................................................................................. 9

Accessibility Plans and Advisory Committees ............................................................ 10

Interdepartmental Cooperation ..................................................................................... 10

Involving Community Groups and Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees ..... 10

Making the Accessibility Plan Available to Municipal Staff and Developers ........... 10

5 PLANNING FOR BARRIER-FREE MUNICIPALITIES:Implementing the Framework .................................................................... 11

Transportation ................................................................................................................... 11

Recreational and Other Public Facilities ...................................................................... 12

Landscaping Design and Fences ................................................................................... 12

Sidewalks, Walkways and Paths ................................................................................... 12

Street Furniture and Amenities ...................................................................................... 12

Signage and Symbols ...................................................................................................... 13

Housing .............................................................................................................................. 13

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Handbook & Self Assessment ToolBuilding Strong Communities 3

6 TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS ........................................... 14

Communications and Planning Policy .......................................................................... 14

7 MUNICIPAL BEST PRACTICES AND EXAMPLES ............................ 15

City of Peterborough ........................................................................................................ 15

City of Windsor ................................................................................................................. 16

City of Guelph .................................................................................................................... 16

City of Brampton ............................................................................................................... 17

City of Winnipeg ............................................................................................................... 17

8 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................ 18

9 SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE .................................................... 19

Accessibility Quotient: the Test ..................................................................................... 20

GLOSSARY .......................................................................................................................... 23

WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION ......................................................... 25

REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................... 26

INTERNET REFERENCES ......................................................................................... 28

Planning for Barrier-Free Municipalities4

5

Planning for Barrier-Free Municipalitiesraises awareness among municipalities,planning boards and the developmentindustry on how to eliminate barriers forpeople with disabilities in their planningand development decisions, especiallydecisions involving public facilities and outdoor public spaces. This handbook provides suggestions for municipalities todevelop barrier-free policies and optionsthat will suit their local circumstances and resources.

The goal is to assist and encourage munici-palities to implement local initiatives thatremove existing barriers and create moreaccessible communities. This wouldinclude the preparation of accessibilityplans and the establishment of an accessi-bility advisory committee, consistent withthe requirements of the Ontarians withDisabilities Act, 2001 (ODA).

The purpose of the ODA is to improveopportunities for persons with disabilitiesand to provide for their involvement in theidentification, removal and prevention ofbarriers to their full participation in the life of the province.

The government has introduced Bill 118,which, if passed, would provide for manda-tory accessibility standards in both the

public and private sectors. The principlesand examples in this handbook could applyto both.

The Planning Act andAccessibility

Accessibility is a provincial interest.

I. Section 2 of the Planning Act, requiresdecision makers under the act to haveregard to the accessibility for personswith disabilities to all facilities, servicesand matters to which the act applies.

II. Section 51(24) of the Planning Actrequires that, in considering a draft plan of subdivision, regard shall be had to accessibility for persons withdisabilities.

1 INTRODUCTION – PURPOSE OF THE HANDBOOK

Universal design principles ensurewalkways and paving surfaces are not

barriers to people of any age or ability.

A Handbook & Self Assessment ToolBuilding Strong Communities 5

The Ontario HumanRights Code

The Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC)states that every person in Ontario has theright to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of a disability. The OHRC applies to all sectors, includingmunicipal facilities and public spaces discussed in this handbook.

How to use the Handbook

This handbook deals with outdoor spaces,especially those owned and maintained by municipalities. However, barrier-freedesign should include all facets of munici-pal life. This handbook can be used togetherwith the Ontario Building Code (which regulates the construction of new facilities,renovations, and specific outdoor facilities),and other standards set out by the

Canadian Standards Association (CSA),where applicable.

Self-AssessmentQuestionnaire

The handbook also includes a self-assess-ment questionnaire that municipal officialsand staff can complete to help determine the AQ-Accessibility Quotient of theirmunicipalities. This questionnaire willallow a municipality to assess its presentstatus in various areas of municipal servicedelivery, including the land use planningand development process, infrastructuredesign and maintenance.

Definitions for many of the terms being discussed can be found in the Glossary.

This document is available in alternate formats upon request, and on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housingwebsite at www.mah.gov.on.ca.


A curb cut canassist the mobility

of people at allstages of life.

A barrier-free municipality is one that successfully strives to prevent and remove all obstacles in order to promote equal opportunity and participation by residentsand visitors with disabilities.

Barriers may include:

• physical barriers, such as stairs, unevenpavements or narrow pathways;

• architectural barriers;

• information or communication barriers,such as a publication that is not available in large print;

• attitudinal barriers, such as assumingthat a person with a disability cannotperform a certain task;

• technological barriers, such as traffic signals that change too quickly or meeting rooms without assistive listen-ing systems for persons with hearingdisabilities; and

• barriers created by policy or prac-tices, such as not offering differentways to complete a test as part of a job interview.

Universal Design and Barrier-Free Design

Universal design creates environmentsthat respond to the needs of the populationto the greatest extent possible. It is anevolution from accessible or barrier-freedesign to one that is even more inclusive.

While barrier-free design refers to specificsolutions for specific disabilities, universaldesign acknowledges that people come invarious sizes and have various strengthsand abilities (City of Winnipeg, UniversalDesign Policy, October 2001).

Universal Design and Barrier-Free Design isIncreasingly Important

As a result of Ontario’s population aging,universal design should be an increasinglyimportant component of municipal admin-istration, including land use planning anddevelopment decisions. It is estimated thatthere are 1.9 million people in Ontario withdisabilities. This number is expected togrow as the population ages, because theincidence of disability increases with age.

Universal Design is Cost Efficient

Building more accessible municipal infrastructure, public facilities and transportation systems is not more expen-sive if universal design is incorporated inthe initial stages of building and design.However, retrofitting infrastructure andbuildings after the fact is more expensive.From the perspective of cost-efficiencyand accountability, it is important thatdesign be incorporated into planning andinfrastructure development processes, as itwill save resources over the long term.

2 WHAT IS A BARRIER-FREE MUNICIPALITY?

Building Strong Communities A Handbook & Self Assessment Tool 7

Infrastructure and public spaces, such asintersections, parks, recreational facilitiesand public meeting locations, should befully accessible to people with disabilities.A barrier is anything that stops a personwith a disability from fully taking part insociety because of that disability. Someexamples of barriers found in outdoor environments in municipalities include:

• curb cuts, ramps and railway crossingsthat are too steep or not properly maintained, or contain abrupt changes in slope;

• lack of accessible parking spaces – size of spaces, location, number andenforcement of accessible parkingspaces;

• lack of textural changes and colourcontrasts for staircases, entrances,ramps and curb cuts;

• lack of snow clearance on a prioritybasis near hospitals and clinics, atintersections and transit stops and atpublic facilities;

• insufficient number of drop-off/pick-upareas for paratransit users;

• lack of audible traffic signals at keyintersections;

• inadequate signage and lighting thatcan help persons with memory disabili-ties, as well as those who are blind orhave low vision; and

• physical barriers created by businessadvertisements or patios on narrowwalkways and other public spaces.


3 EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL BARRIERS

Many objects canbe barriers.

Sidewalks shouldalways provide

unobstructedroutes for

pedestrians.

Building Strong Communities

Planning a barrier-free municipalityrequires establishing a policy frameworkand supporting administrative structuresthat promote access through universaldesign from the beginning of the develop-ment process. This section outlines somehelpful ideas on how local planning depart-ments and other municipal departments canimprove the overall level of accessibility in municipalities so that the interests ofpeople with disabilities are included in the planning and development process.

Promoting Barrier-Freeand Universal Design inthe Planning Process

Prior to the ODA coming into effect, pro-moting barrier-free design was largely upto local municipalities. Some municipalitiesincluded policy direction in their officialplans, while others set up committees ofcouncil and prepared local accessibilityguidelines and procedures, with the goal ofimproving accessibility. The ODA requiresall public bodies in Ontario to act.

Section 8 of this document provides exam-ples of pre-ODA policies and proceduresthat municipalities prepared locally andoften implemented through their planningand development process. This informationmay provide ideas for municipalitiespreparing and updating accessibility plans required by the ODA.


The ODA requires that accessibility plansinclude the following:

a) a report on the measures the municipality has takento identify, remove and prevent barriers to personswith disabilities;

b) the measures in place to ensure that the municipalityassesses its proposals for bylaws, policies, programs,practices and services to determine their effect onaccessibility for persons with disabilities;

c) a list of the bylaws, policies, programs, practices and services that the municipality will review in thecoming year in order to identify barriers to personswith disabilities;

d) the measures that the municipality intends to take inthe coming year to identify, remove and prevent barriersto persons with disabilities; and

e) all other information that the regulations prescribefor the purpose of the plan.

4 PLANNING FOR ACCESSIBLE MUNICIPALITIES:Establishing the Policy Framework

9

Accessibility Plans andAdvisory Committees

The ODA requires all municipalities to complete an accessibility plan annually.Municipalities with 10,000 or more peoplemust also establish an accessibility advisorycommittee. If a municipality has an acces-sibility advisory committee, the committeemay request to review site plans and drawings, described in Section 41 of the Planning Act, that are submitted to support applications. Municipal councilsmust supply such plans and drawings in a timely manner.

Interdepartmental Cooperation

It is important that municipal departmentsand staff work together to identify whatresources and assistance are available,and ensure constant dialogue betweendepartments. For example, if a municipalityis considering the installation of audibletraffic signals (ATS), the planning, engineer-ing, public works and transportation staff,as well as a local accessibility advisorycommittee, should co-operate to ensurethe appropriate intersections are targeted,and the most appropriate technology is used.

It is recommended that barrier-free featuresare included in the design and planningstages of new construction and redevelop-ment projects. Municipalities, through theappropriate departments, should work withthe proponents throughout the approvals

process to ensure universal design is incorporated in public spaces, transportationfacilities and services, as well as publicand private infrastructure.

Involving CommunityGroups and MunicipalAccessibility AdvisoryCommittees

Ongoing collaboration between planners,accessibility advisory committees and community groups is important to ensurecommunity members have an opportunityto provide their input or ideas during eachstage of the planning process.

Outreach is essential because personswith disabilities face many barriers to participation. To help reach people withdisabilities, municipalities should consultwith local organizations and groups forpeople with disabilities. This may involve theuse of multiple formats for public notice ofapplications as well as alternative methodsof communication at public meetings (see Section 6, Technology andCommunications, for examples).

Making the AccessibilityPlan Available to MunicipalStaff and Developers

The local accessibility plan should beshared with appropriate municipal staffand key players in the development anddesign industry.



This section provides a list of universaldesign options and ideas that municipalities,planners, architects, developers and otherprofessionals can incorporate into newdevelopments, existing public facilities andoutdoor spaces to create accessible envi-ronments. Other examples can be found inthe recommended references.

Transportation

Transportation and transportation-relatedinfrastructure often present unintendedbarriers that restrict the movement of people with disabilities. These barriers can be reduced or eliminated through theincorporation of universal design features.

The ministries of Transportation andCitizenship and Immigration have preparedthe Coordinated Community TransportationResource, which includes a video andresource manual to assist the coordinationof local transportation initiatives, such asproviding transportation services for people with mobility constraints. These can be ordered by contacting the OntarioAccessibility Directorate (see the Referencessection for contact information).

I. Parking Lots / Permits / Bylaws

For people with disabilities who drive theirown cars, barrier-free design involvesensuring an adequate number of on- andoff-street designated parking spaces.Municipalities should have local parking

bylaws addressing parking regulations forprovincially issued disabled person parkingpermits. Designated parking spaces andpassenger loading zones should be locatednear building entrances, and should beclearly marked and of adequate size.

A municipal resource package on designated parking for people with disabilities is available through the Ministryof Citizenship and Immigration’s website,as listed in the Internet References section.

II. Curb Cuts and Entrance Ramps

The proper design of curb cuts and entranceramps is essential to the safety of peoplewho are visually impaired and personsusing wheelchairs and other mobility aids,such as canes and walkers. Curb cuts insidewalks accommodate baby strollers,delivery carts and anything else on wheelsthat needs to be pushed or pulled. It is recommended that the slope of a curb cutor entrance ramp be gradual with a non-slipsurface. Most ramps should also have railings to improve safety.

III. Traffic Signals / Pedestrian

Crossing

For municipalities installing and upgradingtraffic signals, it is important to plan for andprogram the time provided for crossingstreets so that it is long enough to allow aslow-moving person to cross safely. Push-buttons or sensor controls (push buttons


5 PLANNING FOR BARRIER-FREE MUNICIPALITIES:Implementing the Framework

11

are not the best device to use, as not allpeople have the manual dexterity to usethem) for traffic lights should be low enoughfor wheelchair height and free from obsta-cles such as newspaper boxes.

IV. Audible Traffic Signals (ATS)

Audible traffic signals assist people withlimited vision to cross roads and can helpto establish a straight line of travel fromone side of the road to the other. The soundof the north-south signal should be distinctfrom the sound of the east-west signal, toavoid confusion.

Recreational and OtherPublic Facilities

Public recreational facilities should beaccessible to everyone in your community,since recreational activities are an impor-tant component to improving quality of life.Municipalities provide an important leader-ship role in encouraging increased acces-sibility to all forms of leisure activities.

Universal access to and within publiclibraries, playgrounds, arenas, parks, zoos,campsites and other recreational facilitiesis necessary for the well-being of the entirecommunity. In addition, the amenities inthese areas, such as picnic tables, benches,drinking fountains, and play areas should beuniversally designed and in good repair.

The Ontario Parks Association hasreleased the Playability Tool Kit, which provides suggestions on how play areascan be made accessible for all users (www.opassoc.on.ca).

Landscape Design andFences

Landscape design and fences can be usedeffectively to help orient people who arevisually impaired toward entrances. For example, bushes planted on either sideof an entrance can make it easier to find.The planting of thorny plants or fruit-bearing trees, however, should be avoidedfor safety reasons.

Sidewalks, Walkways andPaths

As noted earlier, it is important to keepwalkways in a municipality clear ofobstructions. Barriers on walkways make it difficult for all people to move around,particularly people with disabilities. Amenitystrips or rights-of-way with textural changesin the pavement to accommodate itemssuch as advertising signs, planters, paperboxes and light standards are a good wayto keep busy pedestrian areas free ofobstacles. Accessible sidewalks, walkwaysand paths should contain appropriate surface treatment, slope and pitch.

Street Furniture andAmenities

Street furniture includes benches, lamp-posts, signboards, bus stops, telephonebooths, planters and drinking fountains. It is recommended that street furniture belocated strategically to allow free passageof all people. Rest areas are helpful to all pedestrians, especially people withmobility problems. Amenities, such as

12 Planning for Barrier-Free Municipalities


public telephones and drinking fountains,should be designed to be within comfort-able reach for children and people usingwheelchairs or scooters.

Signage and Symbols

Signage includes directional and informa-tion signs, street names and numbering.Consideration should be given to both theplacement and design of all signs. Signsshould be well lit and mounted or hung in a prominent location, and at height that allusers can read comfortably. The sign itselfshould use universal symbols, tactile letter-ing, contrasting colours and fonts in a sizeand type that are easy to read.

Housing

Designated municipalities and DistrictSocial Services Administration Boards(DSSABs) have the responsibility for socialhousing services and will have the opportu-nity to ensure that adaptable, universal andflexible housing options are explored in thefuture. Municipal service managers arerequired to maintain a specified number of modified units for their service areas by The Social Housing Reform Act, 2000.This includes a percentage of modified unitsin new housing that is developed undermunicipal programs, as well as alterationsor additions to municipal housing projects.

These points are particularly important, as organizations assisting people with disabilities stress that more incentives areneeded to ensure the availability of afford-able and accessible public housing. Thereis a common misconception that accessiblehousing options are too costly. Recentstudies have demonstrated that incorporat-ing universal, adaptive and flexible designapproaches at the start of developmentprojects does not significantly increasebuilding costs.


Signs should be illuminated, use internationally recognized symbols,and be easy to see and follow.

13

Municipalities can take advantage ofemerging technologies to remove barriersand increase participation in the planningprocess. Notices and information can bedistributed in multiple formats to reachpeople with vision or hearing impairmentsor learning disabilities. Examples includeaudio tapes, large print, Braille, electronictext, computer-assisted systems andclosed captioning.

Public meetings should be accessible andequipped to improve communication andparticipation. Meeting spaces should bewheelchair accessible. In addition, infor-mation can be conveyed both visually and audibly with ALS interpretation or real-time captioning. Assistive listeningdevices should be available for those who need them.

Communications andPlanning Policy

Some people have print disabilities, whichmeans that they cannot read or use regularprint because of their disability. This caninclude people who are blind, have lowvision, a mental impairment or a learning disability, as well as people with physicaldisabilities who cannot hold publications or turn pages.

Other people cannot access or have diffi-culties accessing the Internet. Still othershave difficulties watching or hearing videopresentations. Therefore, communicatinginformation in appropriate formats is animportant local consideration.

Relevant technologies for use in conveyingor receiving messages include Braille,screen reader and magnification software,e-mail, the Internet and interactive websites,closed captioning, and assistive listeningsystems such as infrared light technologyor induction loop technology.

Equal access to information is an importantcomponent of good customer service.Advanced planning and preparation ofmaterials in multiple formats will save timewhen dealing with individual requests.


6 TECHNOLOGY and COMMUNICATIONS

Textured cloth provides a better surface for bicycles,wheelchairs and strollers at this Lake Erie beach.


Municipalities are in a position to implementaccessibility strategies for persons with disabilities, whether it is through specificprograms or the development of financinginitiatives. Developing and sharing informa-tion on best practices is helpful. Specificexamples that illustrate some of the progressive steps municipalities have taken to plan for and improve accessibilityin their communities follow.

City of Peterborough

The City of Peterborough formed the Councilfor Persons with Disabilities in 1988 –1989to integrate and assist people with disabili-ties in the community. The documentAccess Guidelines was published in 1992and updated in 1995. Revised guidelineswere approved by the city’s PlanningCommittee in October 2002. The guidelinesare used locally in land use planning, sitedevelopment and property design initiatives.

Access Guidelines acknowledges the needsof the elderly and persons with disabilities.The guidelines attempt to strike a balancebetween the design and planning require-ments for different types of disabilities.

The guidelines are applied to the entirecommunity and include sections on curbcuts, walkways, recreation areas, univer-sally designed playgrounds, accessibletransportation and hosting events. In addi-tion, the guidelines contain an excerpt fromthe city’s zoning bylaw regarding motorvehicle parking requirements to serve disabled people.

The Council for Persons with Disabilitiesincludes a buildings committee to deal withaccessibility issues. The terms of referencefor the buildings committee require that itmonitor the accessibility of local buildings;provide input to the site plan committee toensure accessibility is considered in siteplan approvals; provide information to localdepartments and the private sector onaccess requirements; ensure building codestandards pertaining to accessibility areincorporated and enforced; and respond toaccessibility issues raised in the community.

The City of Peterborough has developed aone-hour sensitivity training model that canbe used to train volunteers and staff.


7 MUNICIPAL BEST PRACTICES and EXAMPLES

15

City of Windsor

Since 1981, the City of Windsor has had astanding committee of city council with amandate to increase the awareness in thecommunity of the needs of persons withdisabilities. The Windsor AccessibilityAdvisory Committee has one member of Council and 14 community members,including individuals with disabilities. Thecommittee selects a chair and vice chairfrom its membership. City staff are alsoavailable as resources to the committee.

The mandate of the Windsor AccessibilityAdvisory Committee is to:

• advise city council and staff;

• undertake needs assessments;

• promote community awareness;

• encourage co-ordinated services; and

• act as policy advocates.

Sub-committees are responsible for:

• barrier-free design;

• curb cuts, sidewalks and railway crossings;

• employment issues;

• health services; and

• transportation matters.

City of Guelph

In June 2001, the City of Guelph and theGuelph-Wellington Barrier Free AdvisoryCommittee released Accessibility Guidelines.The guidelines are meant to assist theplanning, design and development processto realize a barrier-free Guelph.

The guidelines were developed using stan-dards and knowledge gathered from othercities and organizations across NorthAmerica, including the National BuildingCode and Accessibility Standards (Canada),the Canadian Standards Association, theAmericans with Disabilities Act, and theGuelph-Wellington Barrier-Free AdvisoryCommittee. The city has adopted the following goals:

The City of Guelph, as an employer andprovider of services, is committed to barrier-free access and thus will:

• take a leadership role in achieving andsetting an example to the business,institutional and volunteer sectors interms of access and integration,employment equity, communications,recreation, transportation, housing andeducation;

• establish a process to identify barriersand gaps in existing services and facilities;

• continuously improve the level ofaccessibility of existing municipal services and facilities;

• actively encourage input from all seg-ments of the community in the design,development and operation of new and renovated municipal services andfacilities; and

• provide resources and support to giveeffect to this policy.

(City of Guelph, Accessibility Guidelines, June 2001)



City of Brampton

In April 2001, Brampton City Council adopteda policy on universal design for play spaces.Council also adopted a list of standards forramping, surfacing, landings, wheelchairaccessible platforms and entrances and exits.

Brampton’s objective is to enhance universalaccessibility for all people with a physicalor mental disability to all of the city’s play-grounds through the application of universaldesign principles. The goal of this policy isto ensure quality play value for every childfocusing on the development of social,physical and cooperative skills, includingopportunities for integration, interaction andinclusion with other children. The policyapplies to both new and replacement playequipment.

City of Winnipeg

The City of Winnipeg was Canada’s firstmunicipality to adopt a universal designpolicy in December 2001, thereby making acommitment to creating a city that is trulyinclusive of all citizens through endorsingand incorporating the concept of universaldesign with the following goals:

• to accept that the population in Winnipeghas a variety of different abilities,strengths, heights, etc., and that thisshould not exclude or segregate anyonefrom participating in community life andaccessing and using municipal services;

• to reduce the need and costs associatedwith providing disability-specific solutions by providing a generalizedapproach to design that accommodatesa wider range of people;

• to ensure that new civic buildings, environments, products, services andprograms are designed to be useable by a wide range of citizens; and

• to promote a city that is comfortable,attractive and inclusive.

During 1998 and 1999, the City of Winnipegconducted an accessibility audit that canbe used by other municipalities as a model.The city’s Access Advisory Committee,which advises council on access to infor-mation, services and properties, oversawthe project. People with disabilities assistedin designing the research, conducting theaudit and analysing data (Ringaert, 2000).

Winnipeg is fostering universal designbecause it believes a universally designedcity will be accessible, safe and aestheti-cally pleasing. It will be able to attractmore tourists, convention dollars andimprove the quality of life of its own resi-dents, as it gives everyone the opportunityto take full advantage of the city’s servicesand amenities.

A Handbook & Self Assessment Tool 17

This handbook has been designed to raiseawareness and help improve accessibilityin outdoor public spaces and facilities. The Ontarians with Disabilities Act requires

municipal planning and community buildinginitiatives to take universal design into consideration. Doing so gives all members of the community the power to participate.


8 CONCLUSION

This beach in Pickering provides an example of a fully accessiblewaterfront playground.


What is your municipality’s AQ-AccessibilityQuotient?

Take the Test – The following questionnaireis designed for municipal officials, planningstaff and other department staff as a “self-assessment tool” to help determine a com-munity’s AQ.

This self-assessment questionnaire willallow a municipality to assess its presentstatus in various areas of municipal servicedelivery, primarily related to land use planning, and to determine the relativestrengths and weaknesses in these areas.An analysis of these strengths and weak-nesses can help municipal staff determineappropriate actions to take to improve uponthe weaker areas.

Why is a high AQ important & how canyour municipality improve accessibility?

• Ensure equal access for all citizens andimprove their quality of life in the process;

• Identify barriers within your municipality;

• Incorporate universal design principlesinto your planning and developmentprocess;

• Help identify measures to include in youraccessibility plan required by the ODA;

• Use accessibility as a marketing tool to attract a wider range of tourists and conferences/conventions;

• Plan for the increasing numbers of peoplewith disabilities as the population ages;and

• Help your municipality comply with theHuman Rights Code.

There are four steps to determining youraccessibility quotient:

1. Complete the questionnaire.

2. Total your answers.

3. Assess the results and discuss withcouncil, access committee and otherstaff.

4. Prepare accessibility plans as requiredby the ODA and update local planningprocedures and policies.

NOTE: For a broader questionnaire applyingto municipal services, please refer to theFederation of Canadian Municipalities document, A How-to Manual on MunicipalAccess. In addition, the Ministry ofCitizenship and Immigration’s websiteincludes a municipal questionnaire specifically related to the ODA at:www.gov.on.ca/citizenship/accessibility.


9 SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE

19


Accessibility Quotient: the Test

QUESTIONS YES NO

MUNICIPAL STAFF and ATTITUDES

1 Does your municipality have an accessibility plan that is updated annually, as required by the ODA?

2 Does your municipality have a main contact person/department identifiedto handle inquiries related to accessibility, and can the contact be reachedthrough multiple formats?

For full marks, the contact person should have information about yourmunicipality’s approach toward creating a barrier-free environment readily available. Add a bonus point if it is already in multiple formats(e.g., TTY/TDD and Braille or other text reading software) and availableon the municipality’s website.

3 Does your municipality maintain an updated inventory of accessible municipal features?

4 Does your municipality monitor the availability and usage of barrier-freefeatures? Example 1: accessible parking spaces – are there enough; arethey close to the buildings they serve? Example 2: curb cuts – do curb cutscomply with barrier-free design standards?

5 Does your municipality have policies on:

• accommodating employees with disabilities?

• ensuring municipal facilities, publications, websites, meetings and services are accessible to people with disabilities?

6 Does your municipality have a committee designated to deal with accessibility issues, which includes members with disabilities as requiredby the ODA?

7 Does municipal staff discuss/coordinate developments and redevelop-ments with other departments to ensure universal design standards areincorporated?

8 Does your municipality collect and analyse data regarding people with disabilities, including numbers, locations and aging demographics?

9 Does your municipality include information on accessibility when market-ing for tourism and conventions?

10 Does your municipality offer staff sensitivity training with respect to interactionwith people with disabilities and understanding issues concerning peoplewith disabilities?

Building Strong Communities A Handbook & Self Assessment Tool

QUESTIONS YES NO

LAND USE PLANNING and DEVELOPMENT

11 Does your municipal official plan contain policies promoting a barrier-freemunicipality?

12 Does your comprehensive zoning by-law require or accommodate barrier-free provisions?

13 Does the review of all planning applications ensure regard is given toaccessibility for persons with disabilities as required by the Planning Act ?

14 Does your municipality ensure barrier-free designs are incorporated intonew construction projects and redevelopments in outdoor public spaces?

15 Does your municipality have an internal process for the AccessibilityAdvisory Committee to review site plans and drawings in a timely manner,as set out in Sections 12(5) and 12(6) of the ODA?

16 Does your municipality provide information in multiple formats to personswith disabilities to enable them to participate in the planning process (i.e., large print, audio tapes, computer diskettes, Braille)?

INFRASTRUCTURE and MAINTENANCE

17 When planning sidewalks and walkways, does your municipality implementaccessibility features such as curb cuts, ramps, grate design and location,and grade elevations?

18 Are all municipal buildings, parks and recreational facilities barrier-free,including playgrounds?

19 Does your municipality use audible traffic signals at busy intersections anddo people understand them?

20 Do your municipal maintenance and snow removal plans keep walks andexterior spaces clear for wheelchairs, canes, strollers, etc.?

21 Does your municipality use international and universal symbols and tactilesignage? Consider print size, colour, lighting and contrast.

22 Are trash receptacles, drinking fountains, benches, public telephones andother municipal accessories easily accessible for people using wheelchairsand other assistive devices?

21


QUESTIONS YES NO

TRANSPORTATION

23 Is an appropriate amount of public transportation available to people withdisabilities in your municipality?

24 Is sensitivity training offered to drivers and other transportation staff?

25 Is there a transportation committee that includes members with disabilities?

26 Does your municipality have a parking bylaw and does it adequately servepeople with disabilities?

– Note: The province issues Disabled Person Parking Permits and municipalities are responsible for enforcing parking bylaws.

27 Does your municipality have incentives that encourage local taxi companiesto provide accessible vehicles in their fleets?

HOUSING and ACCOMMODATION

28 Does your municipality promote and provide incentives to developers tobuild adaptable and accessible housing, and is visit-ability a consideration?

29 Is there a sufficient inventory of barrier-free residential/rental units in themunicipality to accommodate people with disabilities and seniors?

30 Do your local hotels, motels and other short-term accommodation containbarrier-free units for guests with disabilities?

Municipal Staff and Attitudes Total — out of 10

Land Use Planning and Development Total — out of 6

Infrastructure and Maintenance Total — out of 6

Transportation Total — out of 5

Housing Total — out of 3

OVERALL TOTAL — out of 30

HOW DID YOU SCORE?

There are 30 questions. Award one point for each “YES” answer. Then, total your number of “YES” answers.

• A score greater than 25 indicates that you are likely well on you way to being accessible. It is important, however, to look continuously for opportunities to improve access and opportunitiesfor people with disabilities


Accessible means that a program, activity,meeting, hearing, or other event or processis readily usable by an individual, regard-less of his or her abilities. When used inreference to a building or facility, it meansthat a facility can be approached, enteredand used by any individual, regardless ofhis or her abilities.

Accessibility is a set of qualities of a product, service or facility that enablespeople with disabilities and seniors to getto, find, reach and use it, with or withoutthe help of special assistive devices.Barriers to accessibility faced by peoplewith disabilities are found in employment,communication, public transportation, the built environment, government services,the use of everyday products and accessto education.

Amenity Strip means a portion of the sidewalk that is distinguished by colour andtexture, and is dedicated to the placementof utilities, signs, newspaper boxes, bicycleracks and other items that could otherwiseinhibit the movement of pedestrians andpersons with disabilities using mobility aids.

Assistive Devices are products, instruments,equipment or technological aids used bypeople with disabilities that help prevent,compensate, relieve or neutralise a disability.

Barrier as defined by the Ontarians withDisabilities Act means anything that prevents a person with a disability fromfully participating in all aspects of societybecause of his or her disability, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier,an information or communications barrier,an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier,a policy or a practice.

Barrier-Free as defined by the OntarioBuilding Code means that a building and itsfacilities can be approached, entered andused by persons with physical and sensorydisabilities.


GLOSSARY

This properly designed sidewalk has a textured amenity strip for lamps,parking meters, bicycle racks, newspaper boxes and trash receptacles,keeping the smooth pavement clear for easy passage.

23

Barrier-Free Design means giving users theability to move around without restriction.The term barrier-free design is commonlyinterpreted as removing physical and attitudinal obstacles that prevent the freemovement of persons with disabilities in amanner that is consistent with regulations,standards or codes of practice.

Curb Cut is a short ramp cutting through acurb that eliminates the step between thesidewalk and the road.

Curb Ramp is a sloped, paved area leadingfrom a sidewalk to a curb cut at an inter-section with vehicular traffic.

Detectable Surface is flooring material thatis colour/brightness contrasted with thesurrounding floor material and is of a differenttexture from the surrounding floor material.Textures should be immediately detectable,but should not present a tripping hazard.Markings should be colour fast, durable,easily cleaned and crowned to drain.

Disability as defined by the ODA and theOntario Human Rights Code means:

1. any degree of physical disability, infirmity,malformation or disfigurement that iscaused by bodily injury, birth defect orillness and, without limiting the generalityof the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, anydegree of paralysis, amputation, lack ofphysical co-ordination, blindness or visualimpediment, deafness or hearing imped-iment, muteness or speech impediment,or physical reliance on a guide dog orother animal or on a wheelchair orother remedial appliance or device,

2. a condition of mental impairment or adevelopmental disability,

3. a learning disability, or a dysfunction inone or more of the processes involvedin understanding or using symbols orspoken language,

4. a mental disorder, or

5. an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or receivedunder the insurance plan establishedunder the Workplace Safety andInsurance Act, 1997.

Inclusive Design is often used inter-changeably with “universal design.”Inclusiveness means right to access, right to use and enjoy without special status or burden.

Multiple Format means a form of communi-cating information that may be oral, written,in large type, sign language, audio cassette,use computer technology or other meansthat are readily understandable to, andusable by a person, regardless of his or her disability.

Tactile describes an object that can beperceived using the sense of touch.

Universal Design is the design of productsand environments to be usable by all people,to the greatest extent possible, without theneed for adaptation or specialized design.Universal design seeks to create productsand environments that are usable by thebroadest spectrum of the population,regardless of age or physical differences.



• Provincial Planning and EnvironmentalServices Branch

14th Floor – 777 Bay Street

Toronto, ON M5G 2E5

(416) 585-6014

• Ministry of Municipal Affairs andHousing (MMAH) website(www.mah.gov.on.ca).

• Staff located in MMAH MunicipalServices Offices across Ontario:

Central

777 Bay Street, 2nd Floor, Toronto M5G 2E5

General Inquiry: (416) 585-6226

Toll Free: 1-800-688-0230

Fax: (416) 585-6882

Southwest

659 Exeter Road, 2nd Floor, London N6E 1L3


Toll Free: 1-800-265-4736

Fax: (519) 873-4018

East

8 Estate Lane, Rockwood House,Kingston K7M 9A8


Toll Free: 1-800-267-9438

Fax: (613) 548-6822

Northeast

159 Cedar Street, Suite 401, Sudbury P3E 6A5


Toll Free: 1-800-461-1193

Fax: (705) 564-6863

Northwest

435 James Street South, Suite 223,Thunder Bay P7E 6S7


Toll Free: 1-800-465-5027

Fax: (807) 475-1196


WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION

Accessibility matters to people of all ages. Children of all abilitiescan enjoy this playground in Mississauga.

25

Abilities: Canada’s Lifestyle Magazine for People with Disabilities.

Burlington (Vermont) Disability Council.Physical Accessibility Checklist. 1990.

Burlington (Vermont) Planning Commission.Removing Barriers – A Guide for IncludingPeople with Disabilities in the PlanningProcess. 1990.

Canada Mortgage and HousingCorporation. Housing for Persons with Disabilities. 1996.

Canadian National Institute for the Blind,Ontario Division. Clearing Our Path:Recommendations on How to Make Public Places Accessible to People whoare Blind, Visually Impaired, and Deafblind.August 1998.

Canadian Standards Association.CAN/CSA-B651-95, Barrier-Free Design,Public Safety, A National Standard ofCanada. 1995.

Canadian Standards Association. B480-02,Customer Service Standard for People withDisabilities. June 2002.

City of Burlington (Ontario). Barrier-FreeDesign Checklist - Burlington Committee forthe Physically Challenged. December 2001.

City of Guelph. Accessibility Guidelines.June 2001.

City of London. Facility Access DesignStandards. 2001.

City of New York. Universal Design – New York. 2001.

City of Peterborough. Access Guidelines.April 1995.

City of Sault Ste. Marie. Accessible SiteDesign. 1989.

City of Toronto. Accessibility Guidelines.July 2002.

City of Windsor. Toward a Barrier-FreeCommunity Accessibility Guidelines. No date.

Federation of Canadian Municipalities,National Action Committee on MunicipalAccess. A How-to Manual on MunicipalAccess. No Date.

Greater Toronto Hotel Association, The Government of Ontario (Ministry ofCitizenship), and Ontario March of Dimes.Guest Services that Work for Everyone – A Training and Resource Kit for ServingGuests with Disabilities. 2002.

Holten, Shane. Planning a Barrier-Free City of Toronto, A Statement of PlanningPrinciples. Prepared for: The Toronto Joint Citizen’s Committee for People with Disabilities, City of Toronto. 2000.


REFERENCES


Human Resources Development Canada,Office for Disability Issues. A Way withWords, Guidelines and AppropriateTerminology for the Portrayal of Personswith Disabilities. 1998.

Human Resources Development Canada,Office for Disability Issues. Bridging theGap, Government of Canada Programs andServices of Interest to Canadians withDisabilities. 1998.

Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001.(Statutes of Ontario 2001, C. 32).

Ontario Building Code. 1997. See also,Guide to the Ontario Building Code. 1997.

Ontario Ministry of Finance. OntarioPopulation Projections, 1999 –2028. July 2000.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.Barrier-Free Guidelines Design Manual,Ontario Parks. Volume 3, 1996.

Ringaert, Laurie. Teaching City Centres to Care. Design Exchange – ExchangeMagazine, pp. 38-42, Fall 2000.

Royal Bank of Canada, Current AnalysisReports. Outlook for People with Disabilities:Cautious Optimism on a Mounting 21st Century Social Challenge. April 2000.

Szold, Terry S. What Difference has theADA Made? Planning Practice, pp. 10 –15,April 2002.

Towns of Richmond Hill, Markham and City of Vaughan. Joint Municipal Guidelinesfor Accessibility. 1999.

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat-Federal Identity Program Manual. TactileSignage, Sign System and InstallationGuide. Interim Guide, October 1997.

Truesdale, Steven and Steinfeld, Edward.Visit-Ability: An Approach to UniversalDesign in Housing. RehabilitationEngineering Research Center on UniversalDesign, School of Architecture andPlanning, University at Buffalo. No Date.

U.S. Access Board. Americans withDisabilities Act – Accessibility Guidelinesfor Buildings and Facilities, as amendedthrough January 1998.

U.S. Access Board. Access toTelecommunications Equipment andCustomer Premises Equipment by Individualswith Disabilities, Final Report. 1997.

A Handbook & Self Assessment Tool 27

www.access-board.gov/indexes/linksindex.htm — U.S. Access Board, theUnited States federal agency responsiblefor accessibility information.

www.chs.ca — The Canadian HearingSociety, for information on interpreter services, assistive listening devices, TTY’s etc.

www.disabilityweblinks.ca — Office forDisability Issues, Human ResourcesDevelopment Canada.

www.equalopportunity.on.ca — Paths toEqual Opportunity, Ontario Ministry ofCitizenship.

www.gov.on.ca/citizenship/accessibility— Ontario Ministry of CitizenshipAccessibility Ontario.

www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/access_to_premises.html— Australian Advisory Notes on Access to Premises.

www.icomm.ca/tan/tan_about.htm— Transportation Action Now Inc. (TAN), a not-for-profit organization supportingaccessible transportation options.

www.opassoc.on.ca — The Playability Tool Kit, Ontario Parks Association.

www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/disacc.htm— United Nations, Accessibility for theDisabled – A Design Manual for a Barrier-Free Environment.

www.unescap.org/jecf/p04barrier.htm —United Nations, Japan — ESCAPCooperation Fund — Freedom of Movementfor Persons with Disabilities and OlderPersons in the Asia-Pacific Region, United Nations.


INTERNET REFERENCES

planning for barrier-free municipalities · universal design and barrier-free design universal...

Documents