York Region aims to surpass accessibility act requirements

New multi-year accessibility plan to ensure training of all employees, agents on standards

newmarkettoday.ca
Joseph Quigley
Dec. 7, 2023

York Region has created a new plan to help ensure it becomes a more accessible place for all.

Council has approved a 2023 to 2027 accessibility plan that will guide the region on meeting and surpassing the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The plan, which also applies to York Regional Police, will include an update of regional guidelines for the accessible design of new buildings and an accessibility review by York Region Transit.

The region and YRP work jointly on the plan, with multi-year accessibility planning being in place at the region since 2013. The two organizations meet regularly to address accessibility and work toward meeting AODA requirements.

The region outlined key updates in the multi-year plan, including police developing a specialized course for its staff to understand disability in the workplace and reviews of York Region Transit and regional building standards for accessibility.

“York Region and YRAAC remain passionate about identifying and removing barriers, changing attitudes and the importance of accessibility across all York Region communities,” Newmarket Deputy Mayor, and York Region accessibility advisory committee (YRAAC) chair, Tom Vegh said in a news release.

Although both regional and local municipalities have made improvements in accessibility, there are areas to address locally. Newmarket’s accessibility advisory committee did a walk of Newmarket Main Street in Newmarket, and chair Steve Foglia has highlighted how many downtown storefronts are not fully accessible.

The plan will be refreshed every four years, with this new update going through 2027, the region stated.