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Policy: Accessibility Plan
Section: Community Development
Policy #2017-03
Resolution #337-17
Effective Date: October 24, 2017
BACKGROUND
The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) was passed on December 5, 2013 to provide a clear,
proactive process to identify, prevent and remove barriers to accessibility.
Removing barriers to accessibility will give Manitobans of all abilities the opportunity to:
- participate fully in everyday life
- access and benefit from a system, service, product or environment
The legislation requires accessibility standards to be developed over the next several years.
The standards will address barriers and set out requirements in five key areas of daily living.
1. customer service standard
2. information and communication
3. transportation
4. employment
5. built environment
APPLICATION
Part 1. Baseline Report
A. Overview of Programs and Services
Provides recreational activities and programs for youth, adults and seniors.
Provides facilities to the public for recreational purposes and meeting spaces
including a community hall, recreation complex, library, wading pool, playgrounds,
campground, outdoor kitchen, museum and municipal board room.
Provides municipal services through utility and tax payments, website, public
complaints, utility services, general inquiries and information, water and waste
management, public works, drainage and beavers, garbage pick-up, council minutes
and agendas, and bylaw enforcement.
B. Accessibility Achievements
Having accessible venue options for programs and meetings.
Improvements in website design and accessibility capabilities including reader
compatibility, online forms, council meeting minutes, local events and notices.
Designs print materials and event advertising with large, easy to read fonts and
colours.
New accessible municipal office with accessible washrooms, ramps, and doors
with lever handles and door openers.
Installing wheelchair ramps with hand rails on municipally owned buildings.
Investigation and planning costs for accessible improvements to municipally
owned buildings.
C. Accessibility Barriers
The Recreation Complex needs upgrades in order for it to be a complete barrier-
free facility including the skating arena ice surface, the upstairs curling lounge,
and washroom facilities.
Main street municipal buildings including the Community Development Office
and Library need upgrades to improve accessibility.
Groups representing persons with disabilities or seniors have not been
consulted to determine how inclusion could be promoted throughout the
community.
Poor wireless and internet service in our community creates communication
issues.
Part 2. Accessibility Plan
A. Statement of Commitment
Gilbert Plains Municipality is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for
people with disabilities. We are committed meeting the needs of people who face
accessibility barriers and to treating people with disabilities in ways that allow them to
maintain their dignity and independence. We will do this by identifying, removing and
preventing barriers and by meeting the requirements of The Accessibility for
Manitobans Act (AMA).
B. Accessibility Committee
The accessibility working group is comprised of members of the Community
Development subcommittee. The subcommittee includes the Community Development
Officer (accessibility coordinator) and four members of Council (working group).
C. Policies
Gilbert Plains Municipality will consider accessibility during development of
programs, services and new initiatives to ensure accessibility.
Gilbert Plains Municipality will make information available in an accessible
format or provide communication support to people with disabilities in a way
that considers their disability.
Each year Council will consider accessibility within the budget to allow for
further correction of identified barriers.
Accessibility considerations will be made during municipal decisions related to
by-laws, planning, building and the creation of municipal services.
D. Actions
Action
Timeline
Strategy
Responsibility
Accessibility Plan
2017
Establish working group to create
and adopt accessibility plan policy.
Working
group, Council
Accessibility on
website
2017
Create a page dedicated to
accessibility information on the
municipal website.
Community
Development
Officer/
Administration
Public forms
2017
Include the active offer on all
publications (Example: "Available in
all formats upon request").
Administration
Wheelchair
accessible front
counter
2017
Explore alternate methods of
providing customer services where
physical barriers exist. Staff will
continue to proceed to the front of
the desk to communicate with those
who need assistance until physical
barriers can be removed.
Working group
Apply for grants
2018
Apply for accessibility grants to help
cost share making all municipally-
owned buildings accessible.
Community
Development
Officer
Handicap parking
spaces
2018
Have spots designated for handicap
parking on more Main Street
locations.
Working
group, Public
Works
Sidewalks/Curbs/
Streets
2019
Design accessible curb ramps for
sidewalks. Repair/replace sidewalks
and walkways. Improve low
spots/dips on streets for those with
mobility aids.
Public Works
Staff training
2018
Employee awareness of
communications and practices
appropriate for interactions with
members of the disability
community and removing barriers.
Administration
Public Events
2017
Continue to design print materials
for events in large print and easy to
read fonts. Make advertisements
and information available
electronically. Ensure meeting places
are an accessible venue and offer to
accommodate in any way possible.
Community
Development
Officer
Public
Communication
2018
Encourage community members to
provide yearly feedback about the
plan to be considered during yearly
reviews. Feedback can be submitted
in-person, electronically, or other
requested submission methods.
Community
Development
Officer/
Administration
E. Review
Gilbert Plains Municipality is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for
people with disabilities. The Accessibility Plan will be reviewed annually allowing
council, staff and the public to monitor the barriers identified and the direction to
which the Municipality is moving to remove barriers under the AMA. Action items will
be taken into budget considerations on a yearly basis.
F. Communication
Copies of the Accessibility Plan will be available at the Gilbert Plains Municipal Office
located at 201 Main Street North, Gilbert Plains, Manitoba and will also be posted on
the municipal website at www.gilbertplains.com. Should a copy be requested in an
alternate format or text size the staff will assist to the best of their ability.
Contact Person:
Julie Russell
(Accessibility Coordinator)
Phone:
204-548-2519
Email:
[email protected]