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THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF LAURENTIAN HILLS
MULTI-YEAR ACCESSIBILITY PLAN
Made under the Ontarians With Disabilities Act c.32 S.O. 2001
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023 - 2027
2
CONTENTS OF PLAN
Executive Summary
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3
Aim
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4
Objectives
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4
Description of the Town of Laurentian Hills
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4
Council Commitment to Accessibility Planning
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5
Site Audit of the Municipality owned Facilities ......................................
5
Barriers/Accomplishments
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6
Review and Monitoring of the Progress
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7
Communication of the Plan
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7
Barriers to be addressed 2023- 2027
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8, 9
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023 - 2027
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Executive Summary
The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is to improve the quality
of life and experiences of persons with disabilities by identifying, preventing and removing any
barriers that may limit opportunities for individuals with disabilities to fully participate in society.
The AODA advances those goals by requiring public, private and non-profit organizations to identify,
remove and prevent barriers to accessibility in order to make the Province of Ontario fully accessible
for all persons with disabilities.
Through the AODA and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) (Ontario
Regulation 191/11), the Government of Ontario has identified key areas for the development of
common accessibility standards that are intended to ensure all sectors and organizations can provide
fully accessible services and environments for Ontarians. The goal of these standards is to facilitate
the full participation of persons with disabilities in society. Key areas identified under the AODA are
Customer Service, Information and Communications, Employment, Transportation and the Design of
Public Spaces.
The previous plan prepared by the Town of Laurentian Hills was reviewed and updated to describe
the measures the Town has taken during the past to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people
with disabilities, who use the facilities and services of the Town, including staff.
The working group is primarily made up of staff members who are familiar with the Towns' facilities
including senior management. Only municipalities with a population of 10,000 or more are required
to create an accessibility advisory committee. However, we are actively trying to engage members of
the community to assist us with identifying and modifying, service delivery, programming and other
workplace processes, policies and procedures to ensure equal access for all.
The request below was included in the Town's newsletter mailout to all residents and is also posted at
the bottom of the Town's front page on its website and in the hall in the Municipal office.
REQUEST FOR PARTICIPATION - The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
requires municipalities to address the needs of those within their community with disabilities. The
Town is seeking your assistance to help us identify barriers for persons with disabilities in buildings
and facilities owned and operated by the Town. Are you facing accessibility challenges in the Town?
We want to hear from you! We want your feedback so that we can improve our services and make
them more accessible. Please forward your concerns to [email protected] or call the municipal
office at 613-584-3114.
Over the next several years, the working group recommends focusing on barriers that have been
identified by the various departments and any received from the public. We will endeavour to
continue to implement improvements to allow everyone access to municipal facilities on a day-to-day
basis. Accessibility planning does not end once a plan is prepared, monitoring is essential to ensure
that the Town is meeting its obligations and commitments.
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023 - 2027
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Aim
This report describes measures the Town of Laurentian Hills has undertaken since its inception and
the measures that the Town will take in the years 2023 to 2028 to identify, remove and prevent
barriers to people with disabilities who utilize the facilities and services of the Town of Laurentian
Hills, including staff.
Objectives
This report:
1.
Describes the process by which the Town of Laurentian Hills will identify, remove and
prevent barriers to people with disabilities.
2.
Lists the facilities; policies, programs, practices and services the Town will review in the
coming year to identify barriers to people with disabilities.
3.
Describes the measures the Town will take in the coming years to identify, remove and
prevent barriers to people with disabilities.
4.
Describes how the Town will make this accessibility plan available to the public.
Description of the Town of Laurentian Hills
The Town of Laurentian Hills is the amalgamation of the former village of Chalk River and the
Townships of Rolph, Buchanan, Wylie & McKay. The Town has a population base of 2,961 and
comprises an area of 640.41 sq. km. The Town of Laurentian Hills is located in the heartland of
Ontario's Recreation system, situated in the beautiful Valley of the Ottawa River bordered by the
Laurentian Mountains and Algonquin Provincial Park.
The majority of the population resides in the settlement areas of Chalk River, Point Alexander, and
Rolphton. The balance of the residents resides along the Highway 17 corridor and along the shoreline
of the Ottawa River. This narrow and linear pattern of settlement is confined by the Ottawa River to
the east, the Petawawa Forestry Institute and Garrison Petawawa to the south and Algonquin
Provincial Park to the west.
Laurentian Hills was formed by the amalgamation of the former Townships of Rolph, Buchanan,
Wylie and McKay and the Village of Chalk on January 1, 2000. Laurentian Hills surrounds the Town
of Deep River and borders on Crown lands.
The Municipality has nine significant properties with structures; the Point Alexander
Municipal Administration Office which houses the Point Alexander library, two (2) public works
buildings one in the Village of Chalk River and on in Point Alexander, two (2) fire halls one in the
Village of Chalk River and one in Point Alexander, a public library in the Village of Chalk River a
Resource Centre building located at 19 Railway Street in the Village of Chalk River and a Water
Treatment and Waste Water Treatment Plant in the Village of Chalk River. The municipality has
three outdoor rinks two with adjacent rink buildings and six playground areas.
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023 - 2027
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Council Commitment to Accessibility Planning
The Council of the Corporation of the Town of Laurentian Hills is committed to:
The continual improvement of access to all municipally owned facilities, premises and
services for all those with disabilities.
The provision of quality services to all members of the community with disabilities
including staff members.
The Town of Laurentian Hills comprehensive Zoning By-Law contains provisions within
the By-Law to ensure accessibility issues are addressed in buildings that the Public will
access.
Audit - Municipally owned Facilities
The Town's working group that consists of senior management and department heads completed
a review of the municipal facilities focusing on accessibility and any barriers that may exist with
the intent of recommending solutions to removing those barriers in order to comply with the
current legislation under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
The Towns previous audit identified a number of barriers at the Municipal Administration
Building in Point Alexander, the Municipal Rink Facility in Chalk River and the Chalk River
Public Library.
The Town will continue to ensure that playground equipment replacement purchases will
continue to be accessible equipment and installed in a manner to make the structures accessible to
all. Gutzman Park is scheduled to have additional equipment added in 2023.
The Town will continue to include in its recruitment advertisements, the statement that upon
request, accommodations can be made for applicants who are selected to participate in the
interview process. We will consult with applicants where an accommodation is required and
provide or arrange for suitable accommodations specific to their needs.
Staff will continue to seek public participation in identifying areas in our public spaces that can
be improved to accommodate everyone.
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023 - 2027
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Barriers / Accomplishments
Since the last review of the of the Town's facilities, the rink building in Chalk River was replaced
with a new building that is fully accessible.
The municipal website has been updated to (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA and is AODA compliant.
The handicap washroom in Point Alexander was made easier to access. The front entrance outer
doors to the Municipal administration building were replaced. The inner doors and outer doors
have been installed with automatic openers and an audio alert when the door is opened.
Council Chambers was renovated and the elevated sitting area designated for the Mayor when
presiding over meetings was removed. This has made the area accessible to anyone who may be
elected to the position of Mayor in the future as well any group/committee using Council
Chambers.
The design and renovation of the rear emergency exit ramps at the Point Alexander Public
Library and auditorium were completed. The Town contracted the installation of ramps to
facilitate a walkway, which can access the adjoining parking lot on the west side of the building.
An accessible door was installed at the Chalk River library.
2022 was a Municipal / School Board election year. Training with polling staff included how to
accommodate people with disabilities and the allowance of people to accompany and assist
anyone that required assistance both in the polling station and in the voting booth. Visual
magnifiers were available in the polling station and voting booths. Polling stations are fully
accessible.
The replacement of accessible playground equipment was done in Anne Crosson Park in 2022.
We will continue to focus on structures that are accessible, ensuring that the ground covering in
the playgrounds are made of materials that will make the structures wheelchair accessible.
A resident that uses the existing interior accessible ramp to access the library and the main office
identified an issue with the ramp. Public works reinforced and secured the ramp and it has been
given a cosmetic facelift with non -slip paint. We will continue to inspect the ramp to ensure that
it is secure and safe.
Service animals are allowed and welcomed in all the Town's buildings.
The Town will continue to meet the needs of employees who require assistive technologies and or
/ modified workstations. Two (2) modifications were requested and completed.
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023 - 2027
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Review and Monitoring of the Process
The Council of the Town of Laurentian Hills is committed to following through with this plan.
This plan will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis, allowing the Public, Council and Staff
to monitor the barriers and the progress of the Town in achieving the removal of all barriers to
Town property under the ODOA.
The Town will continue to review and update policies as required to ensure high quality,
accessible customer service.
The Town will meet the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces (Ontario
Regulation 191/11), as applicable, when building new or making major modifications to public
spaces.
Public Spaces include: Recreational Trails, Beaches and Access Routes, Outdoor Public Eating
Areas, Outdoor Play Spaces (playgrounds); Outdoor Paths of Travel (sidewalks, ramps, stairs,
curb ramps, rest areas and accessible pedestrian signals); and accessible off-street parking.
The Town's employment advertisements for recruitment will continue to include accessibility
accommodations for all parts of the selection and interview process.
Laurentian Hills is a small rural community; the municipality does not have a traditional
downtown area with sidewalks and curbing. The municipality does not own an identified
recreational trail system or a developed beach and swimming area.
The Town does not have specific requirements under the Transportation section of the Act. The
Town does not own or offer a conventional, specialized or public transportation service.
We cannot assume to know what challenges people with disabilities are faced with when
accessing public spaces. Nor can we assume we know the solution for their challenges. The
Town will continue to use its newsletter to encourage and engage the public who are or have been
challenged with the Town's public spaces to participate and work with us on obtaining and
implementing solutions to challenges.
Communication of the Plan
This Plan is available at the Town Office and posted on the Town of Laurentian Hills website.
Every attempt will be made to meet the requirements of those with disabilities to ensure the Plan
is available for their perusal and review.
The audits were conducted to assess the existing compliance of the Municipal buildings
and properties, to the AODA standards. Barriers were identified as follows and the
suggested timelines to implement are attached.
Contact information: Municipal Office 34465 Highway 17 RR# 1 Deep River, ON
K0J 1P0 613-584-3114 or email [email protected]
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023 - 2027
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Municipal Buildings and Barriers Identified to be addressed 2023 - 2028
Point Alexander Municipal Building:
Handicap parking spots and signage should be
moved to a more level area in the right hand side
of the parking lot. Additional ground material
needs to be added to emergency exit side ramps
and sloped for ease of mobility.
Point Alexander Fire Hall
Restricted public access
Point Alexander Rink Building
Building entrance is not level with the bottom of
the door. Does not have automatic doors and
push button. Install grab bars and lever facets in
both washrooms.
Point Alexander Public Works Building
Restricted public access
Chalk River Fire Hall
Restricted public access
Chalk River Library
Main Entrance has a drop off box that is on the
ramp. Relocating the drop box will allow for
additional space for persons with mobility
assistance devices on the landing to enter the
building. This would also allow for easier drop
off of books without having to go up the ramp.
The side exit is an emergency exit with a
wooden step which should be replaced with a
ramp. There are no handicap parking spots and
signage.
Chalk River Resource Centre
Currently in a lease contract for private use. An
automatic door with push button should be
considered if the Town uses the building in the
future. Handicap spots and signage should be
added at that time as well.
Chalk River Rink Building
No barriers identified with the building.
There are no handicap spots and signage at the
building.
Chalk River Public Works building
Restricted public access
Water and Sewer Plants
Restricted public access to buildings
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023 - 2027
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Playgrounds: The Town's playgrounds are assessed on an ongoing basis equipment and
structures are replaced to meet accessibility requirements.
Anne Crosson Park Playground
Bob Sequin Playground
Mountainview Playground
McKee Subdivision Playground
Gutzman Playground
New accessible equipment and ground
covering to be installed 2023
Point Alexander Playground
Wooden structure needs to be taken out of
service and replaced with accessible
structure and ground covering.
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023 - 2027
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Schedule 'A' to Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023 - 2027
Maintenance of Accessible Elements
Accessibility maintenance involves proactively ensuring that accessible features are
consistently maintained and updated to address evolving technologies and user needs. The
Town of Laurentian Hills will deal with preventative and emergency maintenance of
accessible elements in public spaces as well as with temporary disruptions when accessible
elements are not in working order for its' outdoor playgrounds, accessible parking, parking
lots, ramps and buildings that are accessible to the Public.
The Town will apply best practices in the preventative maintenance of accessible elements
with periodic checks such as:
The working group will continue to conduct annual audits of signage, ramps, playgrounds
parking lots and buildings that are open to the public to identify defects and any
maintenance needs.
The Town will conduct regular annual inspections, or more frequently as per the
Minimum Maintenance Standards after storms or events that might affect accessible
elements.
The Town will respond to any reports of vandalism or complaints and take the
appropriate corrective actions required in a timely manner.
The Town will conduct regular inspections to ensure the signage posted at the
playgrounds advising the public that the playgrounds are regularly inspected and
maintained by the Town and should they have any concerns to call the number listed are
in good condition.
The Town will apply best practices in the emergency maintenance of accessible elements
as quickly as possible once identified or notified of a maintenance issue.
Repairs will be done as soon as practicable and on a priority basis such as but limited to
ramps.
Notification
In keeping with compliance requirements under the Integrated Accessibility Standard
Regulation (O. Reg.191/11) the Town will make every effort to provide public notification of
any temporary disruptions in the following manner:
The Town will provide advance notice of planned maintenance or repairs that may
impact accessibility, including information about the disruption, its duration, and
alternative accessible elements.
Should the Town incur a disruption a Notice of the disruption will include: the reason for
the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative facilities or
services, if any are available.
Notice will be given by posting the information in a conspicuous place as well as by
posting the information on the Town's website