Joint Elgin/Central Elgin 2009-2011

Annual Municipal Accessibility Plan

The purpose of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) is to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities and to provide for their involvement in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers. Each municipality with a population of over 10,000 people is mandated by the ODA to form a committee to identify accessibility barriers with membership on this committee to be composed of a majority of persons with disabilities and to prepare and publish annual accessibility plans. A complete copy of the 2009-2011 Joint Elgin/Central Elgin Annual Municipal Accessibility Plan can be viewed through the following link: Accessibility Plan 2009-2011

The Ontario Government is issuing five sets of standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the "AODA") to achieve the vision of a barrier-free Ontario by 2025. The first set is the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07 ("OR 429/07"). These are now the law. By January 1, 2010, municipalities must have policies, practices and procedures for: customer service; assisting devices; service animals; support persons; notice of temporary disruptions; training, and customer feedback that comply with equality principles. Municipalities must also ensure that staff and others delivering services receive appropriate training.

In addition to the Accessible Customer Service Standards regulation that has already been issued, the Province has four other sets of standards under development (Transportation; Information & Communications; Employment; Built Environment). The standards are being developed by committees composed of people with disabilities as well as representatives of industries, sectors and ministries. Look forward to these standards becoming the law very soon!

Accessibility Working Group

As per the ODA legislation, the County of Elgin and the Municipality of Central Elgin formed a Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee in 2002 known as the Elgin/Central Elgin Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC). The Committee consists of five (5) persons representing all geographic areas of the County of Elgin with the majority of membership being persons with disabilities. Present members include: Jenny Phillips, Chair; Lynn Demont, Vice Chair; Deputy Mayor David Marr; Joyce Greer. Support staff that attend the meetings are Dianne Wilson, Deputy Clerk, The Municipality of Central Elgin (519)-631-4860 ext. 286 or dwilson@centralelgin.org and Cole Aicken, Building Sciences Technologist, County of Elgin (519)-631-1460 ext.4 or caicken@elgin-county.on.ca. Please feel free to contact any member of the committee or staff to obtain more information on accessibility issues.

This year Elgin/Central Elgin has committed itself to the continual improvement of access to municipally-owned or leased premises, facilities and services for employees, volunteers and visitors with disabilities; the participation of person with disabilities in the development and review of its annual accessibility plan; and the provision of quality services to all members with disabilities within its jurisdictional community.

Mission Statement

JAAC has adopted the following mission statement: “To identify, remove and prevent barriers to person with disabilities who use the facilities and services of the County of Elgin and the Municipality of Central Elgin, including employees, volunteers, visitors, and all members of our Community."

Previous Plans

Accessibility Plan 2009-2010

Accessibility Plan 2008-2009