The Accessibility Plan describes the measures that Haldimand County will take in the term of the plan to identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities who utilize the goods, services and facilities of Haldimand County.

The Plan will:

• Describe the process by which the County will identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities
• Review earlier efforts to remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities
• Review the facilities, policies, programs, practices and services in the County to identify barriers to people with disabilities
• Describe the measures the County will take in the term of the plan to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities.

These standards are all part of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (O. Reg 191/11) . The regulation sets out the requirements for each of the five standards, as well as general requirements that apply to all, such as:

• Developing accessibility policies and plans
• Training employees and volunteers, and
• Considering accessibility when purchasing goods or services.

The legislated Accessibility Advisory Committee is made up of County resident volunteers, one Councillor and one County staff member.  This committee represents their community and provides practical knowledge on a wide-range of accessibility and disability concerns including: physical, visual, hearing impairment, intellectual, mental health, senior’s issues and communication.

The committee meets regularly to review and make accessibility recommendations on municipal capital projects and County services.

The Accessibility Advisory Committee does not review or make recommendations to private businesses within Haldimand County.

Mission statement

Haldimand County’s Accessibility Advisory Committee is dedicated to promoting a barrier-free environment for all persons, regardless of needs, to participate as fully as possible in all aspects of community life.

Committee members 2022 to 2026

• Janet deVos
• Audrey Doxtdator
• John Pack
• Andrew Poirier
• Frank Rao
• Barbara Horton
• Judy Duggan
• Marianne Kidd
• Councillor Stewart Patterson
• Staff Liaison (Erin Lindeboom)

Contact the committee

Tel:  905-318-5932 extension 6186
Email: accessibility@haldimandcounty.on.ca

Haldimand County’s Accessible Design Standards aim to make all County-owned or leased spaces, buildings, infrastructure and elements accessible to Haldimand’s residents, employees and visitors, as part of any new construction or redevelopment activities. These were created in 2023 and a key component of our 5 year Accessibility Plan.

Across the corporation, these Accessible Design Standards are understood to be:

• Mandatory for all new construction and redevelopment of existing spaces and facilities, owned, leased or operated by Haldimand County;
• Intended to apply to the greatest extent possible for retrofit, alterations or additions to existing spaces and facilities owned, leased or operated by Haldimand County
• Encouraged to be implemented by other sectors and organizations within Haldimand County
• Recognized as addressing the needs of diverse users, with or without disabilities, to ensure inclusive environments for all.

Recreational Activities

• The Haldimand Abilities Centre has community based support services and recreational programs geared towards individuals with dementia, an acquired brain injury, or visual impairment.
  • Examples of programs and groups offered: Seated fitness, Power hour circuit training, Chair yoga, Chair zumba, Canvas and Mocktails, Start with Art, Meditate and Paint, Grief Support Drop-In, ABI Support Group, and Vision loss support group.
• Special Olympics Haldimand provides quality sport training programs and competitions for athletes living with an intellectual disability in the district of South Central Ontario.
• Senior Support Services offers services for Seniors over the age of 60 and individuals with disabilities over the age of 18. They have an adult day program as well as activities and events that can be found on their website.

Personal Support 

• Best Care Agency offers in home support services and leisure/hospitality transportation. (Transportation offered does not accommodate wheelchair or mobility devices.)
• Home and Community Care Unit – Mississauga’s of the First Nation offers home support services and supports for older adults, and adults with disabilities. They help people remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible and provide culturally appropriate services for Indigenous peoples. Some services include: foot care, homemaking, in-home nursing, in-home personal support, and meal delivery.
• Senior Support Services  offers programs like Meals on Wheels, frozen meals, Diner’s Club, transportation, home maintenance, friendly visiting, telephone reassurance, Adult Day Program, Hospice Palliative Care, safety at home, caregiver support, and Adult Day Program virtual activities.

Transportation 

• Mr. J’s Taxi company offers wheelchair accessible transportation.
• Senior Support Services offers accessible transportation to individuals over the age of 60 as well as to individuals with disabilities over the age of 18.

Accessible Parking Permits

• There is no cost to renewing or obtaining an Accessible Parking Permit Application. Vehicles used by persons with disabilities are required to display an Accessible Parking Permit to park in an accessible parking space. Accessible Parking Permits can be issued to a person or company vehicle that is used to transport a person with a disability.
• To apply for an Ontario accessible parking permit, you must have:
  • a health condition that meets the eligible health requirements
  • authorization from a regulated healthcare practitioner

Financial Support

• The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is there to support individuals with disabilities financially.
• To qualify for ODSP, you must:
  • be 18 years or older
  • live in Ontario
  • be financially eligible
  • have a physical or mental health disability, expected to last one year or longer, that substantially limits your ability to work, look after yourself or carry out daily activities.

Accessibility Training

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act,(link is external) 2005 (AODA) Accessibility Standard for Customer Service(link is external) (ASCS) and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation(link is external) (IASR) requires all contractors and their employees who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the City to receive training  on these standards and on the Human Rights Code as they pertain to persons with disabilities.

All contractors and their employees who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of Haldimand County have specific obligations under the AODA and are required to take accessibility training.

Training Records:

Contractors must keep records of all training, including dates when training was provided, the number of employees who received training and individual training records for their business. Contractors are required to make this information available to the County and/or the Province upon request.