Halton Hills Accessibility Standards
The Corporation of the Town of Halton Hills is committed to improving accessibility for persons with disabilities in a manner that respects dignity, independence, integration and equality of opportunity.
We all need accessibility
People with disabilities represent a major and growing part of our population. Disabilities affect key areas of daily living. About 1.8 million or 15.5 per cent of Ontarians have a disability. By 2026, as the population ages, it is estimated that 16 per cent of people in Canada will have a disability.
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)
Ontario has an important law, called Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. The AODA became law on June 13, 2005. Under this landmark legislation, the provincial government will develop required standards that will identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities. The vision of the act is the first of its kind in Canada and the goal is to create provincial accessibility standards and to obtain universal accessibility by 2025.
Business and organizations that provide goods and services to people in Ontario will have to meet accessibility standards in five areas, in five-year increments, including:
- Customer service
- Transportation
- Information and Communication
- Employment
- Built environment
The Transportation , Information and Communication and Employment Standards are all part of the new Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. The regulation sets out the requirements for each of the three 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 regulation applies to public, private, and not for-profit business and organizations that:
- provide goods, services or facilities either directly to the public or to other businesses or organizations and
- have at least one employee in Ontario.
The requirements will be phased in over time between 2011 and 2021. This will give organizations the time they need to build accessibility into their regular business processes.
Accessible Customer Service
Accessible customer service is now the law and came into force on January 1, 2008. This means that businesses and organizations that provide goods or services to people will be legally required to make their customer service operations accessible to people with disabilities by 2012. As a municipality, the Town of Halton Hills was required to comply with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service by January 1, 2010. Meeting these standards involved identifying and removing barriers to customer service in operational practices, policies and procedures, and communications, as well as ensuring staff training is taking place. The customer service standard is the first in a series of standards that will help lead to a fully accessible Ontario.
Town of Halton Hills documents are available in alternate formats upon request. Please fill out the Request for Alternate Formats Form or contact K. Withers, Municipal Law Enforcement Coordinator/Acceessibility Coordinator at 905 873-2600 ext. 2330.
- Alternate Formats Form (PDF Version)
- Customer Service Policy (PDF)
- Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy (PDF)
- AODA Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2013-2017 (PDF)
- Multi-Year Accessibility Plan - 2013 Annual Status Report (PDF)
- 2015 Annual Status Report
- AODA Multi Year Accessibility Plan 2023-2027 (PDF)
- AODA Multi Year Accessibility Plan 2018-2023 (PDF)
What the town has done to comply
- Developed an Accessible Customer Service Policy
- Trained staff (full and part-time), volunteers and elected officials
- Ensured that contractors and any other people who interact with the public (in connection with the town) are familiar with the town's accessible customer service practices
- Provided ways in which the public can provide feedback to the town
Mandatory training included:
- The purpose of the act
- How to interact with people with various disabilities
- How to interact with people who use a service animal or support person
- How to use and maintain assistive devices available on town-owned property
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing service
- Details on the town's accessibility policy, procedures and practices
Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities
Halton Region, City of Burlington, Town of Milton, Oakville and Halton Hills and the Halton Regional Police Service have collaborated on preparing a series of public education resources on emergency preparedness for persons with disabilities. The materials include a topic-focused pamphlet series, an audio CD on emergency preparedness, and a closed captioned personal emergency preparedness DVD. The pamphlet series addresses physical, visual, auditory and non-visible disabilities, as well as considerations for seniors, travellers and people living or working in high-rise buildings.
How will I be notified of a disruption of service?
In the event of planned disruption of goods to services offered by the Town, reasonable efforts shall be made to post notice at the facility or the location of the service, as well as the Town's website, in a reasonable time frame. All known information pertaining to the disruption shall be included in the notice, such as reason for disruption, duration, etc.
Town of Halton Hills Accessibility Advisory Committee
The Accessibility Advisory Committee is a citizen volunteer committee that advises the Mayor and Council on matters related to the identification, removal and prevention of barriers for person with disabilities. Visit the Accessibility Advisory Committee web page for more information. www.haltonhills.ca/committees
How can I provide feedback
The Town is devoted to providing excellent and efficient accessible customer service. We welcome public input as it helps to identify areas where changes need to be considered to improve on the delivery of our goods and service.
Currently the Town offers the following methods for you to provide your feedback. Please include your contact information, date and time, service location and your specific concern and recommendation for improvement.
Citizen Feedback Form
Phone: 905-873-2600 ext. 2330
TTY: 905-873-0644
Mail: Town of Halton Hills
Corporate Services – Clerk's Division
1 Halton Hills Drive
Halton Hills, ON L7G 5G2
Email us
Additional Information and Resources
- Accessibility Advisory Committee
- http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca
Customer Service Standard
Information and Communication Standard
Employment Standard
Transportation Standard
Built Environment Standard - Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)
- Canadian Hearing Society
- Arch Disability Law Centre
- The Canadian National Institute for the Blind
- The Canadian Association of the Deaf
