2023-2027 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
Thanks for your input on the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. Consultation has concluded.
2023-2027 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
What considerations must be made to ensure Norfolk County programs, policies, procedures, and services are free from barriers? How can we ensure County-managed public spaces thoughtfully consider the diverse needs of all our residents? How can the County ensure you have access to the information you require in the format you require it in?
Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Norfolk County has an obligation to regularly develop and monitor a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. To draft this plan, a wide range of community members and residents — particularly those with lived experience of barriers to access, equity, and inclusion — must be consulted with and welcomed into the conversation.
The County is committed to ensuring the next Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (2023-2027) will be designed with the inputs of a greater and wider range of Norfolk residents than ever before. That means collecting the inputs of as many residents, workers, and visitors to Norfolk as possible; in particular, those who are living with disabilities, who are loved ones of people with disabilities, or who work with people with disabilities.
What is Norfolk County’s Commitment to Accessibility?
Norfolk County is committed to eliminating barriers and improving accessibility for persons with disabilities in a manner that respects dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.
Norfolk County recognizes the diverse needs of all our residents and customers and continues to respond by providing services and facilities that are barrier-free to all.
Norfolk County is committed to meeting the needs of people living with disabilities in a timely manner and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
Over the span of 2021 and 2022, Norfolk County has demonstrated its commitment to accessibility through numerous channels of improvement. A few projects are highlighted below:
- Enabling Accessibility Fund program funding secured for Norfolk County Administration Building second-floor accessible washroom upgrades to renovate the existing washrooms to be entirely barrier-free and in compliance with the Norfolk County Accessibility Design Guidelines
- Accessible Street Signage program implementation, providing heightened awareness while warning drivers that they are approaching a private residence in Norfolk County where a person with a disability resides
- Investing In Canada Infrastructure Program funding secured to provide accessible shelving at the Simcoe Library Branch
- Barrier-free path of travel installation at the Simcoe Kinsmen Park providing access from Talbot Street North while also significantly improving the overall level of barrier-free access to the park
- Langton Community Centre washrooms upgrade project – included a full upgrade to existing washroom to be a fully accessible universal washroom while also providing barrier-free access to men’s and women’s washrooms
Get involved!
Engagement on the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is now open.
From May 28 to June 11, 2023 members of the public are invited to participate in the survey below, taking advantage of an excellent opportunity to identify areas where the County can improve its level of barrier-free service delivery.
Residents are also open to share their accessibility stories and describe what a fully enabling and accessible Norfolk County looks and feels like: