York Region launches its first Accessibility Plan

 

NEWMARKET – Members of York Regional Council were joined by members of the Region’s Accessibility Advisory Committee this morning to launch the printed version of Understanding Barriers: York Region’s First Accessibility Plan.

 

“This Accessibility Plan outlines what Regional Council will do in 2004 to identify, remove and prevent barriers in order to make Regional government programs and services more accessible to people with disabilities,” said Regional Chair and CEO Bill Fisch.  “This and each subsequent Plan is an important component or our commitment to building the strong, caring and safe communities as outlined in the Region’s 25-year strategic plan, Vision 2026.”

 

The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) was proclaimed on September 30, 2002.  On this date municipalities with populations over 10,000 were required to have municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees (AAC) in place. As stated in the ODA, Regional Council is required to prepare an Accessibility Plan each year based on advice received from its AAC and make the Plan public.  The Region’s first Accessibility Plan was approved by Regional Council on September 18th, 2003 and made public shortly after on the York Region Web site.

 

“Understanding Barriers incorporates valuable advice from our AAC and feedback from residents across the Region – all of which have helped us understand the barriers faced by  persons with disabilities and what we must do to make a difference,” said Newmarket Regional Councillor Diane Humeniuk, Chair of the Region’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.  “In this first year, an important focus of our work will be on gaining a better understanding of where barriers may exist in our regional programs and services.”

 

Understanding Barriers: York Region’s First Annual Accessibility Plan is available from the York Region Web site at www.region.york.on.ca (click on “What’s New”).  Printed copies are available from the main reception desks of the York Region Administrative Centre at 17250 Yonge Street in Newmarket and the York Region South Services Centre at 50 High Tech Road in Richmond Hill or by calling 1-877-464-9675, Ext. 2000.

 

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, the services we offer and links to our nine area municipalities, please visit our Web site at www.region.york.on.ca

 

Contact:   Wendy Lewis, Corporate Communications Services, York Region
- (905) 830-4444 or (416) 297-9696, ext. 1238
- Email: wendy.lewis@region.york.on.ca

The Regional Municipality of York is committed to providing cost-effective, quality services that respond to the needs of our rapidly growing communities.  York Region is comprised of the following nine area municipalities:  Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Whitchurch-Stouffville.  For more information, visit our Web site at:  www.region.york.on.ca