| Accessibility Achievements - 2007 |
Community and Health Services
York Region manages 1,927 supportive and affordable housing units through Housing York Incorporated (HYI). Throughout 2007, the Region undertook numerous projects to help provide persons with disabilities affordable and accessible housing units, such as:
- Completed upgrades to elevators to include accessibility features at Maplewood Place and Pineview Terrace
- Constructed seven dedicated units at Tom Taylor Place in Newmarket for people who are deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing and created a referral service for potential tenants for the units
- Modified lighting levels in HYI's older properties to help seniors with vision disabilities
- Installed railings in the halls of two HYI buildings to help seniors with balance and ambulatory constraints
- Completed of a resident feedback survey of all HYI residents to assess the housing services they receive, including accessibility services.
York Region promotes healthy and accessible communities for its residents. Some accomplishments supporting this vision include:
- Extensive renovations and improvements to the pedestrian access route at the Maple Health Centre, a 100-bed Long Term Care facility
- Installed a TTY telephone line and an assistive listening device, more accessible signage, and added a power assist door operator
- Renovated six housing units and included accessibility upgrades to lighting, flooring, kitchens, and bathrooms in Hadley Grange (Aurora), an Assisted Community Living facility
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| Barrier Identification for 2008 |
Community and Health Services
In the fall of 2007, the Community Services and Housing Department and the Health Services Department combined to form the new Community and Health Services Department. The new Department will continue to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities to its many programs, services, and facilities through partnerships with community agencies. In 2008, the Department will identify barriers to help people live more independently. Plans include:
- Finalizing a two-phased research project that will improve understanding of tenants of Housing York Inc. (HYI) who have self-declared disabilities
- Completing a centralized waiting list for households requiring modified units in HYI buildings
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| Barriers to Be Addressed – 2008 |
Community and Health Services
In 2007, the Department identified several barriers in its housing and health services facilities that will be addressed throughout 2008 including:
- Preparing for elevator upgrades at Northview Court to better service people with visual and hearing disabilities
- Improving lighting levels in common areas at Dunlop Pines, a housing facility for seniors
- Installing of automatic door openers at Evergreen Terrace and Heritage East, owned and operated by Housing York Inc. (HYI)
- Adding visual alarm features to the fire alarm systems at the Maple and Newmarket Health Centres to increase both the independence and safety of people who are deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing
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