4. Making it Easier to Participate in Regional Government

Accessibility Achievements

Business Practices

To make it easier for people with disabilities to attend public meetings, York Region has developed guidelines for accessible meetings and multiple formats, which include the methods used to notify people about meetings, where meetings are held, sign language interpretation and other strategies to encourage broad participation.

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Continuing to Identify Barriers

Planning and Development Services will use the newly developed accessibility guidelines to audit all public consultation centres and, if necessary, make recommendations for changes.

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Removing Barriers

Business Practices

In 2007, three new initiatives will help encourage more people with disabilities to participate in regional government planning and Council meetings:

• Community Services and Housing is developing an Accessibility Planning resource list, outlining local resources that may be of use when planning accessible meetings making it easier for more people with disabilities to participate in meetings or events. The resource list will be available to all Regional departments;
• Health Services will include people with disabilities in emergency planning for an influenza pandemic. The Department will consult with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and the Canadian Hearing Society, and work with people with disabilities to develop education materials to help people with disabilities prepare for a pandemic and learn who to call and where to go to receive care; and
• Corporate Services plans to install power door operators on the Council Chamber doors, making it easier for staff and visitors to enter the Council Chambers.