Accessibility

The Province of Ontario released Provincial legislation called the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act in 2005. The County and the Member Municipalities must meet the requirements of accessibility standards including:

• Customer Service
• Information and Communications
• Employment
• Transportation
• Design of Public Spaces

The Township of Perth South is responsible for filing a bi-annual Accessibility Compliance Report with the Provincial Government.

In order to help us meet the requirements of the AODA, we have created:

• A Corporate Accessibility Policy
• A Procurement Policy that considers accessibility when buying or acquiring goods, services or facilities.
• Training plans to ensure that all employees, volunteers and other persons are trained in the accessibility standards and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Accessibility Compliance Report (2023)

Perth County Joint Accessibility Plan 2023 - 2027

Annual Status Update 2023

The County of Perth has a Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC) made up of people who live across the County. Under the law, the majority of AAC members must be people with a disability.

Some of the activities of the Perth County AAC include:

1. Reviewing site plans and drawings for new or proposed improvements to a property.
2. Reviewing designs for new or proposed improvements to outdoor play spaces, external pathways or recreational trails.
3. Reviewing multi-year accessibility plans and annual status update reports.

JAAC Meetings

The County of Perth JAAC meets at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Please feel free to review the JAAC Meeting Agendas and Minutes

As outlined in our Corporate Accessibility Policy, we are committed to providing accessible customer service. Upon request, we can help you if you need a different format of a document or communication supports.

Please use our Report It Form if you have comments or questions related to the accessibility of our services to customers with disabilities.

Do you Respect Accessible Parking Spaces?

It is important to leave accessible parking spaces open for those who are legally entitled to use them. Please respect the space.

What are Accessible Parking Permits?

Accessible Parking Permits are issued by Service Ontario to either a driver or a passenger with a disability or health condition. When people use mobility devices such as wheelchairs or walker, their disability is obvious. However, some health conditions are invisible, for example people with heart or lung conditions. Permits are issued to people, not vehicles, so that people living with a disability can use the permit in any vehicle. That person must be in the car for the permit to be valid.

The province began issuing new accessible parking permits with enhanced security features in 2016. The features, which include machine-readable barcodes, raised markings and serial numbers, help to confirm that a permit is authentic. An Identification Number contains key information that describes the permit holder including first and last initials, gender and decade of birth. Permit abusers are easily identified.

What are some valid reasons for parking in an accessible space without a permit?

There is no good reason to park illegally in an accessible space.

• None of these excuses will get you out of a fine:
• I need to drop off a few heavy things
• I won’t be a minute, I only needed to pop in to pick up something
• I have a disability, I just forgot my permit
• I don't have a permit, but I find it very difficult to walk
• I am a pensioner, so I am entitled to park near the shop
• I was going to miss my flight if I didn't park there
• I'm doing a few things for my dad and it's his permit

Can I park in the stripped space (access aisle) beside an accessible parking space?

The short answer is NO.

In addition to the accessible parking space, the striped access aisle next to the accessible parking space is needed by people using wheelchair lifts and/or assistive devices to get in and out of their vehicle. It is never okay to park in the access aisle, even if you have a permit.

#RespecttheSpace

Please do the right thing. Accessible parking spaces help to reduce barriers for people living with disabilities. You can help remove these barriers: Respect the designated parking spaces and the people who need to use them.

For more information, contact:

Accessibility Coordinator

County of Perth

519-271-0531 extension 141

Accessible Documents

• WCGA 2.0 Level AA: The Township of Perth South is required to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA for content on websites. If you are providing services that will result in the creation of documents for the Township of Perth South, then you will be required to create those documents in an accessible format in order to meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

Exceptions

The Township of Perth South recognizes situations where it is not practicable to present content in an accessible format. In these cases, best efforts are used to provide an accessible alternative or assistance in acquiring the information needed. Everyone is encouraged to contact Perth County to receive information in an alternate format whenever required.

Examples of such exceptions include:

• Mapping or GIS data
• Engineering drawings or complex technical data

Accessible Location Applications

There are several applications or ‘apps’ that will show you accessible businesses, hotels and restaurants in Ontario, Canada and the world. ASXMap and AccessNow are just a couple in our part of the world. All of these apps rely on the public to keep the information up to date.

Accessible Transportation Services

There is a listing of accessible transportation services provided by organizations servicing member municipalities, the City of Stratford, the Town of St. Marys, and surrounding areas within the County of Perth, including the Township of Perth South. This information is available on the Southwest Healthline website, under "Transportation - Accessible - Huron and Perth."

Winter and Summer Accessibility Tips

Barriers exist for people with disabilities year-round, but some of these barriers are increased at different times of the year. There are some simple things that you can do to reduce or eliminate barriers in your community and make the way safer for everyone.

Winter Accessibility Tip Sheet

Summer Accessibility Tip Sheet

Service Directory for People with Disabilities

There is a directory of services for Huron and Perth Counties which support people living with intellectual or physical disabilities; for families and caregivers as well as individuals. This information is available on the Southwest Healthline website, under "Huron-Perth - People with Disabilities".

Age-Friendly Community Planning

The Township of Perth South, along with the other Member Municipalities in the County of Perth is committed to Age-Friendly Community Planning. Go to the County of Perth Age-Friendly Community Planning page to find out more about how Perth County is planning for meeting the needs of our aging population.