Accessibility in the Town of Smiths Falls

Terms of Reference Draft Mission Statement – To advise Council on how to make the Corporation of the Town of Smiths Falls more accessible to people with disabilities Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act took effect 14 years ago and promised to make the Province fully accessible by 2025 David Onley (Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor from 2007-2014) appointed in 2014 to conduct a formal review of accessibility in Ontario

“we still have a very inaccessible society, a built environment that is very inaccessible. The people who believe it’s accessible are members of the able-bodied population”. David Onley 15 broad recommendations presented to the Ontario Government Definition of disability is problematic because it is currently referred to as a medical issue rather than one of social exclusion

Vision To improve the accessibility of Smiths Falls by removing existing barriers and by preventing new barriers from being created To promote Smiths Falls as a caring and engaged community with a commitment to support people with disabilities so that every citizen can participate as fully as possible in our community

An Accessibility Committee could help the Town of Smiths Falls be proactive and prepared to meet legislative requirements (by 2025)

Reflection “Settle with the past, engage in the present and believe in the future”. Thank you for your consideration.