Summary

The Ontario Disability Act (Bill 125) requires that Municipalities prepare an accessibility plan annually and consult with persons with disabilities. The accessibility plan shall address the identification, prevention and removal of barriers to persons with disabilities. This is to be accomplished through the by-laws, policies, programs, practices and services of the Municipality.

This is the fourth accessibility plan completed by the Municipality. This report provides a baseline of the accessibility measures taken in the past, what barriers where removed since 2005 and identifies what measures need to be addressed in 2009 and the future. The inspections and report were conducted by municipal staff.

Laurentian Valley Township Demographics

Laurentian Valley Township was formed by the amalgamation of the former Townships of Stafford-Pembroke and Alice & Fraser on January 1, 2000. The Municipality boasts a population of 9,265 residents, with 3,769 households. The Township of Laurentian Valley surrounds the City of Pembroke and is south of the Town of Petawawa.

Land uses range from rural residential and farming properties on private water and on-site sewage disposal systems to suburban and residential and highway commercial on municipal water and sewer. There are several blocks of industrial properties in the municipality and regionally significant mineral aggregate resources. The Township has approximately 20 kilometres of Ottawa River frontage.

The Municipality has seven significant properties with structures; the Municipal Office, Stafford Works Garage, Laurentian Valley Fire Hall, Micksburg Seniors Center and three Recreational complexes.

Council Commitment to Accessibility Planning

The Council of the Corporation of the Township of Laurentian Valley is committed to the continuous improvement of access to all municipally owned facilities, premises and services for all those with disabilities.

Council has instructed the Chief Administrative Officer to conduct the audits and prepare the accessibility plan to meet these commitments.

Baseline Audit

Information Services

The Municipal web site is mostly disabled accessible. It is in a text only format which allows the visually impaired to use web reading software to navigate the site and read the graphics. There is however an increasing use of adobe formatted documents which is more convenient for staff but not as accessible.

By-laws

The Municipality passed a Disabled Parking By-law No 03-03-167 in March 2003. Shortform wording has been approved by the Crown. The set fine is $300.00 as required by the province. Disabled parking and access are considered when planning new developments.

The Building Department has enforced Section 3.8 (formerly 3.7 the accessibility portion) since its introduction into the Ontario Building Code.

Municipal Buildings

On September 9, 2003 staff completed an initial Part 3.8 Building Code audit of the Municipally owned buildings and a follow up inspections were completed on August 19, 2004, August 21, 2007 and September 8, 2008. The audits were conducted to assess the existing compliance of the Municipal buildings and properties to the standards. Although the newer buildings comply with the existing standards, there were noted improvements that could be made. Numerous barriers were identified in the older facilities which will require remedial work to remove. These barriers will be discussed further in this document under Barriers Identified.

Transportation & Roads

The Municipality now provides limited mass transit in the Stafford built up area. There are very few sidewalks in the Municipality. There are a couple of areas in the Municipality that are signed to caution traffic for local disabled persons. This signing has been done on a request basis in the past.

The Municipality does subsidize the Friends of the Disabled on their expense of operating Pembroke Handi-bus.

Barriers Identified

Municipal staff conducted a follow up audit of Municipal properties and buildings on September 8, 2008. The following chart gives a list of deficiencies identified and the strategy for their removal.

Barriers addressed since 2004

Information Services

The Municipality has made no format changes to the web site, tax bills and other notices. The 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008 reports are available on-line and at the front counter of the Municipal Office.

By-laws

The planner has reviewed the Zoning By-Law for compliance with the Ontario Disabilities Act in so far as the Planning Act permits. A section was added to the general provisions section to address site-planning for disabled parking and building access in new developments.

Municipal Buildings

Highway 41 Works Garage

No barriers were removed, the shop area of the building is currently used by the Works Department. The front office and boardroom area are leased to Snow Country.
 

Micksburg Seniors Center

No work has been undertaken to resolve the accessibility deficiencies. The Micksburg Seniors Club have made arrangements with Micksburg Athletic for the use of their facility as of October 2008. Council will have to make a decision on whether the Municipality will upgrade the building or dispose of this property. It is an older structure that will require extensive renovations and possibly an addition to make it accessible.

Barriers to be addressed in 2009

Information Services

The Municipality will consult with the visually impaired when format changes to the web site, tax bills and notices are contemplated.

By-laws

Staff will be instructed to include the other Municipal properties and Recreational complexes in any tenders for parking lot painting and signing in 2009. Estimates will be sought to design and renovate the Stafford Works Garage to accommodate the disabled, for Councils decision.

The recreation facilities are managed by arms length committees. The Municipality has advised them of their obligations under the Ontario Disabilities Act and the deficiencies found during the audit. The recreation associations will be requested to file updates on their progress to making the facilities accessible in their yearly reports to Council.

Review and Monitoring

Council is committed to following through with this plan. This plan will be updated annually to allow Council, staff and the public to monitor the progress the Municipality is making to remove all barriers under the Ontarians With Disabilities Act.

Communication

This report will be made available on the Municipal web site as well as the Municipal Office. The report will also be circulated to the local groups that deal with the disabled for their review and comments.

Accessibility Policies

The Municipality has a committee organized to draft the required Accessibility Standards to comply with Ontario Regulation 429/07. This policy should be completed before the January 1, 2010 deadline imposed by the Act.