Through accessibility planning and with the advice of the Accessibility Committee, Haldimand County will strategically identify, remove and prevent as many barriers as possible.
- The continual improvement of access to all municipally owned facilities, premises and services for all those with disabilities.
- The provision of quality services to all members of the community with or without disabilities.
People with disabilities represent a significant and growing part of our population. Statistics Canada, through the Participation and Activities Limitations Survey (PALS), from September 2001 to January 2002, collected information regarding people with disabilities whose everyday activities are limited because of a health-related condition or problem. The 2001 Census provided essential information on the prevalence of various disabilities and support for people with disabilities, their employment profile, their income and their participation in society. As a result, it was determined that approximately 3.6 million people in Canada have disabilities, representing 1 in 8 Canadians or 12.4% of Canada’s population. Within Ontario, approximately 1.5 million people have disabilities, representing 1 in 7 Ontarians or 13.5% of Ontario’s population. National statistics indicate that 40.5% of people aged 65+ have a disability, 9.9% of people aged 15-64 have a disability, and 3.3% of children aged 0-14 have a disability. Recent population projections estimate that by 2021, Canadians aged 65+ will total 6.7 million people and represent one fifth of the total population.
The Haldimand County Accessibility Advisory Committee (HCAAC) is a key resource and contributor to accessibility planning issues in all departments of Haldimand County. The HCAAC is dedicated to promoting a barrier free environment for all persons, regardless of needs, to participate as fully as possible in all aspects of community life. It is a legislated committee of active community volunteers who represent or provide a general knowledge of a wide range of disabilities including: physical, visual, hearing impairment, intellectual, mental health, senior’s issues, and communication. The committee has access to resources to consider all disabilities when making recommendations. A County appointed Staff Liaison works with the HCAAC to help facilitate the process. The HCAAC is developing protocol to play a critical role in advising County Staff on various topics including site plan applications, renovations for County owned facilities and all department purchases.
The HCAAC will be involved with educating and advising Haldimand County’s citizens on the AODA accessibility standards that are currently being developed, and how these regulations will be audited, monitored, and formally inspected. Presently, the HCAAC will gain understanding about the common standards being developed including customer service issues, such as business practices and employee training. Most importantly, the HCAAC generates ideas and ignites initiative for the development and implementation of the annual Accessibility Plan.
Haldimand County’s Accessibility Advisory Committee is dedicated to promoting a barrier free environment for all persons, regardless of needs, to participate as fully as possible in all aspects of community life.
Joan Miller
Tammy Hartsell
John Thebaud
Frank Sommer
Adam Gosden
Janet Ann deVos
Jim Pond
Heather Flaherty
Community Development Co-ordinator
45 Munsee St. N.
Cayuga, ON N0A 1E0
(905) 318-5932 ext 241
hflaherty@haldimandcounty.on.ca