Municipality of Centre Hastings

Ontarian's with Disabilities

Third Annual Accessibility Plan

November 2005

Executive Summary

The purpose of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) is to improve opportunities for people with disabilities and to provide for their involvement in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to their full participation in the life of the Province. To this end, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act mandates that each Municipality shall prepare an annual accessibility plan.

Council Commitment to Accessibility Planning

The Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Centre Hastings remains committed to:

- 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 disabilities.

The Council has authorized the Clerk to prepare the third annual accessibility plan that will enable Council to meet these commitments.

Barriers addressed in 2005

This is the third year plan (2005) prepared by the Staff of the Municipality of Centre Hastings. The report describes the measures the Municipality has taken in 2005 to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities who use the facilities and services of the Municipality. We have included below the items addressed in 2005, some that were included in Year 2004 but and due to time and financial constraints were not completed as planned in 2004.

1.Handicapped parking signs will be installed in 2005 which designates handicapped parking at the following locations:

- Municipal Office/Hall complex parking lot in Ivanhoe

- Ball Park Canteen facility parking lot

- Lawn Bowling facility parking lot

- Swimming Pool facility parking lot

The handicapped sign for the Ball Park Canteen facility in Madoc will be delayed until a final decision is made on the replacement of the current building that is to be demolished. A handicapped parking sign will be installed at the new Skatepark Canteen as part of our program of providing accessible facilities.

2.Several sidewalk intersections have been reconstructed with ramping so that there are no barriers for persons with disabilities. Ten (10) intersections were completed in 2005 with eight (8) more areas yet to do to finalize this component of the Master Plan. Two (2) new sidewalk sections on Elgin Street at the Madoc Public School were also completed in 2005, as part of the reconstruction program. This project will continue in 2006 to complete the remaining eight (8) intersections as identified.

3.The Municipal Office in Madoc section of the Master Plan has been removed as the property was sold July 12 2004.

Barriers to be addressed in 2006:

1.Municipal Office:

Correct the threshold into the offices.

2.Canteen Facility, Ivanhoe:

Provide ramp and platform to provide access to the washrooms.

3.Moira Hall:

Correct the threshold at the entrance door,

Upgrade ramp and add handrails.

4.Works Garage in Ivanhoe:

Correct the threshold,

Replace or remove the patio stones.

5.Works Garage in Madoc:

Correct the threshold.

6.Sidewalks:

Continue the program of intersection ramping.

7.Madoc & District Recreation Centre:

Construct ramp at the entrance door,

Change door handles to the meeting room and office.

The completion of any or all of the above is dependent on available financial resources.

Review and Monitoring of the Process

Council is committed to following through with this plan. This plan will be reviewed annually thus allowing Council, staff and the public to monitor the barriers identified and the direction to which the Municipality is moving to remove all barriers under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Communication of the Plan

This plan will be available at the Office and every effort will be made to make it available to those with disabilities for their perusal and review.