Accessibility
The City is committed and guided by the four core principles of Dignity, Independence, Integration and Equality of Opportunity.
The City is committed to providing quality goods, services and facilities that are accessible to all persons we serve and in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.
The City is committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner and shall do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility in customer service, information and communication, employment, the built environment and transportation.
The City is further committed to meeting the requirements of applicable legislation, including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) and the Human Rights Code.
If you encounter any barriers in City owned and operated facilities or services, please contact accessibility@cityssm.on.ca.
Community input will help guide future accessibility initiatives and improvement in key areas, including:
- Public spaces, such as parks, sidewalks, and recreational facilities
- Accessible transit services
- The City’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan and Accessibility Policies
- Future accessibility priorities and emerging community needs
- The Active Transportation Master Plan, as it relates to non-motorized users
Residents are encouraged to participate in public input online survey open until November 30, 2025.
Accessibility Defined
Accessibility is about ensuring that all people have full access in our community in an understanding, accepting and inclusive environment. A persons accessible needs may range from physical access to a more sensitive and aware surroundings.
Greater accessibility in our communities can be achieved through the identification, removal and prevention of barriers.
Customer Service Guide to Providing Service to Persons with Disabilities
- Offer every customer your assistance and full attention
- Identify yourself
- Simply ask “How may I help you?”
- Allow customer to describe their needs to you
- Speak clearly and offer to assist if necessary
- Don’t assume that the customer has a disability
- Talk to the person not their support person
- Do not approach a person’s support animal
- Make accessible items available for people to see or to reach
Use Appropriate “People First Language”
It is important to call things by their right name.
- You are handicapped/disabled or do you have a disability?
- You are diabetic or do you have diabetes?
- You are schizophrenic or to you have schizophrenia?
- You are myopic or do you wear glasses?
- You are cancerous or do you have cancer?