Ontario has an accessibility crisis. A review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) shows Ontario is far from meeting its goal of being accessible by 2025. 

PEC is not immune.

Irene Harris, Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, presented its annual report at Council earlier this month. A great deal in the way of dedicated provincial funding is required to make equal accessibility for all more than talk.

The presentation touched on the committee’s accomplishments in the field of accessibility and inclusion, and examined areas the County could improve in the future. 

“There’s a lot at stake for people who can’t fully participate in the County because of a disability,” said Harris. Ms. Harris noted that even the horseshoe at Shire Hall is not fully accessible: a wheelchair cannot fit into the existing elevator.

The Committee called on Council to advocate for consistent and predictable provincial funding for the work required to make PEC fully accessible. To that end, it asked Council to consider a resolution of support for the creation of a Provincial Accessibility Fund, and to send a letter to the Minister of Seniors and Accessibility seeking support for such a fund, which would be open to all 444 municipalities in Ontario. 

Ms. Harris said the County has done a great deal of work to include those with a disability, but said there is still more work needed. 

She stressed that the elephant in the room when it comes to accessibility is money, and that a provincial fund for accessibility would be of great benefit not only to Prince Edward County, but to all the municipalities in Ontario.

A work in progress

The Accessibility Advisory Committee offers planning support for municipal projects, support for local business, and opportunities for training and education on matters of accessibility and inclusion. 

The committee examined eight site plans in 2023, giving feedback to their developers about how they could make their projects more accessible. Partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce and community Business Improvement Associations (BIAs), as well as a newly created Business AODA Fact Sheet, offered support and information to local small businesses. 

“Our 2024 ‘Access the County Program’ is going to do a lot to help businesses bring their work up to date so that they’re achieving accessibility,” said Harris. “This will also make sure that everyone in the County has room to shop and be involved.”

The County staff actions for accessibility in 2024 include: auditing the County’s specialized transit service, developing an audio/visual component for the new Arrow Trail at Point Petre, developing assistive signage for the Ameliasburgh Heritage Hub, auditing accessible parking spaces at public parks, and a facilities condition assessment to help estimate how much funding is needed to upgrade the County’s facilities.

Multiple members of Council echoed how important the work of the Accessibility Advisory Committee is and that it must continue in the future. 

“Something like 20 per cent of Canadians over the age of 15 have a disability. One in five Canadians,” said Councillor Bill Roberts. “So addressing accessibility is a real priority.”

“This report is certainly among the best I’ve ever seen… We certainly appreciate all the work that the members of the committee have put into the meetings and into this report,” said Mayor Steve Ferguson. “I think it’s fair to say that Prince Edward County loves calls to action.”