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The City of Cambridge is committed to being responsive to the needs of all people who work, live and play within our city. We continue to implement the legislative requirements set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and work to meet regulations of the Ontario Accessibility Law and Human Rights Legislation.
National AccessAbility Week (NAAW)
National AccessAbility Week is a time when accessibility and inclusion are promoted across communities and workplaces, and a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadian's with disabilities. It is an opportunity to recognize the efforts of Canadians who are actively removing barriers to ensure persons with disabilities have an equal chance to participate in all aspects of Canadian society.
The 2023 theme is Life Made Accessible: Working Toward Barriers. To learn how to make your business inclusive and how to approach accessibility from hiring and customer service perspective, please join our free webinar series, running between May 29 and June 1, 2023.
These webinars are free and registration is required.
Open the accordions below to learn about each webinar.
| May 29 - Hiring People with Disabilities |
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Date: Monday, May 29 Time: 1 to 2 p.m. Location: online on Zoom Cost: free Diversity in any workplace is an asset for all businesses. Improve your business by learning first-hand the benefits of hiring people with disabilities from organizations already doing so. We will also discuss how to have conversations on disability related accommodations, provide examples, and hear from people with lived experience of disability. |
| May 30 - Accommodation |
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Date: Tuesday, May 30 Time: 1 to 2 p.m. Location: online on Zoom Cost: free What does it look like to create disability related accommodations for an employee, client, business partner or a customer? Whether the people you connect with, work with, or are hiring require accommodation now or in the future, providing it can be easy. Through our webinar you will hear examples of workplace accommodation, hear examples of what has been done and how to make it happen. |
| May 31 - How to be an Accessible Business |
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Date: Wednesday, May 31 Time: 1 to 2 p.m. Location: online on Zoom Cost: free It was once said that “every contact we have with a customer can influence whether or not they’ll come back.” (Kevin Stritz). Join our conversation to hear how to make your business accessible for all so you can maximize your output. Our discussion will touch on how to initiate conversations around accommodation and what details you need to know, the benefits of word of mouth and representation, customer service, and staff training. |
| June 1 - The Inclusive City: Awareness and Co-Creation to Remove Barriers in City Design |
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Date: Thursday, June 1 Time: 1 to 2 p.m. Location: online on Zoom Cost: free Meet Luke Anderson, co-founder of StopGap Foundation an organization whose mission is to help communities discover the benefit of barrier free spaces and provide support to create them. A city free of barriers would help give everyone the opportunity to live a life full of independence, spontaneity, and ultimate fulfillment. This 1-hour discussion includes a talk by Luke followed by a panel discussion where Luke will be joined by Paula Saunders, chair of the Built Environment subcommittee of the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee. Hosted by the City of Kitchener, we will explore city design through an accessibility lens to build awareness of barriers to navigating everyday life from the routine of going to work to a spontaneous coffee with a friend. |
Thank you for participating in the Engage Cambridge survey.
Your feedback will help shape plans to prevent and remove barriers for people with disabilities and will help develop our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.
Treat Accessibly
The Treat Accessibly movement aims to make small change by encouraging communities to celebrate Halloween in an accessible way that's inclusive of children and youth who live with accessibility issues. A Free Accessible Trick-or-Treating sign is a symbol promoting Accessible and Inclusive change, and one that tells families in your neighbourhood that if their child has a disability, they are welcome to experience Halloween without barriers at your home.
For tips visit the Treat Accessibly website.
Thank you for making the 2022 Treat Accessibly Initiative a great success!
Sensitive Santa
This event is a special time to visit with Santa reserved for children with social, emotional, accessible and behavioural needs. This sensory friendly environment provides lower lighting and a quieter surrounding. The City of Cambridge in partnership with Cambridge Centre provides four event dates leading up to Christmas. To keep it sensory friendly and organized, registration is required.
This event is currently full for all dates.
| National AccessAbility Week - Life Made Accessible |
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National AccessAbility Week is a time when accessibility and inclusion are promoted across communities and workplaces, and a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadian's with disabilities. It is an opportunity to recognize the efforts of Canadians who are actively removing barriers to ensure persons with disabilities have an equal chance to participate in all aspects of Canadian society. NAAW Committee This event is brought to you by the National AccessAbility Week committee. The committee is passionate about making communities accessible and an inclusive place for all. A big thank you to these agencies for their contributions:
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| Cambridge Accessibility Advisory Committee |
| The Cambridge Accessibility Advisory Committee (CAAC) provides advice to Council and consults on projects under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). The Committee assist the City in promoting and facilitating a barrier-free Cambridge for citizens of all abilities, including persons with disabilities. The Committee does this by reviewing municipal policies, programs and services and the identification, removal and prevention of barriers faced by persons with disabilities. |
| Personal Attendant for Leisure Card (PAL) |
| The Personal Attendant for Leisure Card (PAL) card is available for people with a disability who require assistance to attend and participate in recreation programs. The PAL card is issued to the person with the disability and allows for them to be accompanied by a friend, relative, support worker etc. as their support person who participates at no additional cost. |
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Accessibility Policy |
| As outlined in its Accessibility Policy, The City of Cambridge ensures the policies, procedures and practices are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and the equality of opportunity for people with disabilities. The policy outlines how the City will meet and exceed the requirements set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). |
| Accessibility Design Standards |
| The City of Cambridge Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) outlines City-wide standards that build a universally-designed and accessible community for residents, visitors and employees. These standards are applied to all new and/or renovated City owned, leased or operated facilities. In addition to our municipal facilities, we encourage the use of these standards in the development and construction of new facilities, private or public, throughout the Cambridge community.
We are currently in the process of updating our 2014 Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) to ensure our facilities meet the requirements for a barrier-free design under the Ontario Building Code and the Design of Public Space Standard. |
| Accessibility Format and Communications Support |
| The City of Cambridge provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to request for accessible format and communication for City run programs, services and documents. To request accessible format or communication support, complete the Accessible Format and Communication Support Form. |
| Recreation Programs |
| The City of Cambridge makes every attempt to make sure everyone can fully participate in and enjoy the community. For information about arranging supports or accommodations to participate in City programs, please visit Support and Accommodations. |
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Website Accessibility |
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The City of Cambridge aims to provide excellent customer service to all community members, as well as quality goods and services that are accessible and inclusive for everyone in the community. To do this, The City of Cambridge is dedicated to ensuring that our website, and its content, meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA compliance and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) requirements. |
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Assistive Devices |
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Assistive devices are available at City facilities to help remove barriers to accessing programs and services. We encourage residents to contact that facility to inquire about the availability of that assistive device. Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when accessing goods or services provided by the City of Cambridge. |
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Service Disruptions |
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The City notifies city residents if there is a planned or unplanned disruption in services or facilities provided by the City, which might affect accessibility. In order to ensure that people may plan accordingly, notices will be posted in the applicable area, as well as on our website. |
Feedback
If you would like to offer disability-related feedback on the accessibility of our programs, services and facilities, please complete online feedback form.