Quick Links
Contact Us
City of Cambridge Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (2024–2028)
The City of Cambridge is proud to release its updated Multi-Year Accessibility Plan for 2024–2028. The plan, approved by Council and endorsed by the Cambridge Accessibility Advisory Committee, reaffirms our commitment to creating an inclusive, barrier-free community where everyone can participate fully and equitably.
This plan outlines our roadmap for enhancing accessibility across five key areas:
- Information and Communications
- Employment
- Design of Public Spaces
- Transportation
- Customer Service
It reflects extensive community engagement, collaboration with the Cambridge Accessibility Advisory Committee, and alignment with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
Highlights include:
- Prioritizing upgrades to sidewalks, tactile wayfinding, and audible pedestrian signals
- Expand and enforce accessible parking at City facilities to ensure compliance and ease of access for all residents.
- Enhancing digital accessibility through accessible formats, testing tools, and staff training
- Embedding accessibility in all new capital projects and public spaces
- Expanding inclusive employment practices and workplace accommodations
- Piloting emerging technologies to meet evolving community needs
This plan is more than compliance; it is a commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration. Together, we are building a Cambridge that is welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for all.
Read the full plan here.
For feedback or alternative formats, contact accessibility@cambridge.ca
City of Cambridge – 2024–2025 Accessibility Progress Report
The City of Cambridge is pleased to share its 2024–2025 Progress Report on the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP), highlighting key achievements and ongoing initiatives that advance our vision of a barrier-free community.
This report reflects our commitment to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). It outlines progress across five priority areas: Information and Communications, Employment, Design of Public Spaces, Transportation, and Customer Service.
Key highlights include:
- Relaunching the Activities Guide in an accessible digital format
- Expanding inclusive seasonal programming such as Sensitive Santa and Treat Accessibly initiatives
- Advancing upgrades to sidewalks, tactile wayfinding, and audible pedestrian signals
- Embedding accessibility in major capital projects guided by the City’s 2024 Facility Accessibility Design Standards
- Introducing new staff training modules on Accessibility and Disability Inclusion
- Strengthening collaboration through the Interdepartmental Internal Accessibility Network as well as the Cambridge Accessibility Advisory Committee
These actions demonstrate our ongoing effort to meet compliance requirements, adopt best practices, and embrace emerging technologies to serve the evolving needs of our community.
Read the full report here.
For feedback or alternative formats, contact accessibility@cambridge.ca
Sensitive Santa
This year (November and December 2025), Sensitive Santa returns to the Cambridge Centre to meet with families who have neurodiverse and accessibility needs. This special event is designed to provide a quiet, welcoming, and sensory-friendly environment, making it easier for families with social, emotional, behavioural, and sensory needs to enjoy a visit with Santa.
In partnership with FotoArca Corporation and the City of Cambridge, families can meet Santa in a space with lower lighting and reduced noise to enjoy a more relaxed setting.
Each family will receive a complimentary digital photograph to commemorate their visit.
Spots are limited and registration is required.
To register, please contact: accessibility@cambridge.ca.
Treat Accessibly
Thank you for making Halloween 2025 a success, and we look forward to celebrating together in 2026! For more information, visit the Treat Accessibly website.
The Treat Accessibly initiative, started by the Padulo family in 2017, aims to make Halloween inclusive and accessible for all families, especially for the approximately 400,000 Canadian children with disabilities who may face trick-or-treating barriers, such as stairs.
Since 2020, the City of Cambridge, in partnership with RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc. Brokerage, has supported this movement by providing free Treat Accessibly lawn signs and offering tips to help households distribute treats in a safe, accessible manner.
Accessible Trick-or-Treating Tips
Make trick-or-treating accessible and inclusive by:
- Place a Treat Accessibility lawn sign on your front lawn a few days before Halloween to let kids and parents know that you are committed to providing an accessible trick-or-treating experience.
- Create a trick-or-treating station in a location that is easily accessible to all, as some trick-or-treaters may have difficulties navigating inclines, stairs, curving or uneven walkways, etc. – the end of your driveway or garage (if the driveway isn’t too steep) can make a great location!
- Make sure the path to your trick-or-treating area is well-lit and clear of hazards.
- Avoid the use of strobe lights, and high-pitched, sudden, loud noises that may alarm some children.
- Ensure that pets are kept safely away from the front of your house or trick-or-treating area, as some pets can be intimidating for children.
For more tips, please visit: https://www.treataccessibly.com/
Have a safe and Happy Halloween!
| National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) |
|
The City of Cambridge is committed to responding to the needs of all people who work, live, and play in our city. We continue to implement the legislative requirements set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and work to meet the regulations of the Ontario Accessibility Law and Human Rights Legislation. National AccessAbility Week (NAAW)The City of Cambridge proudly recognizes National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) from May 25 to May 31, 2025. This week promotes accessibility and inclusion within communities and workplaces while celebrating the contributions of Canadians with disabilities. Since its launch in 2017, NAAW has been observed annually, starting on the last Sunday of May. This year marks the 35th anniversary of raising awareness about disability inclusion. This year's theme, "Breaking Barriers, Building Community," emphasizes the importance of removing obstacles and creating inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive. It encourages us to take action by dismantling barriers and fostering stronger communities. To kick off our second annual National AccessAbility Week event, the Cambridge Accessibility Advisory Committee hosted a free event on May 24 from 10 AM to 2 PM at Cambridge City Hall, located at 50 Dickson Street. Attendees had the opportunity to meet with local organizations and learn more about their various programs and services. The community members and partners very well received the event, and we look forward to continuing this initiative next year. For questions, email accessibility@cambridge.ca |
2025 Accessibility Tradeshow and Conference |
| The City of Cambridge, in collaboration with Independent Living Waterloo Region and other municipalities, is excited to support the Accessibility Trade Show and Conference on May 28 at RIM Park, from 10 AM to 8 PM.
This year’s event will feature innovative technology, networking opportunities, and educational sessions focused on accessibility and available resources.
Learn more here
|
| Map Mission |
| You are invited to join us for a fun & community-based initiative to collaborate and make Cambridge more accessible for everyone.
Organized by The Regional Tourism Organization 4 in collaboration with Explore Waterloo Region and the City of Cambridge, this event is part of National AccessAbility Week, which runs from May 26 to June 1, 2025. When & How:
Together, we will use the “AccessNow app” (a Free app) to assess and share accessibility info about local spaces.
|
| National AccessAbility Week - Life Made Accessible |
|
National AccessAbility Week is a time when accessibility and inclusion are promoted across communities and workplaces. It is also a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians 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 NAAW webinars are 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:
|
| 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 assists 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 identifying, removing, and preventing barriers faced by persons with disabilities. |
| Personal Attendant for Leisure Card (PAL) |
| The Personal Attendant for Leisure Card (PAL) is available for people with disabilities who require assistance to attend and participate in recreation programs. The PAL card is issued to the person with the disability and allows them to be accompanied by a friend, relative, support worker, etc., as their support person who participates at no additional cost. |
|
Accessibility Updates and Reporting |
|
As outlined in its Accessibility Policy, the City of Cambridge ensures that its policies, procedures, and practices are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and 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).
Businesses, non-profit organizations and public sector organizations, such as municipalities, must file an accessibility compliance report regularly with the Government of Ontario to confirm that the organization has met the applicable requirements under AODA. Our latest accessibility compliance reports can be found below: 2023 Accessibility Compliance Report For copies of previous Accessibility Reports, please e-mail: accessibility@cambridge.ca.
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan We are in the process of updating our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan for 2024 - 2028. As required by legislation, once approved, the Accessibility Plan will be posted on the City of Cambridge website so that it is available to the public. This Plan will be reviewed and updated every five years or as determined by further changes to the legislation.
For more information, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at (519) 513-7076 or accessibility@cambridge.ca |
| Accessibility Design Standards |
| The City of Cambridge Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS), updated in 2024, outline 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.
The Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) reaffirm the City's commitment to promoting accessibility and fostering inclusive environments for individuals of all ages and abilities. These standards ensure that City facilities meet the requirements for a barrier-free design outlined in the Ontario Building Code and the Design of Public Space Standard. |
| Accessibility Format and Communications Support |
| The City of Cambridge provides residents and visitors with an opportunity to request accessible formats and communication for city-run programs, services, and documents. To request accessible formats or communication support, complete the Accessible Format and Communication Support Form. |
| Recreation Programs |
| The City of Cambridge makes every attempt to ensure that everyone can fully participate in and enjoy the community. For information about arranging support or accommodations to participate in City programs, please visit Support and Accommodations. |
|
Website Accessibility |
|
The City of Cambridge aims to provide excellent customer service to all community members and quality goods and services that are accessible and inclusive for everyone. 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. |
|
Assistive Devices |
|
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. |
|
Service Disruptions |
|
The City notifies residents if there is a planned or unplanned disruption in services or facilities provided by the City that might affect accessibility. Notices will be posted in the applicable area and on our website to ensure that people may plan accordingly. |
Feedback
If you would like to offer disability-related feedback on the accessibility of our programs, services and facilities, please complete the online feedback form.