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 Canadians with disabilities. Since its launch in 2017, NAAW has been observed annually starting the last Sunday in May. This year, National Accessibility Awareness Week (NAAW) will take place from May 26 to June 1, 2024.The week-long celebrations will honour the contributions of Canadians living with disabilities and provide a time for reflection on the challenges and ongoing efforts toward creating inclusive communities.

This year’s theme is “Forward Together: Accessibility and Inclusion for All,” which aims to highlight the inclusive practices found within communities and workplaces across the country. To help kick-off NAAW 2024, Cambridge Accessibility Advisory Committee is hosting at free event on May 25th, 224 at Civic Square, Cambridge City Hall. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with local organizations and learn more about the various programs and services they provide. Registration is not required. Additional information can be found below.

In partnership with municipalities and organizations across the region, a free webinar series will also be available from May 28 to 30, 2024.  Registration is required. Additional information and registration links can be found below.

May 25: National AccessAbility Week Cambridge Kick Off at City Hall 

Join the Cambridge Accessibility Advisory Committee for it's first National AccessAbility Week Cambridge Kick Off. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with local organizations and learn more about the various programs and services they provide. 

Date: Saturday, May 25, 2024

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location: Cambridge City Hall, 50 Dickson Street.

Free parking is available onsite at the Civic Parking Lot or at the Beverly parking lot, located directly across from the David Durward Centre.

If using public transportation, visit grt.ca to plan your trip.

For questions, or to request accessibility accommodations, please contact accessibility@cambridge.ca

 May 28: Dismantling Ableism in Community: Making Fun Accessible for All

Discover how we can all play a part in dismantling ableism within our communities. Our guest speakers will share their insights and initiatives in breaking down barriers and championing inclusivity within sports, travel and the recreation community. From promoting accessible fun to fostering a more inclusive environment, let's get together to make a brighter and more accessible future for all.

Date: Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Time: 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Location: Virtually on Zoom 

Panelists: 

  • Cam Linwood, Jays Care and Buddy League 
  • Jessica Melcew, Timeless Tales Travel  
  • Janet Greener, Track 3 
  • Tannis Gayler, Special Olympics

Register link: www.kitchener.ca/NationalAccessAbilityWeek

 May 29: Dismantling Ableism in Health Care 

Join us for a thought-provoking webinar as we delve into the crucial topic of dismantling ableism in health care. We will hear strategies for promoting equality, accessibility, and dignity within health care settings. Our expert panelists will share insights and experiences for fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals of all abilities. Whether you're a health care professional, advocate, or ally, this webinar is your opportunity to be a part of the movement towards a more equitable future in health care. 

Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Time: 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Location: Virtually on Zoom 

Panelists: 

  • Jeremy Howcraft, eHealth Centre for Excellence
  • Sasha Whiting, HealthCaring 
  • Angela Hansen, Canadian Hearing Services 

Register link: www.kitchener.ca/NationalAccessAbilityWeek

 May 30: Building Community: Advancing anti-ableism in Education Symposium

 This inaugural event invites educators, community members, families and caregivers, students, and local leaders to come together and learn more about ableism and how to dismantle it in education systems and throughout the community.

Date: Thursday, May 30, 2024
Time: 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Location: Wilfrid Laurier University – Waterloo Campus – Bricker Building (22 Bricker Avenue, Waterloo, ON N2L 3B4)
Parking: For those who register, information about parking will be sent to you closer to the date.

Register link: Building Community: Advancing Anti-Ableism in Education Tickets, Thu, 30 May 2024 at 8:00 AM | Eventbrite


For additional information about this event, please visit: https://www.wrdsb.ca/about-the-wrdsb/indigenous-equity-and-human-rights-department/human-rights/education-symposium/

  Help shape plans to improve accessibility in our city

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 

Let's support Accessibility Inclusion in our community this Halloween

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.

Thank you for making Halloween 2024 a success, and we look forward to celebrating together in 2025! For more information, visit treataccessibility.com.


Sensitive Santa 

Sensitive Santa hands a gift to a child

The holiday season is fast approaching, and for many, meeting Santa is an annual tradition. However, for children with social, emotional, accessible, behavioural, and sensory needs, visiting Santa at the mall can be too loud, crowded and stressful. That is why the City of Cambridge offers the Sensitive Santa experience. Also referred to as “Sensory Santa” this is an opportunity for children with Autism and/or sensory processing needs, to visit with Santa in a quiet, welcoming, sensory-friendly environment. Families are given ten- to fifteen-minute timeslots to meet with Santa and will receive a complimentary digital photograph with Santa to commemorate the holiday season.

The City of Cambridge, in partnership with the Cambridge Centre and FotoArca Corporation, located at 355 Hespeler Road, are offering four dates for families to visit with Sensitive Santa. Sensitive Santa will come to town on the following dates and times:

  • Sunday, December 1, 2024: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • Sunday, December 8, 2024: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • Sunday, December 15, 2024: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • Sunday, December 22, 2024: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Please note that spots are limited, and registration is required to attend.

New Registration Process:

Since 2016, The City of Cambridge has offered Sensitive Santa and supported many families to enjoy this inclusive holiday experience.  Over the years, community needs have significantly increased, and the City is committed to providing equitable and sustainable access to services and programs. As such, we are introducing a new registration process through Active Net. Active Net registration will speed up the process and ensure that information is accurate. Active Net is actively used for registration to all recreational programs and services offered by the City.

If you don’t already have an account and wish to register for this initiative, you will need to create an account within Active Net and then add family members to your account. To expedite the registration process, we recommend you set up your account before registration opens.

Registration will open on:

  • Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. for Cambridge residents
  • Friday, November 8, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. for non- residents

Activity search | CORAL (activecommunities.com)

Spots will be filled on a first-come basis. When spots have been filled, you can add your name to the waitlist. We will contact you should a timeslot become available.

If you have any questions or require assistance with setting up an Active Net account, please contact Yesenia at accessibility@cambridge.ca.


 

National AccessAbility Week - Life Made Accessible 

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

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: 

  • Bridges to Belonging Waterloo Region
  • Canadian Hearing Services
  • Canadian National Institute for the Blind
  • City of Cambridge
  • City of Kitchener
  • City of Waterloo
  • Community Support Connections
  • Independent Living Waterloo Region
  • KW Access-Ability
  • KW Habilitation
  • Thresholds Homes and Supports
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.

Accessibility Updates and Reporting 

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)

 

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 found below:

2023 Accessibility Compliance Report

For copies of previous Accessibility Reports, please e-mail: accessibility@cambridge.ca.

 

Accessibility Plan

We are in the process of updating our Accessibility Plan for 2023 - 2027. 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. The Accessibility Plan will be reviewed and updated every five years or as determined by further changes to the legislation. 

 

For more information, please contact Yesenia Torres, Accessibility Coordinator at 519-623-1340 ext. 4292 or accessibility@cambridge.ca

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.  

Website Accessibility

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.

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 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.