Accessibility in Mississauga Continues to Improve as Part of Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Visitors and residents of Mississauga will benefit from enhanced accessibility thanks to the City’s new achievements within its 2018-2022 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. At the end of 2020, the plan’s third full year, the City of Mississauga met 56 of its 64 accessibility commitments – an 88 per cent completion rate.

“The City of Mississauga continues to hit the mark on meeting our targets as part of our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “By completing the majority of our commitments by the end of the third year of our five-year plan, we’ve shown just how committed we are to continually improving accessibility for all in Mississauga. I’m proud of our growth as a City in this area and look forward to reaching the rest of our commitments outlined in our plan as we work towards making Mississauga a welcoming and accessible place for all.”

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted many in Mississauga, including the City as many services were moved online. Thanks in part to its new website, the City’s commitment to accessibility and excellent customer service ensured online services were accessible to all.

“With COVID-19 thrust upon us, we had to move fast on many accessibility issues,” said Councillor Pat Saito, Ward 9, Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) member. “Among other suggestions, AAC members provided helpful feedback on closed captioning that was added to the virtual City Council meetings streamed online and the addition of an interpreter to Mayor Crombie’s press conferences.”

The 2020 annual status update includes the following achievements:

• 56 of the 64 commitments were completed by the end of year three (2020)
• The City launched a newly-designed and accessible website
• Sign language interpretation during press conferences and other virtual additions were made during the pandemic
• 100 per cent compliance on an Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Audit received from the Province in 2020

“As part of AODA, the Province randomly selects organizations for accessibility audits,” said Matt Mahoney, Ward 8 Councillor and AAC member. “The City of Mississauga was selected for an audit last year, and we’re very pleased to share that we passed with 100 per cent compliance!”

MiWay continues to improve transportation in Mississauga by ensuring its services and operations are accessible to everyone. MiWay’s highlights for the past year are included in its 2020 Annual Accessibility Report.

“Meeting and exceeding accessibility needs in Mississauga is an absolute priority for us as an organization,” said Gary Kent, Commissioner, Corporate Services & Chief Financial Officer. “Between approved plans by City Council, hard work by determined staff and valuable input from the Accessibility Advisory Committee, we are all committed to improving Mississauga for everyone.”

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requires organizations in Ontario to develop a multi-year accessibility plan. This is the City of Mississauga’s second multi-year plan.

The 2020 annual status update is available in an accessible format on the City’s website: mississauga.ca/portal/residents/accessibility.

Tags

• Access and Accessibility
• Council and Committees
• Plans and Strategies