Accessibility

Accessibility in Guelph

People with disabilities represent a significant and growing part of our population. According to Statistics Canada, about 1.5 million Ontarians have disabilities — about 13.5% of the population. It is estimated that 20% of the population will have disabilities in two decades. In the City of Guelph that represents over 20,000 people.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA, 2005), which became law on June 13, 2005, provided the province with the mandate to develop, implement and enforce sets of accessibility standards.  The AODA (2005) applies to both public and private sector organizations with one or more employees in Ontario that provide goods, service, facilities or accommodation to the public. The standards include accessible:

  • Customer Service
  • Integrated Standard which includes:
    • Additional General requirements
    • Transportation
    • Information and Communications
    • Employment
  • Built environment

For more information about these standard please visit the Ministry of Community and Social Services website

Accessibility at the City

In 2009 City Council approved the the City of Guelph Accessible Customer Service Policy

The City of Guelph is committed to providing quality goods and services which are accessible to all persons we serve; with this in mind we welcome your feedback,  questions about the City’s assistive devices and requests for City of Guelph public documents in an alternate format.  Please contact the Accessibility Services at accessibility@guelph.ca or by calling 519-822-1260 x 2670

Guelph Accessibility Advisory Committee

Each year Guelph City Council appoints community members to sit on the Guelph Accessibility Advisory Committee (GAAC). The role of the GAAC is to provide vision and direction to staff and Council regarding the removal of barriers that exist within Municipal services, practices and programs.

Training required for City suppliers of goods & services

Businesses and individuals that the City of Guelph has contracted to provide goods or services to City customers must ensure that these employee are trained on providing accessible customer service. There are Provincial training resources available that can be used at no charge.

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