About the Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Accessibility Advisory Committee's mandate is to provide vision and direction to staff and Council regarding the removal of barriers which exist within Municipal services, practices and programs.

The Advisory Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Community Room "A" at the Library located at 55 Ste. Marie Street.

Current Projects/Initiatives:

• Review Ontario with Disabilities Standards
• Undertaken strategic visioning
 

Town of Collingwood – Becoming More Accessible!
Current Initiatives:

Municipal Information/News:

• Community Info Line

If you or someone you know has trouble reading the Town Page with Notices, Events and Employment listings for the Town of Collingwood, we have a NEW Accessible Municipal Info Line to hear an audible version of the Town Page. 
 

 Call 445-1030 ext 3300
 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Municipal Info Line, please contact Christa Carter, Coordinator Clerk Services at 445-1030 ext. 3294
 

Resources/Programs:

• Download FREE Audio Books through the Collingwood Public Library
  Go to: http://www.collingwoodpubliclibrary.ca and click on ‘Audio Book Downloads’

• Online Book Club offered by the Collingwood Public Library
  Join our Online Book Clubs. Every day, Monday through Friday, you will receive in your email a five-minute selection from a chapter of a book. By the end of the week, you’ll have read 2-3 chapters. Every Monday we start a new book. Sign up and start reading.

Click on the following link for further information and to sign-up: FREE Online Book Club

Transit/Mobility:

• Accessible Shuttle Service

The Town of Collingwood’s Accessible Shuttle Service is now run under a new operation contract by Sinton Transportation. Hours of service are: 8:00am - Midnight, seven (7) days a week. Beginning March 1st 2009, it will no longer be required to pre book the service from 6:00pm-Midnight. Rates will continue to run on a meter, as governed by the Town of Collingwood. Please see below for all details:

Service Hours:   7 Days a week: 8:00am – Midnight

Fare Rate:         Metered

Service Area:  Collingwood, The Blue Mountains, Clearview Township, Wasaga Beach.

All fares are to have a start or end destination in the Town of Collingwood.
 
SERVICE PHONE (705) 446-1196 (Follow Prompts for Shuttle Service)
For additional information please contact Kris Wiszniak at (705) 445-1292.

• Colltrans Public Transit busses are accessible for different levels of mobility.

 Click on the following link for the route map and schedule: Transit Guide

Buildings/Roads/Parks:

• Accessibility considerations in Urban Design Standards

Visit the Planning Department’s Urban Design Standards Blog for further information on Planning for an Accessible Municipality.

Click on the following link to go there: Urban Design Standards 

• Accessible Waterfront

Sunset Point has been made more accessible with the construction of a ramp going to the water (near the old lifeguard station).
 

• Trails

The Trails Pavilion at the Station is wheelchair accessible including widened sidewalks and accessibility to the Trails Map. 

• Curling Club renovations

Curling Club renovations recently completed, include an elevator for access to the second floor reception room and power doors with accessible access.

Policy:

• Accessible Barrier Complaint Policy

The Town of Collingwood is proud to present its NEW Accessible Barrier Complaint Policy to address accessibility concerns within our community. Click on the following link for further information:    Accessible Barrier Complaint Policy  

Future Projects:

• The new Wellness Centre to be constructed at Heritage Park will be fully accessible.
• Future Upgrades to the Centennial Pool include addition of a lift for pool access and the pool building will be made fully accessible.
• There are many accessible initiatives that will be available at the new library including:

Blind and low-vision patrons
Jaws for windows – reads onscreen text aloud
Kurzweil 1000 – converts scanned text into speech and reads it aloud
VERA (Very Easy Reading Appliance) – this device scans and reads documents without the use of a computer
ALVA refreshable Braille display – converts text off the screen into a Braille display
Juliet Printer embosses Braille onto both sides of paper (2)
Zoom Text – computer screen magnification software
Optilec Clear View – high quality magnifiers of print
PlexTalk – reads books on CD, music mp3 and daisy books (CNIB)

Learning Disabilities and Learning English
Text HELP – highlights onscreen text as it speaks
Kidspiration and Inspiration – helps organize thoughts, develop ideas and diagram outlines
WordQ – writing tool designed for dyslexic or ESL students
Kurzweil 3000 – for users with learning disabilities
Dragon Naturally Speaking – voice-activated diction software that can be used to compose letters, operate software or use the Internet
Touch Screen computer
 

Physical Alternatives
Adjustable workstations
Ergonomic keyboard
Large print key board
FM system
Wheel chairs (2)
Walkers (2)
Talking Microwave

Other Accessible initiatives
American Sign Language training for staff
Sensitivity training for staff
Computers for all the software (3)