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2004 Municipal Accessibility Compliance Report
Summary
The Ontario Disability Act (Bill 125) requires that Municipalities prepare an accessibility plan annually and consult with persons with disabilities. The accessibility plan shall address the identification, prevention and removal of barriers to persons with disabilities. This is to be accomplished thru the by-laws, policies, programs, practices and services of the Municipality
This is the second accessibility plan completed by the Municipality. This report provides a baseline of the measures taken in the past what barriers where removed in 2004 and identifies what measures need to be addressed in 2005 and the future. The inspection and report was conducted by municipal staff.
Laurentian Valley Township Demographics
Laurentian Valley Township was formed by the amalgamation of the former Townships of Stafford-Pembroke and Alice & Fraser on January 1, 2000. The Municipality boasts a population of 8,843 residents, with 3,580 households. The Township of Laurentian Valley surrounds the City of Pembroke and is south of the Town of Petawawa.
Land uses range from rural residential and farming properties on private water and on-site sewage disposal systems to suburban and residential and highway commercial on municipal water and sewer. There are several blocks of industrial properties in the municipality and regionally significant mineral aggregate resources. The Township has approximately 20 kilometres of Ottawa River frontage.
The Municipality has seven significant properties with structures; the Municipal Office, Stafford Works Garage, Micksburg Seniors Centre, Tri-Township Fire Hall and three Recreational complexes
Council Commitment to Accessibility Planning
The Council of the Corporation of the Township of Laurentian Valley is committed to the continuous improvement of access to all municipally owned facilities, premises and services for all those with disabilities.
Council has instructed the Chief Administrative Officer to conduct the audits and prepare the accessibility plan to meet these commitments.
Baseline Audit
Information Services
The Municipal web site is disabled accessible. It is in text only format which allows the visually impaired to use web reading software to navigate the site and read the graphics.
By-laws
The Municipality passed a Disabled Parking By-law No 03-03-167 in March 2003. Shortform wording has been approved by the Crown. The set fine is $300.00 as required by the province. Disabled parking and access are considered when planning new developments.
The Building Department has enforced Section 3.8 (formerly 3.7 the accessibility portion) since its introduction into the Ontario Building Code.
Municipal Buildings
On September 9, 2003 staff completed a Part 3.8 Building Code audit of the Municipally owned buildings and a follow up inspection was completed on August 19, 2004. The audits were conducted to assess the existing compliance of the Municipal buildings and properties to the standards. Although the newer buildings comply with the existing standards there were noted improvements that could be made. Numerous barriers were identified in the older facilities which will require remedial work to remove. These barriers will be discussed further in this document under Barriers Identified.
Transportation & Roads
The Municipality does not provide mass transit and has very few sidewalks. However there are a couple of areas in the Stafford built up area that are signed to caution traffic for local persons. This signing has been done on a request basis in the past.
The Municipality does subsidize the Friends of the Disabled on their expense of operating Pembroke Handi-bus.
Barriers Identified
Municipal staff conducted an audit of Municipal properties and buildings on September 9, 2003 and a floow up inspection was completed on August 19, 2004. The following chart gives a list of deficiencies identified and the strategy for their removal.
| Barrier | Type | Strategy for removal |
| Parking spaces are painted but the spots are not signed | Architectural | instal the signs that have already been ordered and delivered |
| No sign on mens washroom identifying it as accessible | Architectural | order and instal sign |
| Barrier | Type | Strategy for removal |
| Parking spaces are not painted and signed | Architectural | Paint lines for parking and instal signs |
| There is a 1" bump at door threshold. | Architectural | Repair asphalt at door and review options for different threshold type when renovating building. |
| There is no barrier free accessible washroom in this building. | Architectural | If and when this building is renovated it will have to be redesigned to accommodate an accessible washroom. |
| Office area not accessible from reception | Architectural | Counter size will have to be reduced and lowered. |
| Lunchroom, shop area not accessible | Architectural | redesign layout to provide a route to the lunchroom and shop area. |
| Barrier | Type | Strategy for removal |
| Parking spaces are not painted and signed | Architectural | Paint lines for parking and instal signs |
| There is a 1" bump at door threshold. | Architectural | Repair concrete walkway at door. |
| Waste receptacle blocks access to water closet in the womens washroom. | Physical | relocate the waste bin. |
| Hand dryers are too high in both washrooms | Physical | relocate dryers lower |
| mirrors are too high | Architectural | lower the mirrors |
| Size & Use of this building requires a power door operator | Architectural | Search for grants to instal a power door operator. |
| No assistive listening devices available | Architectural | Search for grants to instal a sound system. |
| Mirrors in handicap bathroom are a little high | Physical | Lower the mirror to the required height. |
| Only one side grab bar provided | Physical | Instal grab bar at rear of water closet as required. |
| Paved parking lot, no reserved handicap parking and signs. | Architectural | Paint lines for parking and instal signs |
| The washrooms are not signed as being accessible. | Architectural | Municipal Staff to locate a supplier and obtain proper signs for all Municipal buildings. |
| Door knobs are round twist type. | Architectural | When replacing door hardware, lever type hardware is to be specified. |
| Faucet handles are round type. | Architectural | When replacing faucets, lever type hardware is to be specified. |
| Gravel parking lot, no signed spaces | Architectural | Order and sign some parking spaces, instal a paved parking area. |
| Main door has 6" step up second door has 4" step up, second door has a 4" step up. | Physical | Design and instal a sidewalk with level entry at main door. |
| No access to the second storey - bar and dance hall. | Physical | |
| The barrier free washroom for the men has only 27.5 inches between the water closet wall and the counter top. | Physical & Architectural | Redesign and renovate this area to allow wheelchair access. |
| Gravel parking lot, no signed spaces | Architectural | Order and sign some parking spaces. |
| Ramp is not accessible from road side. | Physical | Regrade the parking lot to allow level entry onto the pad before the ramp |
| Front door has a twist knob | Physical | Change entry handle to lever type. |
| The washrooms are totally inaccessible in all respects. | Physical & Architectural | It will require a major renovation and possibly an addition to make room for handicap accessible washroom facilities. |
Barriers addressed in 2004
Information Services
The Municipality has made no format changes to the web site, tax bills and other notices. The 2003 report was made available on-line and at the front counter of the Municipal Office.
By-laws
The planner is reviewing the draft Zoning by-law for compliance with the Ontario Disabilities Act in so far as the Planning Act permits. A section will be added to the general provisions section to address site-planning for disabled parking and building access in new developments.
Municipal Buildings
| Barrier | Type | Strategy for removal |
| Parking spaces are painted but the spots are not signed | Architectural | Completed - signs installed. |
| No sign on mens washroom identifying it as accessible | Architectural | Completed - sign installed |
Highway 41 Works Garage
No barriers were removed, the building is currently only used by the Works Department and the front office and boardroom area are not available for rental until the well and water situation is resolved. If and when this building is renovated it will be required that the whole building be made disabled accessible.
| Barrier | Type | Strategy for removal |
| Parking spaces are not painted and signed | Architectural | This parking lot will be included in the 2005 tender to paint lines for parking and instal signs. |
| There is a 1" bump at door threshold. | Architectural | Pending. |
| Waste receptacle blocks access to water closet in the womens washroom. | Physical | Investigating alternative location for the waste bin. |
| Hand dryers are too high in both washrooms | Physical | relocate dryers lower |
| mirrors are too high | Architectural | lower the mirrors |
On April 14, 2004 Municipal Staff, Councilors and the Recreation Committees met to discuss the requirements of the Ontario Disabilities Act. It was recommended that each Association draft a plan of action (timetable and budget) to bring to Council for approval (help, grants, financing). Staff are prepared to assist the associations to draft the required plan of action. While there wasn’t a deadline for completing a plan, it was suggested that it would be appropriate to have it completed so that it could be included in the 2004 Accessibility Report.
| Barrier | Type | Strategy for removal |
| Paved parking lot, no reserved handicap parking and signs. | Architectural | This parking lot will be included in the 2005 tender to paint lines for parking and instal signs. |
| The washrooms are not signed as being accessible. | Architectural | Municipal Staff to locate a supplier and obtain proper signs for all Municipal buildings. |
| Door knobs are round twist type. | Architectural | Pending. |
| Faucet handles are round type. | Architectural | Pending. |
| Barrier | Type | Strategy for removal |
| Size & Use of this building requires a power door operator | Architectural | The Rec Assoc is currently aquiring quotes for a power door. |
| No assistive listening devices available | Architectural | Completed in May of 2004. |
| Mirrors in handicap bathroom are a little high. | Physical | Contractor has been retained to angle the mirror this fall. |
| Only one side grab bar provided | Physical | Contractor has been retained to instal the grab bar this fall. |
Alice & Fraser Rec Center
The Alice & Fraser Recreation Association is currently working on their plan of action to deal with the identified barriers.
Micksburg Seniors Center
No work has been undertaken to resolve the accessibility deficiencies. Council will have to make a decision on whether the Municipality will upgrade the building or dispose of this property. It is an older structure that will require extensive renovations and possibly an addition to make it accessible. Then there is the issue of the work required to bring the well and water system into compliance with the Ontario Safe Drinking Water Act. It may be cost prohibitive to bring this facility into compliance for the limited number of residents who use this facility.
Barriers to be addressed in 2005
Information Services
The Municipality will consult with the visually impaired when format changes to the web site, tax bills and notices are contemplated.
By-laws
The Municipality will enure that the new Zoning by-law complies with the Ontario Disabilities Act in so far as the Planning Act permits. Council will consider the Ontario Disability Act when reviewing new development proposals.
Municipal Buildings
Staff will be instructed to include the other Municipal properties and Recreational complexes in any tenders for parking lot painting and signing in 2005. Estimates will be sought to design and renovate the Stafford Works Garage and the Micksburg Seniors Center to accommodate the disabled, so Council can make decisions on the fate of these properties. The Fire Department will be instructed to correct the minor physical barriers found during the audit.
The recreation facilities are managed by arms length committees. The Municipality has advised them of their obligations under the Ontario Disabilities Act and the deficiencies found during the audit. The recreation associations will be requested to file updates on their progress to making the facilities accessible in their yearly reports to Council.
Review and Monitoring
Council is committed to following through with this plan. This plan will be updated annually to allow Council, staff and the public to monitor the progress the Municipality is making to remove all barriers under the Ontarians With Disabilities Act.
Communication
This report will be made available on the Municipal web site as well as the Municipal Office. The report will also be circulated to the local groups that deal with the disabled for their review and comments.
