Accessibility Resources

Accessibility Plan and Status Report 2020

AODA Self-Certified Accessibility Report

Corporate Policy on Integrated Accessibility

Cornwall Transit Accessible Services

Accessibility Feedback Form

Accessible Parking Bylaw

Wheelchairs and Scooters Bylaw

 Accessibility News 

• Accessible Summer Programs
• Spring and Sidewalks
• Accessibility at Outdoor Events
• How Accessible is the Bus?
• Be a Responsible Dog Owner
• What's in a Name?
• Keep your Sidewalks Clear
• What's in a Sign?
• Something to be proud of as we look back
• Don't be a Fish out of Water

 Accessible Customer Service

The City of Cornwall has implemented its Accessible Customer Service Policy in order to establish guidelines on providing goods and services to persons with disabilities.  The City of Cornwall is committed to providing consistent customer service to persons with disabilities by putting into practice these four key principles: 

• dignity
• independence
• integration
• equal opportunity

To view the City of Cornwall's Accessible Customer Service Policy, click here.

 Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee was created in accordance with the Ontarians with Disability Act.  The Committee consists of eight (8) members, the majority of whom are persons with disabilities. Our Mission is to remove all barriers within The Corporation of the City of Cornwall faced by all citizens with disabilities and to ensure the implementation and continual improvement of our Accessibility Plan.

The Ontarians with Disability Act and the role of the mandatory plan and the Committee has been an important step in making Ontario cities accessible. For the disabled and non disabled members of the Committee, the process has opened our eyes to the needs of the citizens who have disabilities. The 2007 Plan is authored by individuals representing the Cornwall community and tailored for the Cornwall community. It will allow Cornwallites of all ages regardless of their abilities, to partake in the life of our community. When people with disabilities gain their freedom of movement and access, the entire community moves forward. 

Members include:

• Councillor Justin Towndale
• Manon Levesque, City Clerk and Accessibility Advisor

Purpose: to provide advice to Council on an annual basis about the preparation, implementation an effectiveness of the Accessibility Plan for the City of Cornwall.

Policy

• To guide the preparation, review and amendments to the Accessibility Plan for the City of Cornwall;
• Conduct annual reviews of the Plan;
• Act as an advisory body and review agency for Council on matters of accessibility, community input or accessibility related complaints;
• Act as a review agency (subcommittee) for selected development Site Plans; 
• Provide broader public education campaigns and public forum workshops on the importance of accessibility in and for the community; and
• Provide guidance on Capital Budget priorities in the City (and affiliated agencies).

Aim

• To identify and study issues of concern to persons with disabilities and, on the basis of the knowledge and experience of Committee Members, to recommend action where appropriate;
• Promote opportunities for self-help in the context of family and community for persons with disabilities;
• Review government programs and policies affecting persons with disabilities in the community; and
• Liaise with City departments and local organizations in addressing issues that are related to persons with disabilities in the community.

Needs Assessment

• The Committee will utilize a wide variety of information sources including existing data, service agency statistics, individual and group consultations, public forums, and published studies and reports to identify the needs of persons with disabilities;
• In cases where needed information is unavailable, the Committee will make use of existing resources and encourage the appropriate organizations to undertake the necessary research; and
• If needed, the Committee will attend to the gathering of information as required.

Policy Advocacy

• The Committee will keep informed on matters of government policy (Municipal, Provincial, or Federal) affecting persons with disabilities;
• In cases of local jurisdiction, the Committee may advocate before City Council on behalf of persons with disabilities; and
• Where policies fall under the responsibility of other levels of government, the Committee will inform City Council of the impact of these policies on persons with disabilities and suggest possible courses of action for the City to pursue with provincial or federal government.

Public Education

• The Committee will encourage the efforts of individuals and organizations to educate the community on matters pertaining to persons with disabilities; and
• The Committee will communicate information to the disabled community by appropriate means.

Membership

The Committee will elect a Chairperson (elected amongst the members). The membership will consist of members with disabilities who shall form the majority of the Committee, professional members from the stakeholder community who have a vested interest with accessibility, a member of Council, an Accessibility Coordinator through the Office of the City Clerk and administrative staff who will act as resources.

Term

All members selected to sit on the Committee shall hold their seat for the term of Council and shall be appointed by the Lay Appointments Committee. 

 Scent Sensitivity Program

Medical evidence clearly shows that scented products are harmful to the health of sensitive individuals.  In sufficient concentrations, scented products may be harmful to those with allergies, environmental sensitivity or chronic heart or lung disease.

The City of Cornwall has implemented a Scent Sensitivity Program which encourages visitors and regular users of City facilities to be considerate of one another.

Scents are included in a large range of products, including:

• colognes and aftershaves
• fragrances and perfumes 
•  hairsprays 
•  lotions, creams and oils 
•  soaps 
•  cosmetics 
•  shampoos and conditioners 
•  deodorants 
•  laundry detergents and fabric softeners 
•  markers 
•  air fresheners/deodorizers/pot pourri

Scents can cause health problems and symptoms may include:

•  wheezing, shortness of breath (asthma attack) 
•  sneezing and congestion 
•  headaches/migraines 
•  dizziness/lightheadedness 
•  difficulty with concentration 
•  nausea or loss of appetite 
•  eye, nose and throat irritation 
•  skin irritation 
•  fatigue or weakness

It is important to remember that some products that claim to be "scent free" may have only masked the scent by the use of an additional chemical. Look for a product labelled as "fragrance free."

Please help the City of Cornwall keep its facilities healthy and comfortable for all!