Accessibility

The City of Stratford is constantly working to improve accessibility and remove barriers for citizens with disabilities. We recognize the diverse needs of our community and strive to provide municipal services and facilities that provide equal opportunities for all.

We can only mandate accessibility of facilities and services owned, operated, leased and funded by the City. We encourage you to have discussions with owners and managers of restaurants, stores and other private sector venues about improving their accessibility standards and services.

Policy Statement, Plans, Policies and Compliance Reports

We are committed to providing equal treatment to people with disabilities with respect to the use and benefit of services, programs, goods and facilities in a manner that respects their dignity, independence, and integration, and is equitable in relation to the broader public. This commitment extends to residents, employees, visitors and other stakeholders with visible and non-visible disabilities.

The following Plans and Policies outline how the City will meet or exceed the requirements set by the Province of Ontario in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA):

City of Stratford Corporate Accessibility Policy

City of Stratford Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023-2028

2024 Annual Status Update

The City of Stratford is responsible for filing a bi-annual Accessibility Compliance Report with the Provincial Government.

City of Stratford Accessibility Compliance Report 2019

City of Stratford Accessibility Compliance Report 2021

City of Stratford Accessibility Compliance Report 2025

Members of the public may request a copy of the City of Stratford Accessibility Compliance Report in an alternate format by contacting the Clerk's office at 519-271-0250 extension 5237 or email the Clerks Department.

In 2018, in consultation with the Accessibility Advisory Committee, work began on a new Facility Accessibility Design Manual (FADM) for the City of Stratford. FADMs address accessibility requirements for the design and construction of new facilities, as well as retrofit, alteration or additions to existing facilities owned, leased or operated by the City of Stratford. The new FADM replaces existing guidelines adopted in 2004.

The new Facility Accessibility Design Manual was adopted by City Council at the July 26, 2021 Regular Council meeting.

Download the FADM.

Stratford Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Stratford Accessibility Advisory Committee advises Council on issues related to the identification, removal and prevention of barriers in our community and improving access to municipal programs and services.

Each year, in recognition of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd, the Stratford Accessibility Advisory Committee recognizes individuals, businesses and organizations in the City of Stratford who demonstrate a commitment to accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities.

Awards will be presented at a meeting of Stratford City Council.

To nominate an individual, business or organization for this award, please complete an Accessibility Awards Nomination Form. Completed forms may be submitted online, or printed and dropped off, mailed or faxed to the City of Stratford Clerk’s Office, City Hall, P.O. Box 818, Stratford, ON N5A 6W1. Fax 519-273-5041.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for nomination for an Accessibility Award, the nominee must be one of the following:

  • A resident of the City of Stratford
  • A community or not-for-profit organization operating in Stratford
  • An owner of a business in Stratford

The achievements and contributions of nominees must benefit the Stratford community.

Selection Criteria

Nominations are evaluated based on achievements and contributions made in the following areas:

  • Preventing and removing barriers – the nature of the barrier may be related to attitudes, communications, physical environment, policies, programs, social, or transportation.
  • Accommodating persons with disabilities - an accommodation may involve modification of a space, schedule, or task that enables someone to participate in the community.
  • Acting as an accessibility ambassador or champion - promoting accessibility awareness within the community.
  • Providing employment support for persons with disabilities - creating opportunities to participate in the work environment.
  • Providing exemplary accessible customer service – taking time to understand the customer’s request and offer an appropriate solution.
  • Providing assistance for independent living – assisting with skills training and support.

Previous Recipients

2024 - Stratford Festival

2023 - Nathaniel DeWeerd

2022 - MacLeods Scottish Shop

2021 - The Bruce Hotel

2020 - Infinity Dance Studio

2019 - Romeo Public School

2018 - Jobsite Brewing

2017 - 27 Marketplace

2016 - Avondale United Church

2015 - Stratford Country Club

2014 - The Local

2013 - Stratford Northwestern Secondary School

2012 - Stratford Festival

2011 - Stratford Business Centre

 

For more information, please contact:

Accessibility Awards Committee/City Clerk’s Office

City Hall
P.O. Box 818
Stratford, ON N5A 6W1
Tel: 519-271-0250 ext. 237

Email our Clerk's Office

If you have been appointed as a City volunteer, such as a committee member or for an event, you are required to read the following brochures:

  1. City of Stratford Accessible Customer Service Training brochure, including an overview of the City Customer Service Policy; and
  2. Working Together: The Human Rights Code and the AODA

Should you require alternate formats or assistance in completing the required training, please contact the Clerks Department.

When you have completed the readings, please complete the Volunteer Sign-Off Form.

Transportation

City of Stratford Transit and Parallel Transit offer accessible transit options within and beyond the City of Stratford.

Each year, City of Stratford Transit holds a public information session involving persons with disabilities to ensure that they have an opportunity to participate in a review of and provide feedback on the accessibility plan. Notice of the session will be posted on the City of Stratford's website and the City of Stratford's Facebook page.

The City of Stratford has adopted an Accessible Parking Permit Policy which allows persons holding a valid accessible parking permit to park for free in a legal parking space in the City. The accessible permit must be displayed on the dash/visor of the vehicle when parking.

Blue on-street meters will remain at each accessible parking space should persons using these spaces wish to pay, although it is not required. For pay by license plate lots, signs have been installed at each space advising payment is not mandatory.

Additional information is available under Frequently Asked Questions – Accessible Parking and Permits.

Website and Document Accessibility

The City of Stratford's goal is to provide a website that is accessible for all and is WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliant and meets Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requirements. Third party contributors must meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards when providing documents to the City of Stratford. The City accepts no responsibility to convert third party documents that do not meet standards and has the right to refuse the content.

The Principles of the WCAG are:

  1. Perceivable - information must be presentable to users in a way they can perceive.
  2. Operable - user interface and navigation must be operable
  3. Understandable - information and operation of user interface must be understandable
  4. Robust - must be able to be interpreted by a wide variety of users

Documents that are not required to be fully compliant with WCAG 2.0 are:

  • mapping or GIS data
  • engineering drawings or complex technical data
  • legacy applications or data that cannot be updated or cannot be updated with reasonable effort/expenses
  • vendor web applications where the City was unable to negotiate contractual obligation to maintain accessibility
  • presentation content where rendering accessible would hinder the ability to achieve its intended purpose
  • content that cannot be rendered accessible without significant impact
  • some third party documents

WCGA 2.0 Level AA: The City of Stratford is required to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA for content on websites. If you are providing documents such as tender documents, reports and outside board minutes for use by the City, then you will be required to create those documents in an accessible format in order to meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

Accessible Document Tutorials: If you need help learning about the creation of accessible documents, you can review the articles on Creating Accessible Documents on the Algonquin College website.

If you need an alternate format of a City document or another type of accommodation, please complete our Alternate Format Request Form, or email the Clerks Department.

Communication

Your feedback is important to us. If you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility in the City of Stratford, please complete our Feedback Form.

Please use the Report an Issue form on our website to bring something to our attention.

The City notifies city residents if there is a planned or unplanned disruption in services or facilities provided by the City, which might affect accessibility.

In order to ensure that people may plan accordingly, notices will be posted in the applicable area, as well as on our website.

External Resources and Services

A primary lifestyle concern for the 270,000 Canadians living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis is accessing washrooms when they are away from home. Living with Crohn’s or colitis is a daily challenge. Faced with the anxiety of an accident due to incontinence, many choose to stay at home. Those that do not must plan their activities around publicly accessible washroom locations.

The GoHere Washroom Access Program makes it possible for individuals to escape the social isolation these diseases can cause. This program makes it easier for people living with Crohn's or colitis or both to manage their symptoms and lead more active, productive and fulfilling lives.

We all need to use a washroom when away from home, so this program is of use to all of us.

The GoHere Washroom Locator App helps people find the closest available washroom, anywhere in Canada, including the City of Stratford. You can easily download the app to your mobile device and quickly access a number of businesses and organizations who are participating in this program.

There is a directory of services for Huron and Perth Counties, including the City of Stratford, which support people living with intellectual or physical disabilities; for families and caregivers as well as individuals.

This information is available on the Southwest Healthline website, under "Huron-Perth - People with Disabilities."

Stratford's Accessibility Advisory Committee has recently acquired three (3) Mobi-mats to help improve accessibility and enjoyment of events hosted on municipal property in Stratford.

What is a Mobi-mat?

A Mobi-mat is a mat made from non-slip material. It provides stability to shifting ground surfaces like sand or gravel or long grass. It helps those using mobility devices or who have an unstable gait to be able to access areas that have difficult terrain.

How may a Mobi-mat be useful?

If your event is going to be occurring over uneven terrain or grass that may become muddy after excessive use, you may wish to put a Mobi-mat down to ensure that those using mobile devices, push chairs or walking aids may also enjoy the benefits of moving around more confidently.

Advertise to the public that your event will include a Mobi-mat so that will encourage a wider range of attendees. On your event application be sure to request a Mobi-mat.

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