Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)
Ontario has an important law, called the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. The first of its kind in Canada, the goal is to create provincial accessibility standards and to obtain universal accessibility by 2025.
Businesses and organizations that provide goods and services to people in Ontario have to meet accessibility standards in five areas:
- Customer service
- Transportation
- Information and communication
- Built environment
- Employment
Accessible Customer Service
Accessible customer service is now the law and came into force on January 1, 2008. This means that businesses and organizations that provide goods or services to people will be legally required to make their customer service operations accessible to people with disabilities by 2012. As a municipality, Mississippi Mills was required to comply with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service by January 1, 2010. Meeting these standards involved identifying and removing barriers to customer service in operational practices, policies and procedures, and communications, as well as ensuring staff training is taking place. The customer service standard is the first in a series of standards that will help lead to a fully accessible Ontario.
The Municipality of Mississippi Mills documents are available in alternate formats upon request. Please contact the Clerk’s Office for more information.
The Municipality of Mississippi Mills Accessibility Advisory Committee
As providers of service to the public, the Municipality of Mississippi Mills plays a significant role in ensuring full access to those living in our community through the Council appointed Mississippi Mils Accessibility Advisory Committee (MMAAC). Each year, the committee develops the Municipalities annual Accessibility Plan. The plan identifies barriers to municipal practices and services and recommends solutions for their removal. The public is encouraged to review the plans and to provide input at the appropriate time regarding barriers that may exist in municipal services, programs and practices.
National Access Awareness Week
National Access Awareness Week was established in 1988 to promote better access for people with disabilities. The week was created in response to a request from Rick Hansen, following his 40,000 km Man in Motion World Tour. Held at the end of May, it celebrates achievements made both by and for people with disabilities. Look for upcoming events for National Access Awareness Week on the website in the spring.
Accessible Election Plan
This plan is for use in the 2018 Municipal Elections in conjunction with the Municipality of Mississippi Mills’ current Accessible Customer Service Policy, guidelines, training and customer service feedback standards. It is intended to highlight measures that the Municipality will be implementing to ensure equal opportunity for all electors and candidates. Please click on the following link to download the full plan:
Accessible Election Plan 2018
Feedback
Feedback from our residents gives the Municipality of Mississippi Mills an opportunity to learn and improve. The Municipality recognizes that it is the right of our residents to submit feedback regarding the provision of accessible customer service.
To assist the Municipality in ensuring that the delivery of goods and services is provided in an effective and timely manner to those with disabilities, residents are invited to provide their feedback using the following form Customer Feedback Form which can be emailed or mailed to:
Municipal Office
3131 Old Perth Road
Almonte, ON K0A 1A0
E-mail: clerk@mississippimills.ca
All feedback will be forwarded to the Clerk for action. Correspondence acknowledging receipt of the feedback will be provided.
Municipality of Mississippi Mills Accessibility Plan
Town of Mississippi Mills Accessible Customer Service Policy
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)
The Canadian Abilities Foundation
Ontario Human Rights Commission