Promoting accessibility awareness in Frontenac County

Julie Druker | Nov 04, 2015

2015 accessibility award deadline extended to November 13

In an effort to raise awareness about the current standards and regulations regarding accessibility in the local municipalities in the County of Frontenac, Jannette Amini, manager of legislative services, and clerk at the County of Frontenac, has been making presentations to local councils across the county as part of the county's accessibility awareness campaign.

Her presentation titled “Bringing Accessibility to Your Township” began by celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), whose mandate is to make Ontario accessible by 2025. Amini spoke of the progress that has been made at the county and township levels through their partnership with the Frontenac Accessibility Advisory Committee, of which Amini is a staff member, and which is comprised of citizens from the townships of North, Central and South Frontenac, and Frontenac Islands.

The committee has provided key input on the accessible customer service standard, and the development of accessibility policies and plans. The committee has also advised on the redevelopment of the Sydenham Library, the upgrades to Centennial Park in Harrowsmith, the Fairmount Home's Kingston Frontenac Rotary Auditorium, the South Frontenac Township Museum, and the new school in Sharbot Lake, and has developed an accessibility logo and statement.

In 2013 the committee in partnership with the County of Frontenac created Frontenac County's “International Day of Persons with Disabilities Access Award”. The award recognizes persons, groups or organizations who have made or are making a significant contribution that goes beyond legislated requirements towards improving access for persons with disabilities in the Frontenacs. Previous recipients of the award were the Verona Lions Club (2013) and Joe Ryan and Brenden Hicks of Accessible Living (2014). Anyone who is aware of an individual or organization that they feel is deserving of this recognition may submit a nomination at the county administration office or at any township administration office.

Regarding the 2015 award, the public deadline for nominating individuals and/or organizations has been extended to Friday November 13, 2015.

At her presentation to Central Frontenac Council at their regular meeting on October 27, Amini advised council to include an accessibility page on their website that will let both residents and visitors know what businesses, buildings and other service providers and organizations are accessible. She also brought to council’s attention the fact that as of 2012, the private sector is required to comply with the Accessible Customer Services standard, so the Frontenac Accessibility Advisory Committee will be focusing on an Accessibility Awareness Campaign in order to help the private sector to comply. This includes accessibility awareness now being promoted through the County’s Economic Development Office when carrying out site visits to local businesses.

Amini also made council aware of the fact that when designing, retrofitting or updating any parks, outdoor spaces, other public spaces and/or buildings, the township must comply with the Design of Public Spaces Standard, which comes into effect January 1, 2016.

Amini credited Frontenac Transportation Services (FTS), which is run out of Sharbot Lake through Northern Frontenac Community Services, as one exemplary “model” in the field. FTS has been recognized by the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario. For more information about the accessibility standards and requirements or about the upcoming 2015 Person with Disabilities Access Award, contact Jannette Amini, Manager of Legislative Services/Clerk, at 613-548-9400 ext. 302 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.