Haliburton County and it’s four lower-tier governments are detailing how they have made the area accessible.
As part of the passing of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the county and municipalities created a multi-year plan to help each of them in enacting policies, procedures, and training. As well, the plan was designed to identify and evaluate projects to reduce barriers for people with disabilities.
With the first year of the multi-year plan over, the county has made a list of the accomplishments so far by the county and all four municipalities.
At the county level, they have added audio and visual aids in the council chambers, they hosted “Accessible Document Training” for the municipalities and the county’s procurement policy has had accessibility standards added to it.
Algonquin Highlands has had several accessibility accomplishments, including a new ramp and deck at the entrance to the Stanhope Municipal Airport. Also at the airport was the creation of accessible parking. The washrooms at the Dorset Rec Centre have had some improvements and the Stanhope fire hall has been completely accessible. The playground equipment at the Stanhope Park has been made accessible and there have been pathways installed. Another washroom to be upgraded was the one at the municipal office. Also done at the municipal office is the building of a ramp and an automatic door was installed.
The other accessibility accomplishments for Algonquin Highlands were the construction of a path at the Dorset Park, and the pathways around the Dorset Tower were improved for accessibility.
Dysart et al’s accomplishments include the automatic doors and signage at the front entrance to the municipal office, reconstructed sidewalks on Victoria Street and Pine Avenue, and a new canopy being installed at the Haliburton Highlands Family Medical Centre. Some of the Dysart accomplishments are the installation of permanent porta-potties at Head Lake Glebe and Eagle Lake Park, the addition of barrier-free picnic tables being installed at Head Lake Park, and a barrier-free railing going in at the Haliburton Highlands Museum.
Dysart et al also constructed a new facility and lower accessible order counter at Harcourt Park. As well they added an accessibility ramp and step at the Haliburton Land trust offices.
Highlands East has improved accessibility by installing a ramp and widened door at Cardiff storage. They have also added employees only and accessibility signs at the Cardiff fire hall. Elsewhere they have installed an employee only sign at fire hall Highway 28, the Eels Lake Landfill site and the Gooderham Garage building. At the Cardiff Rink Change House, there was a ramp and sign installed.
Minden Hills is listed as TBD