BRAMPTON, ON (June 4, 2020) – The City of Brampton is recognizing National AccessAbility Week until June 6. National AccessAbility Week celebrates the valuable contributions of Canadians with disabilities, and recognizes the individuals, communities and workplaces that are working to remove barriers to accessibility and inclusion.
The City of Brampton and its Accessibility Advisory Committee are dedicated to ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the same opportunities as they live, work, play, visit and invest in Brampton. The Accessibility Advisory Committee provides a forum for persons with disabilities to raise issues and concerns. It also advises and guides Brampton City Council on matters related to City programs, policies and practices.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City continues to support residents with disabilities through the Seniors and Social Support Task Forces. This support has included grocery shopping, access to food and providing alternate information formats. Visit www.brampton.ca for accessibility resources and to obtain any published or online City content in alternate formats.
Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification rating
In March, the City announced that Brampton was selected as one of ten municipalities in Ontario where local organizations can apply for a complimentary Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC), a program that rates how accessible buildings are for people with disabilities.
Non-profit, public and private organizations in Brampton are encouraged to take advantage of the free RHFAC rating to better understand their building’s level of accessibility and identify ways to make improvements. Buildings that achieve a high enough rating will become Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certified or Accessibility Certified Gold.
The new complimentary RHFAC program is funded by the Government of Ontario in partnership with the Rick Hansen Foundation with the goal of making communities more accessible. Brampton was selected for its population size and geographic diversity. Around 25 locations across Brampton will be eligible for complimentary RHFAC ratings. Organizations must apply at www.rickhansen.com/freerating.
For more information on the RHFAC program, visitwww.brampton.ca
Accessibility Awards
The Accessibility Awards is a civic recognition program that recognizes individuals, businesses, and organizations in Brampton who demonstrate a commitment to accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities.
Nominations for the 2020 Accessibility Awards will open in September. Residents are encouraged to check the City’s website in the fall for more information and an online nomination form. 2019 award winners can be found here.
Awards will be presented in December at Brampton City Hall.
Quotes
“Brampton is a Mosaic, and the City is committed to removing barriers for people with disabilities and increasing accessibility across our diverse community. I encourage all Bramptonians to join us in recognizing National AccessAbility Week, and to celebrate the efforts of those across our country who are working to make Brampton and Canada accessible and inclusive for all.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
“As a member of the City of Brampton's and Region of Peel’s Accessibility Advisory Committees, I am proud of the work our members are doing to make Brampton accessible and inclusive for people of all abilities. During this National AccessAbility Week, I urge everyone to celebrate our fellow Canadians with disabilities for their valuable contributions, and recognize the people, communities and workplaces in Brampton and across the country. Let’s acknowledge those who are working to remove barriers to accessibility and inclusion.”
- Pat Fortini, Regional Councillor, Wards 7 & 8; Member, City of Brampton Accessibility Advisory Committee; Member, Region of Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee
“At the City, we are dedicated to ensuring people of all ages and abilities enjoy the same opportunities in Brampton and building inclusive and flexible spaces for all. I thank staff across the organization for the work they do to make our services, programs and facilities accessible for all and join them in recognizing this National AccessAbility Week.”
- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton
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MEDIA CONTACT
Megan Ball
Media Coordinator, City of Brampton
905.874.2143 | megan.ball@brampton.ca
