Accessibility Advisory Committee

WHEREAS City Council has committed to achieving a fully accessible Ottawa by 2025; WHEREAS the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) believes that this goal will not be achieved unless adequate City resources are committed to its fulfillment; and WHEREAS the the AAC wishes to offer these general recommendations in addition to any specific comments it may offer during the budget 2022 consultation process; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the AAC strongly recommends that budget 2022 commits dedicated resources aimed at ensuring that, from now on, persons with disabilities will have the option to participate remotely, by way of virtual video conference, during any meetings of Standing Committees, Advisory Committees, or other meetings where public delegations may be expected to participate, as well as any public or community-based consultations held by City staff with the members of the public. BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the AAC strongly recommends that budget 2022 commits dedicated resources aimed at ensuring that the City maintains real-time enforcement capacity to actively respond to accessibility complaints within the City. BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that nothing in this motion is intended to subtract from the City’s duties and obligations towards persons with disabilities under the Ontario Human Rights Code , the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 , or any other such statute that may confer upon the City duties and obligations towards persons with disabilities, a