Saturday, 16 May 2020

City of Ottawa - Accessibility Spotlight - April 2020

City providing Emergency Response Information in American Sign Language and langue des signes québécoise
On April 6, 2020, the City of Ottawa partnered with Sign Language Interpretation Associates of Ottawa (SLIAO) to provide American Sign Language (ASL) and langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) during a media conference, available to the public through the City’s YouTube channels. This was a first for the City of Ottawa and has set a new standard for emergency communications in the future.

Since then, Sign Language Interpretation in ASL and LSQ has been provided for all City media conferences, virtual Town Hall, and a technical briefing. The City is committed to accessible and inclusive communications for all residents, and this was an important step towards that goal.

 

City establishes Human Needs Task Force to support community during COVID-19



A Human Needs Task Force has been created as part of the City’s Emergency Management Plan and emergency response to COVID-19 to ensure that we are meeting the emerging needs of the community.

This task force brings together many partners, in addition to representatives from City departments, including Ottawa Public Health.

Available resources include:

Food Security

Isolated and/or vulnerable seniors, people with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness
  • Community Support: Access to support services for seniors and people with disabilities
  • Seniors Centre Without Walls: 613-236-0428 
  • A Friendly Voice by Rural Ottawa South Support Services. Wellness calls to rural seniors connecting them to local services and programs: 613-692-9992 
  • Mental Health Crisis Line: 613-722-6914 (within Ottawa) or Toll-free 1-866-996-0991 (outside Ottawa)
  • Better Strength, Better Balance program on Roger’s TV
  • Ottawa Community Housing wellness checks: 613-731-1182
  • Ottawa Inner City Health. Supports to people who are homeless: 613-562-4500 

Emergency Financial Assistance
  • Call 3-1-1 and press 4 for social services (i.e. medical needs, trouble paying utility bills, housing arrears, etc.)

Community-based social services
  • Call 2-1-1 Help Line – referrals to local community, social, government and health services. 

Human Needs Task Force contact information
  • Email
  • Phone number: 613-580-2424 ext. 26753

City of Ottawa Municipal Accessibility Plan 
Please note that due to COVID-19, the 2020 City of Ottawa Municipal Accessibility Plan Update and new 2020-2024 City of Ottawa Municipal Accessibility Plan, which would have been presented to the Finance and Economic Development Committee and Council in the Spring, have been postponed until later this year. Information will be shared when it is available.

AccessAbility Day 2020
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 precautions, AccessAbility Day, which was to be held on May 28, is cancelled. We will be celebrating in alternate ways this year and look forward to celebrating with you in-person when it is safe to do so.

Accessible Formats and Communications Supports
Accessible formats are available for materials and communications products produced or purchased (e.g. consultant reports) by the City of Ottawa for release to the public. It does not apply to products and product labels, unconvertible information, or information that the City does not control directly or indirectly through a contractual relationship.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) states that accessible formats and communication supports shall be provided:
  • in a timely manner;
  • taking into account the person’s accessibility needs; and,
  • at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons.
You may request an accessible format or communication support:
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