City of Ottawa - Accessibility News - July 2020

Accessible water wheelchairs available at City beaches

The City of Ottawa’s Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department has once again made accessible water wheelchairs available at Westboro Beach, Mooney’s Bay and Petrie Island for Summer 2020! The initiative began as a pilot project in 2017 at Mooney’s Bay and has since expanded. The chair at Westboro Beach is on loan from Britannia Beach, which is currently closed for dredging. The chairs are semi-submersible, sitting on four large inflatable tires that enable the chair to cross the sand and enter the water. They are also equipped with adjustable armrests and a quick-release seatbelt for the user’s comfort and security. The City looks forward to making more chairs available in the future. Water wheelchairs are free to rent, from noon to 6:30 daily until August 30. Reservations are required, and chairs can be reserved for half hour windows. To check availability and make a reservation, please contact: Mooney’s Bay: 613-248-0863 (Please note that Mooney’s Bay also has a beach mat that allows people using mobility devices to access the shoreline. This can also be used free of charge.) Petrie Island: 613-824-5704 Westboro: 613-792-3875 Or email. Please visit our website for more information.

Ottawa Public Health resources in American Sign Language and langue des signes Québécoise

We are happy to announce that the Ottawa Public Health (OPH) website now includes information related to COVID-19 in American Sign Language (ASL) and langue des signes Québécoise (LSQ). The page is designed to provide accurate and reliable COVID-19 resources to the Deaf and hard of hearing community in Ottawa. These resources are found under Related Pages on the OPH website or directly on the Resources in American Sign Language page. This resource is a step toward the City of Ottawa’s goal of delivering accessible and inclusive communications for all residents.

Taking care of your mental health

The COVID-19 situation can be very stressful and has created new challenges and stresses for people with disabilities, and / or people who are immunocompromised. It is really important to take care of our mental health during challenging times like this. In reaction, OPH has created a resource page that includes information on how you can protect you and your families’ mental health, and information on how and where to access mental health resources. Information on mental health during COVID-19 in ASL and LSQ and can be found on the OPH website.