City of Ottawa Accessibility Spotlight - January 2021

 

City reviewing its Winter Maintenance Quality Standards

Everyone has an opinion about how the City of Ottawa maintains roads in winter and residents have an opportunity to share that opinion with the City right now. The City of Ottawa is reviewing its Winter Maintenance Quality Standards (WMQS). The standards determine when and where snow clearing, sanding and salting take place, how often and for how long. Residents can visit engage.ottawa.ca/wmqs and contribute to the review in three ways: Complete a survey, available until February 19 Participate in one of two virtual workshops: January 27 or 28 Share an idea or ask a question in the discussion forum If you need to complete the survey by phone or require other accessibility related accommodations, please call 613-282-2685 for assistance. Issues such as climate change, accessibility, sustainability, equity and healthy living have evolved since the current standards were put in place in 2003. The 2021 review will focus on: Residential roads Sidewalks Cycling pathways Multi-use pathways for walking, cycling and rollerblading Results of the review will be shared later this year with Ottawa City Council, which will in turn establish updated standards for future winters. Facts The City manages approximately 2,300 kilometers of sidewalks and 12,700 lane kilometers of roads, transitway and local highway (HWY 174). This network is winter maintained by approximately 510 staff from 17 work yards dispersed throughout the city, complimented by contracted crews used to supplement service as needed throughout the winter season. More than 50 kilometers of cycling network will be maintained this winter Ottawa sees an average of 249 cm of snow (five-year average) and 312 in 2018-19 187,500 tonnes of rock and salt was used in 2018-19 Quotes "Clearing snow from Ottawa roads and pathways is one of the most important jobs we do at the City and we are always seeking ways to improve our service. As the City grows and evolves, so must our Winter Maintenance Quality Standards, to ensure Ottawa residents have a sustainable and efficient transportation network year round." Jim Watson, Mayor, City of Ottawa "The City’s current Winter Maintenance Quality Standards are outdated and do not account for the fact that the needs of the transportation network users have changed over the years. This review will result in improved standards that will serve Ottawa residents for years to come." Councillor Tim Tierney, Chair of the City’s Transportation Committee

Canada Video Relay Service (VRS)

The City of Ottawa is pleased to announce that Canada Video Relay Service (VRS) is available for residents wishing to use their service to access our general phone line by calling 613-580-2400. Canada VRS is a service that allows Canadians who are Deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired to make phone calls using internet and cellphone-based technologies. Callers using VRS are connected with a sign language interpreter who provides real time interpretation for telephone calls. This allows callers to express themselves in their first language, American Sign Language (ASL) or Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ), when asking questions or making requests to the City. More information can be found on the Canada VRS webpage (link is external).

Community Safety and Well-Being Plan

We want to hear from you! - Phase 2 Enagagement Everyone has a role to play in safety and well-being, and the City of Ottawa is seeking your feedback as Ottawa’s Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan is being developed. On October 28, 2020, City Council approved six local priorities that will be the focus of Ottawa’s first CSWB Plan as follows: discrimination, marginalization & racism, financial security & poverty reduction, gender-based violence & violence against women, housing, integrated & simpler systems, and mental well-being. Many of these priorities have a significant impact on persons with disabilities, and your input is important to us. The City is offering multiple engagement opportunities from January 18 to February 28, and wants your ideas to help set strategic objectives, strategies and actions for the six priorities. Join the conversation! Please register as space is limited. Each session will discuss one of the CSWB priorities in a small group setting. Discussion groups are available in either English or French. Thursday, January 28 from 6 to 7 pm: Discrimination, Marginalization and Racism Thursday, February 4 from 6 to 7 pm: Mental Well-Being Tuesday, February 9 from 6 to 7 pm: Financial Security and Poverty Reduction Thursday, February 18 from 6 to 7 pm: Gender-Based Violence and Violence Against Women Monday, February 22 from 6 to 7 pm: Housing Tuesday, February 23 from 10 to 11 am: Integrated and Simpler Systems You can visit the CSWB website at ottawa.ca/CSWBP to complete the survey, add your comments to the virtual forum or drop a pin on the map so the City can gather input of where you experience gaps in services related to the CSWB priorities. You can sign up to take part in virtual public consultation sessions or host your own session using the Community Toolkit. Join the conversation and stay up to date on the progress of the CSWB Plan by signing up for the newsletter.