City of Ottawa - Accessibility Spotlight - July 2021

 

Emergency Preparedness – Spring Freshet

The 2021 spring freshet task force began meeting in February, however preliminary discussions began in late 2020. Team members come together annually to prepare for the potential impacts to City residents and lands during each freshet. In addition to planning, one of the key activities is to ensure regular communications with residents and internal & external partners on the status of river levels within the larger and local watershed. The City has developed response plans and best practices which are based on works completed during the 2017 and 2019 floods, and have evolved throughout each freshet response. The communities with the highest likelihood of being impacted are located throughout West Carleton, which includes Vidon Acres, Fitzroy Harbour, Willola Beach, and the Constance Bay/Armitage areas. Other communities with a high likelihood of being impacted are Britannia Village, and to the East in former Cumberland. Annual preparations include spring maintenance operations such as the inspection and opening of culverts, ditches, and blockages in overland drainage assets. Supervisors and staff will check and clear assets as required. When the freshet begins and river levels rise, staff may expand inspections to include city facilities, roads, bridges, sidewalks, pathways and parks. Where impacted, teams will respond to ensure all assets are accessible and safe, and as water levels permit, begin to stabilize and repair the areas of erosion and the damage to hard & soft areas. Spring preparations include the provision of sand and sandbags for resident use in the protection of private property. Clear information is available online for residents on where sand and sandbags are available for pick-up. Information and processes are updated annually and have been modified to include how to properly fill sandbags with Covid-19 protocols in place. Residents have options to obtain materials at City works yards or within affected areas as coordinated by the freshet team, and to information on the appropriate operations to the current and forecast freshet conditions as they develop. A growing number of City staff have been trained in emergency response and for specific functions. Freshet taskforces are established with specific command leads and functions. The size of the team and functions being fulfilled are scalable and will be adjusted as required in response to the situation as it evolves. Although a great deal of work occurs within the taskforce rooms, the physical response work happens in the field. These works are completed by the operations teams and as required, through the establishment of one or more Incident Command Posts (ICP’s). Once mobilized, clear lines of responsibility and communication are established between the taskforce command leads and the ICP’s. This structure and these functions were especially critical during the 2017 and 2019 freshets as well as following the 2018 and 2019 Tornadoes. The Office of Emergency Management continues to offer and expand on its training on an annual basis. Spring freshets are one example of how City departments come together to provide critical services and supports to residents. Planning for the next event starts at home, in the community and at work. Remember, we may all have a part in a future emergency response.

Ontario Launches Online Renewal Tool for Accessible Parking Permits

The Ontario government has launched a new online renewal tool for Accessible Parking Permits, providing a simpler, faster, and more accessible service for permit holders. Ontarians can now choose to renew a permanent Accessible Parking Permit, apply for a traveler’s permit or motorcycle decal and request a change of address all by visiting Ontario.ca/RenewAPP. Companies and not-for-profit organizations that transport individuals with accessibility needs on a not-for-profit basis can also use this online option to apply, renew or request changes to permits. By providing standard personal information and an existing permit number, permit holders will now have the option to quickly and easily renew their Accessible Parking Permits from the comfort of their home. Previously, these services were only available in person at ServiceOntario or by mail. Ontarians can still take advantage of these methods but will now benefit from a quick and easy option that can be accessed at any time from a computer, tablet or smartphone. Over 40 of the most common ServiceOntario transactions, such as driver’s licence and licence plate sticker renewals, are available 24/7 at ServiceOntario.ca.

Invitation to Inform Disability Inclusion Action Plan

Employment and Social Development Canada recently released a survey to solicit information that will be used to inform the development of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan. They are looking for responses from all Canadians, including: persons with a disability, organizations working with persons with a disability, and caregivers or family members of persons with a disability persons identifying as First Nations, Inuk (Inuit), Métis, or Indigenous members of racialized groups, the LGBTQ2 community or an official language minority community Please complete the online survey by August 31, 2021.

City of Ottawa’s Anti-Racism Secretariat’s (ARS) second phase of action planning initiatives

Another set of action planning sessions and an online survey were launched on July 21, 2021, for residents to determine the immediate actions the City can take to address systemic racism. The survey will be open until Saturday, July 31, 2021. The survey is open to all residents and will help determine the immediate needs within the six priority areas identified in past consultation – employment equity, housing, governance, economic development, health outcomes and youth development. The second phase of initiatives aims to engage groups with intersectional identities, who were not as actively engaged during the first phase. A Community Stakeholders virtual session for community leaders, community organizations, and research experts was held on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. The other sessions that will be held virtually for residents to attend are listed below. To sign up for any of the following sessions, visit the ARS Engage Ottawa page: Racialized Women and Gender Diverse Persons: Wednesday, August 4 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Racialized Youth: Thursday, August 5 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Racialized Persons with Disabilities: Monday, August 9 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Racialized Francophones: Tuesday, August 10 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Racialized 2SLGBTQQIA+ Community: Wednesday, August 11, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Please feel free to send this information amongst your networks. If you have any questions, please contact antiracism@ottawa.ca.

Curbside Diversion Options

Starting in August, the City of Ottawa will be asking residents to weigh in on the future of curbside garbage collection. Right now, more than half of everything we throw away could be diverted from the landfill. By rethinking how we collect waste at the curb, we can reduce emissions, save money, and turn more waste into new products and resources.    Engagement will run from August 9, 2021 for 5 weeks, and we will be asking for feedback on three potential options:   Partial Pay-As-You-Throw Reduced Firm Item Limits Clear Garbage Bags with recycling and organics bans   Sign up to receive an alert when the online survey/workshop sign-ups start, or head to Engage Ottawa on August 9th. Your input will help shape any changes we make to curbside garbage collection.    Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request in order to fully participate. Please contact: wasteplan@ottawa.ca.

OC Transpo launches 613-560-5000 customer service phone line

OC Transpo has simplified its customer service phone system by launching a new convenient phone number to direct you to the information you need. You can now call 613-560-5000 for all OC Transpo inquiries, including Para Transpo booking and cancellation services, schedule information, trip planning, fares, discounts, Park & Ride, Bikesecure permits and more. With one easy-to-remember phone number, you can access OC Transpo services through six self-serve options or be connected directly to a customer service representative. All existing numbers will remain active during the transition to the new number, to allow existing customers time to adapt to the new change. Important phone numbers such as Special Constable Unit, Lost & Found and the Ottawa Distress Centre will not be affected and will continue to be available. The phone number complements OC Transpo’s other 560 travel tools. When you need real-time information you can continue to text 560560 or call 613-560-1000 and use the four-digit bus stop number, or first three letters of the station name to get information about departure times for buses, the latest schedule updates, cancellations, or detours. For more information, visit octranspo.com or give us a call today at 613-560-5000!

City of Ottawa - Pop-up clinics scheduled for August 2 to August 8

 

More pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics for anyone age 12 and up for first and second doses have now been scheduled. Pop-up clinics will continue while needed.

Upcoming pop-up clinics:

• Monday, August 2 – 12:15 to 7 pm
• AMA Community Centre – 1216 Hunt Club Road
• Tuesday, August 3 – 12:15 to 7 pm
• St Joseph’s Adult High School – 330 Lajoie Street
• Wednesday, August 4 – 12:15 to 7 pm
• Woodroffe High School – 2410 Georgina Drive
• Thursday, August 5 – 12:15 to 7 pm
• Woodroffe High School – 2410 Georgina Drive
• Friday, August 6 – 12:15 to 7 pm
• Woodroffe High School – 2410 Georgina Drive
• Saturday, August 7 – 9:45 am to 4:30 pm
• Howard Darwin (Merivale) Arena – 1765 Merivale Road
• Sunday, August 8 – 9:45 am to 4:30 pm
• AMA Community Centre – 1216 Hunt Club Road

Pop up clinics for post-secondary students
Students and staff of any adult high school, college or university, including their friends and family aged 12 and over are welcome to attend this clinic for first or second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

• August 3 to September 6 – 9 am to 9 pm
• University of Ottawa, Minto Sports Complex - 810 King Edward Avenue

International students (along with their friends and family) are encouraged to attend the clinic as well. There will be a nurse on site to help international students determine if/what vaccination they require. This clinic is a drop-in clinic – no appointment needed. Please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/CollegeUniVaccine for more information.

Second Doses
A second dose can be received at least 28 days after receiving an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer), and at least eight weeks after receiving an AstraZeneca vaccine.

Residents may receive a different second dose mRNA (Moderna or Pfizer) vaccine than their first dose at community clinics. Interchanging vaccines is safe and effective. The priority is to receive two doses of a vaccine to complete the series and be fully protected.

Same-day appointments can only be made in-person no earlier than two hours before the clinic opens, on a first come first served basis, while supply lasts. If there is a waiting period, residents may receive an appointment card with a time to return to the clinic for their vaccine.

Thanks to the Ottawa Health Team, Kids Come First Health Team and other local partners in the community for their support.

Request a Mobile Vaccination Clinic

If you are a community organization, community leader, faith leader, or employer in Ottawa and have a group of people that may benefit from a mobile vaccination team coming to you, please reach out through the following ways:

• Complete the mobile vaccine clinic request form online.
• Call 613-691-5505 for assistance in completing the form.

Other ways to get vaccinated

• Residents in priority neighbourhoods may also be eligible for vaccination at the Bruyère Family Medicine Centre. Please visit bruyere.org to review eligibility and access their online booking tool.
• Drop-ins are now available at all community clinics.
• Residents can visit Ontario.ca/bookvaccine to access the provincial booking system or call the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900 between 8 am and 8 pm, seven days a week to book an appointment at any of the community clinics in Ottawa.
• Individuals can complete this form weekly to sign up to receive last minute doses that are available at community clinics. This list resets Saturdays at 11:59 pm. If you still require a vaccine, please register your information each week.
• You may also be able to book your vaccine appointment at a local pharmacy. Eligible residents should check with the pharmacy directly.
• Select primary care teams are also offering vaccines. Contact your physician to learn more.

More Info
Sign up for the City’s COVID-19 vaccine newsletter to receive timely updates about these clinics and the City’s vaccine rollout.

Visit ottawa.ca or OttawaPublicHealth.ca for more information on Ottawa’s vaccination distribution plan.
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).

You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Ottawa Public Library - More library services starting July 26

 Browsing, public computers, newspapers and magazines are available inside most of our 31 open branches, with capacity limits for two-metre distancing. Additional services start Monday, July 26, 2021.

Holds limit increased

Up to 200 items can now be put on hold. Manage your account online by checking, pausing, or cancelling holds to avoid the restocking fee of $1 per item. 

Check out museum and park passes

Starting July 26, find the pass you want and click "Check availability." Borrow one pass at a time for up to seven days. Passes cannot be put on hold and are valid for general admission only. Special exhibitions or events may require additional admission fees.

Donate used books

Starting July 26, donate used books at all open branches. Donations should be newer than 10 years old and undamaged. Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association (FOPLA) bookstores remain closed until further notice.

Service upgrade to computer systems

Upgrades to public computers, printers and photocopiers require those systems to be temporarily offline at these branches during installation: Cumberland (July 30 to Aug. 3), Carlingwood (Aug. 9-10), Greenboro (Aug. 16-17), and Main (Aug. 23-24). Thank you for your patience as we provide new systems to better serve you. 

Book the Imagine Space and Labs

Starting July 26, make a booking online. For now, only those who are already certified can use the laser cutters. Capacity is limited and the equipment is sufficiently distanced. Employees can safely assist with laser cutting, 3D printing, and more.

Masks

Wear a mask in public spaces, indoors and outdoors. For more information on the use of masks, please consult Ottawa Public Health.

Visit BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca for more details.

City of Ottawa - It only takes one simple step to get your vaccine sooner

 Here is how you can get that earlier dose, in one simple step. Which step you take is up to you.

Drop in
You don’t even need an appointment to visit a community clinic in Ottawa for a first or second dose. There must be a location near you.

Wait list
Hop onto the wait list to receive a text or email alert about last minute appointments near you. You’re bound to get an appointment soon.

Rebook through the provincial booking system.
This provincial system is probably how you booked your late appointment in the first place. Only now, wait times between doses are shorter and availability of appointments has never been greater. Return to the booking tool and you can easily find an earlier appointment, and maybe even a better location.

Pop-up clinics
There are temporary pop-up clinics popping up all over town, particularly in priority neighbourhoods. Follow the City’s social media channels to find out when the next pop-ups are, well, popping up.

Pharmacies
Many local pharmacies are still taking appointments, and many of those also offer drop-ins.
Don’t delay. Move up the date of your vaccine appointment today.

City of Ottawa - OC Transpo launches 613-560-5000 customer service phone line

OC Transpo has simplified its customer service phone system by launching a new convenient phone number to direct you to the information you need. You can now call 613-560-5000 for all OC Transpo inquiries, including Para Transpo booking and cancellation services, schedule information,
trip planning, fares, discounts, Park & Ride, Bikesecure permits and more.

With one easy-to-remember phone number, you can access OC Transpo services through six
self-serve options or be connected directly to a customer service representative.

All existing numbers will remain active during the transition to the new number, to allow existing customers time to adapt to the new change. Important phone numbers such as Special Constable Unit, Lost & Found and the Ottawa Distress Centre will not be affected and will continue to be available.

The phone number complements OC Transpo’s other 560 travel tools. When you need real-time information you can continue to text 560560 or call 613-560-1000 and use the four-digit bus stop number, or first three letters of the station name to get information about departure times for buses, the latest schedule updates, cancellations, or detours.

For more information, visit octranspo.com or give us a call today at 613-560-5000!

City of Ottawa - Escapade Music Festival to host vaccination clinic this Saturday!

 

If you’ve been missing summer music festival vibes, we’ve got good news for you.

To help make sure you can safely attend parties, music festivals and other events this summer and fall, the City and Ottawa Public Health are working with Escapade Music Festival to hold a COVID-19 vaccine pop-up clinic at RCGT Park (Ottawa Baseball Stadium), 300 Coventry Road. The clinic will be held inside the stadium on Saturday, July 24 from 10 am to 8 pm. Free parking is available, and the clinic is within walking distance from Tremblay LRT Station.

Escapade Music Festival has announced that only fully vaccinated residents will be able to attend its festival, planned to occur this September. There is still time to get your two doses before the beat drops this fall! You can snag a virtual ticket online at escapademf.com/vaccination to ensure your spot. Limited drop-ins will also be available while supplies last.

Can’t make it to the clinic on July 24? We’ve got you covered. Other easy ways you can get vaccinated include:

• You can drop-in to select community clinics in Ottawa between 10 am and 7 pm daily to receive a first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment. Check OttawaPublicHealth.ca or the City of Ottawa’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram daily to see where there are spots available.
• Book an appointment through the provincial booking system. There are many appointments available across the City this week.
• If you live in a priority neighbourhood, you can visit a pop-up clinic nearby for your first or second dose. Visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVID19vaccine for the latest.

Need a ride? Check out Ottawa Public Health’s FAQ page for available transportation options.

The time is now to get the COVID-19 vaccine- Join us for a two-dose summer so you can party safely in the fall.

Follow the City’s social media channels for updates or sign up for the COVID-19 vaccination update e-subscription for regular news on the vaccine roll-out. 

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media inquiries

Escapade

Ali Shafaee

ali@dnalive.ca

(613) 796-9070