City of Ottawa - Accessibility Spotlight - June 2020

 

The City of Ottawa’s Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department continues to be committed to supporting accessibility. The water wheelchair initiative began as a pilot project in 2017 at Mooney’s Bay beach and has been expanded to Westboro, Britannia and Petrie Island. With the recent purchase of four more chairs, there are now eight water wheelchairs across the city, available at no cost. The chairs are submersible, sitting on 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. Water wheelchairs are available to reserve, from noon to 6:30 pm daily between June 19 and August 29, 2021. You must reserve them in advance, 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 is also free of charge.) Britannia Beach: 613-820-1211 Petrie Island: 613-824-5704 Westboro: 613-792-3875 Or email beaches@ottawa.ca. Please visit our website for more information.

Reminder - 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.

Council approves updates to the City’s Accessibility Policy and Accessible Formats & Communications Supports Procedure.

Canada adopted a new accessibility strategy when the Accessible Canada Act was enacted in 2019. As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the “Nothing without us,” approach is more important than ever. That’s why, on May 28 2021, Members of Council approved amendments to the City of Ottawa’s Accessibility Policy and the Accessible Formats and Communication Supports Procedures to include the provision of American Sign Language (ASL), Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) and live captioning for all state of emergency communications – no request for accommodation required. Whether you are communicating in person or virtually with City staff or Council members on other matters, accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request.

Community Gardens

Community gardens were among the very first to be regarded as essential services on April 25, 2020. These gardens contribute to community development, civic participation, neighborhood revitalization, environmental awareness and a healthier lifestyle. A community garden is a shared space where people in a neighbourhood work together to improve the space and grow food. The garden may include individual or family plots and often supports neighbourhood food banks. There are over 120 community gardens in Ottawa, and over 25 of them are on land owned by the City. The Community Gardening Network is a program of Just Food Ottawa. The Network supports the sustainable development of community gardens within the city. For questions about community gardening, or to find out about the accessibility of a garden near you, contact the Community Gardening Network.