City of Ottawa - Accessibility spotlight - January 2022

 

Booking for 4th Dose Vaccine Appointments and Accessibility Supports

Ontarians who are immunocompromised are now able to book an appointment for their fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine through the Provincial booking system, provided 84 days have passed since their third dose. Anyone who’s received a transplant or taking immune suppressant medication is eligible. For more information, as well as the full list of eligible medication, please read consult the Ottawa Public Health website. Third doses for all adults, as well as first and second doses for anyone 5 years of age and older are still offered via appointment or drop-in basis at all community clinics. Ottawa Public Health will post information on wait times on their social media accounts, as necessary. Twitter @OttawaHealth, Facebook: Ottawa Public Health As of January 21, after-school clinics will be running for anyone 5 years of age and up. Please visit the list of clinic locations and schedules for more information. Accessibility supports and information can be found on the Ottawa Public Health Website under "Are the vaccination Clinics Accessible?" Those who require other accommodations are encouraged to book in advance and complete the accommodations request form at least 48 hours prior to their appointment. Additionally, Ottawa Public Health has provided some updated information regarding masks and face coverings. Please visit their website under "About masks and face coverings" to review the guidelines.

Notice of Special Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting

Please note there will be a special Accessibility Advisory meeting held on Tuesday February 1, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the updates around the City’s of Ottawa e-scooter pilot project. Anyone wishing to attend can do so via this link through Zoom. To learn more about the City’s Accessibility Advisory Committee and the work they do, please visit Ottawa.ca.

Robinson Field Multi-Use Pathway Survey

The City of Ottawa wants to hear from you about upgrades planned for the multi-use pathways around Robinson Field, located in the neighbourhood of Sandy Hill. We are asking residents to fill out a short survey to determine the number of rest areas to include along this pathway. The survey is available on Engage Ottawa from January 25 until February 18 and is available in both English and French.

Swims for Persons with a Disability

While most drop-in recreation programs are temporarily suspended due to the latest provincial restrictions, you can still reserve a spot for Swim for Persons with Disabilities at either the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex in Orleans or the Nepean Sportsplex. Under the current restrictions, these facilities are open solely for the purpose of allowing use of the facility by persons of all ages with a disability, within the meaning of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.  Clients are required to provide written documentation upon check-in at the facility, indicating the requirement for physical therapy in a swimming pool from a regulated health professional to be granted admission.  Proof of vaccination is also required.  Residents wishing to participate can make a reservation online for the location of their choice at Bob MacQuarrie or Nepean Sportsplex. Regular swim admission fees apply.

Service Animal Registration

You may know that the City of Ottawa requires that cat or dog owners register their pets, but did you also know that service animals are required to be registered as well? Registration ensures the City has the necessary information to help reunite you with your animal if it becomes lost. Registrations can be done online at My Service Ottawa or by calling 3-1-1, 613 580-2400 for Video Relay Service, or 613 580-2401 for TTY. Fees vary for different pets, but service animal registration is provided free of charge. Register or renew your animal today and receive a $25 online coupon for Ren’s Pets stores. More information is available on Ottawa.ca.

Service Animal Cards No Longer Required on OC Transpo

Service animals are welcome on board all OC Transpo vehicles.   Customers can identify their service animals with any of the following: A vest, harness, or other visual indicator that clearly identifies the animal as a service animal A letter from a regulated health professional confirming they require the animal for reasons relating to a disability Other forms of identification, such as a guide dog identification card from the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney-General or identification from a registered service animal training school As of December 2021, Service Animal Cards are no longer required or being issued by OC Transpo for the identification of service animals. This change simplifies requirements for its customers, and better aligns OC Transpo with transit agencies across the province and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. Customers who already carry Service Animal Cards can continue to use them until they expire or use the other forms of identification listed above. For more information about service animals on OC Transpo, please visit the OC Transpo website.

No-charge fares for children 7 and under on OC Transpo and Para Transpo

On December 8, 2021, City Council approved a motion to introduce a one-year pilot project in 2022 to raise the age for no-charge transit to children 7 years old and under, when accompanied by an adult. On January 1, 2022, this project took effect and includes travel on OC Transpo, including conventional bus and LRT, and Para Transpo.  If successful, this program may be extended, subject to Council approval. For children who look older than 7 years old or travel frequently with an adult, Child Cards are available at the Rideau Centre Customer Service Centre.  A Child Card is a free smart card designed and intended for use by a child 7 years old and under that can be tapped when going through a fare gate or shown to a bus operator.  For more information, please visit the OC Transpo website.