City of Ottawa - Accessibility Spotlight - August 2026

 

Accessibility Spotlight Individual support available for residents impacted by extreme weather

The City is transitioning to a personalized recovery model for residents affected by the extreme weather event of July 1, and the more recent weather event of August 10 and 12. Ben Franklin Place  Residents looking to receive support with backwater valve permits and related permitting questions can email BuildingPermits@ottawa.ca or call 613-580-2424 ext. 29312 for information. Residents can also visit Ben Franklin Place at 101 Centrepointe Drive from Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Residents should present themselves to the service desk on the second floor. Walk-ins are welcome. Information about supports and resources continue to be shared on the City’s  Extreme weather event page. Canadian Red Cross  The Canadian Red Cross remains available for virtual and in-person support to impacted households. Support is available from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm on the second floor of Ben Franklin Place. The Canadian Red Cross can help residents: Connect with and understand community resources Access information and referrals Navigate clean-up, repair and rebuilding activities Understand insurance and construction (virtual support by appointment only) Please note that we are working remotely from August 24 to 28. We will return to Ben Franklin August 31 to September 4 from 9am to 5pm. Residents are encouraged to make an appointment to meet with a Canadian Red Cross representative by calling or emailing.     Email: NavigationSupportON@redcross.ca  Phone: 1-800-863-6582  Please see our 2026 Ottawa Floods webpage for more information. 951 Clyde Avenue North  Residents can receive help at the permit desk at 951 Clyde Avenue North from Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 3pm, for questions and application support related to:: Residential Protective Plumbing Program Compassionate Grant Program Appointments are preferred and can be made by Info-Water@ottawa.ca or by calling 613-580-2424 ext. 22300. Reminder: For assistance with the Compassionate Grant Program and Residential Protective Plumbing Program applications, please review your eligibility and bring the necessary documentation with you. Solid Waste update  Residents affected by the heavy rainfall may request storm-related waste collection beyond the standard three-item limit. If you have waste from an extreme weather event that is ready to be collected, follow these steps for additional storm waste pick up: Place all eligible materials at the curb Submit a service request for garbage collection online or call 3-1-1 Select ‘storm-related waste’ in the drop-down menu under ‘What is the issue?’ Residents can also visit the Trail Road Landfill, located at 4475 Trail Road. Tipping fees for storm-related waste have been waived until further notice. The landfill is open from Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm. The facility will also be open to the public on the following Saturdays: September 12 from 7am to 6pm September 26 from 8am to 4pm Find out more about the landfill and disposal costs.  Last chance to nominate an accessibility champion The City of Ottawa is accepting nominations for the 2026 Accessible Ottawa Award until Wednesday, September 2 at 11:59pm EST. Established in 2025, the Accessible Ottawa Award celebrates the outstanding contributions of Ottawa’s businesses, organizations and residents who are dedicated to removing barriers and advancing accessibility throughout our city. This award highlights the vital role of accessibility and universal design in creating an inclusive community, recognizing those who go above and beyond to champion equitable rights and inclusivity for people with disabilities.  Each year, the Accessible Ottawa Award will honour one individual and one organization that has made significant contributions to enhancing accessibility and improving the lives of persons with disabilities in Ottawa. Awards will be presented at the annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities event, held at Ottawa City Hall on or around December 3 each year. Please visit the Accessible Ottawa Award webpage to learn more about the nomination eligibility terms and criteria, as well as to submit a nomination on behalf of a business/organization or individual. The submission deadline is Wednesday, September 2 at 11:59pm EST. ByWard Square ByWard Square is a new open-air gathering space designed to bring residents, visitors, families and local businesses together in the heart of the ByWard Market District. Programming at ByWard Square includes live music, arts and cultural activities, and family-friendly programming throughout the season. Designed with accessibility, inclusion and community in mind, ByWard Square offers opportunities for people to gather, explore and enjoy the ByWard Market District. As a seasonal placemaking initiative, ByWard Square will operate through the summer and programming will conclude on September 28, 2026. The project team is asking for community feedback on Byward Market Square via a survey. Your feedback will help the project team evaluate the success of the project. We encourage people with disabilities to complete the survey and share their thoughts on accessing and navigating the space. For accessible survey formats or communication supports, please contact ByWardReimagined@ottawa.ca.