Accessibility Planning

The Region of Waterloo is committed to, and working towards ensuring that all Regional programs and services are accessible to everyone. Policies and programs are designed to respect the dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for all members of our community.

Creatures with Careers: Service Animals Save Lives!

If you have a service animal, own a business that serves the public, or just want to learn more about service animals, take a look at our Guide to Service Animals. This is also available as a text-only Guide to Service Animals.

You can also watch the following videos from Monkey Helpers, an organization that trains and places service monkeys with people with disabilities.

Service animals are important for many people with disabilities. The Region of Waterloo welcomes service animals at Regional facilities.

Did you know that a service animal is any animal that is trained to assist people with disabilities? That includes guide dogs for people who are blind or partially sighted, cats to aid people with anxiety, and even rats trained to be alert to muscle spasms!

What can you do to support people with service animals?

· Put the person first - the animal won't mind!

· Assume independence. The service animal and the handler are one independent unit. The handler knows best how to handle their animal. If you think someone could use some help, ask how you can help before stepping in.

· Recognize that people can bring their service animals to any public space.

· Don't distract service animals. Help service animals do a good job by saving snacks and cuddles for your pets at home.

If you have a service animal, and the animal does not wear a noticeable vest or harness saying that it is a service animal, you may be asked to show identification that the animal is needed for reasons of a disability.

Region of Waterloo's Annual Accessibility Plan

Every year the Region of Waterloo creates an annual plan to identify, prevent, and remove barriers in our services and sites for people with disabilities. To view the current plan, please click on the Accessibility Plan or the Accessibility Plan Summary.

The Annual Accessibility Plan and the Summary are available in alternate accessible formats upon request, including large font, text-only, Braille and audio. To request an alternate accessible format please contact:

Email: Vanessa Lopak, Social Planning Associate
Telephone: 519-575-4757 ext. 3861
TTY: 519-575-4608

Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Region seeks the advice of the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) to ensure its sites and services are accessible.To learn more about the committee:

Explore the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee website.
Read committee agendas and minutes.

Provincial Accessibility Standards

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) is provincial legislation designed to ensure that Ontario is fully accessible by the year 2025.Through the legislation, accessibility standards are developed for the private and public sectors to ensure high-quality service delivery in the areas of customer service, information & communication, transportation, employment, and the built environment.

Our commitment to Accessible Customer Service

Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the Region of Waterloo is committed to providing accessible customer service, including:

Personal assistance.
Your guide dog, service animal or support person is welcome on Regional premises to help you access our services.
Alternative formats, if you need our publications in a different format, just ask. Our staff will be happy to help you.
Training & communications. Our staff are specially trained to provide services and goods to persons with disabilities. We are prepared and willing to meet your needs.
Notice of temporary service disruptions.
The Region will provide notice of temporary disruptions to services or facilities used by people with disabilities. Notices will be placed in the facility and on the internet as appropriate. Advance notice will be given where possible.

For current information, please click on service disruption notices.

To learn more about what customers can expect from us:

Read the Region of Waterloo Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy.
View the Region of Waterloo 2010 Accessible Customer Service Compliance Report.

You can also access our Training Brochure for contractors, volunteers and third parties.

All of the Region of Waterloo's documents required under the AODA are available upon request. To request documents related to accessible customer service, or to request an alternate accessible format of our Accessibility Policy on Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, please contact:

Email: Vanessa Lopak, Social Planning Associate
Telephone: 519-575-4757 ext. 3861
TTY: 519-575-4608

How are we doing on accessibility?

We welcome comments on the accessibility of our services. Contact Us to share your feedback.

Website Accessibility

The Region of Waterloo strives to make this website accessible to people with disabilities and aims to reach the WCAG 2.0 standard. To learn more about using the accessibility features of this site visit the website accessibility page.

TTY

Customers who use TTY can access all Region of Waterloo services with a single TTY number. People who are Deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, or with speech disabilities can call 519-575-4608.

Contact(s)