Accessibility

The Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee Launches Public Accessibility Survey Across Niagara Municipalities

The Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC) is inviting residents across participating Niagara municipalities to share their experiences, insights, and ideas through a new public accessibility survey aimed at helping shape future Multi Year Accessibility Plans. 

The survey is designed to gather feedback on accessibility within municipal programs, services, facilities, communication methods, public spaces, transportation, and digital platforms. Community input will help municipalities better identify barriers, understand local needs, and prioritize improvements that create more inclusive and accessible communities for everyone.

Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), municipalities are required to develop and maintain Multi Year Accessibility Plans that outline how barriers will be identified, removed, and prevented over time. Public engagement is a key part of ensuring these plans reflect real community experiences and priorities. Please read the full Press Release for more information.

Survey Details
The public survey can be completed online at: https://forms.gle/K8QSXZHckx3be8Mt8 
For more information about alternative formats, the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee, or accessibility planning initiatives, please contact:

Donna Herrington, The Herrington Group
Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee
Donna@theherringtongroup.ca 
905.380.4782

The Town of Grimsby is committed to providing a high level of service to members of the Grimsby community. An integral element of this commitment is an effort to create an inclusive, accessible, barrier-free environment both at Town facilities and through our official website.

Town of Grimsby Accessibility Plan

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requires an accessibility plan to be prepared each year. The plan must address the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to persons with disabilities in the Town's by-laws, policies, programs, practices and services. The plan should include:

• A report on the steps the Town has taken to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities
• How the municipality assess its proposals for by-laws, policies, programs, practices and services
• A list of by-laws, policies, programs, practices and services the municipality will review in the coming year to identify barriers
• How the municipality intends to identify, remove and prevent barriers in the coming year

In addition, the act imposes other obligations on Town as follows:

• Access must be considered when buying goods and services
• Development of accessibility plans for municipally administered, sub-contracted or licensed transit providers in consultation with persons with disabilities.
• Ensuring new social housing includes a percentage of modified units
• Municipalities may stipulate accessibility in issuing business licenses
• Access must be considered in planning and subdivision approval
• Enforcement of increased fines for misuse of Disabled Person Parking permits and designated parking spaces
• Ensuring improved access to municipal elections through selection of voting locations

Municipalities are to make the Accessibility Plans and Policies available to the public. You can download the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, Accessibility Policy, 2025 Progress Report and Accessibility Standard Compliance Policy now.

Should you require a document in an accessible format please complete the following online accessibility request. The Town of Grimsby values your feedback regarding our services. Please complete the following online feedback form. 

These materials are available in alternate format, upon request.

Website Accessibility 

Every effort is made to ensure the Town of Grimsby website complies with the AODA. Please note that efforts to ensure all information posted meets AODA standards is an ongoing work in progress.

Note about third-party websites: The Town of Grimsby does not have control over third-party documents or content linked to our website specific to accessibility.

Accessibility Compliance Reporting

As a designated public sector organization, the Town of Grimsby must complete an Accessibility Compliance Report to ensure that our organization is in compliance with Ontario’s accessibility laws. Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), organizations must make their accessibility compliance reports available to the public. 

The 2025 Accessibility Compliance Report can be viewed here. 

Accessing Content In An Alternative Format 

If you require additional or other formats for communication or information, contact the Town of Grimsby to make arrangements.

Let Us Know If You Have An Issue

Please contact us should you have any issues accessing any content on our website and every effort will be made to assist you. Please contact us or call 905-945-9634  for assistance.

Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC)

The Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from six partner municipalities in Niagara: Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, Thorold, and West Lincoln. The committee's mandate is to promote equal opportunity and accessibility by identifying and removing barriers for people with disabilities.  For information about the JAAC, contact the Office of the Clerk at 905-945-9634.