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Accessibility

Commitment to an accessible Peterborough

The City of Peterborough is committed to demonstrate leadership for accessibility in the community. Our goal is to meet the diverse needs of all people and follow the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity. We will strive to achieve an inclusive environment for our services, programs, facilities, information, employment and transportation systems.

Report a barrier

Anyone can report a barrier to accessibility that prevents a person with a disability from accessing a City service, program, information or a facility. All feedback related to accessibility is captured in a central location for analysis and record keeping. Feedback is used to help identify, prevent and remove barriers in a timely manner and help prioritize accessibility improvements.

Report an Accessibility Concern

The City of Peterborough understands that people with disabilities often have fewer alternative routes when navigating in public spaces. We strive to provide up-to-date information on what is out of service, when it is unavailable, the reason for the disruption, alternative service options and a staff contact. Visit our News and Notices page for a full listing of current road closure and service disruption notices.

Accessibility planning and reporting

The 2024 to 2028 Accessibility Plan celebrates accomplishments and outlines the City's commitment to accessibility, long-term vision, short-term road map (2024 to 2028 priorities) and ongoing compliance work. The plan requires the City to use a compliance + inclusion model, an accessibility lens and an inclusion lens to advance accessibility and inclusion in Peterborough.

Strong governance and administrative leadership play a key role to implement the Accessibility Plan. City Council and Senior Leadership will work together to ensure all City business aligns with the commitment, long-term vision, short-term road map and ongoing compliance work listed in the plan, as budget and resources permit.

The City understands that while implementing the Accessibility Plan will help take care of the most vulnerable people, it has the welcome effect of benefiting everyone, and a larger effect of building a stronger economy and community. A universal design approach to City services, programs, projects and facilities helps make Peterborough a destination of choice to live, visit and do business, and brings prosperity to our community.

The Peterborough Museum & Archives has a supplementary Accessibility Plan, as required by the Community Museum Operating Grant administered under Regulation 877 of the Ontario Heritage Act. Visit Peterborough Museum & Archives, Accessibility for more information.

Public engagement for the City of Peterborough Accessibility Plan update project was launched during National Accessibility Week in May 2022 and ran until August 31, 2022. Learn more about the feedback submitted through the Accessibility Plan Public Consultation Summary.

Thank you for helping us to better understand the experiences of people with disabilities.

All public sector organizations with 20 or more employees, including municipalities, are legally required to report on compliance with the AODA every two years.

The 2023 Accessibility Compliance Report submitted to the Government of Ontario confirms the City of Peterborough is in full compliance. If you are having difficulty accessing the PDF report in a web browser, right click the link and select the "Save link as..." option to download the PDF.

The Peterborough Public Library filed a separate Accessibility Compliance Report in 2023, as required by the Government of Ontario. Visit Peterborough Public Library, Accessibility and Accommodation for more information.

The Accessibility Plan priorities, approved in principle by City Council, set a five-year road map to address the main barriers for people with disabilities:

  • sidewalk infrastructure
  • transit system and stops
  • streets and intersections
  • park access and features
  • employment opportunities for people with disabilities

The priorities are designed to help people with disabilities access basic needs such as food, housing, health care, education, employment and the outdoors.

Costs associated with implementing the priorities are covered through annual Departmental requests for budget and/or external funding opportunities. Priorities are implemented as budget and resources permit.

Sidewalk Priorities

  1. Add missing segments in the sidewalk network:
    • Implement the 2022 Transportation Master Plan which recommends an aggressive investment in the sidewalk network, with emphasis on the downtown, new growth areas and major intensification corridors. [Status: in progress]
    • Continue to implement the Sidewalk Strategic Plan to add missing sidewalk links. [Status: in progress]
  2. Repair segments in the existing sidewalk network:
    • Continue to reconstruct 3 to 4 kms of existing sidewalk annually. [Status: in progress]
    • Explore opportunities to increase annual sidewalk reconstruction. [Status: not started]
  3. Address cluttered sidewalks to ensure a clear path:
    • Implement the 2023 Central Area Urban Design Guidelines for development work and the downtown temporary outdoor patio program. [Status: in progress]
    • Collaborate with DBIA to educate businesses on optimal signage placement. [Status: not started]
  4. Address central area buildings with steps from the sidewalk level to the building interior:
    • Encourage building owners and developers to apply for the City's Facade Improvement Grant, Municipal Incentive Grant and Residential Conversion & Intensification Grant programs (3 programs of the City's 2021 Central Area Community Improvement Plan Program) to address barriers to building access. [Status: not started]
    • Work with applicants to find solutions where property constraints may require changes to City property. [Status: no activity to report]
  5. Address curb-faced sidewalks obstructed by waste bins on pick-up days:
    • Pilot an alternative waste bin placement option on a segment of a local street with curb-faced sidewalks that are less than 1500 mm wide. [Status: not started]
  6. Reconstruct major sections of arterial streets to improve key walkway networks:
    • Brealey Dr, from Lansdowne to Sherbrooke. [Status: under construction]
    • Lansdowne St W, from Park to Lock. [Status: partially under construction]
    • Charlotte St, from Park to Water. [Status: started public consultation on Park to Aylmer]
    • Sherbrooke St, from Glenforest to west City limit. [Status: not started]
    • Chemong Rd, from Parkhill to Sunset. [Status: in progress]
  7. Upgrade sidewalk infrastructure with shade features:
    • Support tree planting in street boulevards, wherever possible. [Status: in progress]

Transit Priorities

  1. Address stops that are not accessible:
    • Upgrade 90 to 150 transit stops by 2028 with concrete pads and links to sidewalks. [Status: 34 stops planned for 2024, 49 stops planned for 2025]
    • Continue to monitor and leverage funding opportunities. [Status: sufficient budget allocated, funding not required.]
  2. Improve transit information at transit stops:
    • At all transit stops, add bus route information and the schedule of each bus that services the stop. [Status: in progress]
    • Add transit route maps at transit stops with shelters. [Status: in progress]
  3. Upgrade transit stops with waste bins, benches and bicycle racks:
    • Continue to leverage sponsorship opportunities to add waste bins, benches and bicycle racks at transit stops. Ensure furnishings do not obstruct clear paths of travel on municipal sidewalk zones. [Status: in progress]
  4. Upgrade transit stop signage:
    • Explore upgrades to transit stop signage, such as unique shape, size, colour and layout. [Status: not started]
  5. Match Community bus hours with conventional transit service:
    • Phase in extended hours of service for community bus routes. [Status: not started]
    • increase frequency on route 23 "Red". [Status: not started]
  6. Improve accessible transit reservation system:
    • Add a communication tool for riders of all abilities to independently make a reservation (online and mobile trip booking app) by January 2025. [Status: in progress]
  7. Improve availability of Peterborough Accessible Community Transit service (PACT vans):
    • Continue to encourage PACT users to ride conventional transit on days they are able to. Promote conventional transit at events and implement a travel training program. [Status: promoted conventional service at the 2024 Capable Con event]
    • Add one additional PACT van to the service by June 2026. [Status: not started]
    • Increase the number of PACT vans in service during peak service hours. [Status: not started]
    • Continue to increase staffing levels. [Status: in progress]
    • Order newer style vehicles with different accessibility options to allow more flexibility on how vehicles can be used across the range of transit services. [Status: not started]
    • Explore options for a dedicated peak-hour shared PACT route to support customers with recurring rides to popular programming in the community. [Status: not started]

Streets and Intersection Priorities

  1. Continue to expand the number of mid-block pedestrian crossing facilities, where appropriate. Projects:
    • Rotary Trail Crossing at Hunter St E [Status: procuring contractor to complete construction]
    • Maria St at Rogers Cove [Status: design work in progress]
    • Spillsbury at Valleymore Park [Status: in progress]
  2. Increase the number of accessible pedestrian signals at existing signalized intersections and include at new signalized intersections. Projects:
    • Armour/Hunter intersection [Status: in progress] 
  3. Optimize operation of pedestrian signals at signalized intersections:
    • Expand the number of pedestrian signals that automatically activate with traffic signals. [Status: not started] 
    • Explore opportunities to coordinate upgrades with the traffic signal controller replacement program and the smart traffic signal program. [Status: not started] 
  4. Address vehicle speeding to improve safety for pedestrians with disabilities:
    • Implement a Road Safety Strategy (safe school zones, safe neighbourhoods, safety for vulnerable users, safe corridors and safe intersections) [Status: in progress]
    • Collaborate with Peterborough Police on targeted speed enforcement. [Status: in progress]
    • Continue to add enhanced crosswalk markings at street intersections. [Status: ongoing]
    • Continue to implement traffic calming measures, where appropriate. [Status: in progress]
    • Pilot a red-light camera enforcement system and/or automated speed enforcement program. [Status: not started]
    • Continue to implement the City's Urban Design Guidelines for new development and redevelopment projects. [Status: ongoing]

Park Priorities

  1. Add walkway networks to parks. Incorporate walkways and/or multi-use paths into new park rejuvenation projects, including sports field projects. Connect walkways to the municipal sidewalk network and all site amenities. (i.e., accessible benches, tables, shade features). Projects:
    • Willowcreek Subdivision Park, new park. [Status: in progress]
    • Bonnerworth Park redevelopment. [Status: design development, prequalifying contractors]
    • Knights of Columbus Park redevelopment). [Status: design development, prequalifying contractors]
    • Earlwood Park rejuvenation. [Status: complete]
    • Dominion Park rejuvenation. [Status: concept design in progress]
    • Denne Park rejuvenation. [Status: concept design in progress]
    • Morrow Park improvements. [Status: not started]
    • Riverside Park and East City Bowl rejuvenation. [Status: not started]
    • Eastgate Memorial Park, connect Eastgate fields 3 and 4 in Walker Park to the Eastgate parking lot. [Status: not started]
    • Ashburnham Memorial Park, connect Heritage Pavilion to the walkway network. [Status: not started]
    • Valleymore Park Splash Pad. [procuring contractor]
  2. Add accessible site features and play equipment to parks:
    • Implement the park development standards of the 2019 Municipal Parks and Open Space Study and Urban Design Guidelines into newly developed parks and park rejuvenation projects, where possible. Include pedestrian scale lighting, accessible site furnishings, such as seating with arm rests and back rests and walkway connections to waste/recycling bins. [Status: in progress]
    • Include accessible play features into park rejuvenation projects, such as adaptive swings, tactile elements and ramps to elevated play features. [Status: in progress]
  3. Provide enhanced ground surfaces at playgrounds:
    • Plan for a showcase accessible playground at a regional or community park. [Status: not started]
    • Continue to upgrade existing playground sand surfacing to a higher quality surface, such as engineered wood fiber. [Status: in progress]
  4. Modernize public washroom facilities at regional and community parks:
    • Construct new washroom building at Jackson Park. [Status: not started]
    • Construct new washroom building at Knights of Columbus Park. [Status: not started]
    • Renovate the Eastgate washroom building. [Status: design in progress]

Employment Priorities

  1. Help job seekers with disabilities feel welcome to work for the City:
    • Increase use of social media to promote inclusive recruitment and employment at the City of Peterborough, including a recruitment series using images of employees with disabilities. [Status: in progress]
  2. Help working-age adults with developmental disabilities obtain work experience:
    • Explore opportunities with local secondary schools and alternative learning educational institutes to provide cooperative education (co-op) opportunities for students with disabilities. [Status: not started]
  3. Help qualified job seekers with disabilities find meaningful work:
    • Explore opportunities with networks that specialize in accessible employment, such as the Ontario Disability Employment Network and Discover Ability Network, to connect qualified job seekers with disabilities to job opportunities at the City of Peterborough. [Status: not started]
  4. Strive to make the interview process fair for people with various types of disabilities:
    • Monitor best practices and explore opportunities to minimize barriers for job candidates with disabilities during the interview process. [Status: in progress]
  5. Demonstrate the City is committed to meeting the needs of employees with disabilities:
    • Annually promote the individualized accommodation plan process to employees. [Status: in progress]
    • Explore opportunities within existing processes and resources, such as the performance review process and Divisional newsletters. [Status: in progress]
  6. Improve walkway connections from City sidewalk infrastructure to employment lands:
    • Implement policies of the Official Plan and Urban Design Guidelines to create barrier-free walkway infrastructure to new employment uses. Implement through the new development and redevelopment application processes. [Status: Accessibility staff and the Accessibility Advisory Committee review all site plan related development applications]

Contact Us

City Hall
500 George St. N.
Peterborough, ON
K9H 3R9

Phone: 705-742-7777
Toll Free: 1-855-738-3755
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