On June 13, 2005, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) received Royal Assent and is now law. The AODA required the provincial government to work with the community and the private and public sectors to jointly develop standards to be achieved within stages of five years or less, leading to an accessible Ontario in 20 years (2025).

The Corporation of the Town of Cobourg is committed to providing quality goods and services that are accessible to all persons that we serve and in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.

Read the Town of Cobourg's Accessible Customer Service Policy.

This policy is intended to provide the overreaching framework to guide the review and development of other policies, standards, procedures, by-laws and guidelines of the Town of Cobourg in order to comply with the standards developed under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) established by Ontario Regulation 191/11.

Read the Town of Cobourg's Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy.

One of the requirements that Municipalities must meet under AODA is to file a report every two years on the Municipalities level of compliance with the provincial accessibility standards. 

Read the Town of Cobourg Accessibility Report provided by the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario.

The Town of Cobourg Multi-Year Accessibility Plan provides the opportunity to demonstrate and establish an implementation framework and future priority initiatives for the Town of Cobourg and to demonstrate current achievements regarding accessibility.

This plan is intended to highlight measures that the Town of Cobourg will be implementing to ensure equal opportunity for all electors and candidates during the 2026 Municipal Election.

Read the 2026 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan 

This update provides an overview of the actions taken to improve accessibility in the Town of Cobourg in 2024 and outlines the progress made to achieve the objectives identified in our 2020-2025 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. This plan and report were made in conjunction with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Acts, 2005 (AODA).

2024 Accomplishments

A variety of steps were undertaken in 2024 to improve accessibility in the Town. Key accomplishments include:

• Downtown Accessibility: Snow clearing throughout the Downtown Business Improvement Area was undertaken, as well as work to ensure level interlocking brick on the sidewalks, contributing to the creation of an inclusive and accessible urban environment.
• National Accessibility Awareness Week (NAAW) and International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Social media campaigns shared accessibility information and engaged the community.
• Accessible Public Transportation
  • Staff attended a workshop for local employers to raise awareness about public transit options, and strides that have been made to increase the convenience of our public transit.
  • A pilot project was undertaken to test the feasibility of a Limited Fixed Route transit service, which provided accessible bus service to stops selected in consideration of ridership data, location popularity, accessibility, and community feedback.
• Capital Projects: Capital projects to enhance accessibility, included:
  • Council Meeting Chambers: Furniture and display upgrades, with a cost of $30,000, created a more accessible space for members of Council and Committees. The upgrades Include desks with an accessible seating range to accommodate those who may be using accessible devices, and improve accessibility and use of the space as a whole.
• Snow Removal Program Consideration: Options for a snow removal program supporting seniors and individuals living with disabilities were considered, and investigation is ongoing.

2025 Next Steps

The Accessibility Advisory Committee will continue to uphold duties mandated by the AODA, including advising Council on accessibility standards, reviewing site plans, and fulfilling other functions specified in the Regulations. In 2025, many of the next steps and initiatives from 2024 will continue in an ongoing manner.

• Accessible Taxicab Incentives: Explore options to encourage accessible taxicabs in the Town of Cobourg.
• Awareness Campaigns: Continue to use the National Accessibility Awareness Week and International Day of Persons with Disabilities campaigns to foster increased awareness and understanding.
• Continuous Consultation on Capital Projects: Continue to engage in consultations related to capital projects, including beach access, facility upgrades, new build proposals, and the Emergency Plan for the Town of Cobourg.
• Downtown Accessibility: Continue providing input on accessibility concerning the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), contributing to the creation of an inclusive and accessible urban environment.
• Policy Enhancements: Continue to revise existing policies, and create new policies and procedures, to incorporate inclusive language and reflect diverse needs.
• Implementation of Accessible Standards Guide: Implement the Town of Cobourg Accessible Standards Guide, integrating policies that support the incorporation of best practices in accessibility.
• Community Feedback Procedures: Continue to review and consider new procedures for feedback from the community on inclusivity and accessibility.
• 2026-2030 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan: The 2020-2025 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is set to conclude on December 31st, 2025. The Town of Cobourg will collaboratively develop the 2026-2030 Plan in consultation with the Accessibility Advisory Committee, people with disabilities, members of the public, and staff. This Plan will build upon the achievements of the previous period, serving as a roadmap for continued compliance with the AODA. The town is dedicated to actively removing barriers and enhancing accessibility for individuals with various disabilities, contributing to the creation of an inclusive and accessible community.

Here you will find annual update on the actions taken in 2023 to improve accessibility in the community and outlines the progress made in accordance with the 2020-2025 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. The goal of this plan is to make Cobourg a barrier-free community by the end of 2024. This plan and report were made in conjunction with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Acts, 2005 (AODA)

2023 Accomplishments
With the goal of creating an atmosphere both structurally and systemically that is truly accessible to all, improvements have been made in the following areas over the course of the 2023-2024 term:

• LEAD Completion: The implementation of LEAD has provided the Town of Cobourg with a comprehensive understanding of gaps in accessible and inclusive best practices. This assessment covers staff support, policies, and procedures.
• Strategic Planning: LEAD's insights will play a pivotal role in shaping the 2024-2028 Town of Cobourg Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, ensuring a strategic and proactive approach to accessibility.
• National Accessibility Awareness Week: The successful execution of a campaign and event during this week engaged the community in identifying accessible barriers using sponsored accessible devices from Motion Cares Peterborough.
• Community Grant Projects: Four community grant project submissions, totaling $167,000, were pursued. Notably, a $100,000 grant was approved for enhancing accessibility in Victoria Hall and Victoria Beach Washrooms. Another grant is pending approval for supporting an inclusive event guide and county-wide training program lead by the Town of Cobourg.
• Website Accessibility: Ongoing efforts to remediate the Town of Cobourg websites aim to provide both an accessible interface and the production of fully accessible documents.
• Highlighting Achievements: The Campground and Marina were highlighted in Summer 2023 for it’s accessible recreation services.
• Accessible Standards Guide: The initial draft of the Town of Cobourg Accessible Standards Guide has been created. This guide encompasses best practices in accessible document creation, building standards, and an inclusive event guide ensuring a comprehensive and integrated approach to accessibility.

Next Steps

• Expanded Awareness Campaigns: The town aims to amplify the National Accessibility Awareness Week (NAAW) and International Day of Persons with Disabilities campaigns, fostering increased awareness and understanding.
• Continuous Consultation on Capital Projects: Ongoing engagement in consultations related to capital projects, including beach access, town facility upgrades, new build proposals, and the Emergency Plan for the Town of Cobourg.
• Accessible Transit Education: Sustained efforts in accessible transit education, ensuring ongoing awareness and understanding within the community.
• Input on Downtown Accessibility: Providing input on accessibility concerning the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) and downtown sidewalks, contributing to the creation of an inclusive urban environment.
• Policy Enhancements: Revision of existing and new policies and procedures to incorporate inclusive language, fostering an environment that reflects diverse needs.
• Implementation of Accessible Standards Guide: The town will implement the Town of Cobourg Accessible Standards Guide, integrating policies that support the incorporation of best practices in accessibility.
• Community Feedback Procedures Revision: A comprehensive review and revision of community accessible feedback procedures to ensure inclusivity and responsiveness.
• Snow Removal Program Proposal: Proposing a snow removal program specifically designed for seniors and individuals living with disabilities, addressing unique accessibility challenges during winter at a reduced fee