You are invited to a FREE Accessibility Workshop!

Our main streets have a variety of accessibility barriers that prevent customers and community members with disabilities from accessing all the spaces they need and want. The Ontario BIA Association (OBIAA) is hosting community conversations around the province to identify main street and public space accessibility barriers and solutions.

This forum will inform the development of a new handbook that aims to assist BIAs, businesses, property owners and local governments to tackle these built environment accessibility barriers together. Common main street and public space barriers will be identified and practical and applied solutions offered.

Who should attend this session?  

• Local and neighbouring BIA board members and staff
• Business and Property owners
• Community members with various accessibility needs
• Municipal staff and Councillors
• Accessibility Advisory Committee members
• Staff and clients of disability organizations
• Other accessibility advocates.

Know someone who fits this description?  Please share this invitation with them.

This location is accessible and food and refreshments will be provided.

Why are we holding this forum?

Accessible main streets and public spaces are vital for our community health and well-being. As our population ages (there are now more people over the age of 65 than under 14), the number of individuals with disabilities is rapidly increasing.

Disabilities are not always permanent, nor mostly mobility related. Some disabilities are temporary, while others intermittent or progressive, and most of us are likely to have had at least one of these at some point in our life. More than 71% of disabilities are “invisible” and only 2% of people with disabilities use a scooter or wheelchair to get around. How much do you know about the barriers experienced by people with invisible disabilities and what we can do to remove those obstacles?

In order for people to age in place (not have to move to a more accessible community) and for all residents to be part of daily life activities (shopping, working, participating in local events, meet friends for dinner, etc.), we need to ensure that accessibility barriers are addressed. Some barriers will be easier to tackle than others but we first need to identify them before we can determine how, and when, to remove and prevent them.