ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

In January 2003, the mayor of the City of Clarence-Rockland, Mr. Jean-Pierre Pierre, in consultation with elected officials, officially formed an Accessibility Advisory Committee.

The mission of the Accessibility Advisory Committee is to advise the City of Clarence-Rockland in the development and implementation of an Accessibility Plan to meet the needs of all citizens of the City of Clarence-Rockland, which emphasis on citizens with disabilities.

The mandate of the Accessibility Advisory Committee is to develop an awareness and understanding of the issues and concerns of the citizens of the City of Clarence-Rockland with a disability, with a view to improving their quality of life.

The Accessibility Advisory Committee’s responsibilities are to:

• Provide a forum for persons with disabilities to raise issues and concerns;

• Provide advice and guidance to the City of Clarence-Rockland Council, through the clerk’s office, on matters pertaining to the City’s policies, practices and programs that impact persons with disabilities ;

• Conduct advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities;

• Provide feedback to Council on the effectiveness of the City’s policies and practices as they affect citizens with disabilities;

• Monitor and provide advice on the development and implementation of by-laws and regulations which have an impact on citizens with disabilities (e.g., parking, sidewalk ramping, obstructions on sidewalks, etc.) and work closely with City staff and/or City Council as appropriate;

• Raise issues and make recommendations regarding policies and programs that promote equal access to municipal services for citizens with disabilities;

• Coordinate the dissemination of information to persons with disabilities and the public at large regarding the Advisory Committee and any pertinent corporate decisions;

• Consult with the community, groups and organizations to capture and communicate emerging issues to City Council and the City administration;

• Raise the awareness of the citizens of the City of Clarence-Rockland and the public sector on issues impacting on persons with disabilities.