Markham is committed to ensuring that all residents have full and equal access to its facilities, services and information.
Accessibility makes it possible for people with all levels of ability to take advantage of everything Markham has to offer. Our goal is to reduce barriers to as many people as possible in the physical environment, customer service and communications. This includes new multilingual services and assistive communication technologies. Learn more about Markham's accessibility initiatives.
2019 Accessibility Award Winners
On September 26th, the Markham Accessibility Awards and Community Recognition night took place at the Markham Civic Centre. The Markham Accessibility Awards recognize the outstanding contributions of businesses, public institutions and individuals who are champions for accessibility.
This year’s Markham Accessibility Awards went to:
Business and Not for Profit:
- Wayne’s Cup
- Special Kin Inspiration Program (SKIP)
- Unionville Milliken Soccer Club Special Olympics
- Steer Friends Day Program
Individuals:
- Andrea Haefele
- Tina Morra
- Anjali Vyas
- Alana Aird
- Liana Williams
- Kristen Hayes
- Dr. Faisel Saeed
- Jordyn Sunn
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners! Photos from the 2019 Markham Accessibility Awards and Community Recognition event may be found
here.
Markham is committed to ensuring that all residents have full and equal access to its facilities, services and information. Accessibility makes it possible for people with all levels of ability to take advantage of everything Markham has to offer.
In 2008, the Government of Ontario launched the accessible customer service standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Its goal is to ensure that people with disabilities get the same level of customer service as everyone else.
The law requires that all public and private sector organizations in Ontario, including the City of Markham, identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessible customer service.
Markham has conducted extensive training of its staff, volunteers and suppliers to meet or exceed the standards.
Take a moment to read more about how Markham is working toward access for everyone.
Visit the Government of Ontario website for more information.
In 2011, the City of Markham received recognition under the Excellence Canada - Ontario Accessibility Awards Program [PDF] for meeting and exceeding the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The City has reached out into the communities in which it serves to reinforce the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities. This has been accomplished by actively raising awareness about accessibility, implementing its own initiatives for all to benefit from, and inviting feedback to inform future planning and continuous improvement.
Every year on December 3rd, people around the world celebrate contributions of people with disabilities. First declared by the United Nations in 1992, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities draws attention to the many ways in which those with disabilities enrich our communities. The City of Markham proclaimed December 3 as the International Day of Disabled Persons, a day to raise awareness and endorse measures to improve the situation of persons with disabilities and provide equal opportunities.
Markham's Annual Accessibility Fair, presented by Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility, features local businesses and organizations that offer products and services to people with disabilities, seniors and residents who face barriers in their communities, and to their caregivers support persons. In 2013, the theme Move it! promoted an active and healthy lifestyle for people with disabilities through recreation and sports. In 2015, the Accessibility Fair was held at Markham's cutting edge PAN AM Centre, a host venue for Para Table Tennis at the 2015 Parapan Am Games.
In 2018, the Markham Accessibility Fair was held at Applefest. The cost of admission is $8 per person and includes all activities/rides found at Applefest. Free for children under 2 years of age.
Markham's Assisted Waste & Recycling Collection Service is a no-cost program that promotes independent living and reduces the risk of injury to those in need of physical assistance.
If you are a Markham resident unable to place your waste and recycling materials at the curb due to a temporary or permanent physical disability, and do not have someone living with you to assist, apply for Markham's Assisted Waste/Recycling Collection Service.
Alternate formats of City of Markham publications are available upon request. Contact 905.477.5530 or customerservice@markham.ca.
The City of Markham intends to be a leader in developing accessible environments for all, embracing the principles of universal design and recognizing diversity, barrier removal, provincial directions and changing demographics. Download our Accessibility Design Guidelines [PDF] to learn more.
The Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility advises Committee/Council on improving opportunities for persons with disabilities and reducing and/or eliminating accessibility barriers for all residents of the City of Markham.
In 2014, Current MACA co-chair Kristin Hayes was recognized at the 3rd Annual GTA Abilities Awards with the Citizenship Award.
Please contact our Contact Centre with questions.
History
The City continues to try to acknowledge the needs of diverse communities. Our Civic Centre Universal washrooms are large enough to have a mother and children in the space, equipped with change tables so any parent can change their child, with grab bars, emergency buttons and the required turning radius for wheelchair users. We have labelled the washroom to promote inclusion, the legislated accessibility icons and braille as well as a statement of “all genders welcome” to be inviting to trans communities.
