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.