Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 8 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
DI11.1amended
Pedestrian Streets Policy and Guidelines Development - Accessibility Feedback
Ryan O'Connor, Senior Project Manager, Strategic Policy and Initiatives, Transportation Services will give a presentation on Pedestrian Streets Policy And Guidelines Development - Accessibility Feedback. Transportation Services is developing a new policy to guide the Division's approach to responding to opportunities to pedestrianize existing streets. This initiative will establish tools and direction for staff to determine the feasibility of pedestrianizing a particular street on a seasonal or permanent basis, as well as guidelines to ensure that the design, use, and ongoing maintenance of these pedestrian spaces align with existing City objectives and standards. This presentation will update Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee members on the progress made so far and provide an opportunity to offer input before the policy is finalized in late 2025.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that the Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommend that: 1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to conduct an analysis of alternative routes and detours with identification of accessible pick-up/drop-off areas in within 30 metres of the pedestrian zones to support people with disabilities who may require vehicular access, as part of the Pedestrian Streets Policy and Guidelines Development.
DI11.2received
Accessibility of Pedestrian Crossing Protection Device Reviews
Sheyda Saneinejad, Manager, Vision Zero Projects and Emily Dalphy, Senior Project Manager, Cycling and Pedestrian Projects, Transportation Services will be providing an update to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee and City Council in June 2025 on the ongoing development of Pedestrian Crossing Protection Guidelines to support the addition of Level 2 Pedestrian Crossovers (PXOs) and Intersection Pedestrian Signals (IPS, also known as Half Signals) to the pedestrian safety toolbox, as outlined in the previous November 2024 report to Council. In advance of reporting to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee and City Council, Transportation Services has been asked by Councillor Myers to present to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee (TAAC) to ensure that accessibility and needs of older adults are considered when traffic control signals are reviewed.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee received the item for information.
DI11.3received
Toronto Seniors’ Strategy Community Consultations
Leslie McCallum, Director, Seniors Services and Community Programs, Seniors Services and Long-Term Care will provide an update on the status of the community consultations it has undertaken to support the development of the third Toronto Seniors' Strategy. The presentation will outline the Division's engagement of disability communities and next steps.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee received the item for information.
DI11.4adopted
Accessibility and Snow Clearing
The City of Toronto's inadequate and excruciatingly slow snow removal process following February's major snowfall had a disproportionate impact on people with disabilities and left our streets and sidewalks impassable for far too long. For people with disabilities, this failure is not just an inconvenience-it is a barrier to mobility, independence, and safety. When sidewalks remain covered in snow and ice for days, wheelchair users, seniors with mobility challenges, and those who rely on assistive devices are effectively trapped in their homes. This issue extends beyond simple delays; it represents a serious failure to provide equitable access to public spaces. Toronto has made commitments to accessibility and inclusivity, yet every winter, the city's inability to clear snow promptly forces many residents into isolation. It is unacceptable that in a major metropolitan city, basic accessibility needs are continuously overlooked. A more efficient, proactive, and accountable snow removal strategy that prioritizes accessibility for all residents is needed. This includes ensuring sidewalks and curb cuts are cleared promptly, holding contractors to higher performance standards, and increasing oversight on snow removal operations.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that the Infrastructure and Environment Committee: 1. Request the Manager of Transportation Services and the head of Transportation Road Operations and Maintenance, along with any other relevant departments, to present to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee at its June 23, 2025 meeting, on what they plan to do about inadequate snow removal services and its impact to the disability community.
Staff recommendation as filed
That the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend the Executive Committee to: 1. Request the Manager of Transportation Services and the head of Transportation Road Operations and Maintenance, along with any other relevant departments, to present to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee at its June 23, 2025 meeting, on what they plan to do about inadequate snow removal services and its impact to the disability community.
DI11.5received
RapidTO - Dufferin and Bathurst
Philip Morse, Senior Project Manager, Transportation Services will provide an update on RapidTO at Dufferin and Bathurst. The City of Toronto and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) are looking at ways to enhance bus and streetcar reliability and improve travel times across Toronto through the implementation of transit priority solutions. In advance of FIFA World Cup 26 (FWC26), City Council directed staff to accelerate the feasibility study and design review for Dufferin and Bathurst Streets. The City and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) are proposing the installation of priority transit lanes on Dufferin and Bathurst Streets from Eglinton Avenue West to Lake Shore Boulevard West to help handle increased ridership during FWC26 and other events at Exhibition Place, improve transit reliability and travel time and allow for more efficient travel by transit and private vehicles.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee received the item for information.
DI11.6amended
Doug Bennet, Senior Project Manager, Client and Business Services, and Andrea Chow, Manager, Parks Operations Waterfront District, Parks and Recreation will give a presentation following directives from the Executive Committee Item 2025.EX20.16 - Water Taxi Accessibility. Key updates include designated ticketing and waiting areas for individuals with disabilities, improved boarding process, accessibility enhancements on ferries and island docks, and ongoing maintenance and improvements throughout the ferry season.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that the Executive Committee: 1. Request the Waterfront Secretariat, in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to present an update to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee at its September 8, 2025 meeting, on what they plan to do about inaccessible services offered by water taxi service companies such as; TikiTaxi, Toronto Harbour Water Taxi, and Pirate Taxi Toronto. 2. Request the General Manager, Parks and Recreation to provide a presentation to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee on plans to ensure persons with disabilities can access the sheltered areas on all Toronto Island ferries, including the open deck Ongiara.
DI11.7adopted
Rick Hansen Foundation Certification Program
The Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) program recently partnered with the City of Vancouver to build technical capacity, assess, and improve the accessibility of public buildings and spaces. Through this collaboration, several city-owned facilities - including community centres, libraries, and civic buildings - are being rated using the RHFAC methodology, which evaluates sites based on their meaningful access for people with varying disabilities. This partnership has helped Vancouver identify barriers, prioritize upgrades, and promote inclusive design across the city, aligning with its broader goals of becoming a more accessible and equitable community for everyone. A similar partnership in Toronto could have a transformative impact. By applying the RHFAC program across Toronto's vast network of public spaces, the city could more effectively collaborate to identify areas for improvement, set measurable accessibility goals, make data-driven investment decisions, and engage the community in building a more inclusive urban environment. This initiative would support Toronto's accessibility commitments, enhance the everyday experiences of residents and visitors with disabilities, and demonstrate leadership in inclusive city-building.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee: 1. Invited a representative from the Rick Hansen Foundation to present at the next Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee on June 23, 2025.
Staff recommendation as filed
That the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee: 1. Invite a representative from the Rick Hansen Foundation to present at the next Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee on June 23, 2025.
DI11.8received
Councillor Jamaal Myers, Chair, Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee will provide an update on recent initiatives and updates.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee received the item for information.