Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 7 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.
DI14.1received
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.
DI14.2received
Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy Consultation
Erwin Pascual, Manager, Solid Waste Policy and Planning, and Emily Marmoreo, Senior Project Manager, Solid Waste Policy and Planning will give a presentation on Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction Strategy Consultation. The purpose of this presentation is that staff are seeking to develop the next stage of the Single-Use and Takeaway Item (SUTI) Reduction Strategy and SUTI Bylaw. Currently the SUTI Bylaw includes requirements for retail businesses to reduce the amount of SUTI distributed. The next stage explores the potential to expand the Bylaw to event venues and events and additional reusable food container and beverage cup requirements.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee received the item for information.
DI14.3received
Rental Replacement: Vulnerable Tenants Project - Accessibility Feedback
Johanna Hashim, Senior Planner, and Christine Ono, Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives, Policy and Analysis, City Planning, will give a presentation on Rental Replacement: Vulnerable Tenants Project. The purpose of this presentation is for City staff to seek input from the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee on the current process for Tenants with Special Needs and opportunities for improvements. This feedback will be incorporated into a draft process and eligibility criteria that will be consulted on with key stakeholders in a second round of engagements in November.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee received the item for information.
DI14.4received
The Parkland Strategy and the Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan - Accessibility Feedback
Matt Bentley, Senior Project Manager, Danielle DeMarsh, Senior Project Manager and Paulo Fetalvero, Program Manager, Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan, Parks and Recreation will give a presentation on the Parkland Strategy and the Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan. The purpose of the presentation is to receive feedback that will inform new Parkland Strategy and Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan. The presentation includes an introduction to the strategies, how communities are being engaged, what we've heard, emerging directions and next steps.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee received the item for information.
DI14.5received
Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Encroachments on City Streets - Accessibility Considerations
Ryan O'Connor, Senior Project Manager, Transportation Services will give a presentation on Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Encroachments on City Streets - Accessibility Considerations. Transportation Services has developed new guidelines for hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) interventions, such as bollards, barriers, and other certified products, on City streets. These guidelines establish performance standards, placement criteria, and application requirements for private property owners seeking approval for HVM installations that encroach on the public right-of-way. This presentation will summarize the key requirements and design strategies that proponents must follow to ensure HVM measures do not compromise the design, function, maintenance, or accessibility of the right-of-way.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee received the item for information.
DI14.6adopted
Expanding the Diversity Youth Fellowship Program
The City of Toronto has demonstrated strong leadership in promoting equity and inclusion through initiatives such as the Indigenous, Black, and Muslim Youth Fellowships - programs that empower young people to engage directly in civic leadership and policymaking. Youth with disabilities would bring vital lived experience and insight into accessibility and inclusion within our city. Creating a Fellowship for Youth with Disabilities would extend the City's commitment to representation and accessibility by providing meaningful mentorship, professional development, and hands-on experience in municipal government. This program would help ensure that Toronto's future leaders include the voices and perspectives of people with disabilities, strengthening our collective work toward a truly inclusive city.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that: 1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, and the City Clerk to prepare a feasibility report with recommendations on establishing a part-time fellowship program for youth living with disabilities, including: a. potential program delivery partners; b. clear and collaborative processes for selecting Council members' offices; and c. a structured matching process to ensure quality work experiences that align with both the interests of the fellows and the needs of the Council members' offices; and to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee by the second quarter of 2026.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Jamaal Myers recommends that the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend that: 1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, and the City Clerk to prepare a feasibility report with recommendations on establishing a part-time fellowship program for youth living with disabilities, including: a. potential program delivery partners; b. clear and collaborative processes for selecting Council members' offices; and c. a structured matching process to ensure quality work experiences that align with both the interests of the fellows and the needs of the Council members' offices; and to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee by the second quarter of 2026.
DI14.7adopted
Creating More Accessible and Inclusive Events
Toronto is a vibrant city known for its festivals, cultural events, and community gatherings that bring residents together and celebrate our diversity. However, for many people with disabilities, participation in these events can be limited by barriers in physical spaces, communication, and program design. Ensuring that all Torontonians can fully engage in public life is essential to building an equitable and inclusive city. This motion calls on the City of Toronto to develop an Accessibility Handbook for Event Organizers - a practical resource to guide event organizer seeking to host events at City facilities that are welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities. The handbook would provide clear standards in plain and easy to understand language, best practices, and checklists to promote inclusive events and event spaces that meet or exceed accessibility requirements while not requiring the expenditure of significant additional funds. By equipping event organizers with the right tools and knowledge, the City can help foster environments where everyone, regardless of ability, can participate, contribute, and feel a genuine sense of belonging.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that : 1. City Council request the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with Social Development and Technology Services to develop an Accessibility and Inclusion Handbook for event organizers that can be presented to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee for feedback and input at its meeting on February 27, 2026. 2. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to provide a digital and an accessible PDF, hard copy or alternative format version of the Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Handbook to each organization that hosts an event on city property or at the request of any organization for their event.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Jamaal Myers recommends that the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend that: 1. City Council request the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with Social Development and Technology Services to develop an Accessibility and Inclusion Handbook for event organizers that can be presented to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee for feedback and input at its meeting on February 27, 2026. 2. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to provide a digital and an accessible PDF, hard copy or alternative format version of the Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Handbook to each organization that hosts an event on city property or at the request of any organization for their event.