Part 2: Access the County Project Endorsed, Business Outreach Expands, and Accessibility Tools Advance — 08/22/2023

This section shifts from the overview of the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting to a closer look at how the discussion unfolded at the committee table, focusing on who presented key ideas, how members responded, and how decisions were ultimately made through motions and direction. The conversation centered on advancing the Access the County project, along with the practical steps needed to support local businesses in understanding and meeting accessibility requirements.

Scott Wallace presented the Access the County project, explaining how it connects AODA requirements, the realities faced by small businesses, and the County’s Accessibility Action Plan. He emphasized that the initiative is focused on education and long-term cultural change rather than short-term compliance checks or enforcement.

Following the presentation, the committee voted unanimously to receive it, formally endorse the project, and direct that the work continue even if provincial grant funding is not approved. This direction confirms that the initiative will proceed regardless of external funding timelines, allowing planning and outreach efforts to move forward without delay.

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Business outreach and partnerships

Caroline Reese, serving as the committee’s Business Liaison, provided an update on outreach efforts with Visit the County, the Picton BIA, and the Chamber of Commerce. She reported that while businesses are generally interested in improving accessibility, many remain uncertain about responsibility, particularly in leased commercial spaces. She also noted that tourism organizations have broad reach and could play a role in gathering accessibility-related data through existing survey tools. The committee supported continuing this outreach and directed Reese to explore whether the Chamber of Commerce would be interested in co-leading a business working group, with a request to report back at a future meeting. This approach signals a shift toward embedding accessibility discussions directly within established business networks.

Youth involvement and representation

Reese also highlighted the importance of including youth perspectives in the project, particularly through connections with local learning and employment programs. Committee members supported this direction, recognizing that early engagement can help build long-term awareness and understanding of accessibility in workplaces and community spaces. Incorporating youth voices was viewed as a way to strengthen the project’s long-term impact and ensure that accessibility considerations continue to evolve alongside future workforce participation.

Surveys and data collection

Julianne, Jen, and other committee members discussed how to gather meaningful data on accessibility across local businesses, focusing on the use of the Visit the County fall business survey rather than introducing a separate tool. A motion was passed directing staff and the Business Liaison to clarify the survey’s purpose and audience, and to develop targeted questions related to AODA compliance. This approach is intended to collect information on accessibility gaps in a way that is familiar to businesses and avoids creating additional reporting burdens.

Employment and disclosure concerns

Councillor Kate MacNaughton raised questions about how the project would measure increased employment opportunities for people with disabilities, noting ongoing concerns about reluctance to disclose disabilities in the workplace.

In response, staff explained that this metric is based on employer self-reported intent, as defined within provincial guidelines. The discussion acknowledged that employment accessibility involves not only physical accommodations but also workplace culture and perceptions around disclosure.

Resources and fact sheets

The committee approved the Accessibility Fact Sheet for use in business outreach and for referral to Council. The document is intended to provide clear and straightforward information on accessibility requirements and available supports, helping businesses better understand their obligations without overwhelming them with technical detail. This resource will serve as a foundational tool in upcoming outreach efforts.

AODA walkthrough concept

The committee also discussed a conceptual AODA walkthrough or mystery shopper approach, including considerations related to training, timing, and potential attitudinal barriers. Members agreed that the concept requires further development and broader input before moving forward, and the item was deferred to a future meeting. This decision allows additional time to refine the approach and ensure it aligns with the project’s overall focus on education and support.

What this means for residents and businesses

Across these discussions, the committee’s direction indicates that accessibility efforts in Prince Edward County will continue to focus on guidance, collaboration, and gradual improvement rather than enforcement.

Businesses can expect increased support through outreach, resources, and partnerships that are designed to clarify responsibilities and reduce uncertainty, while residents with disabilities may see more consistent consideration of accessibility in local services and workplaces over time.

At the same time, the emphasis on data collection, youth involvement, and ongoing planning suggests that this work will develop in stages, with further updates and refinements expected as the project progresses.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 1:31:37. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.