We are committed to meeting the needs of our growing community and providing accessible programs, services and resources to all of our residents.

Below you will find information on accessible City facilities and services, external resources, quick links, and helpful tools to navigate the website.

Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
As one of the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 (AODA), the City of Pickering prepares a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. This Plan sets out the steps the City will take to:
  • work toward removing existing barriers for persons with disabilities
  • plan for the prevention of new barriers, and 
  • achieve compliance with the AODA regulations

Each year, the City prepares a report which provides information about the progress that has been achieved towards meeting the goals of the Plan.

Annual Reports to Council

Accessibility Policies

By-laws
  • keep parks safe and enjoyable for all – view the Parks By-law
  • see our Property Standards By-law for standards on maintenance and occupancy of property within Pickering
  • see our Traffic & Parking By-law for information on traffic and parking on highways, private property and municipal property within Pickering

Communications
Language Translation Line

Our language translation line gives you access to an on-demand interpreter for over 100 languages, during regular business hours. Contact our Customer Care Centre for more information.

 

Language Resources

As part of our ongoing customer service delivery commitment, we are pleased to provide you with our staff Language Resource listing. This resource is available for City services only.

 

Live Chat

Our friendly Customer Care staff are available to live chat with you during business hours. Connect with them at pickering.ca/customercare, Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

 

Bell Relay Service

City staff are pleased to assist our customers using the Bell Relay Service which allows deaf, deafened and hard of hearing customers or those with speech disabilities to communicate with hearing persons or non-TTY users by phone. To connect with a Bell Relay Service Operator, call 1.800.855.0511.

 

BrowseAloud

Our website has been speech enabled with BrowseAloud. BrowseAloud is a software program that reads aloud all website content and is free to users. Visit our BrowseAloud page for more information.

 

Hearing Instruments available at public meetings

There are 3 Assistive Listening Devices available for use during meetings and events in the Council Chambers. The units are easy to use and will amplify the volume of the speakers in the chambers.

 

Translation

Various City employees speak a number of languages and are able to assist with translation for citizens who speak a language other than English.  Our website can be translated into 10 languages using the Google Translate tool.

 

Print Material

The City will provide any document produced by the City in an alternate format upon request unless it is not technically feasible to do so and subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Alternate formats can include, but are not limited to, web access, large print versions of the document or a text only electronic file which can then be read by a computer or printed in Braille. The BrowseAloud feature is also available on our website.

Requests for information in alternate formats should be sent to the Customer Care Centre. We will make every effort to provide the information in the preferred format as soon as reasonably possible.

 

Facility Equipment
Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex Pool

1867 Valley Farm Road, Pickering

  • steps with non-slip treads as well as railings that allow children and adults to comfortably and safely enter the pool
  • a deck mounted chair lift that assists entry into the pool for those in wheelchairs or who are unable to use the traditional ladders (can accommodate up to 400 lbs)
  • all programs are fully integrated to include those with special needs
  • aquafit classes for people with medical needs, arthritis, etc.
  • change rooms have accessible showers

 

East Shore Community Centre

910 Liverpool Road South, Pickering

  • equipped with an electronic lift for easy navigation throughout the building
  • internal stair lift for wheelchairs to have full access to the building from within
  • ramps are incorporated into both main entrances
  • accessible washrooms

 

Don Beer Arena
  • sliding doors at both entrances
  • ramps
  • automatic doors
  • accessible washroom stalls with railings
  • elevator for easy access to banquet hall
  • designated area for viewing

 

George Ashe Community Centre

470 Kingston Road, Pickering

  • wheelchair accessible washrooms for both male and female
  • customer care counter at wheelchair accessible level
  • automatic doors to access the entrances to the building
  • dedicated parking spaces and two ramps outside to get from the parking lot to the concrete to enter towards the front doors

Contact us for more information, or assistance with facility equipment:

Community Services
T. 905.683.6582 or 905.420.4621
Toll Free: 1.866.683.2760 
F. 905.831.9370
communityservices@pickering.ca

Highlights

LazyLegzCongratulations to all who worked on, and participated in, our 2017 Canada 150 Youth Forum. The City won a 2017 Municipal Accessibility Award from OMSSA for its efforts in accessibility and inclusion throughout the design and execution of the event.

Activities included wheelchair basketball, sledge hockey (in partnership with the Whitby Abilities Centre), break dancing, and more.

Watch the video footage on YouTube.

Site Plan Review

Pickering's Accessibility Advisory Committee reviews each and every site plan that is approved by the City Development Department to ensure that proposed site plans are accessible for all citizens.

Contact City Development for more information.

Website

The City of Pickering is committed to meeting the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards set by the Ontario government by developing the City's website to WCAG 2.0 AA standards.

If you use assistive technology and the format of any content on this website interferes with your ability to access the information, please contact our Customer Care Centre by email or by phone at 905.683.7575 and we will make every effort to provide you with a format that is accessible to you.

Accessibility Compliance Reports

2021 Accessibility Compliance Report

2019 Accessibility Compliance Report

2017 Accessibility Compliance Report

External Resources

 

Affordable Housing

Affordable rental housing is available in Durham Region through private landlords, social housing and affordable housing providers. Visit the Region of Durham website for details.

 

Emergency Housing 

The Region of Durham provides support to households who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless through a number of community partners. View shelter information on the Region of Durham website.

Quick Links

We appreciate your feedback! Please submit a feedback form if you have any suggestions as to how we can enhance our service delivery.

Question or Concern? For any questions, concerns or service requests, send us a Service Request.