National Accessibility Week
On this page
- What is National AccessAbility Week?
- 2024-2028 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
- Main page for Accessibility at Norfolk County
What is National AccessAbility Week?
National AccessAbility Week is an opportunity to:
- celebrate the valuable contributions and leadership of Canadians with disabilities
- highlight the work of people, organizations and communities that are removing barriers
- reflect on ongoing efforts to become a better, more accessible, more inclusive Canada
This year, National AccessAbility Week will occur from May 26 to June 1, 2024.
2024-2028 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
The 2024-2028 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, as approved by Norfolk County Council in March, outlines various strategies, goals, and initiatives to enhance access levels across the County. Consultations with individuals with disabilities, key community stakeholders, and members of the Norfolk County Accessibility Advisory Committee have shaped this plan’s development. This plan provides the most comprehensive and effective approach to addressing accessibility barriers and fostering an inclusive environment in Norfolk.
According to the most recent findings from the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD), 27% of Canadians aged 15 years and older, or roughly 8 million people, had one or more disabilities that limited them in their daily activities.
The rate of disability in Canada has increased by five percentage points since 2017, when 22% of Canadians, or 6.2 million people, had one or more disabilities. As per Employment and Social Development Canada, this increase can be partially attributed to both the aging population and the significant increase in mental health-related disabilities among youth and working-age adults.
Norfolk’s evolving population requires the County to adapt to meet the needs of all residents, including those with disabilities. To support the growing and aging population, especially those with disabilities, it is crucial to ensure that they can age in place in their homes and neighbourhoods and are engaged in local communities and economies. Creating healthy, active, and inclusive communities is essential, and planning toward an enabling environment for people with disabilities is the best guarantee of improved outcomes for everyone, including those with disabilities.
