Mayor Ann Lawlor's September 2025 Message

HALTON HILLS, ON – As your Mayor, I believe that one of the most important roles of our municipal government is to create an environment where everyone can thrive. We are committed to ensuring that our residents have access to opportunities to learn, shop, earn a living, and play. At our last Council meeting, we received an important status report on our progress in improving the accessibility of Town services, including our facilities, programs, and communications.

Guided by provincial legislation, Halton Hills is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can access and benefit from the same goods, services, and facilities in an equitable way. We are continuously reviewing policies to remove barriers to employment and development opportunities within our municipality.

In our Transportation department, Town staff consult with the Accessibility Advisory Committee, the public, and persons with disabilities to determine the proportion of on-demand accessible taxicabs and the demand for specialized transit services. Currently, Halton Hills has 11 specialized transit vehicles (ActiVans) in its fleet, operating seven days a week. To assist people with visual impairments, we are installing bumpy tactile walking surface indicators on new sidewalks and curbs.

Our recreation programs are also designed with accessibility in mind. An accessible pool staircase was recently installed in the Acton indoor pool, and over 100 participant spots involved one-on-one personal support, providing equitable access to swim programs. We also offer Aquafit classes for adults with special needs. In 2024, we launched Champs Soccer and Champs Multi-Sport, recreational sports programs, and Friday activity nights for adults with exceptionalities.

The Rec Partner Program continues to offer free admission for support persons assisting individuals with their recreation experience, ensuring inclusive participation in recreation programs. A total of 167 one-on-one supports were provided across community programs, with the majority occurring in day camps. We also offer group exercise classes for individuals with balance and mobility challenges due to conditions such as stroke, MS, or acquired brain injury.

At the Library, we have introduced new items for borrowing, including scanning pens that read printed text aloud for new readers and companion pets to support people with dementia. We have also replaced the public catalogue computers with tablets on adjustable mounts to make finding library materials easier and more accessible.

We are proud of the progress we have made in making Halton Hills a more inclusive and accessible community. We will continue to work hard to ensure that everyone can enjoy all that our town has to offer.