Accessibility

The City of Pickering's 2026-2030 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is currently under development. Please have your say...

To provide input that helps identify barriers, highlight opportunities, and guide improvements to accessibility in City services, programs and facilities, please complete the survey here. 

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

Pickering Adopts Sunflower Symbol to Support Residents with Non-Visible Disabilities

The City of Pickering is proud to announce its participation in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, reinforcing its commitment to providing inclusive, safe, and welcoming spaces and services for all. Through this globally recognized program, individuals with hidden or non-visible disabilities can discreetly signal their need for support by wearing the Sunflower symbol, or if they prefer, seek out staff wearing Sunflower lanyards, which indicate that they have been trained in the program.

Learn more about the Sunflower Program

Below you will find information on accessible City facilities and services, as well as external resources.

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

The City of Pickering's 2026-2030 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is currently under development. Please have your say...

To provide input that helps identify barriers, highlight opportunities, and guide improvements to accessibility in City services, programs and facilities, please complete the survey here. 

Annual Reports to Council

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

What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) includes tools, strategies, and systems that support communication for individuals who may have difficulty speaking or being understood. 

AAC can include gestures, sign language, communication boards, picture symbols, speech generating devices, or communication apps.

It can be used to express needs, share ideas, participate in conversations, and build social connections. The best AAC system is tailored to the individual's strengths, preferences, and communication goals, and can be used across home, school, work, and community settings.

Who benefits using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?

AAC can benefit people of all ages with a variety of communication needs, including those with autism, cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, acquired brain injuries, stroke, or other conditions that affect speech and language skills.

Download a PDF version here and take it to the park!  

Tips for using AAC

  • Model without pressure or expectation.
  • Use full sentences and model keywords.
  • Start the interaction. Point to an image on the AAC board and make a comment. You can talk about what the child is doing, share a social greeting, request for an activity at the park.
  • Wait expectantly to give an opportunity for the individual to respond
  • If the individual responds back, respond right away! If they don’t that’s okay too.
  • Repeat

  • 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 page for information on traffic and parking on highways, private property and municipal property within Pickering

Language Translation Line

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

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.

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

Our website can be translated into multiple 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.

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.

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
  • mobile accessible stairs that can be used in multiple pool deck locations, with non-slip surface
  • a mobile accessible 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 swim programs are fully integrated to accommodate those with special needs
  • swim instructors are trained to support and develop lesson plans to assist swimmers in group, semi-private or private sessions
  • a range of aquafit classes provide participants with a variety of options based on their physical limitations. Some programs are specifically tailored to assist participants who suffer from physical ailments such as arthritis, surgical recovery, or those with a range of ages and abilities.
  • change rooms have accessible showers, expanded change stalls and change tables

East Shore Community Centre

910 Liverpool Road South, Pickering

  • equipped with an electronic lift for easy navigation throughout the building for wheelchairs
  • 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 in the stands for viewing on Pads 2 and 3. Pad 1 has viewable access area from the floor.

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 Community Services staff 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

Congratulations 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.

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.

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.

Note: The 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023 reports are filled-in PDF documents that are best viewed outside of a web browser. If selecting those report links results in a browser error message, please download the file(s) for review.

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? To report a concern or submit a service request, please use the Report an Issue form.

Contact Us

One The Esplanade
Pickering, Ontario
Canada L1V 6K7

905.683.7575

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