In cooperation with its partners in developing the action plan, Gatineau has identified several steps that have to be taken over the next few years as it moves towards universal access. In order to target and focus these steps, eight intervention axes have been defined, each with specific objectives.

• Framework
• Action Plan 2012 (in French only)
• Main realisations in 2010 (in French only)

For a fifth consecutive year, the local initiatives program has earmarked $50,000 for integration projects.

• Programme de soutien 2013 (in French only)
• Formulaire de demande de soutien 2013 : initiatives de milieu pour personnes handicapées et à mobilité réduite (in French only)

Relevant documents

• Accessible housing – Residential adaptation assistance programs
• Gatineau, an inclusive city
• Stationnements aménagés pour les personnes handicapées (13 MB, in French only)
• Avertissement de courtoisie distribué aux véhicules stationnés dans un espace réservé aux personnes handicapées (in French only)
• Guide pratique – Accessibilité universelle aux événements spéciaux (in French only)

The municipal administration

Gatineau is opening its doors to people with disabilities and those with reduced mobility in the municipal administration. It wants every individual within the municipal administration to be able to fulfil themselves through work, the symbol of autonomy and validation.

Communication

Gatineau is committed to using different means of communication to ensure that all residents can have access to municipal information. Gatineau also aims to continually improve accessibility to its Web site for people with disabilities, and intends to carry out these improvements gradually. To this end, several Priority 1 and 2 checkpoints recommended by the Web Accessibility Initiative have already been implemented:

• Navigation and presentation mechanisms are used in a consistent manner throughout the site;
  
  
• Header elements (H1, H2 tags, etc.) make the document structure easier to understand;
  
  
• The main blocks of information are divided in order to make viewing easier;
  
  
• Clear and simple language is used;
  
  
• The destination of each hyperlink is clearly indicated;
  
  
• Relative size fonts allow for easier text enlargement;
  
  
• A CSS style sheet guarantees uniform presentation on the site, but the pages can still be read if the style sheet is deactivated;
  
  
• Most non-text elements (images, symbols, etc.) have a text equivalent (ALT tag);
  
  
• Contrasting colours are used for background and text;
  
  
• All information conveyed by colour is also available without colour;
  
  
• The screen does not blink or move, and pages are not redisplayed unless activated by the user;
  
  
• A site map is provided.

Most of the content of the Web site, therefore, is accessible to users who navigate with Lynx and JAWS, browsers commonly used by people with visual disabilities.

Buildings

Recognizing the scope of the work that lies ahead in terms of refitting all buildings to ensure access to people with disabilities and those with reduced mobility so that they can move around in them and take advantage of all of the services offered, Gatineau is committed to start by reducing the obstacles to access in municipal, public and commercial buildings.

Housing

To meet the housing needs of people with disabilities and those with reduced mobility, Gatineau is promoting access to housing while ensuring that every one of them will get adapted housing or housing that will be able to meet their needs.

Recreation, culture and tourism

Development measures and strategies will be introduced to encourage participation and facilitate integration by people with disabilities and those with reduced mobility into recreational activities and cultural, festive and tourism events. In addition, Gatineau will adapt its offer of municipal services to promote their integration.

• Programme d'accompagnement des enfants handicapés pour les camps de jour (in French only)

Safety

In order to increase the sense of safety of people with disabilities and those with reduced mobility, Gatineau is continuing its efforts to ensure their safety in emergency situations, as well as in the urban environment.

Urban environment

After taking into consideration the special needs of people with disabilities and those with reduced mobility, a number of parking measures and signs have been introduced to increase their safety. Among the measures taken to reduce obstacles, Gatineau is improving access to reserved parking, the use of sidewalks and street furniture, and signage in different places around the city.

Public transit

Given the ageing population, Gatineau, in collaboration with the Société de transport de l'Outaouais, is taking the necessary steps to facilitate and encourage the use of public transit for people with disabilities and those with reduced mobility.