Accessibility Survey

Pickering is renewing its Multi-Year Accessibility Plan for 2026 to 2030. Your input will help identify barriers, highlight opportunities, and guide our work to improve accessibility in City services, programs and facilities.

Participation is voluntary and responses are confidential. Results will be shared as non-identifiable summaries.

The survey is available in alternate formats or with communication support upon request. Contact Customer Care at customercare@pickering.ca or 905.683.7575.

For questions about the collection, use or disclosure of information, contact thiggins@pickering.ca.

About You

The purpose of this section is to understand demographic information about participants who complete this survey.

How are you connected to the City of Pickering? (Select all that apply)

Resident

Tourist/visitor

Business owner

City of Pickering employee

Worker in Pickering (employed by a business or organization located in Pickering)

I am part of an organization that provides programs, services or support to people with disabilities, or advocates on their behalf

Other (please specify)

What ward do you live in? View our interactive ward map

Ward 1

Ward 2

Ward 3

I am unsure

What is your age range?

Select option

Do you identify as a person with a disability?

Select option

Do you self-identify as a member of one or more of the following equity-deserving or historically underrepresented groups? (Select all that apply)

Indigenous Peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit)

Racialized individuals or members of a visible minority group

Women or gender minorities (e.g., non-binary, trans, Two-Spirit)

2SLGBTQIA+ individuals (sexual orientation and/or gender diversity)

I identify with another historically underrepresented or marginalized group not listed above

I do not identify as a member of an equity-deserving group

Prefer not to answer

Prefer to describe (Use the space below to describe):

Section 1: Accessible Customer Service

This includes services such as recreation, culture, administrative services, and library services.

Does anyone else in your household have a disability or accessibility needs?

Yes

Prefer not to say

If applicable, what type(s) of disability do you, or members of your household experience? (Select all that apply)

Mobility

Dexterity

Visual

Hearing

Cognitive

Physical health

Mental health

Speech/Language

Environmental sensitivity

Other (please specify)

In your experience, what is the City doing well in providing accessible customer service? Select all that apply.

Staff and volunteers are friendly, knowledgeable, communicative and flexible in responding to the needs of people with disabilities.

Pickering provides a variety of accessible programs and services.

City services foster dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities.

Helpful information is easily available and in preferred formats.

Service and support animals are welcomed.

Other (please specify)

What information and communication barriers do you, your family, friends or clients face?

Limited access to information in preferred formats (e.g., large print, audio, captioning …)

Difficulties navigating the website, phone lines, e-mail or bureaucracy

Inaccessible website content

Lack of sign language or multilingual support

Delays or lack of clarity in informational mailers (tax documents, public notices, events, etc.)

Insufficient/inadequate public engagement opportunities

Other (please specify)

10.

What customer service barriers do you, your family, friends or clients encounter with the City of Pickering?

Non-responsiveness to accommodate needs of people with disabilities.

Limited availability of accessible programs and services.

Difficulty with accessing services, program registration, completing forms, etc.

Inadequate information about accessible services, supports and programs.

Other (please specify)

11.

What could be done to improve accessible customer service in Pickering? What innovative ideas have you seen (in other municipalities, provinces, countries) that would help to make Pickering a leader in accessible customer service?)
Include as many ideas as you like.

Maximum 20,000 characters

0/20,000

Section 2: Accessible Information and Communications

This includes websites, digital tools, signage, printed materials, billing information, maps, charts and public events.

12.

In your experience, what is the City doing well in providing accessible information and communications?

Select all that apply.

Clear and accessible signage

Easy-to-navigate website

Accessible website content

Informative and up-to-date printed materials in preferred formats

Efficient and understandable mailers (public notices, tax bills, etc.)

Engaging public events and City outreach

Other (please specify)

13.

What could be done to improve the accessibility of Pickering’s information and communications? (What innovative ideas have you seen (in other municipalities, provinces, countries or businesses) that would help to make Pickering a leader in accessible information and communications?) Include as many ideas as you like.

Maximum 20,000 characters

0/20,000

Section 3: Accessible Employment and Volunteering

This includes applying for a job or volunteer role with the City, receiving accommodations during the recruitment process and supporting current employees and volunteers.

14.

In your experience, what is the City doing well in supporting accessible employment and volunteering?
Select all that apply.

Offering inclusive job and volunteer opportunities

Providing helpful accommodations for candidates and employees

Offering clear and accessible recruitment processes

Supporting inclusive employee/volunteer development and training

Promoting inclusive volunteerism and community involvement

Other (please specify)

15.

What barriers to employment or volunteering do you, your family, friends or clients face?

Limited job or volunteer opportunities for people with disabilities

Lack of information about recruitment processes and accommodations

Insufficient accommodations for people with disabilities

Inadequate training or support for staff and volunteers with disabilities

Limited career development opportunities for people with disabilities

Other (please specify)

16.

What could be done to improve the accessibility of employment and volunteering at the City of Pickering? (What innovative ideas have you seen (in other municipalities, provinces, countries or businesses) that would help to make Pickering an employer of choice for people with disabilities?) Include as many ideas as you like.

Maximum 20,000 characters

0/20,000

17.

Would you like to be contacted to participate in a focus group about accessibility in Pickering? If so, please provide your contact information below including your name, email address and/or phone number.

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

Section 4: Accessible Facilities, Public Spaces and the Built Environment

This includes recreation and community centres, library branches, administrative buildings, sidewalks, trails, multi-use pathways, roads, parks, playgrounds, beaches and other public spaces.

18.

In your experience, what is the City doing well in providing accessible facilities and public spaces?
Select all that apply.

Inclusive recreation and community centres

Accessible sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, pathways, trails, beaches, etc.

Safe and enjoyable parks and playgrounds for people of all abilities

Other (please specify)

19.

If you have experienced an accessibility barrier at a City facility or public space, please tell us the location.

Maximum 20,000 characters

0/20,000

20.

What barriers do you, your family, friends or clients encounter when using City facilities?

Limited accessibility in certain facilities (e.g., ramps, elevators, washrooms, automatic doors, etc.)

Insufficient sidewalk, pathway, trail or beach connectivity

Lack of shaded or rest areas in parks and public spaces

Limited cycling, walking, rolling infrastructure (wheelchairs, scooters, etc.)

Safety of sidewalks, trails, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, lighting etc.

Inadequate accessible parking

Insufficient accessible parking enforcement

Attitudinal barriers (These barriers often come from assumptions, stereotypes, lack of awareness or unconscious bias)

Other (please specify)

21.

What changes or improvements would help make Pickering’s public spaces more accessible? If you have seen effective or innovative approaches elsewhere, please share them. You may include as many ideas as you wish.

Maximum 20,000 characters

0/20,000

22.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with us about accessibility in Pickering?

Maximum 5,000 characters

0/5,000

23.

Participants in this survey are eligible to be entered in a draw for select prizes. If you would like to be entered into the draw, please provide your contact information below including your name, email address, and/or phone number.

Maximum 255 characters

0/255