Barrier Free Resource Centre

Article Index

Welcome to the Town of Middleton’s Barrier Free Resource Centre

On this page you can find:

Steps that Council has taken to promote accessibility,
Resources for individuals, community groups and businesses interested in increasing their accessibility, and
Links to advocacy and service organizations

An Accessible Town

The Town of Middleton is committed to improving access to services, community facilities and businesses. This Web resource is one way we are working on creating a barrier free place to live, work, and play. Some other examples are:

The Town offers a rebate on building permits for renovations that include barrier free features.
Town Hall and Council Chambers comply with the national building code standards for barrier free design.
Council has adopted an accessible parking policy for the Downtown Area.
Council has put in place policies to ensure that no person is unfairly discriminated against when applying for employment with the town.
The Planning Service Public Advisory Panel is considering revising the Municipal Planning Strategy to include Accessibility.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON CODE G - PLANNING
Subject: Accessibility Rebate	Number: 2.2
Coverage: Staff & Public	Approved by: ADPC, Council, & CAO
Effective Date : February 5, 2007	Revision Date:

Rationale

The following policy outlines the provision of a rebate of a portion of building permit fees for renovations of existing commercial property that include barrier free design features, to encourage development that is accessible to all.

Definitions

In this policy ‘barrier free design’ means a design feature that provides access to a building to a person with a disability who would not otherwise have access to the building. For greater certainty such features include, but are not limited to: Barrier free parking spaces, ramps, lifts and elevators, automated doors, barrier free washrooms, and way-finding cues.

Policy Statement

1.0) Eligibility

1.1) To be eligible for a rebate the developer must be seeking a permit for a project that:

a) is in the town limits;

b) is a non-residential use;

c) is a renovation of an existing structure;

d) Includes at least one barrier free feature that improves access to the development for a person with a disability.

2.0) Procedure

2.1) When applying for a building permit, the applicant must include the estimated cost of all barrier free features in their application.

2.2) The rebate shall be issued after construction is completed and the building inspector is satisfied that the construction meets the barrier free design standards of the National Building Code.

3.0) Rebate

3.1) For renovations where the value of construction of barrier free design features makes up at least 75% of the total construction value for the project, the entire building permit fee shall be rebated.

3.2) For renovations where the cost of the barrier free design features make up less than 75% of the total project cost, the portion of the building permit fee associated with the barrier free features shall be rebated (e.g. for a $20,000 renovation that includes an estimated $5,000 for barrier free features, $20 of the $95 fee shall be rebated).

3.3) Building permit rebates do not include the $15 development permit fee applicable to all permits.

References

National Research Council of Canada - National Building Code of Canada

Town of Middleton - Policy G.2.1. Fees - ADPC

Certification

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that this policy was duly
passed by a majority vote of the whole Council
at a duly called Council meeting held on the 5^th
day of February, 2007.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON
CODE G - PLANNING

Subject: Accessible Parking

Number: 3.1

Coverage: Staff & Public

Approved by: ADPC, Council, & CAO

Effective Date : February 5, 2007

Revision Date:

Rationale

The following policy establishes guidelines for the provision and maintenance of barrier-free parking spaces in town to help ensure persons with disabilities have access to the same services as able-bodied persons.

Policy Statement