Throughout the City of Burlington, there are a number of programs and initiatives in place that already support the vision of Burlington as an age-friendly community.
Transportation
- Burlington provides an extensive system of trails for recreational use or as an age-friendly means of travel. These trails use natural spaces, parks, streets and utility corridors that span the city from east to west.
- Sidewalk snow clearing is available. Snow clearing inside and around bus shelters is a priority to ease mobility during inclement weather.
- Parks and Recreation are working in collaboration with the Burlington Cycling Committee promoting active transportation and recreational cycling through social bike rides and safe cycling workshops and events for Adults 55+
Transit
- Transit will continue to invite customer input using a variety of methods which accommodate differing communication needs to assist in the development of the Transit Strategy and route planning.
- Transit routes cover most areas of the City with higher frequency service available on key routes with strong connectivity to GO stations and mobility hubs.
- Transit communication is available in multiple formats. Voice annunciation is provided for bus stops as well.
- All Transit buses are accessible with the para-transit option available for those who require additional accommodation.
- Transit offers a discounted fare to riders ages 65 and older, and offers 'Presto' a reloadable pass that provides discounts from cash fares. In cooperation with the Region, the S.P.L.I.T (subsidized passes for low income transit) program available through Halton Region provides further assistance to those in financial need.
Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
During new construction, renovation or renewal, all city public spaces and facilities are designed to meet the requirements of the 2016 City of Burlington Accessibility Design Standards (ADS). These standards meet or exceed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The use of universal design principles ensures more accessible amenities for older adults such as street benches with arms and back rests.
- The City will continue to work with citizens on the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee who review accessibility requirements for new building construction, renovations and renewal projects.
- Developing new trail head signage will meet all AODA requirements and a plan will be developed to improve existing signage to increase ease of reading.
- Descriptions of accessibility features in parks and recreation facilities are made available on the Burlington website.
- Improvements to be made to existing park washrooms are in progress and include new accessible and universal washrooms planned for high use park sites.
- Continue to include public art into the urban landscape in order to stimulate imagination, discovery and social interaction and enhance the cultural vibrancy of the city.
Social Inclusion
Burlington provides a diverse range of recreation, culture and sport activities at a wide variety of locations that reflect generational interests and encourage personal development, learning and expression.
- Continue to increase opportunities for recreation participation by expanding services where possible into evening and weekend hours and balancing opportunities across the city and throughout the calendar year.
- Parks and Recreation will continue to offer a diversified program mix for older adults by working in collaboration with other community organizations and service providers.
- Burlington ensures access to recreation is supported by offering a spectrum of affordably priced services and offers fee assistance to those in need.
- Community life is enriched through festivals and events that draw together people of all ages, backgrounds and interests in an atmosphere of shared celebration. Continue supporting events that appeal to older adults such as Music in the Park.
- Parks and Recreation recognizes and encourages active and social participation by adults 90 years of age and over by offering honorary participation discounts to recreation programs.
- The city supports local service boards such as Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Art Gallery of Burlington, Museums, and Burlington Public Library as well as Joint Venture organizations such as community tennis, boating, lawn bowling, and curling clubs which provide services to older adults.
- Customer First service training for city staff and volunteers makes welcoming, responsive and professional service a quality standard and educates city staff on accessibility for all customers served in-person, by phone or through correspondence.
- Continual communication with the community invites input from older adults in a variety of ways. Biannual surveys and regular meetings with the residents of Burlington shape and improve the programs, outdoor and indoor recreation spaces, and the mix of recreation, sport and cultural services developed.
- Burlington brings neighbourhoods and those with like-minded interests together through community initiatives such as Love My Hood, the Neighbourhood Matching Fund, the Neighbourhood Rinks program and a variety of Community Gardens.
These initiatives foster a sense of belonging, community pride, security and personal fulfillment.
Civic Participation
- The City Clerks Department supports all citizen advisory committees by guiding work plans, meeting procedures and connecting committees to relevant city staff and initiatives. Older adults are represented on all citizen advisory committees and provide a unique lens on various issues and opportunities.
- The municipal election process includes in-person and internet voting to increase convenience and participation in the electoral process.
- The City has adopted a Community Engagement Charter that represents a commitment to inform and involve citizens in issues that affect their lives. It ensures that all perspectives of the community are carefully considered in order to support local government decision making and action. A Charter Action Team (ChAT) made up of citizen and city staff representatives is in place to ensure community engagement is part of everyday practice at the city.
- Resources and support are available to assist citizens who wish to address City Council and its Standing Committees including registration forms, presentation tips, procedural guides and feedback surveys.
- The City regularly provides opportunities for convenient public feedback on city policies, services and capital projects through online surveys on the City's "Have Your Say" web page.
- Significant contributions of volunteers who make a difference in the community are honoured at "Burlington's Best Awards". This annual event includes a category specifically recognizing the contribution of an outstanding older adult.
- The City of Burlington and affiliates like the Burlington Performing Arts Centre provide a wide range of volunteer opportunities for older adults to share their skills and expertise. These volunteer positions assist with customer service, administrative support, skills instruction, peer mentoring, leadership, compassionate support, and running social activities.
- Accessibility services for individuals with mobility, hearing and sight disabilities are available at city meetings to encourage full participation. Clear and plain language is used to communicate, and alternative formats to printed material are provided as needed.
- The Region of Halton's Older Adult Advisory Committee provides a platform for residents of all Halton communities to provide their perspectives and input into Regional policies, services and initiatives that impact older adults. This committee continues to have a Burlington representative actively involved.
Communications and Information
- The city follows the plain language and inclusivity guidelines found in Burlington's Community Engagement Charter and uses a variety of methods to reach all residents, including adults 55+.
- Information about city services, projects, meetings and engagement opportunities is available electronically including through the city's accessible website at www.burlington.ca. Alerts and updates regarding city programs and services are available by subscribing to www.burlington.ca/enews.
- Information about city services, projects, meetings and engagement opportunities will continue to be made available in paper formats such as City Update, a weekly section in the Burlington Post, and City Talk, a city magazine delivered to all Burlington households.
- The city will continue to use paper means to reach people who do not use or prefer not to use, technology. Information is available through a number of channels including posters, postcards, displays and advertisements. Plain language and text size are considered in all publications
- The city frequently shares information with residents through video. All city videos are captioned for those needing auditory accommodation.
- Members of Council engage with the community in a variety of ways. As an example, the Mayor hosts Burlington Matters on Cogeco, discussing topics of interest to residents. Council members host a variety community events and meetings and are also active on social media.
- The city provides community outreach at local events throughout the year and at locations such as hardware supply stores to help people with building permit information.
- Parks and Recreation provides the Live and Play activity guide in paper copy with larger font sizes in Adult 55+ sections.
- City employees participate in citizen advisory committees of particular interest to older adults such as the Seniors Advisory Committee, Inclusivity Advisory Committee, Accessibility Advisory Committee, and the Integrated Transit Advisory Committee.
- Both Halton 2-1-1 and 3-1-1 are click or call services that provide information on social, community and government services. Assistance is offered to customers needing service in another language. Both 2-1-1 and 3-1-1 services are actively promoted through City of Burlington customer service representatives and the distribution of publications and directories.