Accessibility Plan



Ontario Science Centre Multi-Year Accessibility Plan - 2022 Annual Status Report

As an Agency of the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Science Centre is committed to being an inclusive and engaging cultural attraction for all. We understand the importance of ensuring accessibility for our employees and the public we serve, and are committed to ensuring services are delivered in alignment with our Who We Are statement and the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA): dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.

The Ontario Science Centre released a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan for the period of 2020-2025. This plan aligned with commitments outlined in the previous multi-year accessibility plan and was developed in consultation with persons with disabilities and posted on our website. The Centre has maintained compliance with all legislated standards under AODA and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) on-site at our physical location and online through our virtual experiences. We continue to commit to:

  • Ensuring all hosted documents and videos on our WCAG 2.0 compliant website are accessible.
  • Designing marketing materials that meet AODA standards.
  • Prioritizing AODA considerations when consulting with external clients on the development of new exhibits and programs.
  • Fabricating new exhibitions that are fully accessible.
  • Reviewing admission booking processes to ensure they meet accessibility standards.
  • When necessary, posting public notice of disruption regarding facilities accessed by persons with disabilities.
  • Ensuring the spacing, signage and number of AODA parking spots in the parking lots comply with current regulations.
  • Maintaining ramps to allow for wheelchair access from the parking lots leading to the sidewalk and the workshop area.
  • Improving access with automatic door openers installed at multiple entrances.

In addition, we also committed to the following activities in 2022:

  • Ensuring all recreational program documents are compliant with WCAG 2.0 guidelines. Additionally, all recreational programs and experiences, both in-person and virtual, will include sensory experience warnings plus adaptation options for participants with special needs.
  • Updating of building exterior, including the installation of tactile plates in the concrete curbs for those with vision impairments and curb cuts to allow for wheelchair access. Concrete ramps were also painted yellow to highlight slope transition.
  • Updating of building interior to ensure accessibility, including lowering of sinks, hand dryers and toilets.
  • Customizing all team building activities and events to ensure a sensory-accommodative and accessible experience.
  • Modifying science tools and practices used in our education programs to allow for greater accessibility.
  • Consulting with teachers and caregivers prior to individual program delivery to ensure that accommodations are made to improve student participation.
  • Designing exhibit interfaces with large physical buttons wherever possible, providing a tactile alternative to touch screens for people with vision impairments. Additionally, all table-top exhibit experiences and passageways are wheelchair accessible, and more seating has been added to exhibit areas.

For a list of our accessibility policies and practices, please visit our Accessibility Page.

For general inquiries or to request an alternate format of this plan, please email accessibility@ontariosciencecentre.ca or call 416-696-1000 (toll free 1-888-696-1110).