Accessibility

Accessing Lincoln

The Town of Lincoln strives to provide a barrier-free environment for our residents, job applicants, employees, suppliers, visitors, and all others who access our information, use our services and enter our buildings. It is important that you are comfortable and safe while visiting us and using our services. Not only do we strive to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards, but we hope to continue updating, and to exceed them in the future.

Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC)

The Town of Lincoln is a member of the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC) which is a partnership between 6 communities in Niagara:  Thorold, Pelham, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Lincoln, West Lincoln, and Grimsby.  Together with Council, we share a commitment to facilitate the identification and removal of barriers to people with disabilities promoting equal opportunities to our citizens of all abilities.

“Accessibility Matters Here” Campaign Recognizes Municipal Accessibility Champions

This campaign aims to highlight local businesses and organizations- or municipalities - that are exceeding expectations to make their spaces more inclusive and accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Accessibility Matters Campaign Nomination Form 

For more information on the “Accessibility Matters Here” campaign or to nominate a business or organization, please contact:

Donna Herrington
Accessibility Consultant
Email: donna@theherringtongroup.ca
Phone: 905-380-4782
facebook.com/JAACNiagara

Becoming accessible by:

  • Having an active Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee, wherein the majority of the members have a disability, and who offer diverse perspectives
  • Preparing accessibility plans, making them public, and consulting with people who are disabled in the process
  • Committing to help improve access to municipal elections by considering more accessible voting locations, as well as directly going to electors when necessary, to enable them to vote
  • Ensuring our website content meets the AODA standards, and to make everyone’s web experience easy and interactive
  • Enforcing new penalties for counterfeiting and misuse of Disabled Person Parking Permits 

Assisted Listening in Council Chambers

The Town of Lincoln offers an assisted listening system in Council Chambers to make meetings more accessible for people who are Deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing. The system streams meeting audio in real time directly to your smartphone, where you can listen through your own wired or Bluetooth headphones, or hearing aids and cochlear implants with Bluetooth connectivity.
 
There is no cost to use the service, and no need to sign out equipment — you use your own phone and headphones.
 

Before you arrive

 
  • Download the free Bettear app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android).
  • Bring your own headphones, earbuds, or Bluetooth-compatible hearing devices. Any headphones that work with your phone will work with the system.
We recommend installing the app before the meeting, but staff can help you get set up on-site if needed.
 

At the meeting

 
  • Open the Bettear app and tap "search for venue". The Council Chambers audio channel will appear automatically.
  • Tap the channel, join the network, and start listening. Plug in or pair your headphones, adjust the volume to a comfortable level, and you're set.

Need a hand?

Town staff are happy to help you get connected at any meeting, just ask a member of the Clerk's team. For questions in advance, contact clerks@lincoln.ca. 

 

Web Accessibility

Our website includes the necessary tools and software compatibilities to accommodate the abilities of all persons. We strive to give everyone the equal opportunity to browse, read, listen and learn on our website. Despite our best efforts, if you are having difficulty accessing information do not hesitate to contact us for help.