Welcome to the Website of the
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
The Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) first met in January 2004, and remains an active advisory group. It was set up under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) to provide vision and direction towards the removal of barriers across the municipalities of Waterloo Region.
The ODA was made law on September 30, 2002 and affects the public sector. It purpose was to improve opportunities for people with disabilities and provide for their involvement in the identification, removal, and prevention of barriers to full participation in the life of the province. To view a copy of the ODA, 2001 click here. The Province of Ontario has also adopted the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. It is commonly referred to as the AODA and affects both the public and private sectors. To view a copy of the AODA, click here. The ODA will eventually be repealed when all of the regulations under the newer AODA are in place.
Who is GRAAC and what does it do?
The Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) was created following the ODA, 2001 and is a committee that provides advice to local municipal councils about the identification, prevention and removal of municipal barriers to full citizenship for persons with disabilities. GRAAC advises the Councils of the Region of Waterloo, the City of Kitchener, the City of Waterloo, the Township of North Dumfries, the Township of Wellesley and the Township of Woolwich.