Cochrane Five Year Strategic Plan | Page 20

Town of Cochrane Strategic Plan – Final Report October 2014 Of the 5430 residents of Cochrane in 2006, 660 people (12%) identified as being of Aboriginal identity21 (Figure 4.9). Cochrane has a significantly higher percentage (12%) of Aboriginal residents than the provincial averag e of 2%.22 Figure 4.9: Cochrane Aboriginal Identity Population (2006) 12% 88% Non-Aboriginal identity population Aboriginal identity population 4.1.7 Persons with Disabilities There are no available statistics on the number of Cochrane individuals living with disabilities. Ontario has two pieces of legislation that address accessibility for individuals with disabilities: the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA)23 and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)24. The ODA requires communities with more than 10,000 residents to appoint an Accessibility Advisory Committee and to publish an annual Accessibility Plan. The AODA has a mandate to develop and implement accessibility standards. As of 2013 the municipality must be in compliance the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service. The municipality will need to meet the following future accessibility standards25: • Information and Communication Standard – accessible websites and web content (by January 1, 2014). • Information and Communication – Feedback (by January 2015). 21 Statistics Canada. (2007). 2006 Community Profile Cochrane, Ontario. Available at: http://www12.statcan.ca/censusrecensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3556042&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Cochra ne&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=3556042 22 Ibid. 23 Government of Ontario. (2001). Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, S.O. c. 32. 24 Government of Ontario. (2005). Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.11. 25 Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure. (2014). Accessibility Compliance Wizard. Available at: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/ 18