Accessibility Specialist - City of Mississauga, Mississauga

About the Role

This is a unique opportunity to join the City of Mississauga as an Accessibility Specialist, playing a pivotal role in advancing corporate accessibility initiatives across the city. Reporting to the Manager, Accessibility, Policy & Compliance, this position provides strategic advice and technical expertise to ensure compliance with provincial legislation and the City's own accessibility standards. You will be instrumental in implementing the City's Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, working to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to accessibility through policy development, planning, and stakeholder engagement. This role operates in a hybrid work environment, combining remote work with in-office attendance at the Civic Centre.

As the Accessibility Specialist, you will contribute meaningfully to corporate accessibility initiatives by providing strategic advice, policy interpretation and technical accessibility expertise to support accessible facilities, transportation, employment, programs, services and communications. You will develop and implement policies, procedures and guidelines and corporate standards; provide legislative interpretation and technical guidance, coordinate accessibility initiatives and projects; prepare reports and recommendations; monitor compliance; and champion accessibility across the organization and within the community of Mississauga.

Key Duties

Reporting to the Manager, Accessibility, Policy & Compliance, the Accessibility Specialist will be responsible for a range of critical tasks, including:

• Assisting in the development, implementation and evaluation of the City’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan and annual status updates.
• Supporting the coordination and implementation of corporate accessibility initiatives to meet Council priorities and legislated requirements by providing accessibility expertise and legislative guidance.
• Acting as a subject matter expert on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, accessibility best practices and the City's accessibility standards.
• Assisting in developing, implementing and evaluating corporate accessibility policies, procedures, guidelines and standards to support legislative compliance and continuous improvement.
• Coordinating accessibility projects and corporate initiatives by developing work plans, monitoring deliverables and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across the corporation.
• Providing strategic advice and accessibility recommendations to City departments, project teams and corporate stakeholders.
• Attending and participating in Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) meetings and other internal and external committees as required.
• Assisting in providing guidance to the Corporate Staff Accessibility Resource Team (StART), including chairing team meetings, assigning tasks, establishing schedules and deliverables.
• Developing collaborative relationships with internal departments, community organizations, government partners and accessibility stakeholders.
• Responding to public inquiries, accessibility concerns and requests for information.
• Maintaining, interpreting and supporting implementation of the City's Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS), providing technical advice during planning, design, construction and renovation projects.
• Conducting accessibility reviews and assessments of facilities, projects, policies, programs and services, identifying barriers and recommending solutions.
• Providing accessibility advice and technical guidance throughout the planning, design and implementation of capital projects to support compliance with legislation and City accessibility standards.
• Supporting implementation of accessible document standards and other corporate accessibility initiatives through training, guidance and resource development.
• Developing and delivering accessibility awareness, education and training programs for staff and stakeholders.
• Reviewing, preparing and supporting applications for accessibility-related awards, grants and funding opportunities.
• Preparing reports, briefing notes, presentations and recommendations for senior leadership, committees and City Council.
• Promoting accessibility, universal design and inclusive service delivery throughout the corporation and the community.

Requirements

The successful candidate will possess a strong foundation of skills and qualifications to excel in this pivotal role:

• Post-secondary education in public administration, planning, architecture, engineering, community development, accessibility, social sciences or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience developing and promoting accessibility policies, programs or corporate initiatives supporting compliance with legislated requirements. Experience with project coordination, stakeholder engagement and policy development is considered a strong asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code and accessibility legislation.
• Knowledge of the Ontario Building Code, universal design principles, accessible design standards and accessibility best practices is considered an asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, briefing notes, presentations and recommendations for senior leadership and City Council.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret legislation, assess complex issues and recommend practical solutions.
• Demonstrated project coordination and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting competing deadlines.
• Strong political acumen and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish productive relationships and influence stakeholders across a large municipal organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to advancing accessibility, equity and inclusion through continuous improvement and service excellence.

About the City of Mississauga

The City of Mississauga is dedicated to creating a respectful and supportive workplace that fosters a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion, broadly reflecting the diverse communities and residents it serves. Throughout the employee life cycle, the City is committed to an EDI lens to attract, retain, and support the growth of diverse talent.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the City of Mississauga is committed to removing barriers in its selection process for people with visible and invisible disabilities. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, the City will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation are encouraged to complete the Accommodation Request Form and email it to recruitment.accommodation@mississauga.ca, citing the Job ID and Job Title.