Item - 2025.EC25.12

The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that the Economic and Community Development Committee recommend that:

1. City Council request the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with Social Development and Technology Services to develop an Accessibility and Inclusion Handbook for event organizers that can be presented to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee for feedback and input at its meeting on February 27, 2026.

2. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to provide a digital and an accessible PDF, hard copy or alternative format version of the Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Handbook to each organization that hosts an event on city property or at the request of any organization for their event.

At its meeting on October 24, 2025, the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee considered Item DI14.7 and made a recommendation to City Council. 

Toronto is a vibrant city known for its festivals, cultural events, and community gatherings that bring residents together and celebrate our diversity. However, for many people with disabilities, participation in these events can be limited by barriers in physical spaces, communication, and program design. Ensuring that all Torontonians can fully engage in public life is essential to building an equitable and inclusive city.

This motion calls on the City of Toronto to develop an Accessibility Handbook for Event Organizers — a practical resource to guide event organizer seeking to host events at City facilities that are welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities. The handbook would provide clear standards in plain and easy to understand language, best practices, and checklists to promote inclusive events and event spaces that meet or exceed accessibility requirements while not requiring the expenditure of significant additional funds. By equipping event organizers with the right tools and knowledge, the City can help foster environments where everyone, regardless of ability, can participate, contribute, and feel a genuine sense of belonging.