Sault Ste. Marie adopts autism strategy
The City of Sault Ste. Marie is launching a strategy it hopes will assist those caring for people with autism to find and access services. It's part of what the city calls its commitment to accessibility.
The Soo's autism strategy includes a services inventory, an autism roadmap, and design guidelines. City councillor Lisa Vezeau-Allen, who serves as chair of the autism strategy subcommittee, said the plan aims to address confusion at how to access services.
"For a lot of people, they just don't know what to do, where to go, and what the process looks like," Vezeau-Allen said. "Everything from a young child that you think might be autistic to an adult."
She said that is why the city's autism roadmap is split into two parts –one for those ages 16 and under and another for those who are older. Vezeau-Allen said her child is on the autism spectrum, giving her insight into the barriers people face.
"We all collectively knew that there needed to be that sort of one-stop-shop where you could gather information," she said. "It was really important I think, from the municipality perspective, to be behind it and to support it, because as a municipality, we don't provide services, but we can certainly provide a portal for people to get information and to know where to go."
The city worked on its strategy with several community partners, including Algoma Public Health, Community Living Algoma, and Thrive Children's Centre. Sault Ste. Marie's planning director, Don McConnell, said the strategy will evolve over time.
"This is actually the first autism strategy that I'm aware of that a municipality in Ontario has," McConnell said. "We haven't been able to find anything similar or design guidelines that are similar. So what we're hoping is that it will be adopted by other municipalities and as part of the feedback, we'll get other good ideas and improve it as time goes on."
McConnell said the design guidelines in the autism strategy will ensure things such as sensory spaces will be considered in the building of new city facilities.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.