We are seeking community members who are interested in helping make Waterloo and Waterloo Region more accessible and inclusive.

You do not need to be an accessibility professional or have previous committee experience to apply. Lived experience, community knowledge and an interest in accessibility are valuable forms of expertise.

We particularly encourage applications from people with disabilities. We are seeking a committee that reflects a broad range of disability experiences, identities, and community perspectives.

Applications are also welcome from representatives of organizations that provide services or supports to people with disabilities.

Applicants may bring experience or knowledge related to areas such as:

• Physical, sensory, intellectual, developmental, learning, communication, mental health or non-apparent disabilities
• Accessibility barriers in everyday life
• Transportation and mobility
• Housing
• Recreation and community programming
• Public spaces and municipal facilities
• Digital accessibility and communication
• Disability services and community organizations
• Universal and inclusive design

You do not need experience in all of these areas to apply.

GRAAC members participate in regular committee meetings and may be invited to provide input on municipal projects between meetings. Members should be prepared to:

• Participate regularly in meetings
• Review information provided before meetings
• Share their perspectives respectfully
• Listen to and learn from people whose disability experiences may be different from their own
• Consider accessibility from a broad community perspective
• Provide constructive advice to municipal staff and Councils

Information about meeting frequency, term length and member responsibilities is available in the GRAAC Terms of Reference.

A trusted family member, friend or support person may assist you with your application. Alternative ways of completing the application are also available.

Disability-related accommodations and accessibility supports will be available throughout recruitment and committee participation. If you require an accommodation, an alternative format or another way to apply, please contact us.

Our goal is to establish a committee with a broad range of disability experiences, identities, perspectives and community knowledge. Another goal is to have members representing the 7 area municipalities served by the Region of Waterloo (Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, North Dumfries, Wellsley, Wilmot, Woolwich).

Applications will be considered collectively rather than simply selecting applicants based on individual qualifications. Selection will consider the overall composition of the committee, including representation of different disability experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and areas of community knowledge.

The majority of GRAAC members will be people with disabilities.

To support a diversity of perspectives, no more than one member will represent the same disability service organization.

After applications close, the Region of Waterloo and City of Waterloo will review applications and recommend members for appointment to our Councils.

Applicants will be contacted about the outcome of the recruitment process.

The renewed GRAAC will begin its term in 2027.

What is GRAAC?

The Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) provides advice to the City of Waterloo and Region of Waterloo on identifying, preventing and removing barriers for people with disabilities.

For more than 20 years, GRAAC has provided accessibility advice to municipalities across Waterloo Region. Beginning in 2027, the Region of Waterloo and City of Waterloo will jointly administer GRAAC under a renewed Terms of Reference, with a focus on accessibility at the Region of Waterloo and City of Waterloo.

The renewed committee will build on GRAAC's history while strengthening opportunities for people with disabilities to participate meaningfully in municipal decision-making.

Who Serves on GRAAC?

GRAAC is made up primarily of people with disabilities and brings together members with diverse disabilities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. The committee also includes representation from organizations that provide services or supports to people with disabilities. Municipal staff representatives and Council representatives also attend GRAAC meetings and act as liaisons between GRAAC and other staff and Council.

GRAAC's role is advisory. Members bring their knowledge, lived experience and community perspectives to help municipalities better understand how decisions may affect people with disabilities.

What does GRAAC do?

GRAAC advises the Region of Waterloo and City of Waterloo on accessibility matters that affect people with disabilities. Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), municipalities with populations of 10,000 or more are required to establish an accessibility advisory committee.

GRAAC informs municipal decisions, policies, programs, services and public spaces. They do this by providing advice and feedback to municipal staff representatives during regular GRAAC committee meetings, special consultations, and correspondence. Municipal staff share this feedback with relevant colleagues and Council to consider in their work and decision making.

Areas that GRAAC advises on can include:

• Municipal programs, policies and services
• Transportation and mobility
• Municipal facilities and public spaces
• Housing and community services
• Accessibility plans and initiatives
• Identifying, preventing and removing barriers
• Accessibility considerations for municipal projects and initiatives