Accessibility

The City of Thunder Bay ensures that our facilities, infrastructure and services are accessible to people of all abilities. Learn about accessible transit options, our different accessible recreation activities, and the recreation support we offer.

Accessibility Plan

Check out our Accessibility Plan where we discuss the barriers we've removed in the past and barriers that we're working on removing now.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

We are working toward a barrier-free Thunder Bay in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the City's Accessibility Policy.

2025 Accessibility Compliance Report 

Accessibility Advisory Committee 

The Committee is responsible for advising City Council on the development and implementation of the Multi-Year Municipal Accessibility Plan and advising Council on issues relating to citizens with a disability. 

Stakeholder representation includes community members who have lived experience with:

• Hard of hearing or late deafened
• Mental Health and Addiction
• Physical and Mobility disability
• Developmental disability
• Visually impaired or blind
• Brain injury
• Senior with a disability
• Parent/guardian of a child/youth with a disability
• Caregiver to a person with a disability
• Learning disability
• Speech impairment

As well, community membership will include representation from:

• Citizen at large (3)
• Service agency with mandate/responsibility for persons with disabilities
• City Councillor

For more information, please contact the City of Thunder Bay's Municipal Accessibility Specialist Kayla Scully at 807-625-2240 or by email Kayla.Scully@thunderbay.ca.  

Service animals

Service Animals may enter any of our facilities and events, unless they are otherwise excluded by law. Look for the No Pets, Service Animals Welcome sign at our City facilities. We may request service animal owners to provide proof of their Service Animal. This can be:

• letter from a doctor or nurse,
• a service animal identification card or
• any other means of verification. 

The City's Service Animal policy does not apply to pets. 

City of Thunder Bay's Service Animal sign

If you would like to use the City of Thunder Bay's Service Animal sign for your organization, business, or facility, please contact us at 807-625-2272. The sign won't include the City of Thunder Bay logo.

Sidewalks, curb cuts and audible crossing signals

You can help improve accessibility. Let us know of any accessibility barriers around our city. Our sidewalk renewal and curb cut programs work to update sidewalk surfaces and curb cuts that limit accessibility. We add audible crossing signals as resources become available as well.

Emergency planning

Learn how to prepare yourself for emergencies and be ready in case you need to survive without utilities for a long period of time. You may also download the Government of Canada's Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs for more information.