AuthorKristina Romasco

Applications for free access ramps now open

March 7, 2023

The City of Brampton’s Accessibility Office and the Brampton Arts Organization (BAO), in partnership with the StopGap Foundation, are working to increase accessibility in the City of Brampton.

Applications are now open for free temporary access ramps for Brampton businesses and organizations that do not have an accessible front entrance as a result of a single step. Local visual artists will paint and decorate the ramps to reflect the activities of the spaces selected, creating new opportunities for artists to present their work and expand access to public art across the City.

Up to 20 free ramps are available. The deadline to apply is March 24, 2023. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria.
• Businesses and organizations must be within the City of Brampton
• Must have a single step not exceeding 9” tall from the walkway to the front entrance, or the entrance most commonly used by the public
• Ramps leading to landing must allow for door clearance and turning radius
• Ramps must allow for a clear path of travel, including:
o A sidewalk clearance zone must be maintained as required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
o Unobstructed sidewalk access (i.e., no street furniture, tree, signage, bus shelter, garbage receptacle, etc.)
• Patio does not occupy or require individuals to cross a drive lane or block a fire access route
• Businesses and organizations must carry insurance
• Businesses and organizations must agree to remove the ramp during snow events

The City recognizes that preventing new barriers, reducing and removing existing barriers, and enhancing access is essential to providing increased opportunities that foster independence, inclusion and dignity for people of all ages and abilities.

The StopGap Foundation helps communities discover the benefits of barrier-free spaces and raises awareness about barriers in our built environment, as we all work toward removing these barriers.

Apply now and learn more by visiting www.brampton.ca/accessibility or click here to access the application directly.

MEDIA CONTACT
Media Relations, City of Brampton
mediarelations@brampton.ca

Summer Music Series – Activate Downtown Brampton 2023

Activate Downtown Brampton aims to increase opportunities for social connection, civic engagement and to stimulate local economic activity. The program, started in May 2022, has included free weekly musical activations every week in various gathering spaces across the downtown including Vivian Lane, Garden Square, Daily Times Square, Main St. South Patio and private business properties. This project is funded through the Canadian Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI).

The Downtown Brampton BIA is currently seeking curation and presentation of 17 weeks of music performances. For more information and full details, please click: RFP Summer Music Series Activate Downtown Brampton 2023

The Downtown Brampton BIA is looking for an outgoing, dynamic person to be our Membership Engagement & Administrative Coordinator. If you love Downtown Brampton, enjoy speaking with people and are super organized, we want to hear from you.

Role: Membership Engagement Administrative Coordinator

Reporting to:   Downtown Brampton BIA Executive Director

Roles & Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Executive Director, coordinate, oversee & execute all aspects of administration and membership programs and inquires.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Administration Support for Office:

• Maintain a close working relationship with the Executive Director
• Greet visitors to the office and assist them with all inquiries.
• Maintain office supplies, purchase requisitions and work orders
• Process incoming and outgoing mail, A/P & A/R and deposits
• Type correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, letters, proofreading and drafting correspondence as required
• Respond to telephone and email inquiries and perform reception duties as required
• Arrange meetings and appointments for the Executive Director, BIA staff as well as Board of Director meetings & BIA Committee meetings
• Attend and serve as minute taker at staff meetings, Board of Director meetings, Committee meetings, and others when requested
• Maintain corporate records for the Downtown Brampton BIA including BIA Committee Minutes, Registry of Directors, and monthly updates for the BIA Membership Business Database, Directory updates on website, Media database, Sponsorship database and Special Event Suppliers database and monthly staff time sheets
• Manage the Downtown Dollars program
• Manage the Downtown Brampton BIA Member Rebates program

Membership Engagement:

• Annual Membership Engagement work plan
• Coordination of Membership Welcome Package & Membership Booklet
• Membership Relations – reach out to incoming and outgoing businesses – i.e. set-up initial meetings with new and old businesses
• Membership Communications: BIA Membership e-News, emails etc.
• Membership Events: Co-ordination of the BIA Business Mixers (Feb/June/Sept & Dec.) the BIA AGM, and assist with membership engagement at large
• Articles for BIA Membership Engagement e-News (bi-weekly) & member surveys
• Administration – Coordination of mailing/distribution of the BIA quarterly newsletter
• Assist with Marketing as directed by the Executive Director
• Handle the BIA Membership volunteer program and general volunteers year-round.
• Conduct membership surveys when necessary.
• Assist with membership deliveries.
• Participate in proofreading of all outgoing material.

Reporting Structure: 

This position reports directly to the Executive Director of the Downtown Brampton BIA.

Skills Requirements:

• Extremely strong interpersonal and customer service skills;
• Very strong computer skills, including: Word, Excel, Word Press, Power Point, Access
• Must be a detail oriented person and a self-starter with exceptionally strong project management and organizational skills
• Must be able to work independently and strong team player with the BIA team
• Must be able to take direction and execute on project management tasks; and
• Strong oral communication skills
• Languages – English oral, reading and writing with additional working knowledge of other languages considered an asset
• Preferred 3-5 years of relevant work experience; and corporate and municipal/government experience is an asset

Work Conditions:

Office environment with regular hours of operation (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) with the understanding that the role requires after-hours commitments to include meetings, networking, event attendance, limited travel, meeting with suppliers, volunteers and other stakeholders.

Work hours shall be structured in advance – to manage the duties within the 21 hours a week. When required, lieu time shall be accrued to compensate for time over 35 hours with the approval of the Executive Director. Having a valid Driver’s License is an asset.

Physical abilities include light lifting, attending events (may include standing for extended periods and working different features), stairs and other similar demands.

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To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to suzy.godefroy@brampton.ca or downtownbia@brampton.ca by February 17th, 2022.