Gravenhurst commits to modernizing the Town’s accessibility features

The app will help eliminate barriers for residents and visitors

Gravenhurst Council agreed to commit to modernizing the Town’s accessibility features, in the July 16^th, 2025, meeting.

Last December staff approached Council to consider making improvements to the Town’s accessibility features, and were directed to investigate options such as brail, QR codes, tactile maps, and a smart phone app to relay sign information and support building navigation, and to determine what’s best suited to the Town.

According to the staff report, the goal is “to help eliminate barriers for the residents and visitors of Gravenhurst as part of their 2025 Work Plan.”

Council was informed that upon investigation into suitable accessibility features by the Town’s Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), they were able to create a pilot called Accessible Wayfinding Pilot Project that uses technology through a smartphone application.

The AAC endorsed the pilot project in their meeting last month, and today Council directed staff to provide further details, including funding options, and report back in the next meeting, in August.

Councillor, Penny Varney, expressed excitement because the navigation application will make things easier for people that need it.

She added, “The goal is to enhance mobility and independence to navigate with greater ease and confidence. The pilot can be a model for wayfinding opportunities.”

Deputy Clerk, Johnathan Gilston, agreed that the new application will help people to enter places like the Town office, and to know where they are, and where to navigate to. He explained that overall, it will work well outdoors, however, will be modified to navigate where to go inside of the Town buildings.

Councillor, Peter Johnston, said he was “proud of the committee and staff for doing this.”

He added, “The mark of a civilization is how we treat the disadvantaged.”

He also suggested, “This is going to be a role model for municipalities in Ontario.”

Gilson advised that there aren’t many communities with the application. He said, “Noone in Muskoka has it, [so] it would be a trailblazer in this case.”

Mayor, Heidi Lorenz, also expressed exactment about the project. She said, “Any improvements are always good. It’s great to be a trailblazer.”

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