Four super supportive vaccine clinics operating in Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough this weekend will have full resources available for people who may require extra support as they get vaccinated.
Hosted by Toronto’s Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines, Toronto Public Health (TPH), the Accessibility Collaborative, community vaccine engagement teams and ambassadors, the clinics are open to all Toronto residents born in 2009 and earlier, and do not require appointments. First and second doses will be offered; third doses are available based on provincial eligibility guidelines.
The clinics will be held in physically accessible locations and will have resources on hand to support those who:
Clinics will be held on Friday, November 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, November 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at:
And on Saturday, November 6 and Sunday, November 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at
Accessibility training materials provided to TPH staff and community ambassadors attending the clinics include best practices around sighted guide supports.
The four super supportive COVID-19 vaccine clinics are the first of their kind at a neighbourhood level across four city locations. Information on Toronto’s Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines is available here
All walk-in City-run clinics – Cloverdale Mall, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Mitchell Field Arena, Scarborough Town Centre and Woodbine Mall – also offer accommodation. Each clinic has parking near the entrance, ramps, elevators and wheelchairs. Staff are on site at each clinic to provide support, as necessary. Clients who need a care provider or service animal with them will be accommodated. Privacy rooms are available upon request. Anyone requiring an accommodation at COVID-19 vaccine clinics across the city should alert a staff member upon arrival or at any time while at the clinic.
Quotes:
“We are continuing to make excellent progress getting Toronto residents vaccinated. We know when it is easy to access the vaccine, more people will get vaccinated. The four super supportive clinics this weekend are a result of the strong collaboration between our Accessibility Task Force, Toronto Public Health and community agencies working with and on behalf of people with disabilities. To ensure all needs are met with ease and efficiency makes the vaccination process that much smoother and all people feel welcome.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Over the past year, Toronto’s Accessibility Task Force has worked tirelessly with Toronto Public Health and our Team Toronto partners to reduce barriers to vaccination. Everyone in our city has a right to have their needs fully met when it comes to getting their shots. Through accessibility measures, training and direct support, this week’s supper supportive clinics show just how critical ensuring accessibility is to our commitment to getting Toronto vaccinated.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair, Board of Health
“The supportive vaccine clinics are the first of their kind and another great an example of Team Toronto’s continued hard work to make it convenient for Torontonians to get fully vaccinated as quickly and easily as possible. Team Toronto partners continue to take every step to bring COVID-19 vaccines to all residents across our city, to help make sure that they have the best protection against this virus and to help us end this pandemic. Thank you to all of our partners for your continued efforts to protect our city.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health
“The professional collaboration that went into planning these supportive COVID-19 vaccine clinics has resulted in a powerful model of what the disability community would expect in all settings. To have everyone’s needs met – without that being the exception – is what we hope characterizes all services in the city from this point on. My thanks to the community agencies who make the Accessible Task Force such a strong force in serving the people of Toronto and to Toronto Public Health for their quick response in implementing these clinics.”
– Wendy Porch, Chair, Toronto’s Accessible Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines and Executive Director, Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT)
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