Town of Penetanguishene Launches New Accessibility and Multi-Language Website Tool Inspired by Local Students

The Town of Penetanguishene is proud to announce the launch of a new accessibility and multi-language support tool on its municipal website, a project sparked by a thoughtful request from the Grade 3 Social Studies class at St. Joseph’s Elementary School.

In June 2025, the class advocated for bilingual access to the Town’s online resources, prompting staff to expand the initiative to include not only French-language support but also a wide array of other languages to serve Penetanguishene’s diverse community and visitors better.

In addition to language options, the tool integrates accessibility features that align with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), including:

• Screen reader compatibility
• Dyslexia-friendly font options
• High contrast viewing modes
• Enhanced navigation support

“We’re absolutely thrilled to see such engagement from our local youth. The Grade 3 class at St. Joseph’s showed incredible civic spirit, and their advocacy has led to a meaningful improvement for our entire community,” Mayor Doug Rawson.

“This enhancement directly supports our 20-Year Community-Based Strategic Plan, particularly under the pillar of Community Wellbeing and Inclusion. It’s a sustainable, low-cost solution that advances our commitment to equity, diversity, and meaningful engagement,” Chief Administrative Officer Jeff Lees.

Residents can access the new tool by visiting the Town’s website and clicking the accessibility and language icon located in the bottom left-hand corner of any page.

For more information, please visit https://www.penetanguishene.ca.