Accessibility at O’Hara

The following provides a summary of our current capabilities in three areas; our grounds, buildings and trails.

Grounds:

The terrain from the main parking lot to the covered bridge, which is the entry area to the homestead,  is fairly level but the dirt and packed gravel path does have bumps and roots.  The homestead grounds are a mixture of similar pathways and grassy and rocky areas.  Some areas are quite hilly and uneven. 

Parking in an area adjacent to the old original laneway that winds about the grounds, is available with prior arrangement.  Contact Us in advance to arrange this accommodation.

Buildings:

Accessibility ramps are available in the Museum House and the Visitors Centre. Our Museum House can be accessed by the ramps, however this only provides access to a viewing location just inside the doorway.  The original interior dates back to the 1800’s and was not built to today’s standards for accessibility. Our Visitors Centre has washrooms* designed to be wheelchair accessible.  
(*open seasonally; when there is no risk of freezing.)

Other buildings such as the Log House*, One-Room School House and Carpenter's Shop do not have accessibility ramps into their interior.  Additional buildings including the Carriage House (both levels)*, and the Blacksmith Shop* open to the ground level. The displays in the Drive Sheds can be viewed from the roadway that runs through that area.
(* please note that the buildings indicated are located in hilly locations. In practice, they have been viewed by those in wheelchairs accompanied by a guide or those using a powered wheelchairs/mobility carts.)

Trails:

There are many trails on the homestead property. This includes woodland property with many hills, uneven ground and stepping stones across creeks. They are not considered safe for standard wheelchair or limited mobility access.  For specific trail information, click here.

Mobility:

O’Hara Mill Homestead is a heritage site with buildings, structures and landscaping dating back to the 1800’s.  As such, access to buildings and much of the terrain will present barriers. However, in many areas, accommodation updates have been made to assist those in wheelchairs and with other mobility issues.

The following video,  gives an introduction to the grounds and buildings of the homestead and is intended to give an overall sense of the terrain to be navigated.

 The O'Hara Volunteers Association supports the Policy Statement and Organizational Commitment of the Quinte Conservation Authority which can be found on their website.

Specifically:  

We are guided by the four (4) core principles of Dignity, Independence, Integration and Equal Opportunity and supports the full inclusion of persons as set out in Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

Read more about "Accessibility at O'Hara Mill Homestead" by clicking clicking here.