Information for ACAT Applicants

What is ACAT?

The Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) is a group of 15 volunteer members who provide advice and recommendations to the TTC Board and staff on enhancing accessibility on the TTC.

The Role of ACAT

The committee represents the public transit needs and concerns of seniors and persons with disabilities. The range of disabilities is defined by the Ontario Human Rights Code and includes but is not limited to physical, cognitive, sensory and mental health conditions.

ACAT works collaboratively with TTC staff to provide consultation, education and advice, in an advisory capacity.

Prerequisites to Join ACAT

Applicants must:

Be a resident of Toronto
Use the conventional TTC or Wheel-Trans
Be a person with a disability, and/or be a senior, or must have a demonstrated knowledge/interest in accessible transit issues and represent the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities and seniors who use the TTC.
Be available for meetings during business hours and able to volunteer approximately seven hours per month during regular business hours.
Be familiar with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code and related accessibility standards and/or guidelines and legislation as they pertain to public transit.

ACAT Organization

ACAT is made up of the ACAT Executive Committee, the ACAT General Committee and four subcommittees.

The ACAT Executive Committee consists of three elected members: The Chair and two Vice-Chairs.

The ACAT committee consists of 15 volunteers broken down as follows:

At least eight persons with disabilities.
At least two seniors.
A maximum of three advocates for people with disabilities exclusive of the members above. These members must have a demonstrated knowledge of and interest in accessible transit issues.

Eight ACAT members shall constitute a quorum for every ACAT General or Special meeting.

Members of ACAT are appointed for a period of up to three years.

One-third of the members are replaced each year.

Retired members may reapply following a one-year absence from ACAT.

Two to four ACAT Pool members (alternates) will also be appointed each year for a one-year term. ACAT Pool members may be called on by the ACAT Executive and TTC staff to fill a vacancy in the course of a year.

An ACAT pool member who fills a vacancy for less than 12 months, may reapply to be an ACAT member without serving the one-year absence requirement from ACAT membership.

Members of the ACAT Committee are appointed by and report to the TTC Board.

The four subcommittees are:

Communications Subcommittee
This subcommittee reviews communications affecting accessibility on the TTC.
Design Review Subcommittee
This subcommittee reviews and makes recommendations on design improvements to TTC vehicles and facilities. Other initiatives include but are not limited to Easier Access and TTC accessible design standards.
Service Planning Subcommittee
Advises the TTC on matters related to buses, streetcars and the subway. Operational procedures, training, policy development and the Annual TTC Public Forum on Accessible Transit are some of the other matters they cover.
Wheel-Trans Operations Subcommittee
Provides advice on Wheel-Trans operational and service matters.

Appointment Process

Applicants must review the Information for ACAT 2025 Applicants along with ACAT New Applicant FAQ to be eligible to apply for ACAT membership. Selected applicants are interviewed and evaluated by a four (4) person selection committee consisting of two (2) TTC staff representatives, a member of TTC’s Human Rights and Investigations Department and ACAT's Chair or Vice-Chair. The selection committee then makes its recommendations to the TTC Board of Directors who make the final decision. Individuals who are appointed to ACAT will attend an orientation on the roles and responsibilities of ACAT and will be given all the pertinent documents.

Location and Frequency of ACAT Meetings

The ACAT General Committee meets every last Thursday of each month from approximately 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Meetings are held at the TTC Head Office, 1900 Yonge Street, 7th-floor Boardroom. This location is directly above the Davisville Station on Line 1 (Yonge-University), which is accessible. Joining via Teams is also an option. The Teams link is sent prior to the meetings.

All meetings are held during business hours.

Members of the ACAT General Committee must participate in two of the four subcommittee meetings which meet as issues arise. A commitment of between 10 to 15 hours a month is required.

The ACAT Executive Committee that consists of three elected members meets quarterly with the TTC Board Chair, the TTC Board Vice-Chair and the TTC CEO or his/her designates.

The ACAT Chair or designate attends the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee (TAAC).

Current ACAT Priorities

Here are some of the current initiatives that will require member participation:

The Wheel-Trans Appeal Panel
The reregistration of legacy Wheel-Trans customers
Review the Access Hubs and bus routes that support the Family of Services initiative
Improve the use of PRESTO
Review and provide advice on designs for TTC Easier Access construction projects
Provide input on accessible policy and training matters
Review and provide feedback on communications campaigns

Application Process

Applying to become a member of ACAT is easy.

There are two ways you can submit your application:

Option 1 – completing the ACAT PDF application and emailing, mailing or faxing it in

Step one: Open the ACAT PDF application (on ttc.ca/acat)

Step two: Complete the application

Step three: Download and save it to your computer, phone or tablet.

Step four: Submit your saved application in one of the following ways, by:

Email acat@ttc.ca
Mail: ACAT Applications c/o Wheel-Trans Customer Service 580 Commissioners Street Toronto, Ontario M4M 1A7
Fax: 416-338-0126

Option 2 – completing the ACAT online application

Step one: Open the ACAT online application (on ttc.ca/acat)