Introduction
In June 2005, the Ontario government took a strong stand on accessibility when it passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) into law.
The AODA lays out a comprehensive road map to make Ontario accessible to all people through the development, implementation and enforcement of new, mandatory accessibility standards for some of the most important aspects of people’s lives.
Five key areas have been identified for the first accessibility standards: customer service, transportation, information and communications, the built environment, and employment.
The accessible customer service regulations were approved by the Lieutenant-Governor on August 11, 2007 and will come into force on January 1, 2008.
An initial proposed standard on accessible transportation has been developed by the Transportation Standards Development Committee and was posted for public review between June 27 and August 31, 2007.
The Standards Development Committee that will draft the proposed information and communications standard was established and began meeting in April, 2007. The committees developing the accessible built environment and accessible employment standards have been selected and will begin meeting in the fall of 2007.
While the government is moving forward to implement the AODA, there will be a transition period where government and the broader public sector will continue to meet their obligations under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA). These obligations will remain in effect until they are repealed and replaced by standards under the new act.
Under the ODA, Ontario government ministries, municipalities, hospitals, school boards, colleges, universities and public transportation organizations are required to develop annual accessibility plans to make policies, practices, programs, services and buildings more accessible to people with disabilities. These plans must be made available to the public. Accessibility planning efforts to date have developed a strong foundation for the development of accessibility standards that will mean real and effective change.
This document is the fifth annual accessibility plan developed by the Democratic Renewal Secretariat. It highlights the achievements of the 2006-07 plan and outlines the commitments for 2007-08 so that no new barriers are created and, over time, existing ones are removed.
This secretariat intends to build on its achievements by implementing initiatives that support the government's commitment to continue to make Ontario an inclusive and accessible province where people of all abilities have a chance to fully achieve their potential.
Message from the Minister
This year marks the second anniversary of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), which I had the privilege of introducing as the former Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. This landmark legislation will require the development, implementation and enforcement of accessibility standards in key areas of daily living across the province.
A number of initiatives are already moving forward. Accessibility standards in five important areas – customer service, transportation, information and communications, the built environment, and employment – are either going through the public review process or being developed this year. These are enormous steps toward making Ontario a barrier-free province.
It is in this spirit of progress that I present the Democratic Renewal Secretariat’s (DRS) 2007-08 Accessibility Plan. All public sector and broader public sector organizations are required by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act of 2001 to produce an annual accessibility plan and make it available to the public. This is the fifth year in which plans have been developed by organizations such as ours.
DRS remains committed to improving accessibility through identifying, removing and preventing barriers. We are also continuing our efforts to better educate our staff. For example, the secretariat continues its efforts to better educate staff on accessibility, and to work closely with human resources to ensure no barriers exist for present or future staff. More accomplishments are described on the pages that follow.
If you have any comments or concerns, I encourage you to submit them using the contact information located at the end of this document.
Sincerely,
The Honourable Dr. Marie Bountrogianni
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Democratic Renewal Secretariat
Minister
Report on Achievements
2006 - 2007 Accessibility Improvement Initiatives
The Democratic Renewal Secretariat (DRS) is pleased to report on progress and continued improvement in making its programs, services and facilities more accessible to people with disabilities.
In 2006-2007, DRS ensured that people with disabilities had easy access to its information and citizen engagement activities. It provided an accessible workplace to employees and continued to raise awareness of accessibility issues where possible.
Our report on our 2006-2007 commitments includes our accomplishments and ongoing commitments.
Commitment
The secretariat established an accessibility working group. The working group monitored the implementation of the accessibility plan and reported regularly to the secretariat’s senior management team. The plan was posted on the secretariat’s website at www.democraticrenewal.gov.on.ca.
Status
Complete
Action
The working group met to monitor the plan and reported regularly to the Assistant Deputy Minister. The group will continue to meet to review existing commitments and monitor the implementation of the accessibility plan and will report regularly to its Executive Lead.
Commitment
The secretariat will continue to comply with the government ODA procurement.
Status
Complete
Action
All managers and employees were reminded of the requirements to procure accessible goods and services for both the general public and government employees.
DRS staff will continue to consider accessibility as part of the procurement process. Formal processes and training where and will continue to be communicated to staff to ensure compliance and consistency.
Commitment
The secretariat’s website will continue to be accessible by people with disabilities, as required under Section 6 of the ODA.
Status
Complete
Action
The secretariat’s websites complied with internationally recognized accessibility standards and all new materials posted to the sites were accessible. DRS participated on the government’s GO WEB accessibility committee and explored options to broaden accessibility. All new and existing content on DRS’s Internet sites were designed and tested for accessibility as content as it was posted. The secretariat will continue to participate as a committee member and continue to explore options to broaden/expand accessibility.
Commitment
The secretariat will continue to implement the Ontario Realty Corporation’s standards for barrier-free design of Ontario government facilities and ensure that its workspace is as accessible as possible.
Status
Ongoing
Action
The secretariat reviewed its existing space and utilized its previous tenant’s Accessibility Compliance Report reviewing potential remedial work that might be undertaken to meet the needs of persons with disabilities at both its locations in Toronto. The Secretariat continued to incorporate accessibility as a component of its annual planning process for accommodation projects.
Ongoing Accessibility Improvement Initiatives
The Democratic Renewal Secretariat established an accessibility planning group in2005. Its mandate was to identify, remove and prevent barriers within the Secretariat to people with disabilities. The working group will continue to review its commitment to accessibility on a regular basis and look for ways to refine and hone their commitment, if necessary.
The secretariat is pleased to report it has been pro-active ensuring accessibility is a priority to its entire staff. The following reports on the progress and continued improvement in meetings its mandate.
Commitment
The secretariat will continue to review its facilities to identify areas that restrict access to people with disabilities.
Status
Ongoing
Action
The secretariat identified the lack of visible exit signs within their work location. Working with Facilities Management a vendor was employed to investigate and install the necessary signs.
The secretariat will continue to work with Facilities Management staff to ensure compliance with existing and new government guidelines for accessibility and, where necessary, make recommendations for revision.
Timeframe
On a regular basis.
Commitment
The secretariat will continue to partner with other ministries and agencies to ensure training sessions in customer service for people with disabilities are developed and made available to secretariat employees
Status
Ongoing
Action
Continue working with other ministries and agencies.
Timeframe
Throughout the year.
Commitment
The secretariat will continue to accommodate people with disabilities who apply for a position as a government employee and who have been invited to participate in the selection process for employment, to the extent that the needs relate to the selection process.
Status
Ongoing
Action
Continue working with Human Resources Branch and related staff.
Timeframe
Throughout the year.
Commitment
The secretariat will continue to examine upcoming printed material to ensure it does not imposes barriers to people with disabilities.
Status
Ongoing
Action
Review printed material to ensure it does not pose barriers to people with disabilities and find alternatives.
Timeframe
Throughout the year.
Commitment
The ODA Lead will continue to seek ways to ensure all employees are aware of the barriers, potential and real, facing people with disabilities. Ongoing efforts will include updates of training programs and events.
Status
Ongoing
Action
DRS staff will be informed of and encouraged to complete the OPS’ e-learning (online) training program, “May I Help You? Welcoming Customers with Disabilities” so they will be prepared to offer better service to all ministry customers.
Timeline
Before March 2008
Commitments — Measures to Prevent New Barriers
In the coming year, the secretariat continues to commit to assess its policies, programs and services to determine their effect on accessibility for persons with disabilities. The secretariat continues to encourage all staff to identify and bring forward any possible barriers or suggestions to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities. It will continue to encourage staff to attend information sessions such as the OPS Awareness Expo to be held in May 2007. This section summarizes these commitments.
Customer service
- The secretariat will continue working with Publications Ontario to respond to requests by or on behalf of a person with a disability for the secretariat’s publications in alternate formats in a timely manner unless it is not technically feasible to do so.
- The secretariat will continue to partner with other ministries and agencies to ensure training sessions in customer service for people with disabilities are developed and made available to secretariat employees.
- As DRS refreshes its website, it will continue to actively support the government’s efforts to make Ontario an inclusive and accessible province where people of all abilities have an opportunity to fully participate. DRS will continue to ensure its website is fully accessible.
Employment
- The secretariat will continue to review the accessibility needs of its employees, in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, to the extent that the needs relate to their employment.
- The secretariat will continue to work with Human Resources Branch to review processes for employment competitions to identify areas for improvement in quality service and accommodation for people with disabilities.
- The secretariat will continue to accommodate people with disabilities who apply for a position as a government employee and who have been invited to participate in the selection process for employment, to the extent that the needs relate to the selection process.
Communications and information
- The secretariat has two functioning TTY lines and will continue to review alternative communication systems to facilitate access to information by clients who a speech impairment.
- The secretariat will continue to examine upcoming printed material and determine if it imposes barriers to people with disabilities.
Built environment
- The secretariat will complete a review of its facilities to identify areas that restrict access to people with disabilities and will continue to work with Facilities Management staff to ensure compliance with existing and new government guidelines for accessibility and, where necessary, make recommendations for revision.
- Secretariat staff will review and ensure all events are held in barrier-free venues and will review facilities to identify areas that restrict access to people with disabilities.
Acts and regulations
- The secretariat will ensure that the acts and regulations falling under its responsibility contain the appropriate use of language, with respect to barriers for people with disabilities as part of its business process.
Other barriers
- The secretariat will involve staff by means of a questionnaire to obtain input on possible barriers in order to successfully achieve our commitments to provide accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Commitments —Barriers to be Addressed
Democratic Renewal Secretariat commits to identify, remove and prevent barriers for persons with disabilities in the coming and future years. This section summarizes these commitments.
As Democratic Renewal Secretariat has been pro-active in identifying and acted upon previously identified barriers it does not at this time have any examples that need to be acted upon.
Customer service
The secretariat and its staff will continue to research, brainstorm, monitor, identify and act upon any barriers brought forward. The working group will continue to solicit staff contributions.
Employment accommodation
The secretariat will continue working with Human Resources to ensure no physical and communication barriers exists for existing or new staff.
Communication and information
The accessibility planning team will continue to monitor and act upon any communications barriers brought forward. As previously indicated, DRS will continue to ensure its website is fully accessible and review its website to ensure it continues to be barrier-free.
Built environment
DRS has identified the printer millwork as a possible built environment barrier which may be will inaccessible for some individuals. DRS is ready to act upon this barrier should this become be an issue for any individual.
Acts and Regulations
The secretariat’s accessibility planning team will continue to ensure its documents support the government’s accessibility requirements ensuring there are no barriers.
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For More Information
Questions or comments about the ministry’s accessibility plan are always welcome.
Please phone:
Monique Moore
Manager, Finance and Administration, Democratic Renewal Secretariat
416-314-6869
General inquiry number: 416-314-6869
TTY number: 416-314-7867
E-mail: Monique.Moore@drs.gov.on.ca
Ministry website address: www.democraticrenewal.gov.on.ca
Visit the Ministry of Community and Social Services Accessibility Ontario web portal at: www.mcss.gov.on.ca/accessibility/index.html. The site promotes accessibility and provides information and resources on how to make Ontario a barrier-free province.
Alternate formats of this document are available free upon request from:
ServiceOntario Publications
777 Bay St., Suite M212, Market Level, Toronto ON, M5G 2C8. Tel: (416) 326-5300
Out of town customers, except Ottawa, call: 1-800-668-9938
In Ottawa, call (613) 238-3630 or toll-free: 1-800-268-8758
TTY Service: 1-800-268-7095
Queen’s Printer for Ontario
ISSN 1715-510X
