The Corporation of the Township of Springwater

Transcription

1 The Corporation of the Township of Springwater Accessibility Policy Training Video Transcript 1

2 Nursery Road Minesing, Ontario L9X 1A8 Canada Table of Contents Accessibility Policy Training Video Transcript... 3 Accessibility Policy Springwater Training... 3 Overview... 3 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act... 3 Accessibility Policy... 4 General... 4 General... 4 General... 5 General... 5 Information and Communication... 5 Information and Communication... 6 Information and Communication... 6 Information and Communication... 6 Information and Communication... 6 Accessibility Policy Review Further Information Phone: Fax:

3 3 Accessibility Policy Training Video Transcript The following document provides the written text of the Township of Springwater s Accessibility Policy Training Video. Accessibility Policy Springwater Training Slide One (1) Welcome to the Township of Springwater s training for the Accessibility Policy. The Township is committed to ensuring that training is provided on the requirements of the accessibility standards to all employees, volunteers, persons who participate in the development of Township policies, and all other persons who provide goods or services on behalf of the municipality. The purpose of this training is to provide an overview of the Accessibility Policy which encompasses the Integrated Accessibility Standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Overview Slide Two (2) Our training will cover the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, known as the AODA, and the Township of Springwater s Accessibility Policy. Our Accessibility Policy is divided into the following categories: General; Information and Communication; and. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Slide Three (3) The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act was enacted in 2005, in order to strive for a barrier free environment for all Ontarians by the year The Integrated Accessibility Standards was passed by the Province of Ontario on July 1, 2011; which were implemented to encompass: Information and Communication,, and Transportation. Please note at this time the transportation standard is not applicable to the Township as we do not administer a public transportation system or license taxis. The Township has implemented a separate Accessible Customer Service Policy as required under the Accessible Customer Service Standard. The Built Environment Standards are being phased in. Currently the Built Environment is for new construction and major renovations to public spaces only; this includes public facilities such as arenas, parks or picnic areas. The Township of Springwater

4 4 Administration Centre opened in During the construction of this building, we were mindful of future accessibility requirements. Accessibility Policy Slide Four (4) The purpose of the Accessibility Policy is to develop, implement and maintain polices which govern how the municipality will achieve accessibility measures as required through the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The Accessibility Advisory Committee is comprised of residents who meet quarterly each year. Their mandate is: To advise Springwater Township Council about the requirements and implementation of accessibility standards and the preparation of accessibility reports and such other matters for which Council may seek its advice under Section 29 (5) of the AODA; To review in a timely manner the site plans and drawings described in section 41 of the Planning Act that the committee selects; and To perform all other functions that are specified in the regulations. The Accessibility Policy was developed by Springwater s Accessibility Advisory Committee, and was approved by Council on June 18, This policy applies to all Township employees, volunteers and applicable third parties, which takes effect on January 1, The training on this policy is mandated by the Province and is required to be completed by January 1, The Township of Springwater is committed to meet the accessibility needs of persons with a disability in a timely manner. General Slide Five (5) There are certain general provisions that are required under the Integrated Accessibility Standard: Accessibility Plans Procuring or Acquiring Goods Training We will outline these in the following slides. General Slide Six (6)

5 5 An Accessibility Plan and Annual Status Report outlines the Township s strategy to prevent and remove barriers, and to meet the requirement under the AODA. The Township of Springwater is categorized under the AODA as a broader public service organization with more than 50 employees. Therefore a multi-year Accessibility Plan must be created, and updated every 5 years. This plan is to establish and maintain accessibility standards set by the Township, and to outline strategies for the removal of barriers and to meet the requirements under the AODA. Public sector organizations also must prepare annual updates on what they have done to achieve their accessibility plans. This is a way to keep the public up-to-date on our progress and outline what we have done to reduce barriers for accessibility. The Township needs to file the annual status report to the Province by December 31st of each year. These documents will be prepared by the Springwater Accessibility Advisory Committee and staff. They will be available to the public through the municipal website and at Township facilities. By request, it can be presented in accessible formats. General Slide Seven (7) We are required to incorporate accessibility when purchasing goods, services and/or facilities this includes electronic kiosks. Our Procurement By-law states: The procurement of goods and services with due regard to the product being accessible to people with disabilities or be capable of being made accessible through the use of technology. If not practicable to incorporate accessibility criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities, an explanation will be provided. General Slide Eight (8) The Integrated Accessibility Standards requires organizations to establish policies to help them achieve their accessibility goals, and tell their employees and customers about them. As Council has approved the Township s Accessibility Policy, all employees, volunteers and applicable third parties must be trained - hence the training you are receiving today! Information and Communication Slide Nine (9) The Accessibility Standard for Information and Communications will help Ontario businesses and organizations make their information accessible for people with

6 6 disabilities. There are certain general provisions that are required under the Information and Communication Standard: Feedback; Accessible Formats and Communication Support; Emergency Procedures, Plans or Public Safety Information; and Accessible Websites and Web Content. We will outline these in the following slides. Information and Communication Slide Ten (10) Under the Information and Communication standard feedback must be accessible to persons with a disability. Accessible formats and communication supports will be provided for persons with a disability, when requested. Information and Communication Slide Eleven (11) Under the Information and Communication standard the Township must provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with a disability, upon request. Formats will be provided in a timely manner, need to take into account the person s disability needs and be provided at no additional charge. The Township must also consult with the person making the request, but the final determination of format is to rest with the municipality. Information and Communication Slide Twelve (12) The Township has in place several different emergency procedures, plans and public safety information. Upon request, public information regarding the Township s emergency procedures, plans or public safety information will be provided in an accessible format. This information will be made as soon as practicable upon request, which is in accordance with the Information and Communication standard. Information and Communication Slide Thirteen (13) The Township will ensure the official municipal website and web content conforms with the World Wide Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, known as WCAG. Except where meeting this requirement is not practicable, this conformity applies to websites, web content and web-based applications that are controlled directly or

7 7 through a contractual relationship that allows for the modification of the product and web content. Accessibility Policy Slide Fourteen (14) The Accessibility Standard for Employment will help Ontario businesses and organizations make accessibility a regular part of finding, hiring and supporting employees with disabilities. There are certain general provisions that are required under the Employment Standard: Recruitment; Accessible Formats and Communication Support for Employees; Workplace Emergency Response Information; Return to Work Process; Performance Management; and Career Development and Advancement. We will outline these in the following slides. Please note that the apply to paid employees, and not volunteers and other non-paid individuals. Slide Fifteen (15) Through the recruitment process, all interested individuals will be notified about the availability of accommodations for applicants with a disability. A standard statement of commitment will be provided on all Township job postings. During the recruitment process, applicants selected for an assessment or selection process will be notified that accommodations are available upon request. If an applicant requests an accommodation, the Township will provide or arrange for the provision of a suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant s accessibility needs. The decision as to which accommodation is to be provided rests with the municipality. When making offers of employment, the Township will notify the successful applicant of its policies for accommodating employees with disabilities. If an applicant requests an accommodation, the Township will provide or arrange for the provision of a suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant s accessibility needs.

8 8 Slide Sixteen (16) The Township will inform employees of its policies used to support employees with disabilities. This information will also be provided to new employees as soon as practicable after they begin their employment. Any changes to policies will be communicated to all applicable employees through communication channels or through formats that take into account the employee s disability, as requested. The Township will consult with the employee to provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports that an employee may need to perform his/her work. This will also include the communication of information needed while performing in the workplace. The Township will consult with the employee making a request for an accessible format or communication support to determine the suitable format. The final determination as to which accessible format or communication support acquired will rest with the Township. Slide Seventeen (17) At the written request of the employee, the Township will provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability, if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary and the Township is aware of the need for accommodation. If an employee requested an Individualized Workplace Emergency Response Plan and identified the need for assistance from a colleague or colleagues, the Township will provide the information to the designated colleague or colleagues. This information will be provided to the designated colleague or colleagues as soon as practicable after the Township becomes aware of the need for accommodation. The employee s individualized workplace emergency response plan will be reviewed when: The employee moves to a different location in the organization; The overall accommodation needs of the employees changes; or The Township s general response policies are reviewed. Employees may advise Human Resources if they have a change or desire for an individualized workplace emergency response plan at any time. Slide Eighteen (18)

9 9 The Township has developed a template to outline the development process for individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities. The Individual Accommodation Plan template includes the following: The manner in which an employee requesting an accommodation can participate in the development of his/her individualized accommodation plan; The means by which the employee is assessed on an individual basis; The manner in which the employer can request an evaluation by an outside medical or other expert, at the Township s expense, to determine if and how accommodation can be achieved; The frequency with which the individual accommodation plan will be reviewed and updated; The manner in which the individual accommodation plan will be reviewed; If an accommodation request is denied, the manner in which the reasons for the denial will be provided; and The means of providing the individual accommodation plan in a format that takes into account the employee s accessibility needs. Individual accommodation plans shall, if requested, include any information regarding accessible formats and communication supports. If required, information regarding the Individualized Workplace Emergency Response Plan may be included. Slide Nineteen (19) The Township has in place an Early and Return to Work Policy which outlines the Township s commitment to make every reasonable effort to provide temporary, modified or suitable alternative duties to a worker who has been absent from work due to a disability. The Early and Safe Return to Work Policy outlines the steps the Township will take to facilitate the return to work of employees who were absent because of their disability. Individual Accommodation Plans will be used during this process. When employees are redeployed into the workplace, the Township will take into account the accessibility needs of the employee as well as the accommodations identified within the Individual Accommodation Plan. Slide Twenty (20)

10 10 The Township will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities and the documented Individual Accommodation Plan during all performance management processes. Slide Twenty-One (21) The Township will take into account the accessibility needs of employees as well as the documented Individual Accommodation Plan when providing career development and advancement. Review Slide Twenty-Two (22) In review, we have covered the: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act or the AODA. Accessibility Policy, which encompasses the Integrated Accessibility Standard and outlines the following: Accessibility Plans; Procuring or Acquiring Goods, Services or Facilities; and Training requirements. Information and Communication Including Feedback; Accessible Formats and Communication Supports; Emergency Procedures, Plans or Public Safety Information; and Accessible Website and Web Content. Including: Recruitment; Accessible Formats and Communication Supports for Employees; Workplace Emergency Response Information; Documented Individual Accommodation Plans; Early and Safe Return to Work Policy; Performance Management; and Career Development and Advancement. Further Information Slide Twenty-Three (23) For more information on accessibility standards please visit the following websites: or Ontario.ca/AccessON Thank you, and this completes the Township of Springwater s training on our Accessibility Policy.