Accessibility Compliance 2017 Businesses & Non-Profit Organizations Accessibility Directorate of Ontario

Transcription

1 Accessibility Compliance 2017 Businesses & Non-Profit Organizations Accessibility Directorate of Ontario HRPA Annual Conference & Trade Show February 3, 2017

2 Presentation Overview 1. Accessibility Compliance Reporting Review of Requirements in Effect Accessible Employment Standard 4. Resources to Assist 5. Provincial Employment Strategy 6. Compliance Action Plan 2

3 Accessibility Compliance Reporting 2017 Private Sector Organizations All businesses & non-profit organizations with 20 or more employees need to submit an accessibility compliance report by December 31,

4 Summary of Requirements in Effect As of January 1, 2017 Requirement Provide accessible customer service Provide emergency and public safety information in accessible formats Provide staff with accessible and customized emergency information Create accessibility policies Consider accessibility when purchasing or designing self-service kiosks Train your staff on Ontario s accessibility laws Make it easy to provide feedback, when asked Create a multiyear accessibility plan Make new websites accessible Make employment practices accessible Make public information accessible, when asked Make new or redeveloped public spaces accessible 4

5 Consider Accessibility when Designing, Purchasing or Acquiring Self-Service Kiosks Consider accessible design, criteria and features when purchasing new goods, services or facilities. Strive to include accessibility features where possible. Consider the accessibility needs, preferences and abilities of the widest range of users. 5

6 Train your Staff on Ontario s Accessibility Laws Train all staff on: areas of the accessibility standards that are relevant to their work responsibilities employment information and communications transportation design of public spaces the Ontario Human Rights Code (where it relates to people with disabilities) when you make any changes to your accessibility policies Maintain written records of all training (50 or more employees) 6

7 Make it Easy to Provide Feedback Make your feedback processes accessible, when asked Let the public know that you will provide accessible formats and communication supports 7

8 Create Accessibility Policies Create policies to help you achieve your accessibility goals Include a statement of commitment Tell your employees and customers about your policies Develop a multi-year accessibility plan (50 or more employees) Post it on your website Review and update it at least once every five years Provide polices and your multi-year plan in an accessible format, upon request 8

9 Make New Websites Accessible (50 or more employees) Created On or After January 1, 2014 Conform with WCAG 2.0, Level A Including web content posted after January 1, 2012 New means a site: with a new domain name undergoing a significant refresh 9

10 Make Public Information Accessible Let the public know you will make information accessible upon request Work with the person to figure out how to meet their needs, as soon as possible You don t have to: have accessible formats on hand make information that comes from another organization accessible 10

11 Make New or Redeveloped Public Spaces Accessible Currently in effect for organizations with 50+ employees Recreational trails and beach access routes Outdoor public use eating areas Outdoor play spaces Public outdoor paths of travel On and off street parking areas Service counters Fixed queuing guides Waiting areas with fixed seating 11

12 Ontario Ministry of Finance Population Projections 12

13 Accessible Employment Almost 2 out of 5 working-age Canadians living with a disability are unemployed Some of the reasons that individuals with disabilities cite they are not employed: Lack of opportunities Past non-inclusive employment experience Fear of discrimination Half of Canadians who do not disclose their disability with a potential employer don't give this information because of fear of discrimination 13

14 Accessible Employment People with disabilities represent an untapped labour pool more than 40% have some type of post-secondary credentials 75% of small businesses who have hired people with disabilities report that they meet or exceed their expectations. 14

15 Accessible Employment Standard About the Standard Standard builds on existing requirements of the Ontario Human Rights Code duty to accommodate to the point of undue hardship Proactive approach to making workplaces accessible by making it a regular part of HR processes Applies to paid employees: Full-time Part-time Apprentices Seasonal employees It s about leveling the playing field for people with disabilities in finding and maintaining employment opportunities 15

16 Accessibility Standard for Employment Areas covered Requirement Businesses & Nonprofits with 1-49 employees Businesses & Non- Profits with 50 or more employees Recruitment and hiring x x Performance management x x Career development x x Job changes/redeployment x x Accessible formats/communication supports x x Workplace emergency response information x x Return to work Individual accommodation plans x x 16

17 Accessible Employment Standard Areas Covered Provide workplace emergency response information to employees with disabilities Provide workplace information in accessible formats and communication supports on request (information needed to do their job and general information available to all employees) Recruitment and hiring let job applicants know before they apply and if selected for an interview that accommodations are available on request (e.g. information in job ad) Inform new and existing employees about your policies/processes to support employees with disabilities, including job accommodations (e.g. via , website, newsletter, one-on-one) Establish a written process for documenting individual accommodation plans* Establish a return to work process that supports employees who have been absent due to a disability and require disability-related accommodations when they return to work* Take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities and their individual accommodation plans in your existing performance management, career development, and redeployment processes *Small private and non-profit organizations with 1-49 employees are excluded from these two requirements 17

18 Accessibility Standard for Employment Resources to help you Visit: Ontario.ca/accessibility for additional information and resources 18

19 Accessible Employment Standard Resources to Help You Comply Conference Board of Canada Employers Toolkit LinkedIn group and search for Accessible Employment Practices Guide for Providing Emergency Response Information for Employees with Disabilities Ontario.ca/accessibility Working Together Human Resources Professionals Association Harold Jeepers video series Epilepsy Toronto epilepsyatwork.com/ Ontario Human Rights Commission The Code and the AODA: Working Together training video orking-together-code-andaoda 19

20 Provincial Employment Strategy The Ontario Government wants to ensure that people with disabilities can use their skills and abilities so they contribute to the economy and their communities. Development of a provincial employment strategy for people with disabilities is underway that will: establish a vision with goals, priorities and desired outcomes to ensure Ontarians have access to a continuum of employment and training services; provide a better service experience through streamlined access to employment and training services that recognize the needs and employment goals of individual clients; and engage employers in breaking down employment barriers for people with disabilities and promoting inclusive workplaces. 20

21 What s Next? Requirements for Organizations with 1 49 Employees 2018 Make new or redeveloped public spaces accessible Requirements for Organizations with 50 or more Employees 2021 Make all websites and web content accessible *Accessibility compliance reports are due by December 31, 2017* Organizations with 20 or more employees must report 21

22 AODA Compliance Action Plan 2017 Check that your organization has implemented requirements that are currently in effect Implement any outstanding 2017 requirements If your organization has 20 or more employees: o file an accessibility compliance report by December 31, 2017 o be ready to file your report every 3 years going forward 22

23 Contact Information Accessibility Directorate of Ontario ontario.ca/accessibility Get requirements and compliance resources Sign up for our newsletter and live webinars Toll-Free: TTY: / Facebook.com/AccessON AccessOntario 23