Towards an Accessible Ontario

Transcription

1 Towards an Accessible Ontario Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) November 2014 Accessibility Directorate of Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Accessibility Directorate Employment of Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and and Infrastructure

2 What is accessibility? Giving people of all abilities opportunities to participate fully in everyday life. Slide 2

3 It s about... Attitude Inclusion Understanding that people with disabilities may have different needs Slide 3

4 A Province of Firsts Accessibility reporting Staff training on accessibility Clear goal and time frame Goal: An accessible Ontario by 2025 Slide 4

5 More Resources to Help You Free and online Slide 5

6 Why Accessible Customer Service? Everyone is a customer of: Business (stores, restaurants, hotels, realtors, accountants, etc.) Government services (municipal and provincial) Schools, colleges and universities Hospitals and health care facilities Buses and taxis Community services Businesses are customers of other businesses! Ontarians Slide 6

7 Why an Accessibility Standard for Customer Service? It s about: Changing attitudes Influencing behaviours Fostering inclusion Everyone s included! How can I help you? Welcome! Slide 7

8 Complying with the Standard Four main steps For organizations with 20+ employees 1. Create and put a plan in place 2. Train your staff 3. Put your plan in writing 4. Report your progress online Slide 8

9 Welcoming Allows assistive devices Allows service animals Welcomes support persons Communicating Creating Your Plan What s in the plan? Considers a person s disability when communicating with them Lets customers know when accessible services aren t available Invites customers to provide feedback Slide 9

10 Staff includes: volunteers contractors Training Your Staff Who do you train? anyone who deals with the public on your behalf anyone involved in developing your customer service policies, practices and procedures When counting your staff make sure to include volunteers, contractors, seasonal workers; anyone who deals with the public on your behalf and anyone involved in developing your customer service policies, practices and procedures Slide 10

11 Training Your Staff What do you train them on? AODA and the requirements of the customer service standard Your plans to provide accessible customer service Interacting and communicating with: a person with a disability someone who uses an assistive device, or who has a service animal or support person Using assistive devices in your workplace What to do if someone with a disability is having difficulty accessing your goods or services Slide 11

12 Putting Your Plan in Writing If you have 20+ employees Keep a written copy of the plan Keep a training log of the training you provided Keep track of who you trained, on what and when Let customers know how to find your plan Offer your plan in accessible formats, if requested Accessible Customer Service Policies Practices Procedures Slide 12

13 Reporting Your Progress If you have 20+ employees Submit your accessibility report online using the government s One-Source secure online account The business number (BN9) is used to file the report Checklist format Reporting deadlines coming up: Private and non-profit sector December 31, 2014 Slide 13

14 What is the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) Four standards in one regulation: Employment is about making accessibility a regular part of finding, hiring and supporting employees with disabilities. Information and communications is about helping people with disabilities access information and communications that many of us rely on every day. Design of Public Spaces is about making public spaces more accessible. Transportation is about making it easier for everyone to travel in Ontario. Slide 14

15 Who is covered by the IASR? Organizations in Ontario One or more employees Provide goods, services or facilities: directly to the public, or to other businesses or organizations Government Broader Public Sector Business Non-profit organizations Slide 15

16 Timelines vary, depending on: Sector Size Standard Answer a few questions What are the timelines? The AODA Wizard Get a personalized summary of what you have to do, by when Free and user-friendly ontario.ca/accesson Slide 16

17 Employees with disabilities: stay on the job longer Accessible Employment What are the benefits? perform the same as other employee groups Inclusive workplaces: enhance corporate image strengthen competitive capability are better, more energizing places to work are more profitable over the long-run Slide 17

18 Human resources processes: recruitment and hiring return to work performance management career development job changes Accessible formats and communication supports Accessibility Standard for Employment Areas covered Workplace emergency response information Individual accommodation plans Slide 18

19 Accommodate disabilities during the selection process and let applicants know you will Consult with job applicants and make adjustments that best suit their needs Notify successful applicants of your accommodation policies Accessibility Standard for Employment Recruitment and hiring Slide 19

20 Outline the steps you will take to help your employees return to work when they: Accessibility Standard for Employment Return to work have been absent because of a disability need some form of disabilityrelated accommodation Slide 20

21 Make workplace information accessible: when an employee with a disability asks for it in an appropriate format or with communication supports Workplace information means: Accessibility Standard for Employment Accessible formats and supports information needed to perform a job general information available to all employees Slide 21

22 Accessibility Standard for Employment Workplace emergency response information Provide individualized emergency response information Share information, with consent Review when: employee changes work locations you review the employee s overall accommodation needs you review your organization s emergency response policies Slide 22

23 Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation Information and Communications Helping people with disabilities access information and communications that many of us rely on every day. Emergency & public safety information Accessible formats or communications supports Feedback Website accessibility Educational and training institutions requirements Slide 23

24 Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation Highlights Design of Public Spaces Making public spaces more accessible. Recreational trails and beach access routes Outdoor public-use eating areas Outdoor play spaces Exterior paths of travel Accessible parking Service-related elements Maintenance Slide 24

25 Resources to Help You Free and online Slide 25

26 For more information ontario.ca/accesson AODA Contact Centre (ServiceOntario) Toll-Free: TTY: / Fax: ServiceOntario Publications (to order resources online): AccessOntario Slide 26