Email this page2007-2008 Accessibility Plan
- Introduction
- Message from the Minister
- Report on Achievements
- Commitments - Measures to Prevent New Barriers
- Commitments - Barriers to be Addressed
- For More Information
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 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. It was posted for public review on June 27, 2007 and will be available for public comment until September 28, 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 These obligations will remain in effect until they are repealed and replaced by standards under the new act.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 Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. 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 ministry 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
It is with pleasure that I present the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s Accessibility Plan for 2007-2008. This is the fifth year in which plans have been written and are being implemented by public sector organizations such as ours across the province.
Here at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, we are building on the success of our previous four plans and continuing to look for ways to better meet the needs of people with disabilities who come into contact with this ministry, regardless of whether they are staff, members of the general public or ministry stakeholders.
During 2006-2007 we completed a review of a number of ministry acts, regulations and programs to identify barriers to people with disabilities. We also conducted training on enhanced barrier-free access provisions in the new 2006 Building Code, including 11 public information sessions.
This year marks the second anniversary of the landmark Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, (AODA) - legislation that will require the development, implementation and enforcement of accessibility standards in key areas of daily living.
My ministry has a major role to play in implementing the new AODA. For example, we are participating in the development of the transportation accessibility standard as active members of the Transportation Standards Development Committee. An initial proposed standard on accessible transportation has been developed by the Transportation Standards Development Committee. It was posted for public review on June 27, 2007 and will be available for public comment until September 28, 2007. Ministry staff is also providing ongoing support to the inter-ministerial committee for Employment Standards.
In particular, our ministry is assuming a major responsibility as the lead for the Accessible Built Environment Standards Development Committee which will be officially underway this fall. The new 2006 Building Code contains enhanced barrier-free accessibility requirements, and we expect that there will be further changes once the committee has developed a standard and submitted it to the government for consideration.
From customer service, employment, communications and the built environment, we’re working diligently to meet and deliver on our accessibility requirements. We will ensure that people with disabilities have easy access to our ministry information, participate in our policy consultations and can easily access the services of the Landlord and Tenant Board.
If you have any comments or concerns, I encourage you to send them using the contact information located at the end of this document.
Sincerely,
The Honourable John Gerretsen
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Report on Achievements
2006 - 2007 Accessibility Improvement Initiatives
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) was successful in achieving, and in some cases, surpassing, planned commitments outlined in its 2006-2007 accessibility plan. This section provides a status report.
Commitment
The ministry will continue to review the Planning for Barrier Free Development Guide for compatibility with the newly enacted Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
Status
Complete
Action and Timeframe
The ministry has reviewed the Planning for Barrier-Free Development Guide to reflect enactment of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006 and an updated Guide will be available on the MMAH internet site in 2007-2008.
Commitment
The ministry will review the Planning Act to identify potential barriers to people with disabilities.
Status
Complete
Action and Timeframe
The Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006 amended the Planning Act, effective January 1, 2007. The Planning Act now provides that municipalities can consider and impose conditions regarding the accessibility provisions of a development proposal through the site plan control process.
Commitment
The ministry will review new and existing acts and regulations to identify barriers to people with disabilities.
Status
Complete
Action and Timeframe
The following acts and regulations were reviewed in 2006-2007:
- Planning Act
- Municipal Act
- Regulations to the City of Toronto Act
- Municipal Elections Act, as part of the standard review that is conducted after each Municipal Election
Rationale
Review of the Municipal Elections Act is still underway and is anticipated to run through 2007-2008.
Commitment
The ministry will review new and existing policies and programs to identify potential barriers to people with disabilities. The Affordable Housing Program will be reviewed in 2006-2007.
Status
Complete
Action and Timeframe
The Affordable Housing Program (AHP) was reviewed in 2006-2007 and no barriers were identified. In total, there are 48 projects out of 177 projects with some physically accessible units. A total of 605 AHP units have physical disability access.
Commitment
The ministry will provide training on enhanced barrier-free access provisions as part of the implementation of the 2006 Building Code.
Status
Complete
Action and Timeframe
The 2006 Building Code includes a range of barrier-free access requirements that came into effect December 31, 2006. Eleven public information sessions on the new Code were held in August and September 2006, and covered the new barrier-free access requirements in the 2006 Code.
Commitment
The ministry will work with the Ontario Realty Corporation to assess signage requirements in ministry buildings to ensure conformity to the new Building Code requirements coming into effect on December 31, 2006.
Status
Complete
Action and Timeframe
The ministry has reviewed its conformity with the new requirements of the Building Code that came into effect on December 31, 2006 and is in the process of voluntarily complying with the new sign standard.
Commitment
Create a standard format for staff telephone lists which specifies where they are to be located in lobby areas and how they should be set out (i.e. type and size of font, etc.)
Status
Complete
Action and Timeframe
As of March 2007, a new signage system is in place in the elevator lobbies to ensure consistent presentation and location on all floors, large font size and colour coordinated with current branch colours.
Ongoing Accessibility Improvement Initiatives
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) was successful in achieving, and in some cases, surpassing, its commitments described in the accessibility plans it issued before 2006 - 2007. This section provides a status report.
Commitment
The ministry will ensure that the capital grant program projects meet the accessibility standards of the Building Code.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
The ministry will continue to ensure projects of the Affordable Housing program conform with accessibility standards of the Building Code.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will continue the review of potential regulatory amendments to the Building Code that would enhance barrier-free access to buildings.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
The Ministry has actively consulted on the Building Code, including accessibility issues. MMAH is working with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario in identifying potential amendments to the Building Code that would enhance barrier-free access to buildings. MMAH is the lead ministry on the Accessible Built Environment Standards Development Committee, part of the implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. The work of the Committee will begin in Fall 2007 and is expected to last approximately one year. The Committee will make recommendations to the government for regulatory changes.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will provide training and examine building practitioners on the barrier-free provisions of the Building Code.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
The Building Code requires building practitioners, including building officials and designers, to pass examinations that evaluate their knowledge of the Building Code within their area of practice, including barrier-free access provisions. The ministry has developed training aids targeted at helping building practitioners prepare for these examinations. Courses are available through ministry delivery agents and contain specific content on barrier-free requirements. The ministry is continuing its commitment to Building Code technical training and examinations, including evaluating knowledge on barrier-free access provisions.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
Where feasible, the ministry will include an electronic component to ministry consultations to allow citizens who may have difficulty attending public events to participate in ministry consultations.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
Where applicable, the ministry will continue to include Ontarians with Disabilities Act compliant web pages to enable people with disabilities to contribute feedback online to ministry consultations. Examples of this achievement are the Lifelease Housing consultation conducted between March 2006 and June 2006, and the current consultations taking place within the Provincial Municipal Fiscal and Service Delivery Review.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will post the accessibility of venues in advertisements or promotional material for major public events.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
Information about accessibility for major public stakeholder events was included in advertising for the Residential Tenancies Act between October 2006 and March 2007, and other public meetings.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will coordinate requests for publications in alternative formats.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
The ministry will continue to coordinate requests for publications in alternative formats through Publications Ontario.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will ensure that all future Internet content is accessible as required by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
All internet content will continue to be accessible as required by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will include accessible website design principles through ongoing training for web publishers.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
Accessible website design principles will continue to be included in training for intranet and internet publishers. During the past year, six training sessions were held for web publishers.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
Where possible, all public meetings and events will be fully accessible.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
Accommodations for persons with disabilities were made available on request for major public meetings.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will ensure an assessment will be conducted and documented on file for all procurements greater than $5,000 to identify potential barriers and ensure equal access for persons will disabilities.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
An accessibility assessment for procurements greater than $5,000 has been listed as one of the mandatory requirements in the ministry’s procurement policies.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The Centre for Leadership and Learning’s generic training on the Ontarians with Disabilities Act will continue to be part of mandatory training for new managers.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
The ministry notifies new managers of the mandatory Ontarians with Disabilities Act training, and tracks training completion.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will continue to meet employees’ and job applicants’ accommodation needs within Cabinet Office, Centre for Leadership and Human Resource and Resource Management guidelines.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
The ministry will continue to meet employees’ and job applicants’ accommodation needs when they are identified, and will encourage all applicants to self-identify their accommodation needs as part of the interview process.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will review staff development strategies and identify potential barriers to training opportunities for personnel with disabilities.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
The ministry continues to work with personnel with disabilities, and managers, to address training needs as they are identified.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will ensure that all applicants who have been invited to attend an interview for a position in the ministry are asked if they require any accommodation for the interview.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
The ministry encourages applicants to identify any accommodation needs in each job posting. OPS Staffing Policies and Guidelines direct managers to inquire about, and meet, any accommodation needs.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
Ontario Realty Corporation Barrier-Free Design Guidelines will be incorporated into all new construction and minor renovations.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
The Barrier-Free Design Guidelines were incorporated into the ministry’s new construction arising from required space reduction and various minor renovations.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will work with landlords of buildings leased by the ministry to ensure that targeted facilities provide optimal safety and convenience for visitors and employees.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
The ministry continues to work with landlords and staff to identify and remove accessibility barriers. During the past year, some Landlord and Tenant Board locations have had lobbies rebuilt to improve barrier-free accessibility; a barrier-free customer service counter has been installed; and a new hearings room is now totally barrier-free.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will ensure that construction and office redesign in ministry buildings continues to be based on good ergonomic design and in compliance with the Building Code.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing
Action
The ministry will continue to work together with individuals to ensure that their workspaces are based on good ergonomic design and are devoid of any accessibility barriers.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will continue to encourage awareness of, and sensitivity to, accessibility issues and identify any potential barriers by soliciting staff input and ideas.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
The ministry continues to encourage understanding and sensitivity to accessibility issues through information sessions. In September 2006, a Lunch and Learn session was held where attendees heard from a representative of the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. Staff learned about the definition and types of dementia; the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease; risk factors; stages and diagnosis; and treatment and research.
The ministry continues to monitor the suggestion box on our accessibility intranet page for staff input and ideas related to accessibility and future Lunch and Learn session ideas.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will continue to update the Accessibility at MMAH pages on the intranet.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing
Action
The ministry will continue to work with the Accessibility Working Group to update the Accessibility at MMAH intranet pages to feature the most up-to-date information on accessibility issues, including information on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the standards development process.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will ensure that its Cabinet submissions, Treasury Board and Management Board submissions and operating proposals are considered from the perspective of those with disabilities.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
Ministry staff evaluates all Cabinet submissions, Treasury Board and Management Board submissions and operating proposals. If a ministry submission or proposal has Ontarians with Disabilities Act considerations, the ministry submits the submission or proposal to the Accessibility Directorate for review.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will support the implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
Status
Achieved and commitment is ongoing.
Action
The ministry will continue to participate in the development of the transportation accessibility standard through sitting on the Transportation Standards Development Committee and will also continue to participate on the inter-ministerial committee for Employment Standards. In addition, a process has been established with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario to support the Built Environment Standards Development Committee. The Built Environment Inter-ministerial committee has also been established and five meetings have been held so far.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitments - Measures to Prevent New Barriers
In the coming year, the ministry commits to assess its acts, regulations, policies, programs, practices and services to determine their effect on accessibility for persons with disabilities. This section summarizes these commitments.
Customer Service
Commitment
Where feasible, the ministry will include an electronic component to ministry consultations to allow citizens who may have difficulty attending public events to participate in ministry consultations.
Action
Where feasible, the ministry will continue to include Ontarians with Disabilities Act compliant web pages to enable people with disabilities to contribute feedback online to ministry consultations.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Commitment
The ministry will post the accessibility of venues in advertisements or promotional material for major public events and will ensure that all requests for accessibility are met for public meetings and events.
Action
Information about accessibility for major public events will continue to be included in advertising and/or on the internet. Accommodation for persons with disabilities will continue to be made available upon request.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Commitment
The ministry will coordinate requests for publications in alternative formats.
Action
The ministry will continue to coordinate requests for publications in alternative formats through Publications Ontario.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Commitment
The ministry will ensure an assessment will be conducted and documented on file for all procurements greater than $5,000 to identify potential barriers and ensure equal access for people with disabilities.
Action
An accessibility assessment for procurements greater than $5,000 has been listed as one of the mandatory requirements in the ministry’s procurement policies.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Employment
Commitment
The Centre for Leadership and Learning’s generic training on the Ontarians with Disabilities Act will continue to be part of mandatory training for new managers.
Action
Managers will be reminded in the Manager’s orientation guide to complete the mandatory Centre for Leadership and Learning’s generic training on the Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will continue to meet employees’ and job applicants’ accommodation needs within Cabinet Office, Centre for Leadership and Human and Resource Management guidelines.
Action
The ministry will continue to meet employees’ and job applicants’ accommodation needs when they are identified, and will encourage all applicants to self-identify their accommodation needs as part of the interview process.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will provide resources to promote staff awareness of issues facing Ontarians with disabilities through the ministry’s Health and Wellness program.
Action
The ministry will provide information addressing issues facing Ontarians with disabilities to promote awareness amongst ministry staff.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Communications and Information
Commitment
The ministry will continue to address attitudinal barriers by encouraging awareness of, and sensitivity to, accessibility issues and identify any potential barriers by soliciting staff input and ideas.
Action
The ministry will host a lunch and learn session on accessibility issues, providing updated information on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the standards development process. Staff input and ideas will be encouraged and used to identify new commitments for the 2008-2009 Accessibility Plan.
Timeframe
March 2008
Commitment
The ministry will ensure that all future internet content is accessible as required by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Action
All internet content will continue to be accessible as required by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Commitment
The ministry will include accessible website design principles through ongoing training for web publishers.
Action
Accessible website design principles will continue to be included in training for intranet and internet publishers.
Timeframe
Ongoing.
Built Environment
Commitment
The ministry will update examinations to reflect the new content of the 2006 Building Code, including barrier-free access provisions.
Action
The ministry will update the examinations, written by building practitioners to reflect the content of the 2006 Building Code, including barrier free access provisions.
Timeframe
March 2008
Commitment
The ministry will support the Ministry of Community and Social Services in the implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
Action
The ministry will provide policy, administrative and technical support to the Built Environment Standards Development Committee. The committee will be developing standards for the physical environment, both indoors and outdoors.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitment
The ministry will support and monitor the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act standards development process in the area of the built environment specifically in relation to recommendations developed for new housing units created under provincial or municipal housing programs.
Action
The ministry will ensure new housing units created under provincial (Affordable Housing Program) or municipal housing programs meet accessibility standards of the Building Code and any new standards developed under the Built Environment Standards Development Committee.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Acts and Regulations
Commitment
The ministry will review new draft bills and regulations and selected existing acts and regulations to identify potential barriers to people with disabilities.
Action
The Municipal Elections Act will continue to be reviewed in order to review the municipal obligation to ensure that the election process is accessible for persons with disabilities, including polling places and ballot accessibility.
Timeframe
March 2008
Commitment
The ministry will ensure that its Cabinet submissions, Treasury Board and Management Board submissions and operating proposals are considered from the perspective of those with disabilities.
Action
Ministry staff evaluates all Cabinet submissions, Treasury Board and Management Board submissions and operating proposals. If a ministry submission or proposal has Ontarians with Disabilities Act considerations, the ministry submits the submission or proposal to the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario for review.
Timeframe
Ongoing
Commitments - Barriers to be Addressed
Customer Service
Barrier
Solicit ideas to help identify any potential barriers that may exist at the ministry.
Commitment
The ministry will survey staff to identify existing barriers to accessibility at the ministry. Results of the survey may be used to identify any barriers to be addressed for the 2008-2009 Accessibility Plan.
Responsibility
Corporate Planning Branch
Timeline
March 2008.
Communications and Information
Barrier
Promote awareness of accessibility issues among staff.
Commitment
The ministry will encourage awareness of accessibility issues by marketing the Accessibility at MMAH web page on the ministry intranet and soliciting staff input and ideas on the intranet suggestion box.
Responsibility
Corporate Planning Branch
Timeline
March 2008.
For More Information
Questions or comments about the ministry’s accessibility plan are always welcome.
General inquiry number: 416-585-7041
TTY number: 416-585-6991
TTY toll free: 1-866-220-2290
E-mail: oda.mah@ontario.ca
Ministry website address: www.mah.gov.on.ca
Visit the Ministry of Community and Social Services Accessibility Ontario web portal. 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:
Publications Ontario
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Out of town customers, except Ottawa, call: 1-800-668-9938
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TTY Service: 1-800-268-7095
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