Accessibility Plan 2007-2008

We welcome your comments about the ODA. Please feel free to identify any accessibility barriers at any of our office locations. E-mail: accessibilityplanningteam@ndm.gov.on.ca.

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Table of Contents

Message from the Minister | Report on Achievements | Commitments - Measures to Prevent New Barriers

2007-2008 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 These obligations will remain in effect until they are repealed and replaced by standards under the new act.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 Northern Development and Mines. 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.

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Message from the Minister

I am pleased to present the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines’ fifth annual plan for improving access to programs, services and employment opportunities. The ministry is committed to improving accessibility by identifying, removing and preventing barriers and by working with our stakeholders in key areas of customer service, employment, communications and information, and the built environment.

This year marks the second anniversary of the landmark Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) – legislation that is fostering the development, implementation and enforcement of accessibility standards in key areas of daily living. In the two years since this act was established, the Ontario government has developed accessible customer service regulations which were approved by the Lieutenant-Governor and will be put into practice on January 1, 2008. As well, accessible transportation standards were developed and posted for public review on June 27 and will be available for public comment until September 28, 2007.

Here at the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, we are building on the success of our previous efforts and continue to look for ways to better meet the needs of people with disabilities whether they are staff or stakeholders. This year we have enhanced training of our front-line staff in providing accessible customer service. As well, we continue to take into account barrier-free design guidelines when developing new ServiceOntario locations and we continue to ensure that our legislation, policies and programs address barrier issues and respond to the needs of the public. Examples of our work in these areas are provided in this report.

As we meet our priorities and those of the government, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines is proud to contribute to a healthier Ontario, stronger communities and a higher quality of life. 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,

Honourable Rick Bartolucci

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Report on Achievements of 2006-2007

Completed Accessibility Improvement Initiatives

The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines 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: Provide training to ServiceOntario/Government Information Centre staff to increase awareness of accessibility issues and how to better serve clients.
Status: Complete.
Action: Service Ontario/GIC’s were given a presentation on ‘Disability Etiquette” focusing on customer service to customers with various disabilities. In addition, the on-line “May I Help You” disability learning tool was made available to all staff.
Timeframe: The Northeastern ServiceOntario session was delivered in October 2006 in North Bay. The Northwestern session was delivered via teleconference in April 2007.

Commitment: All new managers and supervisors in the ministry will be advised of the mandatory accessibility training via the manager’s orientation checklist.
Status: Complete.
Action: Mandatory accessibility training was added to the manager’s orientation checklist.
Timeframe: October 2006

Commitment: Review the results of the accessibility survey, which was sent out in May 2006 to identify areas which require improved staff awareness. Utilize the ministry newsletters to address the areas identified in the survey results and consider additional information campaigns as necessary to improve staff awareness.
Status: Complete.
Action: The survey results were reviewed and it was concluded that general accessibility awareness is still not as high as it could be among staff throughout the ministry. Accessibility information bites were posted in the ministry’s newsletter and an accessibility awareness week was held where daily tips were sent to all ministry staff.
Timeframe: The survey results were reviewed in November 2006. Newsletter bites were posted throughout the year. The Accessibility Awareness week was held in June 2007.

Commitment: Inform Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC) of the results of the building audits done at 159 Cedar Street, 199 Larch Street and 933 Ramsey Lake Road (Sudbury) to encourage the Ontario Realty Corporation to address the barriers identified.
Status: Complete.
Action: Forwarded audit results to the Ontario Realty Corporation and received notice that they will conduct test building surveys of several Ontario Government buildings to identify any barriers and generate high level cost estimates to remediate the buildings surveyed.
Timeframe: April 2007

Commitment: The Whitney Block Users Committee, working in cooperation with facilities management and the Ontario Realty Corporation, will continue to facilitate the implementation of any feasible infrastructure improvements to address accessibility issues. Visual/audible alarms are to be installed and fire alarm pull stations are to be lowered to a barrier-free height in compliance with Ontario Realty Corporation guidelines. Design options for entrance ramp are to be complete by March 2007.
Status: Complete.
Action: All visual fire alarm requirements were met according to the Ontario Realty Corporation Guidelines. All new fire pull-stations were lowered to meet accessibility requirements per the Ontario Realty Corporation guidelines. Design options for entrance ramp at Whitney Block were completed.
Timeframe: Throughout the year

Commitment: Legal Services Branch will review the Ontario Mineral Exploration and Professional Geoscientists Acts to identify barriers and ensure the appropriate use of language with respect to people with disabilities.
Status: Complete.
Action: Legal Services Branch reviewed the Ontario Mineral Exploration and Professional Geoscientists Acts and found no barriers or inappropriate language in either document.
Timeframe: August 2007

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Ongoing Accessibility Improvement Initiatives

The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines 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 Accessibility Plan Working Group will continue to consult with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario to address new standards and planning requirements as set out under Sec. 10 of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Status: Complete and ongoing.
Action: The Ministry Accessibility Plan Working Group lead continued to consult with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario in an effort to keep the working group current on Ontarians with Disabilities Act standards and planning requirements. The working group continued to plan, monitor, evaluate and report on progress in enhancing and improving accessibility to people with disabilities and continued assigned tasks.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Rationale: Continued Commitment

Commitment: Ensure that the ministry’s Internet and Intranet sites are accessible and test all new sites content to ensure usability by people with disabilities.
Status: Complete and ongoing.
Action: Continued to monitor Internet and Intranet sites for Ontarians with Disabilities Act compliance. Ensured that all web staff was trained in regards to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act compliance for web design. Ensured all new sites abided to accessibility policies and that all new software was Ontarians with Disabilities Act compliant where possible.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Rationale: Continued Commitment

Commitment: Have regard for accessibility in government-funded capital programs in accordance with Barrier-Free Guidelines through new ServiceOntario Centres being built in New Liskeard, Sudbury and Red Lake
Status: Complete and ongoing.
Action: The ServiceOntario centre in New Liskeard has been completed according to Barrier-Free Guidelines. The centre in Sudbury is in-progress and nearing completion while the centre in Red Lake is still in the planning stage. An additional centre in Cochrane was completed according to Barrier-Free Guidelines.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Rationale: Planning and construction of the centres is conditional on the commitment and funding provided by the Ministry of Government Services. It is an ongoing commitment for the ministry.

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Commitments — Measures to Prevent New Barriers

In the coming years, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines 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

• >Education and awareness will continue to be a priority to build employee awareness of types of disabilities and how to respond to persons with disabilities

Employment

• We will continue to provide training on accommodating employees and job applicants who have disabilities to all new managers.

Communications and information

• Taking into account the results of the accessibility awareness survey that was put to staff, the ministry will continue to provide awareness information to all staff via internal communication venues.

Built environment

• The ministry will continue to inform Ontario Realty Corporation on audit findings for facilities that house Ministry of Northern Development and Mines staff.
• The ministry will have regard for requirements under the Barrier-Free Guidelines for government funded capital projects.

Acts and regulations

• The ministry will continue to consider acts or regulations for a barrier review analysis as part of the regular planning cycle.
• The ministry will ensure that new statutes use appropriate language with respect to people with disabilities and meet the objectives of the ODA.

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Commitments — Barriers to be Addressed

The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines commits to identify, remove and prevent barriers to persons with disabilities in the coming year. This section summarizes these commitments.

Employment Accommodation

Barrier: Management awareness of employment practices for people with disabilities.
Commitment: Provide managers with a handbook developed by the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario which addresses how to make employment opportunities accessible to people with disabilities.
Responsibility: Human Resources, Ministry Management
Timeline: Throughout the year

Communications and Information

Barrier: Staff awareness of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act and its requirements. All ministry staff have not been trained in regard to accessibility awareness.
Commitment: Expand on Accessibility Awareness Week to include an Accessibility Awareness Day in at least two sites where lunch and learn sessions will be held and include monthly “Accessibility Bites” in the ministry newsletter. Continue to provide accessibility awareness training to all ministry staff.
Responsibility: Ministry Accessibility Plan Working Group, Communications Services Branch
Timeline: Ongoing

Build Environment

Barrier: Signage in ServiceOntario and Government Information Centres is not all ODA compliant and main public entrance of the Whitney Block is not accessible.
Commitment: ServiceOntario and Government Information Centre staff will work in collaboration with the Ministry of Government Services to replace existing signage with ODA compliant signage. As well, the ministry will work with Whitney Block User Group to remove barriers.
Responsibility: ServiceOntario, Ministry of Government Services, Whitney Block User Group
Timeline: Ongoing

Acts and Regulations

Barrier: The Ontario Mining Act was drafted prior to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act and may not be Ontarians with Disabilities Act compliant.
Commitment: Legal Services Branch is reviewing the Ontario Mining Act to identify barriers and ensure the appropriate use of language with respect to people with disabilities. As well, the ministry will continue to consider new acts or regulations for a barrier review analysis as part of the regular planning cycle.
Responsibility: Legal Services Branch
Timeline: Due to the length and complexity of this act, this commitment will continue through to 2009.

 

For more information

Questions or comments about the ministry’s accessibility plan are always welcome.

Please phone:

General inquiry number: 705 564-7444

TTY number: 1 866 349-1388

1-800 number: 1 877 817-6636

E-mail: accessibilityplanningteam@ontario.ca

Ministry website address: http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/mndm/default_e.asap

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:

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