Accessibility
Provincial legislation designed to achieve an accessible province by 2025 was passed by the government of Ontario in 2005.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) mandates private, public and non-profit organizations to provide access to goods and services, buildings and facilities, structures and premises, workplaces and accommodations. Standards are being developed to regulate accessibility requirements for:
The purpose of these acts is to improve the opportunities for persons with disabilities and to provide for their participation in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to their full participation in the life of the Province.
How are standards being developed?Committees of people from the disability, business and public communities:
The government then decides what will become law and when. |
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What happens when standards become law?
Once developed and made into law, these standards will include the steps and timelines that businesses and organizations will have to follow.
Where are we now?
Customer Service Standards
The Accessibility Standards for the Customer Service Regulation is now law. It came into effect on January 1, 2008. Large public sector organizations have to meet requirements under this standard by January 1, 2010. The private sector and non-profit organizations will follow on January 1, 2012.
The municipality fulfilled the Customer Service Standard requirements on March 31, 2010.
Integrated Accessibility Standards
The Accessibility Standards for the Integrated Accessibility Regulation is now law. It will come into effect on January 1, 2012.
Large public sector organizations have to meet requirements under this standard between 2012 and 2025.
Compliance Timelines
2012
Information and Communications
Starting January 1, 2012, organizations will need to provide emergency procedures, plans or public safety information in accessible formats such as large print. (13)
Employment
Starting January 1, 2012, organizations will need to provide their employees with disabilities with emergency response information that is tailored to the employee’s needs, if the disability requires it. (27)
2013 - 2021
General
2013 Accessibility Policies (3)
Accessibility Plans (Multi Year) (4)
Procurement (5)
Kiosks (6)
2014 Training (7)
Information and Communications
2013 Public Libraries (19)
2014 Feedback (11)
Websites (14)
2015 Accessible Formats (12)
2021 Websites (14)
Employment
2014 Recruitment (22)
Selection Process (23)
Notice to Applicants (24)
Informing Employees (25)
Accessible Formats (26)
Accommodations Plans (28)
Return to Work (29)
Performance Management (30)
Career Development (31)
Redeployment (32)
Under the ODA, municipalities of 10,000 or more residents are required to establish accessibility advisory committees and a majority of their members must be people with disabilities.
The municipal obligations under the ODA include the following:
- All municipalities are required to prepare an updated Accessibility Plan on an annual basis. It is a public document and is used to consult with persons with disabilities;
- Municipalities of 10,000 or more residents are required to establish accessibility advisory committees and a majority of their members must be people with disabilities.
In response to these obligations, the Township of Clearview formed its Accessibility Advisory Committee in 2003. The committee has been assigned the task of advising Council on all matters pertaining to persons with disabilities.
In 2010, Clearview also formed an internal Accessibility Working Committee consisting of municipal staff representing the various administrative departments, library services, and a representative from the Clearview Accessibility Advisory Committee (CAAC). The Accessibility Working Committee is tasked with implementing the recommendations of the CAAC, complying with new accessibility legislation, and developing a yearly accessibility plan.
Feedback
The Township of Clearview welcomes public input. It helps identify area where changes need to be considered and ways to improve the delivery of accessible services. Feedback may be provided by telephone, in person, in writing or by email.
Contact
Clearview Township
217 Gideon Street, PO Box 200,
Stayner, ON L0M 1S0
(705) 428-6230 Ext 238
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