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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLD-006-12Jafifl" REPORT MUNICIPAL CLERK'S DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: February 27, 2012 Resolution #: -I -t By -law #: Report#: CLD- 006 -12 File #: Subject: 2012 ACCESSIBILITY PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ONTAR/ANS W /TH D/SAB /L /TIES ACT RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CLD- 006 -12 be received; 2. THAT the 2012 Accessibility Plan attached as Schedule A to Report CLD- 006 -12 be adopted in accordance with the Ontarians With Disabilities Act; and 3. THAT the Accessibility Advisory Committee be thanked for their ongoing commitment and work. Submitted by: .. Reviewed by: Municipal Clerk Franklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905 - 623 -3379 REPORT NO.: CLD- 006 -12 1. BACKGROUND PAGE 2 In accordance with the Ontarians With Disabilities Act, the Council of every municipality shall prepare an accessibility plan addressing the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to persons with disabilities in the municipality's by -laws and in its policies, programs, practices and services. Accordingly, the proposed Accessibility Plan for 2012 is attached as Attachment 1. Once adopted, the plan will be made available to the public on the Municipality's website, through the Clarington Public Library and through the Municipal Clerk's Department. If requested, alternate formats of the document will be made available. Keith Brettell will be in attendance at the General Purpose and Administration Committee meeting to summarize the Plan for Committee's information. 2. CONCURRENCE - Not applicable 3. CONCLUSION It is recommended that the attached document be adopted as the Municipality of Clarington's 2012 Accessibility Plan. CONFORMITY WITH STRATEGIC PLAN The recommendations contained in this report conform to the general intent of the following priorities of the Strategic Plan: Promoting economic development Maintaining financial stability X Connecting Clarington Promoting green initiatives Investing in infrastructure Showcasing our community Not in conformity with Strategic Plan Staff Contact: Patti Barrie, Municipal Clerk Attachments: Attachment 1 - 2012 Accessibility Plan List of interested parties to be advised of Council's decision: Accessibility Advisory Committee 0 -e �Aa '14 1 a CCP_CCII'7 11 'J Mi miut -ll STRATEGIC PLAN ion - 2914 A -e �Aa '14 1 a CCP_CCII'7 11 'J Mi miut -ll STRATEGIC PLAN ion - 2914 INTRODUCTION The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) received Royal Assent on June 13, 2005. This legislation builds on the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, in ensuring a fully accessible Province of Ontario by 2025. The AODA includes accessibility standards addressing customer service, transportation, accessible information and communications, accessible built environment and employment accessibility. The first of the standards to be legislated was the Customer Service Standard which came into effect January 1, 2008 and municipalities and other designated public sector organizations had to comply with the regulation by January 1, 2010. The Integrated Accessibility Standard has combined the areas of information and communication, transportation and employment. These standards apply to the Government of Ontario, the Legislative Assembly, every designated public sector organization and every person or organization that provides goods, services and facilities to the public or other third parties and that has at least one employee in Ontario. Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2012 Page 2 The standard specifies various timelines for the requirements to be met and addresses such items as the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities, providing accessibility for people with disabilities during their employment life cycle and easy access to transportation services. THE ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE The legislation requires that municipalities appoint an Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC). The Municipality of Clarington's AAC, in accordance with legislation, consists of a majority of members with disabilities, who work alongside staff to develop and facilitate strategies toward a barrier -free Clarington for citizens with disabilities. AAC Past Activities One of the main focuses of the AAC is the education and public awareness of accessibility issues. In order to accomplish this, an education training session /accessibility challenge was undertaken at Clarington Central Secondary School. This activity brought the issue of inclusiveness to Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2012 Page 3 the forefront of the students' minds and, through the use of physical aids, gave the students a small glimpse into the daily challenges faced by many. In order to provide education on the Customer Service Standard, an evening session was organized for the business community, with a presentation from a member of the Toronto Business Improvement Area. Invitations were provided through the Board of Trade and the Business Improvements Areas. The AAC worked in cooperation with the Regional Municipality of Durham and the other area municipalities to organize the first Regional Accessibility Expo "Breaking Down Barriers ". Held at Durham College this was an all -day event, which featured a business breakfast, vendor area, guest speakers and entertainment. The event was very well attended and provided an excellent avenue for vendors of equipment and services which cater to the needs of those with accessibility issues to network and showcase their businesses. Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2012 Page 4 The Committee was pleased to meet with members of the Downtown Business Improvement Area to discuss ways of incorporating accessibility features into their special events. Items such as additional accessible parking, wider aisles and locations for visitors to sit and rest were included in their designs. Small modifications such as these help to make the community more accessible for all. During the preparation for the 2010 Municipal Elections, the Committee was involved in assisting the Municipal Clerk's Department with ensuring all voting locations and the Municipality's election website were accessible to all electors. Visits to the voting locations provided invaluable information to the Municipal Clerk in the booking and set up of the various locations. Site plans for new development within the Municipality are reviewed by a sub - committee of the AAC. The comments and suggestions of the sub - committee are forwarded to the Planning Services Department who work with the applicant in providing enhanced accessibility features in their projects. Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2012 This work has resulted in improved facilities being constructed throughout the Municipality and raising awareness of accessibility issues. Page 5 Through the Durham Region Employment Network (DREN), the Committee recently nominated Bibles for Mission for an Accessibility Award, based on their hiring of a number of people with special needs. The Committee was very pleased that the store received the well- deserved award. MUNICIPAL ACHIEVEMENTS Through its various departments, the Municipality of Clarington has accomplished the following: ■ the various websites have been converted to be in compliance with accessibility requirements (Corporate Services Department) ■ a barrier free washroom was completed in May 2011 at the Visual Arts Centre (Operations Department) Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2012 ■ Sidewalk improvements, eliminating the curb and providing a ramp at various locations throughout the municipality (this is an ongoing project) (Operations Department) ■ Providing "above average" accessible parking throughout the municipality, including one additional spot on the main street of Newcastle Village (Engineering Services Department) ■ Chief Building Official meets with the AAC to review Page 6 Site Plan drawings (Engineering Services Department) ■ Chief Building Official comments at pre - consultation meetings with respect to accessibility issues (Engineering Services Department) ■ Individual needs are met during all aspects of the recruitment process, ie, large print documents made available, ensuring interviews are held in rooms that are accessible, assistance with completing forms (Corporate Services Department) ■ Facility improvements at Darlington Sports Centre include improved accessible parking, new sliding glass motion sensor for main entrance doors, ramp access to all levels of front lobby areas and fully accessible lobby level washroom (Community Services Department) Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2012 Page 7 ■ Facility improvements at Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex include added new power door operators at arena and multi- purpose room entrances, improved accessible parking, new toilets, sinks, counters and hands -free faucets in arena washrooms, accessible viewing on Pad A arena east side spectator stands, added accessible counter at main customer service desk, added accessible showers in two dressing rooms on Pad A (Community Services Department) ■ Facility improvements at Courtice Community Complex include improved accessible parking, new power operated doors on multi - purpose room, new power door operators on lobby public washrooms, railing in pool change room corridor (Community Services Department) ■ Offer Summer Day Camp Integration Support — in 2011, this program was offered to 12 campers with special needs (total of 26 weeks) (Community Services Department) ■ Amended policy so that individuals using wheelchairs are no longer required to sign a waiver to go onto the ice surface (Community Services Department) Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2012 Page 8 ■ Added accessible counter at the Animal Shelter (Municipal Clerk's Department) ■ Training of all employees /contractors /volunteers has been achieved through a "Train the Trainer" program, whereby five staff members have been certified to conduct training sessions as needed. These sessions have been ongoing, and continue to be, in order to ensure all required training is undertaken (All Departments) ■ Consulted with taxi cab companies to ensure compliance with the requirements under the Integrated Standards (Municipal Clerk's Department) ■ Ensured all voting locations and the Municipality's election website were accessible to all electors for the 2010 Municipal Elections (Municipal Clerk's Department) ■ Provision of hearing assistive devices in the Council Chambers (Municipal Clerk's Department) ■ Audio taping of committee and council meetings (Municipal Clerk's Department) ■ Implementation of procedure to ensure access to the lift in the Municipal Administrative Centre is accessible to all (Corporate Services Department) Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2012 ■ Assistance provided to customers with completing required forms, when requested (All departments) FUTURE ACTIVITIES Page 9 The Committee is very anxious to continue with its workplan in improving accessibility issues for the residents and visitors of the Municipality of Clarington. Plans for the upcoming year include: ■ Overseeing implementation and work with staff on the new Integrated Standard of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. This will entail review of the Municipality's website to ensure continued compliance, review of communications to ensure accessible formats are available and development of policies, procedures and practices. As well, the Municipality's recruitment and retention practices will require review to ensure compliance with the new legislation. ■ Ongoing customer service training for new employees/ contractors /committee members. Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2012 Page 10 ■ Continue work in ensuring construction of accessible sidewalks. ■ Continuation and enhancement of public education/ awareness program. Communication of the Plan This plan will be available on the Municipality's website and at the Municipal Administrative Centre. Every attempt will be made to have it available to those with disabilities, including the provision of a Braille copy upon request. Questions related to this Plan should be directed to: Patti L. Barrie, CMO Municipal Clerk Municipality of Clarington 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, Ontario L1 C 3A6 Telephone: (905) 623 -3379 E -Mail: pbarrie �arin ton.net