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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLD-009-14 Clarbgton REPORT MUNICIPAL CLERK'S DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: March 31, 2014 Resolution#: By-law#: Report#: CLD-009-14 File#: Subject: MULTI-YEAR ACCESSIBILITY PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CLD-009-14 be received; and 2. THAT the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (Attachment No. 1 to Report CLD-009-14) be endorsed. Submitted by: Reviewed by: o Pat#i B ie Franklin Wu, Municipal Clerk Chief Administrative Officer plb CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 REPORT NO.: CLD-009-14 PAGE 2 1. BACKGROUND In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), municipalities are required to establish, implement, maintain and document a multi- year accessibility plan, which outlines the organization's strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet its requirements under the Integrated Standards Regulation. 2. MUNICIPALITY'S MULTI-YEAR PLAN The plan included with this report as Attachment No. 1 has been approved by the Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee as the 2013-2017 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan for the Municipality. It highlights past activities the Municipality has undertaken and sets out a timeline for completing future tasks. 3. CONCURRENCE - Not applicable 4. CONCLUSION It is respectfully recommended that the attached plan be endorsed as the Municipality of Clarington's Multi-Year Accessibility Plan in accordance with the AODA. CONFORMITY WITH STRATEGIC PLAN — Not Applicable Staff Contact: Patti L. Barrie, Municipal Clerk Attachments: Attachment 1 - 2013-2017 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Attachment No. 1 to Report CLD-009-14 Leading the Way 2013-2017 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan In Accordance With The Accessibility For Ontarians With Disabilities Act DECEMBER 2013 Alternative formats available upon request. 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 a 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 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 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 In accordance with the AODA, the Municipality adopted the Accessibility Policy which addresses the accessibility requirements related to customer service (ie, accessible formats, notice of temporary disruptions, use of service animals and support persons, feedback process and Clarington Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Page 3 assistive devices), Information and Communication Support (ie, Communication, accessible websites and web content, emergency procedures, HR policies and supports, accessible formats) and transportation standards. The Accessibility Committee continues to focus ongoing efforts in educating the public of accessibility issues within the community. Efforts to do so included the participation at Maplefest in downtown Bowmanville in early May to disseminate information related to accessibility issues and the committee as well as information published in the Wilmot Creek newsletter to advise the residents of that community of the existence of the committee and ways in which we can assist with identification and elimination of barriers. Concerns with respect to accessibility in public buildings are being investigated and addressed by the Committee, when brought forward by members of the public and members of the Committee. Recommendations are being made to the owners of the buildings for implementation. In addition, improvements in accessible features are being recognized by the Committee by way of congratulatory letter. Clarington Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Page 4 The Committee continues to work closely with counterparts throughout the Region of Durham. The Committee Chair participated in an Emergency Evacuation Exercise which was undertaken in Clarington and members of the Committee attended the annual Regional Forum where representation from all eight municipalities was present. A presentation was received from the Bowmanville Creek Anglers Association who was enthusiastic about erecting an accessible fishing platform on the Bowmanville Creek. In response to the presentation, the Committee provided funding for the project and also nominated the Association for an Accessibility Award through Durham Region. At the EmployABILITY Awards and Gala, the Committee was pleased to learn that the Association was the recipient of the award. Issues with respect to accessibility in all facilities, public and private, continue to be of paramount concern to the Committee and the members will continue to address issues as they become known to them. Clarington Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Page 5 Municipal staff continue to keep accessibility at the forefront when reviewing and/or implementing policies and when developing projects. The Emergency and Fire Services Department, together with the Ontario Fire Marshal and Grandview Children’s Centre, has recently launched a new program called “Think Ahead”. The program encourages Grandview clients to request a home visit from the fire services to educate the family in fire safety, fire prevention, emergency planning and escape planning. In so doing, the department becomes familiar with the family’s challenges and the child’s characteristics. The Treasury Department has undertaken a renovation of their Tax customer service area to address accessibility issues for the public and employees. This construction commenced in December and is anticipated to be complete in early 2014. In conjunction with the Human Resources Department, information was distributed to all employees regarding individual Employee Workplace Emergency Response Plans and responses received were followed up on. Clarington Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Page 6 In order to address training requirements of the AODA, a team of trainers completed "Train the Trainer" workshops regarding the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. This team will be implementing and facilitating training sessions for staff, volunteers and suppliers of the Municipality. A working group representing all departments of the Municipality is commencing work on making all municipal documents accessible. This is a large project which will be ongoing throughout 2014. Clarington Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Page 7 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Municipality of Clarington Legislated Our Proposed Completion Date for General Deliverables Implementation Date Public Date Sector (January) Policies & Procedures 2013 2013 Create Policies with Statement of Organizational 2013 2013 Commitment in written form Approval and Sign off 2013 2013 Make available to the Public 2013 2013 Available in Alternative Formats- upon request 2013 2013 . Accessibility Plan - Multi Year 2013 2013 Develop Accessibility Plan 2013 2013 Accessibility Plans - Post to web 2013 2013 Prepare an Annual Status Report and post 2013 2013 Review every 5 years Provide in alternative format 2013 2013 Procuring or Acquiring Goods or Services - 2013 2013 develop procedure for this If not practicable, provide an explanation. Create 2013 template. Accessibility Self Service Kiosk- have regard for 2013 2013 Training -All employees & volunteers, policy developers, those providing goods or services on 2014 behalf of organization regarding IRS and Human Rights Code Decide on training delivery Create schedule for current staff and new staff Training completed Clarington Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Page 8 Legislated Our Proposed Date of Date for Information & Communications Date for Completion Public Implementation Sector (January) Emergency Procedure Plans or Public Safety 2012 2012 Information - inventory and make accessible Feedback- is feedback system accessible upon 2014 request Accessible formats and communication supports upon request (timely manner, no cost charged to 2015 other persons) Create inventory of current documents Create document renewal plan Create Strategic Communication Plan -create processes for flow of documents, who creates source documents, who ensures pdfs are accessible, who checks for accessibility before posting to website, decide on corporate wide fonts, staff training on accessible document creation, analysis of website content and new content Website New Internet WCAG 2.0 Level AA (other 2014 then closed caption Live pre-recorded audio) All internet websites,and web content WCAG 2.0 2021 Level AA Clarington Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Page 9 Legislated Our Proposed Date of Date for Employment Date for Completion Public Implementation Sector (January) HR Staff to develop deliverables and processes for below Workplace Emergency Response - process 2012 2012 Recruitment- notify employees and public regarding availability of accommodation Notify applicant- availability of accommodation 2014 upon request for assessments or selection process Inform employees of policies regarding job 2014 accommodations Accessible formats and communication 2014 supports available to perform job Have a Documented Individual Accessibility Plan 2014 Have a Return to Work Process 2014 Performance Management takes into account 2014 accessibility needs Career Development and Advancement Process 2014 takes into account accessibility needs Redeployment process takes into account 2014 accessibility needs Clarington Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Page 10 Legislated Our Proposed Date of Date for Public Spaces Date for Completion Public Implementation Sector (January) Incorporate the Design of Public Spaces on newly developed or redeveloped recreational trails and beach access routes, outdoor public use eating 2016 areas, outdoor play spaces, exterior paths of travel, accessible parking and service related elements If developing Recreational Trails, Outdoor Play Spaces, Exterior Paths of Travel, Rest Areas, or On- 2016 Street Parking, consult with public, persons with disabilities and municipal AAC if there is one Provide maintenance and restoration of public 2016 spaces Develop procedures for preventative and 2016 emergency maintenance of accessible elements in Develop procedures for dealing with temporary 2016 disruptions when accessible elements under public Report every three years as of December 31, 2013 2016 Clarington Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Page 11 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. 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: barrie(cDclarin. tog n.net i