Overview of Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Cynthia Tam Disability Ministries National Coordinator Christian & Missionary Alliance in Canada

Purpose The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, or AODA, aims to identify, remove, and prevent barriers for people with disabilities to be included in the life of the community.

Definition of Disabilities Broad definition Physical disabilities Visual, hearing or speech impairments Intellectual or developmental disabilities Learning disabilities Mental illnesses Disabilities of different severity, visible, non- visible, and those with effects that come and go Prevalence: 1 in 7 (Stat. Can 2006)

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005 Five standards Accessible Customer Service Accessible Information and Communications Employment Accessibility Accessible Transportation Accessible Built Environment Administered by the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment Goal: Accessible Ontario by 2025

Who must comply? have one or more employees Public, non-profit and private sector organizations who have one or more employees provide goods or services either directly to the public or to other businesses or organizations

Who is an employee All full-time, part-time, seasonal and contract employees, regardless of status Receiving a wage or salary You have control over the work assigned to the person, and have a right to control the details of the work

Volunteers and Contractors They are not counted as employees Organizations are still obliged to: Supervise so to ensure compliance with the rules Ensure that these individuals are trained

Reporting requirements Based on numbers of employees 1 to 19 20 to 49 50 and more

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005 Reporting requirements Accessible Customer Service standard Integrated accessibility standard Accessible Information and Communications Employment Accessibility Accessible Transportation Design of public spaces Building code Internal accessibility incorporated into the Building Code

20-49 Employees Have policy, procedures and practices in place Reporting mainly concerns the Customer Service Standards Accessibility compliance report 1st report: December 31, 2012 2nd report: December 31, 2014

50 or more employees Reporting Accessibility compliance report 1st report: December 31, 2012 2nd report: December 31, 2014 Additional accessibility compliance report every three years. 3rd report: December 31st, 2017

Ensuring Compliance Compliance report Inspection Subject to review by a government appointed director Inspection Subject to inspection Appointed inspector can have entry to the building without warrants

Non-compliance Non-compliance: Maximum penalties: Incomplete reports inaccurate record keeping Employees not engaged in training Maximum penalties: A person and unincorporated organizations Up to $50,000 dollars a day Corporate organizations: Up to $100,000 per day Directors and officers of a corporation Liable to a fine of up to $50,000 a day

Core principles Polices, practices and procedures must demonstrate Reasonable efforts to remove barriers Consistent with the core principles of Independence Dignity Integration Equality of opportunity

Reasonable Efforts There is not a single way to provide accessibility. Examples: Changing a procedure Installing an assistive device Built-in accessibility in the design of the program If accessibility plan cannot be implemented immediately, consider alternative means to provide the same service at the mean time.

Independence Independence means: Example freedom from control or influence of others freedom to make choices freedom to do things in preferred way. Example Getting food independently despite apparent physical difficulties

Dignity Dignity means Examples Treat as valued member who deserves access to all church services. Not to force them to accept lesser service, quality or convenience. Examples Worship in the sanctuary

Integrative Integration mean: same services, in the same place and in the same or similar way as other customers. Alternative and temporary measures allowed Example: Integrated for certain part of the children program while providing individualized teaching

Equality Equality in services means that people with disabilities have the same opportunity to benefit from your services, without making significantly more effort to access or obtain service. Accepting lesser quality or more inconvenience. Examples: Entrance from the back door

Guiding Documents Policies – what you intend to do, including any rules for staff Procedures – how you will go about it or the steps staff are expected to take Practices – what you actually do on a day-to-day basis, including how your staff actually offer or deliver your services

Training Determine Who must be trained. Organization with more than 20 employees must maintain records of training Dates and people trained What must be included in the training E.g., Communication techniques, use of assistive devices etc. How the training is delivered Face to face or electronic When the training should take place On-going training as changes are made to the policies, practices and procedures New employee must be trained asap

Information and Communication Provide information and communicate in ways accessible to the persons with disabilities Website Make sure that it meets the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA requirements

Service Animals Service animals include more than a seeing-eye dog. There are certified service dogs for many other disabilities such as epilepsy, autism and PTSD Identify areas that are open or not open to service animals. If service animals to certain areas are excluded by law, identify ways to provide accessible services

Support Personnel Identify parts of your premises that can be opened to the public or third parties. Think about how your services are used by people with a support person. Develop policy on occasions such as when admission fee may be charged, or where screening of personnel is required. Inform your customer /client of the requirements ahead of time.

Employment Ensure that accommodation is available in the process of recruitment and hiring.  If a staff member has as a disability, there needs to be an individualized accommodation plan  Customized emergency information where needed

Transportation Concerning mainly the accessibility of transportation vehicles Supervision responsibility for transportation companies on contract

Built Environment Design of public space Outdoor public-use areas Exterior paths of travel Accessible parking Service-related elements Maintenance Building code Internal accessibility

Disruption of Services Identify circumstances that can affect services E.g., Repair /maintenance of parking lot Notify people who might be affected by the disruption well in advance

Feedback Process Determine how to receive feedback. By telephone In writing By email or otherwise. Decide how to respond to feedback, including complaints.

Documentation For all policies, practices and procedures Notify the public of the availability of these documents and be able to provide the documentation upon request Organizations will 20 or more employers need to have the documentation available to the public

Thank you!