Disability Policy Office Access and Accessibility NAVNET November 16, 2015 Welcome

Overview Mandate Commitment for Inclusion Infrastructure Strategy Action plan

Mandate To support the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in achieving its commitment to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society Five Lines of Business Inclusive Policies Centre of Expertise Community Engagement Promotion Provincial Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities

Committment Inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society Broad All sectors (public, private, not-for-profit) All disabilities (physical, learning, mental health, intellectual) All aspects (education, employment, civic participation)

Infrastructure Foundation: Disability Policy Office (2009) Provincial Advisory Council (2009) Inclusion Committees (2009): Ministers’, Deputy Ministers’, Interdepartmental Working Public Consultation Process (2010)

Strategy for Inclusion Inclusion Strategy released April 2012 Cross Government (horizontal) Broad policy framework Aligned with UN Convention 5 Strategic Directions Implemented through multi-year Action Plans Annual updates - House of Assembly Favorably received by community Released April 19, 2012 Basic premise is right to equitable access to services and opportunities Requires removal and prevention of barriers – by all sectors The 5 strategic directions: Awareness - how society reacts to and thinks of disability Engagement – involving persons with disabilities and their organizations in decisions / policy and program design / reviews / etc. Accessibility – improving accessibility of buildings, transportation and communication systems (publications, Internet, etc.) Disability-Related Supports – live independently, participate in education, employment and community life - providing access to supports so that individuals can go to work, to school, have families, volunteer in their communities, go to the gym… Services with Dignity – customer and client services that understands how to meet disability-related needs and use acceptable etiquette Horizontal, policy framework to guide Government in attaining an inclusive province Requires multi-year action plans - with the first in 2015 The Strategy was well received when it was launched; community eager to have an Action Plan in place

Strategy Benefits Coordinated, comprehensive framework Positive societal and economic impacts Enhanced participation in labour force Responds to public expectations Removes barriers to access Supports other existing strategies Aligned with jurisdictional & international trends Enhanced civic engagement

Implementation Strategy: Evaluation & Progress Tracking: Cross disability, multi-year Action Plans with initiatives to advance goals Horizontal, guided by Ministers’ Committee Ongoing advice from Provincial Advisory Council Evaluation & Progress Tracking: Evaluation framework In consultation with: Provincial Advisory Council Policy Innovation & Accountability Office NL Statistics Agency

First Action Plan - Development Actions were informed by: Public Consultations Priorities identified by Advisory Council Inter-Departmental Working Group Departments/Agencies Research into best practices

Action Plan - Approach Reflective of 5 strategic directions Departments develop their initiatives (compiled into action plans) – horizontal Departmental, joint and cross government Departments are responsible for implementation, evaluation and reporting Discussion: Systemic change, engage private, public and not-for-profit sectors, internal P Service Incremental change, proving instructive guidance Best practice or/vs legislative Implement actions through partnerships with community where feasible

Action Plan - Overview Three year 17 Departments and agencies with lead responsibilities 43 Concrete actions Actions remove and prevent barriers: Attitudinal Physical Systemic Technological

Objectives 5 Objectives (reflects Strategy) Knowledge Building / Attitude Shift Engagement Access to the Built Environment Disability-related Supports Services with Dignity, Fairness & Respect Actions categorized into 5 goals that reflect strategic directions of the Strategy *(these were mentioned in slide 5) *(these were mentioned in slide 5)

Examples - Barrier Removal Immediate remedies that remove barriers and increase accessibility of: Transportation systems Election process Education, employment & recreational opportunities Emergency planning and preparedness Registered Disability Savings Plan

Examples - Barrier Prevention Accessible Public Information Guidelines Guidelines for planning accessible public engagement sessions and meetings Universal Design Accessibility considerations for public procurement Development of Disability-Related Supports Delivery Framework Options for an Assistive Technology Program Actions in these areas will result in significant advancement for inclusion. Accessible Public Information Guidelines (Communications) Information intended for the public is available in alternate formats (ex large font) on request, TV ads are closed captioned, PDF’s posted to the web are in accessible format, printed publications have good color contrast Guidelines for planning accessible consultations (OPE) How to arrange for accommodations if requested (ex. sign language) Etiquette tips for different types of disabilities Universal Design principles – 7 principles, building design and procurements Making spaces and things useable by most people without having to change it, ex. level entry to store, tactile dollar bills, lever handles Accessibility considerations in procurement policies (GPA) Guidelines for how to consider accessibility and inclusion in procurement procedures, including accessibility requirements in in tender calls and rfp’s, purchasing accessible versions (lever handles over door knobs) Disability-Related Supports Model framework to deliver disability-related supports in a consistent manner across departments (AES, HCS,EDU) Assistive Technology (AT) Explore options with recommendations of a comprehensive program to deliver AT from centralized service

Coordinating, Monitoring, Reporting Disability Policy Office is responsible for coordination, monitoring and reporting on Action Plan’s progress and outcomes. Report provided at three year mark, 2018 Evaluate effectiveness Determine next steps Annual updates tabled in House of Assembly Regular updates to Ministers on status of actions

Current Initiatives Action Plan recognizes current initiatives across government, primarily in: Education Employment Supports Housing Lists 64 programs and initiatives

Timelines document A timeline document (by fiscal year) will be posted to the website on the launch of the Action Plan (June 2015)

Questions, Comments