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

2. Overview
Mandate
Commitment for Inclusion
Infrastructure
Strategy
Action plan

3. 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

4. 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)

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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)

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

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

18. Questions, Comments