Accessibility Plan: 2018 - 2023

Section 9: Initiatives

Budget Provisions Financial Planning

Department: All departments

Barriers: All

Resources / Comments: Council and budget allocations

Timeframe: Ongoing, initiated and continually addressed
Customer Service Training
Department: All departments, administered by Human Resources, Planning and Development, Clerk's Office and Accessibility Advisory Coordinator

Barriers: Attitudinal, communicational, policy / practice

Resources / Comments:
- Training to be organized by Human Resources representative, Accessibility Advisory Coordinator, Community Services representative and incorporated into the Corporate Orientation agenda
Timeframe: Completed
- Develop an in-house customer service training tool and necessary policies in compliance with the AODA's mandate of Customer Service Standard by January 1, 2010 for corporation and January 1, 2012 for agencies, boards and commissions
Policy / Procedure
Department: All departments, administered by Accessibility Advisory Coordinator and Corporate Management Team

Barriers: Communicational

Resources / Comments:
- Staff expertise
- Incorporate accessibility considerations into policy / procedure
Timeframe: Ongoing
- Incorporate outcomes from all AODA standards as they become regulatory
Alternative format availability (Information Technology)
Department: Planning and Development, and Corporate Communications which includes in-house creative services and web content review / digital communications

Barriers: Attitudinal, communicational

Resources/Comments:
- Staff expertise, Accessibility Advisory Committee consultation (for example, Regional materials available in alternative formats upon request, website regularly updated with accessible technologies, legible and clear writing for print products and print advertising)
- Staff are currently developing a manual of resources to assist with provision / delivery of alternate formats and accommodation resources as requested.
Timeframe: Ongoing
- Incorporate outcomes expected in the near future from the AODA's Information and Communication Standard
Develop Communications Standard
Department: Administration, Planning and Development, Corporate Communications

Barriers: Communicational

Resources / Comments:
- Staff expertise, Accessibility Advisory Committee consultation
- Continue to ensure accessible communication between departments, staff and particularly with the public to promote and enhance communication (for example, document preparation, storage and distribution to use readable OCR PDF technology)
Timeframe: Ongoing
- Incorporate outcomes expected in the near future from the AODA's Information and Communication Standard
TTY Teletypewriters (local and toll free TTY to main switchboard)
Department: Corporate Services, Community Services, Public Health Planning and Development, and
Corporate Communications

Barriers: Communicational

Resources / Comments:
- Ensure TTY contact information is included on website and on all published material
- Continue to monitor further customer service needs for any additional TTY service
Timeframe: Ongoing, initiated and continually addressed
Accessibility Events
Department: All departments, administered by the Accessibility Advisory Coordinator

Barriers: Communicational

Resources / Comments:
- Accessibility Advisory Coordinator supports events related to Regional accessibility
Timeframe: Ongoing, initiated and continually addressed
Accessibility Legislation
Department: All departments

Barriers: All

Resources / Comments:
Accessibility Advisory Coordinator:
- Ensures legislative compliance and implementation into practices
- Ensures review of draft AODA standards when issued
- Drafts Accessibility Plan as required for submission to Accessibility Advisory Committee and then Council
Timeframe: Ongoing, initiated and continually addressed
Facility Accessibility Design Standards - Accessibility Guidelines
Department: Corporate Services - Facilities/Properties Management

Barriers: Policy / practice, architectural

Resources / Comments:
- Staff expertise, Accessibility Advisory Committee consultation, Accessibility Advisory Coordinator
- Promote adoption to 12 municipalities within Niagara Region
Timeframe:
- Niagara Region has now adopted the 2007 version of Facility Accessibility Design Standards
  Incorporate outcomes expected in the near future from the AODA's Built Environment Standard
Facility Accessibility - New/Existing, Leased/Owned
Department: Enterprise Resource Management Services - Facilities / Properties Management

Barriers: Architectural

Resources / Comments:
- Use FADS as guideline for all improvements and as criteria for leasing and lease renewals
Timeframe: Ongoing, initiated and continually addressed
Council Chamber
Department: Enterprise Resource Management Services - Facilities / Properties Management

Barriers: Architectural

Resources / Comments:
- Accessibility
- Improvements to Council Chamber
Timeframe: Ongoing, initiated and continually addressed
Employment and Workplace Accommodation
Department: Human Resources

Barriers: All

Resources / Comments:
- Staff expertise
- Practices and procedures to promote employment of persons with a disability
- Gain input from a corporate diversity team
- Continue support of workplace accessibility and accommodation for all departments
Timeframe: Ongoing, initiated and continually addressed
Policy Plan - Local Official Plans
Department: Planning and Development

Barriers: Policy / practice

Resources / Comments:

Planning regulations and practices that mandate accessibility:
- Planning Act 2005, Section 2 (h1) Part VI, Policy 51(24)
- Provincial Policy Statement Section 1.1.1 (f)
- Regional Policy Plan Section 5, Urban Areas
- Approval authority for local official plans Reviewed from Regional and Provincial perspective to meet or exceed mandates in the provision of accessibility
Timeframe: Ongoing, initiated and continually addressed
Regional Emergency Management, Emergency Evacuation and Emergency Shelters Public Education Program
Department: Community Services, Accessibility Advisory Coordinator

Barriers: All

Resources / Comments:
- Staff expertise, Red Cross, Accessibility Advisory Committee consultation, stakeholders, Ontario's Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities or Special Needs Guide, 2007
Timeframe: Ongoing, initiated and continually addressed
Road Construction / Sidewalk Construction
Department: Public Works

Barriers: Architectural

Resources / Comments:
- Review with FADS and Design of Public Spaces - Built Environment Standard as guiding documents
  Work in conjunction with municipalities as sidewalks are their responsibilities
Timeframe: Ongoing, initiated and continually addressed
Road Crossing Protection (Audible Signals)
Department: Public Works

Barriers: Architectural

Resources / Comments:
- Technical sub-committee, Accessibility Advisory Committee consultation, CNIB consultation, Integrated Community Planning and Public Works
Timeframe: Ongoing
- Installation of new and replacement of existing traffic signals will comply with AODA requirements
Inter-Municipal Specialized Transit
Department: Public Works

Barriers: All

Resources / Comments:
- Staff expertise, Accessibility Advisory Committee consultation, community consultation
- Expanded medical trip criteria now includes employment and education
Timeframe: Ongoing
- Incorporate AODA's Transportation Standard
Construction Projects and Snow Removal
Department: Public Works

Barriers: All

Resources / Comments:
- Consideration of barriers to accessibility during periods of construction or snow removal
Timeframe: Ongoing, initiated and continually addressed

Section 10: Summary 2018-2023 Highlights Section 8: Status and Updates by Other Organizations and Agencies