HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS 29-23
Report to
Executive Committee
Report Number: CS 29-23
Date: November 6, 2023
From: Sarah Douglas-Murray
Director, Community Services
Subject: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
-2023 Compliance Report
-File: A-1440-001
Recommendation:
1. That Council endorse the City of Pickering 2023 Accessibility Compliance Report
prepared by City staff and endorsed by the Accessibility Advisory Committee, as set out
in Attachment 1;
2. That staff be authorized to submit the City of Pickering 2023 Accessibility Compliance
Report to the Government of Ontario Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility; and
3. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the necessary
actions as indicated in this report.
Executive Summary: The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is a law
that was enacted in 2005 that sets out a process for developing and enforcing accessibility
standards. There are five accessibility standards that the City must meet in order to comply
with the legislation: customer service standard; information and communications standard;
transportation standard; employment standard; and the design of public spaces standard.
As a designated public sector organization with one or more employees, the City of Pickering
is legally required to file a 2023 accessibility compliance report by December 31, 2023.
The compliance report is a checklist of 12 questions encompassing the broad range of AODA
requirements for municipalities. The report was completed by Pickering’s Accessibility
Coordinator following consultations with, and endorsement by, the Pickering Accessibility
Advisory Committee (September 20, 2023), the Accessibility Core Staff Team (October 5,
2023) and other relevant City staff. The City is in full compliance with the requirements of the
Act.
Financial Implications: There are no financial implications regarding Pickering’s 2023
Accessibility Compliance Report.
CS 29-23 November 6, 2023
Subject: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Page 2
Discussion: The City of Pickering has a commitment to accessibility. The City has met the
legislated requirements, as outlined in the compliance report in the following ways:
1. The City of Pickering has implemented written policies on how to achieve accessibility by
meeting all applicable requirements for AODA.
• On April 25, 2022, as per Resolution #876/22, Council approved updates to the
Hiring Policy (HUR 040) and the Accessibility Policy (ADM 090) in order to achieve
compliance of the AODA. The Hiring Policy was amended to include more detailed
language regarding timing of the workplace response to emergencies, individual
accommodation plans and return to work process. The accessibility policy was
amended to include more specific language regarding who is trained, what training is
included, the timing of training and record keeping.
2. The City of Pickering has established a multi-year accessibility plan.
• On December 13, 2021, as per Resolution #748/21, Council approved the City of
Pickering Accessibility Plan (2021 – 2025). This is the second Accessibility Plan.
The first plan ran from 2016 – 2020 and was approved by Council on November 16,
2015 (Resolution #105/15). The Accessibility Plan is updated every five years and is
posted on the City’s website.
• In June 2023, the City of Pickering submitted an Accessibility Plan (2023 – 2027) for
the Pickering Museum Village, as a requirement of the Ministry of Heritage, Sport
and Culture Industries, Standards for Community Museums Program.
3. The City of Pickering provides training on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to people
with disabilities.
• The City of Pickering’s Orientation Policy (HUR 180) requires that employees
complete training related to AODA. This includes training on the Human Rights Code
as it pertains to people with disabilities. A new online and on-demand AODA training
has been provided to City of Pickering staff since January 2023. Training is provided
as part of new employee orientation and is recorded by the Human Resources
Department once completed.
4. The City of Pickering has a process for receiving and responding to feedback that is
accessible to people with disabilities and notifies the public about the availability of
accessible formats and communication support.
• The City of Pickering Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Procedure (ADM
090-001) outlines how the City notifies the public about accessible formats and
communication supports as well as how we receive and respond to feedback.
Information and Communications Standard:
5. The City of Pickering maintains a website that conforms to the World Wide Web
Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA.
CS 29-23 November 6, 2023
Subject: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Page 3
6. The City of Pickering provides training about providing goods, services or facilities to
persons with disabilities.
7. The City of Pickering provides information in an accessible format.
• In December 2020, the City of Pickering coordinated Accessible Documents training
for 26 staff from across the corporation. In 2020, the City of Pickering updated the
City website and all public facing documents to meet Accessible Document
Standards, as outlined by the Province of Ontario. Accessible Document Training is
available to all staff via the City of Pickering Intranet.
Customer Service Standards:
8. The City of Pickering’s Accessibility Standards for Customer Services, section 08 (ADM
090-001), outlines the process for providing customer service to a person with a disability
that is accompanied by a support person.
• On December 13, 2021, the Service and Support Animals Initiative Monograph was
presented to City Council (Report CS 37-21, Resolution #748/21). This initiative was
developed in response to feedback from local businesses looking for clarification on
how to support people with disabilities and support animals. The City of Pickering
launched a stakeholder survey and consultation and worked with the Ontario
Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility, Aequum Global Access Inc., The Inclusive
Design Research Centre of OCAD University, and a team of local stakeholders to
complete the monograph. The City of Pickering launched a public awareness
campaign in 2021 on best practices for providing customer service to people using
support animals.
Employment Standards:
9. The City of Pickering does not currently employ persons with disabilities for whom
individualized emergency response information is required by the AODA.
Design of Public Spaces:
10.The City of Pickering meets the general requirements as outlined in the Design of Public
Spaces Standards.
• In 2023, the City of Pickering reconstructed four playgrounds to be fully accessible
with the addition of rubber safety surfacing, accessible walkways, site furniture,
safety railings and/or fencing and play equipment that is fully compliant with AODA.
The four parks are: St. Mary Park, Forestbrook Park, Progress Frenchman’s Bay
East Park and Southcott Park.
11.The City of Pickering has an established Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) that
meets as per policy ADM 040. The AAC reports to Council annually and provides advice to
Council about site plans and drawings.
CS 29-23 November 6, 2023
Subject: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Page 4
Attachment:
1. 2023 Accessibility Compliance Report for the City of Pickering to the Ministry for
Seniors and Accessibility.
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
Original Signed By Original Signed By
Laura Gibbs Sarah Douglas-Murray
Division Head, Culture and Community Director, Community Services
Programming
Original Signed By
Timothy Higgins
Accessibility Coordinator
SDM:lg
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
Original Signed By
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment 1 to Report CS 29-23
2023 Accessibility Compliance Report for the City of Pickering to the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility
1
Compliance
Question
Number
Question Recommended
Response
Link to e-Laws URL Link to Compliance assistance
URL
1. Has your organization created and
implemented written policies on
how to achieve accessibility by
meeting all applicable accessibility
requirements in the IASR?
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK3 https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-create-accessibility-plan-and-
policy
2. Has your organization established
and implemented a multi-year
accessibility plan?
(If Yes, please answer additional
questions)
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK4 https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-create-accessibility-plan-and-
policy
2.a. Does your organization have a
website?
(If Yes, please answer additional
questions)
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK4 https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-create-accessibility-plan-and-
policy
2.a.i. Is your organization’s accessibility
plan posted on your organization’s
website?
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK4 https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-create-accessibility-plan-and-
policy
2.a.ii. Does your organization provide the
accessibility plan in an accessible
format when requested?
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK4 https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-create-accessibility-plan-and-
policy
2.b. Does your organization update the
accessibility plan at least once
every 5 years?
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK4 https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-create-accessibility-plan-and-
policy
3. Does your organization provide
training on:
The AODA Integrated Accessibility
Standards Regulation?
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK7 https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-train-your-staff-accessibility
Compliance
Question
Number
Question Recommended
Response
Link to e-Laws URL Link to Compliance assistance
URL
3.a. Does your organization provide
training on:
The Human Rights Code as it
pertains to people with disabilities?
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK7 https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-train-your-staff-accessibility
4. Does your organization have a
process for receiving and
responding to feedback that is
accessible to people with
disabilities? Note: This requirement
is applicable regardless of whether
customers are permitted on your
premises
(If Yes, please answer an additional
question)
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK1
1
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-make-information-accessible
4.a. Does your organization notify the
public about the availability of
accessible formats and
communication supports with
respect to the feedback process?
Note this requirement is applicable
regardless of whether customers
are permitted on your premises.
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK1
1
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-make-information-accessible
2
Compliance
Question
Number
Question Recommended
Response
Link to e-Laws URL Link to Compliance assistance
URL
5. Does your organization have one
(or more) website(s) which it
controls directly or indirectly
(‘controls’ means that your
organization is able to add, remove
and/or modify content and
functionality of the website)? *
(If Yes, please answer an additional
question)
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK1
4
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-make-websites-accessible
5.a. Do all your organization’s internet
websites conform to World Wide
Web Consortium Web Content
Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level
AA (except for live captions and
pre-recorded audio descriptions)?
In the comments box, please list the
complete names and addresses of
your publicly available web content,
including websites, social media
pages, and apps. *
Yes
List from
Communications
to follow.
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK1
4
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-make-websites-accessible
3
Compliance
Question
Number
Question Recommended
Response
Link to e-Laws URL Link to Compliance assistance
URL
6. Does your organization provide
training about providing goods,
services or facilities to persons with
disabilities to the following?
• Staff and volunteers
• People involved in developing
accessibility policies
• People providing goods, services
or facilities on behalf of the
organization
(If Yes, please answer an additional
question)
Yes
Yes
Yes
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK1
53
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-make-customer-service-
accessible
4
Compliance
Question
Number
Question Recommended
Response
Link to e-Laws URL Link to Compliance assistance
URL
6.a. Does the training include all of the
following: *
• A review of the purposes of the
AODA?
• A review of the purposes of the
Customer Service Standards?
• How to interact and communicate
with persons with various types of
disability?
• How to interact with persons with
disabilities who use an assistive
device or require the assistance of
a guide dog or other service animal
or the assistance of a support
person?
• How to use equipment or devices
available on the provider’s premises
or otherwise provided by the
provider that may help with the
provision of goods, services or
facilities to a person with a
disability?
• What to do if a person with a
particular type of disability is having
difficulty accessing the provider’s
goods, services or facilities?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK1
53
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-make-customer-service-
accessible
5
Compliance
Question
Number
Question Recommended
Response
Link to e-Laws URL Link to Compliance assistance
URL
7. Does your organization provide
information in an accessible
format? *
(If Yes, please answer additional
questions)
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK1
55
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-make-information-accessible
7.a. Is the provision of information in
accessible format done so in a
timely manner that takes into
account the individual’s disability?
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK1
55
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-make-information-accessible
7.b. Is the provision of information in
accessible format at a cost no more
than the regular cost charged to
other persons
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK1
55
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-make-information-accessible
8. Does your organization ever require
a person with a disability to be
accompanied by a support person
when on your premises? *
(If Yes, please answer an additional
question)
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK1
51
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-make-customer-service-
accessible
6
Compliance
Question
Number
Question Recommended
Response
Link to e-Laws URL Link to Compliance assistance
URL
8.a. Does your organization do all of the
following before requiring a person
with a
disability to be accompanied by a
support person on your premises:
• Consult with the person with a
disability?
• Determine a support person is
necessary to protect the health or
safety of the
person with a disability or others on
premises?
• Determine that there is no other
way to protect the health or safety
of the person with a disability or
others on premises?
Yes
Yes
Yes
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK1
51
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-make-customer-service-
accessible
9. Does your organization employ any
persons with disabilities for whom
you have provided individualized
workplace emergency response
information? *
(If Yes, please answer additional
questions)
No https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK2
8
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-provide-accessible-emergency-
information-staff
7
Compliance
Question
Number
Question Recommended
Response
Link to e-Laws URL Link to Compliance assistance
URL
9.a. Does your organization review the
individualized workplace
emergency response information
for all of the following? *
• When the employee moves to a
different location in the
organization?
• When the employee’s overall
accommodation needs or plans are
reviewed?
• When your organization reviews
its general emergency policies?
N/A https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK2
8
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-provide-accessible-emergency-
information-staff
9.b. Do any of the employees for whom
your organization has provided
individualized
workplace emergency response
information require assistance? *
(If Yes, please answer additional
questions)
N/A https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK2
8
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-provide-accessible-emergency-
information-staff
9.b.i Has your organization, with the
employee’s consent, provided the
workplace
emergency response information to
the person designated to provide
assistance to the employee?
N/A https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK2
8
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-provide-accessible-emergency-
information-staff
8
Compliance
Question
Number
Question Recommended
Response
Link to e-Laws URL Link to Compliance assistance
URL
9.b.ii Was the individualized workplace
emergency response information
provided as
soon as practicable after your
organization became aware of the
need for
accommodation due to the
employee’s disability?
N/A https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK2
8
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-provide-accessible-emergency-
information-staff
10. Since January 1, 2017, has your
organization constructed new or
redeveloped any of the following
items?
• Outdoor public use eating areas
• Outdoor play space
• Off-street parking
• Service counter
• Fixed queuing guides
• Waiting areas
(If Yes, please answer additional
questions)
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK9
1
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-make-public-spaces-accessible
10.a. Where applicable, do the newly
constructed or redeveloped items
meet the general requirements as
outlined in the Design of Public
Spaces Standards?
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK9
1
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-make-public-spaces-accessible
9
Compliance
Question
Number
Question Recommended
Response
Link to e-Laws URL Link to Compliance assistance
URL
10.b. Does your organization’s multi-year
accessibility plan include
procedures for preventative and
emergency maintenance of the
accessible elements in public
spaces, and for dealing with
temporary disruptions when
accessible elements are not in
working order?
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191#BK1
47
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how
-make-public-spaces-accessible
11. Is your organization a municipality
with population of 10,000 or more?
*
(If Yes, please answer additional
questions)
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/05a11#BK38 https://www.ontario.ca/page/mun
icipal-accessibility-advisory-
committees
11.a. Has your organization established
an accessibility advisory committee
as described in Section 29 of the
AODA?
(If yes, please answer additional
questions)
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/05a11#BK38 https://www.ontario.ca/page/mun
icipal-accessibility-advisory-
committees
11.a.i Is the majority of members in the
committee persons with disabilities?
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/05a11#BK38 https://www.ontario.ca/page/mun
icipal-accessibility-advisory-
committees
10
Compliance
Question
Number
Question Recommended
Response
Link to e-Laws URL Link to Compliance assistance
URL
12. Has the committee provided advice
to council about site plans and
drawings (as
described in Section 41 of the
Planning Act) as well as advice on
the
requirements and implementation of
accessibility standards?
Yes https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/05a11#BK38 https://www.ontario.ca/page/mun
icipal-accessibility-advisory-
committees
11