HomeMy WebLinkAboutCR 11-13 City Report to
Executive Committee
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T ERIN Report Number: CR 11-13
Date: October 7, 2013
From: Marisa Carpino
Director, Culture & Recreation
Subject: Accessibility Report: 2012 Achievements
- File: A-1440
Recommendation:
1 . That Report CR 11-13 regarding the "City of Pickering Five Year Accessibility
Plan (2012-2016); Report on 2012 Achievements" be received for information.
Executive Summary: The City of Pickering's 5 Year Accessibility Plan (2012-2016)
is the City's first multi-year plan developed to meet the requirements of the Ontarians
with Disabilities Act, 2001, s.o. 2001, c.32 (the "ODA") and the Accessibility for
Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, s.o. 2005, c.11 (the "AODA"). The Plan considers
all departments of the City of Pickering as well as the Pickering Public Library. The 5
Year Accessibility Plan was developed by a staff team representing all City
departments. The Plan included consultation with the City's Accessibility Advisory
Committee, and was approved at a Meeting of Council dated April 16, 2012 (Council
Resolution #60/12).
Each Standard under the AODA includes a schedule of deadlines that the municipality
must meet. This report provides Council with an update on 2012 achievements related
to the 5 Year Accessibility Plan (2012-2016) and the City's status in relation to those
compliance deadlines.
The City of Pickering has met the requirements of the Provincial Accessibility Standards
and, in many areas, has exceeded them. The attached report entitled "5 Year
Accessibility Plan (2012-2016): Report on 2012 Achievements" provides a more
detailed summary.
Financial Implications: In 2012, approximately $300,000 committed in the approved
2012 Current and Capital Budgets was utilized to meet the 2012 requirements of the
2012-2016 Accessibility Plan. These expenses primarily consist of the various facility
upgrades that were completed in 2012.
Discussion: The ODA received Royal Assent on December 14, 2001. The
purpose of the ODA is to improve opportunities for people with disabilities and to
provide for their involvement in the identification, removal, and prevention of barriers to
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Report CR 11-13 October 7, 2013
Page 2
their full participation in the life of the Province. Under the Act, all municipalities are
required to prepare annual accessibility plans, make the plans public and consult
persons with disabilities.
The AODA became law on June 13, 2005. Under this landmark legislation, the
government of Ontario will develop mandatory accessibility standards that will identify,
remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities in key areas of daily living. The
standards will apply to private and public sector organizations across Ontario.
The province has been working with representatives from the disability community, as
well as public and private sector organizations to develop accessibility standards.
Standards were developed to achieve real results in stages. They set milestones that
must be reached every five years or less, so that Ontario is accessible to people with
disabilities by 2025.
I he five standard areas under the AODA include: Customer Service; information
and Communications; Employment; Transportation; and Built Environment. In
2012, four (4) of the proposed Standards were in effect:
• Customer Service Standards
• Information & Communications Standards
• Employment Standards
• Transportation Standards
Customer Service Standards — Highlights:
The City of Pickering was in compliance with the Customer Service Standards by the
deadline of January 1, 2010 and has completed the reporting requirements with the
Accessibility Directorate of Ontario. Highlights include:
• Accessible Customer Service Training provided to 120 city staff and is incorporated
in the orientation of new staff
Information & Communications Standards — Highlights:
Under the Communications and Information Standards, the City met the mandated
goals. Highlights include:
• Launched new City of Pickering website that meets World Wide Web Consortium
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, AA standards
• Launched new Pickering Public Library website that meets World Wide Web
Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level A.
• Conducted staff training to create accessible documents
• Updated Writing Style Guide
• Ensuring that public Emergency Procedure and Plan documents are available in
alternate formats which meet the needs of persons with disabilities.
Employment Standards — Highlights:
The Employment Standards were met by the City of Pickering by the January 1, 2013
deadline. These standards include:
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Report CR 11-13 October 7, 2013
Page 3
• Ensuring that policies and procedures are in place to provide individualized
Workplace Emergency Response Plans for any employees with a disability.
• Informing employees that such emergency plans and assistance are available to
them when required because of a disability.
Transportation Standard — Highlights:
Because the City of Pickering does not operate a public transit system, the only
requirements under the Transportation Standards were those relating to the licensing of
taxicabs which have been met by the City of Pickering. These standards include:
• Ensuring that owners and operators place vehicle registration and identification on
the rear bumper.
• Ensuring that owners and operators provide this information in alternate formats to
persons with a disability, upon request.
Built Environment Standard — Highlights:
Although the proposed Built Environment Standards were not in effect in 2012, the City
of Pickering continued to remove physical barriers throughout its facilities and has taken
the proposed Built Environment Standards into consideration when planning new
facilities and renovations to existing facilities. Highlights include:
• Automatic doors installed at the Pickering Civic Complex, Pickering Recreation
Complex Arena, East Shore Community Centre, Claremont Community Centre,
Pickering Museum Village and Public Washrooms at Millennium Square.
• Ramps installed at various sites at the Pickering Museum Village and East Shore
Community Centre
• Accessible water fountains at the Pickering Public Library.
• First accessible raised bed in the Valley Plentiful Community Garden.
It is important to note that Pickering's Accessibility Advisory Committee were very active
in 2012 hosting an Accessibility Event, updating policies, and reaching out to residents
and staff.
The "5 Year Accessibility Plan (2012-2016): Report on 2012 Achievements" is attached
and provides a more complete overview of the City's achievements in 2012.
Attachments:
1. 5 Year Accessibility Plan (2012-2016): Report on 2012 Achievements
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Report CR 11-13 October 7, 2013
Page 4
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
" - —/niel.IL-1,6)-e.- . .
DavVI arlowe' Marisa Carpino
Acc sibility Coordinator Director, Culture & Recre:ion
Paul Bigioni
Director, C•rpor-to •ervices & City Solicitor
tth i,1 ,
Rich d Holbor
Dir tor, Engineering & Public Works
•
To Melymuk /
Director, City Development
MC:dm
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City ouncil
, - / i 4( 2.3/ 20/5
Tony Prevedel, P.Eng.
Chief Administrative Officer
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ATTACHMENT 4! I "i O REPORT CP 11 - 13
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5 Year Accessibility Plan (2012-2016)
Report on 2012 Achievements
Introduction:
The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) received Royal Assent on December
14, 2001. The purpose of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) is to improve
opportunities for people with disabilities and to provide for their involvement in the
identification, removal, and prevention of barriers to their full participation in the life of
the province. Under the Act, all municipalities are required to prepare annual
accessibility plans, make the plans public and consult persons with disabilities.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) became law on June
13, 2005. Under this landmark legislation, the government of Ontario will develop
mandatory accessibility standards that will identify, remove and prevent barriers for
people with disabilities in key areas of daily living. The standards will apply to private
and public sector organizations across Ontario.
The province has been working with representatives from the disability community, as
well as public and private sector organizations to develop accessibility standards.
Standards were developed to achieve real results in stages. They set milestones that
must be reached every five years or less, so that Ontario is accessible to people with
disabilities by 2025.
The five standard areas under the AODA include: Customer Service; Information
and Communications; Employment; Transportation; and Built Environment.
All of the standards have been developed and are now law.
• Customer Service Standard is the first standard developed to become a regulation. It
came into force on January 1, 2008 and is now the law. Public sector organizations
were required to comply by January 1, 2010. Private sector organizations will be
required to comply by January 1, 2012. The standard addresses business practices and
training needed to provide better customer service to people with disabilities.
Integrated Accessibility Regulation (IAR) is an amalgamation of the Information and
Communications Standard, Employment Standard, Transportation Standard and Built
Environment Standard. The Integrated Accessibility Standards became law on June 3,
2011 with a variety of compliance dates ranging from 2011 to 2021. On January 1,
2013, the IAR was amended to include Design of Public Spaces (Accessibility
Standards for the Built Environment).
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Accessible Information and Communications Standards address the removal of
barriers in access to information. The standards include information being provided
in person, through print, a website or other means.
Employment Accessibility Standards address paid employment practices relating
to employee-employer relationships, which include recruitment, hiring, and retention
policies and practices.
Accessible Transportation Standards have been identified as crucial for people
with disabilities. Access to transportation is needed for going to work or school,
shopping and other aspects of daily life. This standard is to address aspects of
accessible public transportation.
Accessible Built Environment Standard addresses access into and within
buildings and outdoor spaces and will build on Ontario's Building Code. Beginning
in 2016, through the Design of Public Spaces Standards (Accessibility Standards
for the Built Environment), public and private sector organizations will have to meet
accessibility requirements when constructing and maintaining new or redeveloped
elements of public spaces including:
• Recreational trails and beach access routes
• Outdoor eating areas for public use
• Outdoor play spaces (such as playgrounds)
• Exterior paths of travel (such as walkways across parks or between buildings)
• Accessible on- and off-street parking
• Service counters and waiting areas
Enhancements to accessibility in buildings will happen at a later date through
Ontario's Building Code, which governs new construction and renovations in
buildings.
The City of Pickering's 5 Year Accessibility Plan (2012-2016) was prepared by city staff,
endorsed by the Accessibility Advisory Committee and Pickering Council, and is
designed to position the municipality to meet ministry compliance for all standards. A
core accessibility staff team made up of staff across all departments meet every two
months to review the plan and to report on their progress on their respective action
items.
The following is a summary of 2012 Achievements of the City of Pickering 5 Year
Accessibility Plan (2012-2016).
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City of Pickering 5 Year Accessibility Plan (2012-2016): 2012 Achievements
A. Customer Service Standard
Staff Training
Accessible Customer Service Training is included as part of Pickering's Employee
Orientation Program. Sessions are held monthly for all new staff. In 2012, 120 staff
received Accessible Customer Service provided by our Customer Care Centre staff.
This includes all new hires, Camp staff and Operations summer/term employees. This
also includes ensuring municipal volunteers are trained.
Staff continue to promote and reinforce the importance of ensuring accessibility
standards are met. Customer Care Centre staff are a key resource for other
department staff should they have questions related to the standard, and the best
service delivery methods. The Customer Care Centre is a single point of contact should
anyone require any documentation or information in an alternate format. This is the
simplest and most streamlined approach to centralize any requests, and to field
enquiries.
B.Accessible Information and Communications Standards
City Hall Signage
As part of the municipal service delivery review, a staff team was established to look at
signage within City Hall, not only as it relates to service delivery, but also to incorporate
accessibility standards. A proposal was submitted for 2013 budget consideration, which
has subsequently been approved. This project is included in our 2013 work plan.
Website
The City of Pickering's new website, launched in May 2012, has been developed to
meet WCAG 2.0 AA standards. This is the highest standard that can be attained, and
legislatively, it is not required until 2021. Through the development of the website we
wanted to ensure that we surpassed the minimum requirements. Some key features
include enhanced search functions, BrowseAloud screen reading capability, text
resizing, Google Translate, and a section dedicated to Accessibility which provides easy
access to resources including:
• Annual Accessibility Plan
• Accessible facilities and services
• Navigation Tips
• Quick Links
✓ Accessibility Advisory Committee
✓ Accessible Customer Service Statement
✓ Community Resources
✓ Language Resources
✓ Program Cancellations & Service Disruptions
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✓ Seniors & Persons with Disabilities Snow Clearing Program
✓ Temporary Road Closures
✓ Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy
• Comments and Feedback
• Applicable By-laws
Adobe Acrobat X Training - January 2012
Staff recognize that PDF documents available through the website may not be fully
compliant, and staff members are working towards updating all new PDF documents to
be accessible by December 2013. A dedicated staff team comprised of a cross-
representation of department representatives received Adobe Acrobat X training, to
learn how to create accessible PDF's. The intent is that these staff will be designated as
train the trainers, and will be a key resource to staff within their departments. This team
is working on creating resource documents and related procedures in order to support
training requirements.
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Creating Accessible Documents Training
Staff partnered with Accessibility Experts in October 2012 and provided training space
and support to their sessions. In turn, staff were able to offer training to key staff in
Pickering's bid to support our train the trainer initiatives.
Writing Workshop
A Writing Workshop was held in September 2012 that included a section on
accessibility requirements in which 20 staff participated. This was the third workshop
held in the past two years. To date, 80 staff members have participated and another
workshop is being planned for 2013.
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Corporate Writing Guide
The Corporate Writing Guide was updated to include additional resources related to
Accessibility and Writing for the Public. The Guide includes the following sections:
• Document Design (use of colour, font choice, spacing and alignment)
• Layout (page design, use of tables)
• Printing and binding documents
• Electronic documents
• Presentation materials
• Alternate formats
• Accessibility Communications Checklist
Information & Communications Standard Overview
Members of the Corporate Communication Team, along with selected department
representatives, attended a training session in July 2012 providing an overview of the
requirements of the Information & Communication Standards.
Website Content Managers
Website Content Managers received training in March 2012. In addition, Content
Management System procedure has been developed to ensure that standards are
maintained. Ongoing support and training will be provided to content managers.
Municipal Matters — Employee Newsletter
Staff have a regular feature in Pickering's employee newsletter to keep staff apprised of
any updates and initiatives. In 2012, two issues of our newsletter were distributed to all
staff and included features on accessibility initiatives within the municipality.
Pickering Public Library
The Pickering Public Library created a new policy in 2012 that incorporates both the
Customer Service Standard and the new Accessible Information and Communications
Standard. This policy was posted on our website and it includes a feedback
mechanism. This policy makes it clear that we will consult with the individual to select a
suitable format, handle requests in a timely manner and ensure that disabled clients are
not charged more than any other person in the community.
Signs that highlight key points from the new Accessible Information and
Communications Standard were posted at all our service desks to draw client attention
to this pertinent information. Training on all relevant Accessibility standards has been
incorporated in the training plan for new hires. Two of our staff attended training on
creating documents in accessible formats.
An Information and Communications procedure was developed to support and guide
staff. For instance, this procedure outlines the hiring process for a sign language
interpreter because Library programs are considered information sharing and everyone
in the community should be able to attend.
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The Pickering Public Library has arranged to provide accessible materials where they
exist. We routinely provide resources in large print, audiobooks, ebooks and online
databases for online learning and research.
A special magnifier was purchased in 2012 to ensure that clients can read print material
in-house.
Through a partnership with the CNIB, we can provide resources in Braille and Daisy
reader audio books for anyone with a visual or print disability. With the support of the
CNIB, we can now be the public library for the visually disabled in our community. The
Library continues to digitize its local history collection so that it can be accessible. The
Local History Librarian is willing to research and digitize primary documents based on
individual requests.
The Library's website was overhauled to meet World Wide Web Consortium Web
Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level A.
C. Employment Accessibility Standards
Emergency Planning
During 2012, the City of Pickering's Human Resource Division ensured that Workplace
Emergency Plans include individual plans for those employees who may require
assistance because of a disability. Emergency Responders, located in all facilities, are
provided with information from these individual plans, with the employee's consent, in
order to provide appropriate assistance to an employee during an emergency situation.
Policy Development
The Pickering Public Library created an Accessible Employment Standards policy in
2012. This policy outlined the Library's commitment to:
• ensure that employees are provided with the accessible formats and communication
supports to do their job and to access information that is generally available to other
employees in the workplace
• develop individualized workplace emergency plans for an employee with a disability
and alter them if an employee moves to a different branch
• notify employees and applicants that they will be accommodated during the
recruitment, assessment and selection process in a way that takes into account
their accessibility needs
• outline our commitment to put work processes in place for employees who are
absent from work due to a disability and need disability-related accommodations in
order to return to work.
This policy was reviewed with all library staff. Our commitment to accommodate
applicants during the recruitment process is outlined on the Job Opportunities section of
our website.
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D. Accessible Transportation Standards
Taxi Licensing
Because the City of Pickering does not operate a public transit system, the only
requirements under the Transportation Standards for 2012 were those relating to the
licensing of taxicabs.
• Ensuring that owners and operators place vehicle registration and identification on
the rear bumper.
• Ensuring that owners and operators provide this information in alternate formats to
persons with a disability, upon request.
E. Accessible Built Environment Standard
The City of Pickering continued to examine its physical facilities to identify and remove
physical barriers to enable persons with disabilities to fully participate in programs and
events in those facilities. The following upgrades were made in 2012:
City Hall
• 3 Automatic door openers to provide access to meeting rooms which are used for
public meetings and consultations: the main committee meeting room and the tower
meeting room/lunchroom area.
Pickering Public Library
• New accessible water fountains were installed at the Pickering Central Library.
Pickering Recreation Complex Arenas
• Additional automatic door openers on the main entrance doors.
• 2 Automatic door openers for the O'Brien Room washrooms.
• Installation of an automatic sliding door from the main lobby to the Delaney Rink.
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East Shore Community Centre
• 2 automatic door openers: the
exterior entrance to the
Pickering Lawn Bowling Club
and the interior entrance to the w, " �, ,,-
Community Room.
• A ramp was added to the deck at ;` ;
the exterior entrance to the mac 1 5 A)
Pickering Lawn Bowling Club. I if fT-
• Ramps were improved and ••_,„..,,,a..--"---"
railings ''. r
gs added at both the front �.�,.
and rear main entrances to allow .-' "
safe access to the building.
• Railings were added at the 3 ._ -
emergency exits horn the South? T I to
Pickering Seniors Club. `
• Upgrades were completed to the
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washrooms in the South
Pickering Seniors Club to 1 ii
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improve access for persons with 7. '.. "
mobility aids. ! -•t '
• Ramps and rails were added at
emergency exits to provide t_ , 7,. 1
added safety during evacuations
of the building.
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Millennium Square (Beachfront)
• 2 automatic door openers added to the public washrooms.
Claremont Community Centre
• 3 automatic door openers: the main auditorium entrance and the interior entrances
to the public washrooms.
Mt. Zion, Green River, Greenwood Community Centres
• New accessible soap dispensers installed in washroom.
Pickering Museum Village
The Pickering Museum Village is a collection of heritage and reproduction buildings
presented in an 1800's village setting. Several of the heritage buildings have public
display areas on the second floor. As it is impossible to provide full access to these
areas without considerable destruction to heritage features of the buildings, Museum
staff has provided photographic versions of the displays with accompanying information.
These can be viewed on the accessible main level of each of the buildings.
The village setting of the Museum requires considerable travel from one building to
another and around the exterior displays and gardens. To provide assistance for visitors
who may have difficulty walking theses distances, the Museum, in 2012, acquired a
transport wheelchair for their use.
• 4 automatic door
openers installed: the
exterior entrance to the
public washroom area, :,-7„:_:,.....,,,,..,----%`° ""�"�
both interior public .
washrooms and the 1 ,
interior doorway from ' r � a ,,,,..ii�� , 1
the meeting room to the y±r+�* x� ' . r ;washroom area. �. x= 1 {i.' fl
• Improved ramps to 3 s!
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heritage buildings: the q' r . .
Oddfellows Hall, the 155:0 4n p V '4' ':
Brougham Temperance
House and the log Redman House Brougham Temperance House
house.
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City Parks
During 2012, the City's Parks Operations installed the first accessible, raised bed in the
Valley Plentiful Community Garden. This was in response to a request from a long-time
member of the community garden and the plan is to install more raised beds in 2013.
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F. Accessible Programs
Arenas
Access to skating/ice programs in the City of Pickering arenas improved in 2012
through several initiatives.
• Adult skate aids were purchased N
and made available during public
skating programs for persons
who require some assistance for
balance or support.
• Ice time was provided to the
Grandview Childrens' Centre for
therapeutic skating/ice programs.
• Standard Operating Procedures
was initiated for the safe
integration of persons with
disabilities into the City's public
skating/ice programs through the AG s �
use of wheelchairs, skate aids T
and ice sledges. ' ;A< k ` `
Pools
The City of Pickering Aquatics programs continued to provide services for persons with
disabilities through:
• Aquafit programs for persons with a range of mobility problems, 325 users.
• One-on-one programs for children with a disability.
• Use of the Recreation Complex Pool for a volunteer organized, community based
learn-to-swim program for children with special needs, 20 children per week from
September to May.
In 2012, Dunbarton Indoor Pool also had a chair lift installed so patrons with mobility
problems can access the pool.
Day Camps
The City of Pickering Day Camp programs provided integrated camp experiences for
approximately fifty (50) children with disabilities. The City's Integrated Services program
provided one-on-one support to these children which enabled them to participate in a
variety of camp programs.
All camp staff received training in accessible customer service, as well as awareness
and specific practical training in how to support children with disabilities.
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G.The Pickering Accessibility Advisory Committee
The Accessibility Advisory Committee held a total of nine meetings in 2012 and
participated in the following initiatives:
1. Accessibility Awareness Event:
• Held 2nd annual Accessibility Awareness Event on Sat. November 5th, 2012.
• Pickering Town Centre— Centre Court, 11 am — 3 pm
• Included a combination of speakers and entertainers with the focus being on
"abilities in our community"
2. Policy Review - Standards and Implementation:
• Completed review of Accessibility Parking By-law— still to go to Council
• Reviewed standards for curb cuts /sidewalks - completed by city staff to meet
provincial standards
• Reviewed pedestrian crossing times at signalized intersections and received
response from the Region of Durham regarding 2 intersections, Dixie / Finch and
Glenanna / Highway#2
• Reviewed the City's policy on full service gas stations —to be updated
• Accessibility Audit of Public Facilities was almost completed. In 2013, the
Committee will identify areas which are non-compliant.
3. Reach Out to Residents of Pickering:
• Completed an Accessibility Survey which is currently on the City website
• No significant community response has been received (8 responses by December
31, 2012)
• The survey was advertised on Community Page, in a tax bill insert, and at the
Accessibility Awareness Event
4. Liaise with City Staff:
• Continue efforts to work with City Planning staff about accessibility/issues relative to site
plans.
• Planning staff now attend AAC meetings to review site plans with the Committee
• Various city staff attended meetings to discuss facility upgrades, by-law etc.
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