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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCR 06-14 Ci<<00 Report to Executive Committee I KERIN Report Number: CR 06-14 Date: January 20, 2014 From: Marisa Carpino Director, Culture & Recreation Subject: Accessibility Policy - File: A-1440 Recommendation: 1. That Report CR 06-14 of the Director, Culture & Recreation regarding the Accessibility Policy be received; 2. That Council approve the Accessibility Policy; and 3. That appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect thereto. Executive Summary: As per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Diasbilities Act, 2005 (AODA), O. Reg. 191/11, s. 3 (1), Integrated Accessibility Standards (IAR), obligated organizations are responsible to develop, implement and maintain'policies governing how the organization achieves accessibility. Furthermore, the accessibility policy must include a statement of organizational commitment to meet the accessibility needs of persons with disability. Accordingly, the City of Pickering has prepared an Accessibility Policy that provides the framework for how the municipality will meet the accessibility needs of persons with a disability. This report to Council is to request Council endorsement of Accessibility Policy. Financial Implications: Financial implications associated with implementing this policy are integrated into the City of Pickering's budget process and are subject to Council approval. Discussion: According to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), O. Reg. 191/11, Integrated Accessibility Standards (IAR), obligated organizations (which includes municipalities) are required to comply with the following: (1) Every obligated organization shall develop, implement and maintain policies governing how the organization achieves or will achieve accessibility through meeting its requirements referred to in this Regulation O. Reg. 191/11, s. 3 (1). 68 Report CR 06-14 January 20, 2014 Subject: Accessibility Policy Page 2 (2) Obligated organizations, other than small organizations, shall include a statement of organizational commitment to meet the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner in their policies O. Reg. 191/11, s. 3 (2). The City of Pickering's Accessible Standards for Customer Service Policy ADM 090 was approved by Council at their meeting of January 19, 2009 (Council Resolution 22/09). This policy met the requirements of the Customer Service Standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilties Act, 2005 (AODA) which required public sector organizations to develop Accessibility Standards for Customer Service by January 1, 2010. This standard addresses business practices and training needed to provide better customer service to people with disabilities. Since that time, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), Integrated Accessibility Standards (IAR), became law on June 3, 2011 with a variety of compliance dates ranging from 2011 to 2021. The IAR is an amalgamation of the Information and Communications Standard, Employment Standard, Transportation Standard and Design of Public Spaces Standard. As per Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), O. Reg. 191/11, Integrated Accessibility Standards (IAR), obligated organizations are required to develop, implement and maintain policies governing how the organizations achieves or will achieve accessibility through meeting its requirement referred to in this Regulation. As such, staff have prepared an all encompassing Accessiblity Policy that meets this regulation and addresses each component of the AODA including Customer Service Standard, Communications Standard, Employment Standard, Transportation Standard and Design of Public Spaces Standard. The Accessibility Policy also includes a statement of commitment to meet the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities. The Accessibility Advisory Committee had the opportunity to review and comment on the Accessibility Policy at their November 27, 2013 Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting. Staff will continue their work in the coming months to create procedures that correspond to the Accessibility Policy objectives. In fact, Accessibility Policy will replace the Accessible Standards for Customer Service Policy ADM 090 which will be revised to become Procedure ADM 090-001. Attachments: 1. Draft Accessibility Policy 69 Report CR 06-14 January 20, 2014 Subject: Accessibility Policy Page 3 Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By: • D e Marlowe Marisa Carpino Accessibility Coordinator Director, Culture & Recreation :mc Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council ,. 24., 2013 Tony Prevedel, P.Eng. Chief Administrative Officer city,r4 A City Policy PICKERING Policy Title: Accessibility Policy Number: ADM XXX Reference: Date Originated: Date Revised: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities January 20, 2014 Act, 2005 (AODA) Resolution # /2014 Accessible Standards for Customer Service Policy, ADM 090—To be revised as a procedure Approval: Chief Administrative Officer Point of Contact: Director, Culture &fie) Policy Objective This outlines the corporate policy withespect to the establishment of accessibility standards in accordance with Provincial regutationscreated under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005AODA). r" _- PAC Index ' , =` 01 Statement of Commitment 02 Definitions '. ip 03 General ; 04 Scope and Responsibilities . * kp r ' -e A.-_, e� �4 ' e 11 ' F 05 Accessibility PoliciesPracticesand Procdureso d -4� . ,_ 06 Customer Service Standards a���!'EF! 07 Information .nd Communicatiion.Standards e el 08 Employment Standards Nkt, 09 Transportation Standardslt. "CIF k'b _" 8 10 Design of Pub Spaces (Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment) 4' '*' 71 01 Statement of Commitment The City of Pickering is committed to creating an accessible community for all of its residents by creating accessible facilities, programs and services, based on the principles of universal access; removing existing barriers for persons with both visible and non visible disabilities; and providing information and training to create an environment of inclusion within the Corporation and the municipality. 02 Definitions 02.01 Accessible formats— may include, but are not limited to, large print, recorded audio and electronic formats usable by persons with a disability. 02.02 Assistive device—any device that is designed or adapted to assist a person to perform a particular task or procedure. This may include, but is not limited to crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, personal sound amplification devices, technological or computerized devices, etc. 02.03 Communication supports—may include, but are not limited to, captioning, alternative and augmentative communication supports, plain language, sign language and other supports that facilitate effective communications. 02.04 Disability a) any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, deafness or hearing impairment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a service animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device; b) a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability; c) a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language; d) a mental disorder; and e) an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. 03 General 03.01 The AODA was enacted in 2005.in order to facilitate the development of specific standards with respect to improving accessibility across the Province. Ontario's first accessibility standard, the Customer Service Standard, came into effect on January 1, 2008. The Integrated Accessibility Standards (IAS).came into effect on July 1, 2011. These included the Information and Communications Standards, the Employment Standards and the Transportation Standards. Policy Title: Accessibility Page 2 of 5 Policy Number: ADM XXX 72 The Design of Public Spaces Standards (Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment) is an amendment to the IAS and came into effect on January 1, 2013. 03.02 This policy is intended to provide the framework to guide the review and development of City of Pickering policies, standards, procedures, By-laws and guidelines to comply with the standards developed under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 11. (AODA). 04 Scope and Responsibilities: 04.01 Training will be provided on the requirements of the Accessibility Standards developed as part of the AODA, and on the Ontario Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities. This training must be delivered to any employee, volunteer, persons who participate in developing City policies and all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the City. This training shall be appropriate to the duties of employees, volunteers and other persons. 04.02 Every employee, volunteer and other persons shall receive this training as soon as practicable. New employees shall receive this training as part of the New Employee Orientation program. 05 Accessibility Policies, Practices and Procedures: 05.01 The City of Pickering will make reasonable efforts to ensure that its policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the core principles of the standards: • dignity • independence • integration, except when alternate measures are necessary to meet the needs of persons with disabilities • equal opportunity. By considering these principles when developing policies, practices and procedures, accessibility planning becomes entrenched within the decision- making process and satisfies the spirit with which the AODA, 2005 was enacted. 05.02 Dignity and independence —interaction with all individuals will be in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. It includes consideration of how any accommodation is provided and the individual's own participation in the process. 05.03 Integration —achieving integration and full participation for persons with disabilities requires barrier-free and inclusive design and removal of existing barriers, whether they are physical, sensory, developmental or systemic. Preventing and removing barriers means persons with disabilities will be able to access opportunities provided by the City in the areas of services, programs and employment. Policy Title: Accessibility Page 3 of 5 Policy Number: ADM XXX • 73 05.05 Equal opportunity—preventing and removing barriers, means persons with disabilities will have equal access to opportunities provided by the City in the areas of services, programs and employment. 06 Customer Service Standards 06.01 The City of Pickering shall develop and implement customer service procedures which will reflect the principles of respect for the individual, independence, integration and equal access for all; and in accordance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07. 06.02 Service will be provided to persons with disabilities in a manner that takes into account an individual's disability and in consultation with them. 07 Information and Communications Standards 07.01 The City of Pickering recognizes that access to information and the ability to communicate clearly are essential in our society. 07.02 The City of Pickering will create, provide and receive information and communications in consultation with and in ways that are accessible for persons with disabilities. Such accommodations will be in accordance with the requirements of the Information and Communications section of the Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11. 08 Employment Standards 08.01 The City of Pickering shall develop and implement Human Resources policies, practices and procedures which will reflect the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity and in accordance with the requirements of the Employment Standards section of the Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11. 08.02 The City of Pickering will provide accommodations to support persons with disabilities throughout the employment cycle. Such accommodation will take into account the nature of the person's disability and will be determined in consultation with them. Such accommodations may include the use of alternate formats for documents, communication supports or assistive devices and technology as required to support a person with a disability. 08.03 The City of Pickering, in consultation with any employee with a disability, will provide individualized workplace emergency response plans. 08.04 The City of Pickering will notify prospective applicants, successful applicants and existing employees that such accommodation is available. Policy Title: Accessibility Page 4 of 5 Policy Number: ADM XXX 74 • 09 Transportation Standards 09.01 The City of Pickering recognizes the importance of accessible transportation for persons with disabilities. Accessible transportation can provide greater independence for a person with a disability and an opportunity to more fully participate in the life of their community. 09.02 The City of Pickering has legislative responsibility for taxicabs, but not for a public transportation system. The City of Pickering shall enact and enforce such by-laws as needed to ensure compliance with the Transportation section of the Integrated Accessibility Standards, 2005, Ontario Regulation 191/11, as it relates to the operation of taxicabs within the municipality. 10 Design of Public Spaces Standards (Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment) 10.01 The City of Pickering recognizes that the creation of an accessible environment is an essential component of full access and inclusion for persons with disabilities. The City will endeavour to create safe, accessible facilities which provide equal access to programs and services provided by the City. 10.02 The City of Pickering will use requirements of the Design of Public Spaces (accessibility Standards for the Built Environment Standards) and accessibility requirements of the Ontario Building Code as minimum standards and will seek to exceed these requirements, where reasonably possible, in order to create an accessible, inclusive community. • Policy Title: Accessibility Page 5 of 5 Policy Number: ADM XXX 75