MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES
AND
MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES
2005-2006
Accessibility Plan
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Message from Minister of Community and Social Services
Message from Minister of Children and Youth Services
Joint Accessibility Plan
Report on Achievements of 2004-2005 Planning Commitments
Commitments and Strategies for 2005-2006
For more information
Introduction
The recent passage of the landmark Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 marks a new era of accessibility in Ontario. This legislation will make Ontario a world leader in improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
While the government is moving forward to implement the new legislation, there will be a transition period during which government and parts of the broader public sector will continue to have planning and other obligations under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA). These obligations will remain in effect until they are repealed and replaced by standards under the new act.
Under the ODA, Ontario government ministries, municipalities, hospitals, school boards, colleges, universities and public transportation organizations are required to develop annual accessibility plans to make policies, practices, programs, services and buildings more accessible to people with disabilities. These plans must be made available to the public. Accessibility planning efforts to date have developed a strong foundation for the development of accessibility standards that will ensure real and effective change.
This is the third annual accessibility plan developed jointly by the ministries of Community and Social Services and Children and Youth Services. It highlights achievements of the 2004-05 plan and outlines commitments for 2005-06 so that no new barriers are created and, over time, existing ones are removed.
Our ministries intend to build on our achievements by implementing initiatives that support the government's efforts and commitment to continue to make Ontario an inclusive and accessible province, where people of all abilities have a chance to fully participate and achieve their potential.
Message from the Minister of Community and Social Services
A new era of inclusive and welcoming communities has begun in Ontario with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. For the individuals and families that experience barriers to every day life events and tasks because of visible and hidden disabilities, this landmark law lays the foundation for developing standards of accessibility that will allow them to participate in and contribute to their communities in ways that have been improbable at best in the past.
I am honoured to be assuming responsibility for the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario this year. I look forward to working collaboratively with my government colleagues, other levels of government, and public and private sector partners to make Ontario a leader when it comes to breaking down barriers to help enable people with disabilities to reach their full potential.
The Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) also embraces this new challenge in our 75th year of working to promote inclusive communities where there is opportunity for all. This year, MCSS has made significant strides, both within government and in public outreach, to advance accessibility in the areas of customer service, employment, communications and information, and our physical environment.
For example, we have:
- renovated and relocated a number of Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) offices across the province to help make them more accessible,
- completed almost 50 capital projects with our transfer payment partners that helped improve accessibility in Violence Against Women shelters and community group homes for people with a developmental disability,
- produced captioned videos for ODSP offices to make information more accessible for people with learning disabilities, who are visually impaired and those that are deaf, deafened and hard of hearing,
- worked with Ministry of Children and Youth Services to make significant improvements to TTY (telephone teletype) services to the public.
The achievements highlighted in this year's plan as well as the commitments to make further improvements in the coming year, demonstrate our ongoing dedication to make Ontario's communities strong, vital and accessible to all.
Hon. Sandra Pupatello
Minister
Message from the Minister of Children and Youth Services
This year is a landmark in Ontario with the passage of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. The Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) welcomes this progressive legislation and we are committed to doing our part to make Ontario a world leader in accessibility for people with disabilities.
We are improving accessibility through participation at all levels of the ministry, by adopting proactive measures to promote a culture of accessibility, and by integrating our efforts to include customer service, employment, communications and information, and our physical environment.
The achievements we have made to date and the solid foundation of our new disability legislation will lay the foundation for the development of accessibility standards to promote real and effective change for people with disabilities.
I am proud that in 2004-05, this ministry demonstrated continued leadership in improving accessibility by significant improvements to public access of TTY lines. MCYS and the Ministry of Community and Social Services combined currently offer almost 50 public access TTY lines. These lines are now listed on the ministry web site. And the Youth Justice Services division is adding TTYs in its regional offices and facilities in the coming year.
The ministry has also been involved in several efforts which have increased physical accessibility including:
- relocations and renovations of many of our probation offices
- improvements such as door openers and upgrades to accessible washrooms at The Child and Parent Resource Institute (CPRI)
As minister, I am impressed with the achievements my ministry has made to meet the diverse needs of our staff and our clients, and with our commitments to make further improvements in the years to come. I am confident that we will continue to build on our government's commitment to promote strong Ontario communities that are accessible for all people of all abilities.
Hon. Mary Anne Chambers
Minister
Joint Accessibility Plan
This is the third joint accessibility plan for the ministries of Community and Social Services (MCSS) and Children and Youth Services (MCYS).
The two ministries work closely together to deliver many of their programs and services through a province-wide network of regional offices. The ministries also share administrative services, including human resources, financial planning, corporate policy, buildings and premises, communications and information technology. As a result, many of the efforts to improve accessibility benefit clients, the public, applicants and employees with disabilities of both MCYS and MCSS. This plan identifies joint achievements and commitments through headings or by identifying both ministries in the initiative.
This plan also highlights the accessibility achievements and new commitments that are unique to the service, program or work of one ministry. For actions that are unique to one ministry, the plan refers to the name of that ministry or to the relevant branch, program or service.
This plan reflects accessibility efforts from all levels of the two ministries: local, regional and ministry-wide. To make the plan easier to read, we summarized many of the local initiatives or provided some examples. Both ministries are equally proud of all these efforts and know that each is an important contribution to reaching our goal of becoming fully accessible ministries.
Report on Achievements of 2004-2005 Planning Commitments
In this section, we present our accessibility achievements for the period from September 2004 to September 2005. Much of the ongoing work of both of our ministries focuses on programs and services that benefit adults and children with disabilities and their families. We have not included each of these in this plan. The initiatives reported here are those that reflect new efforts to identify, remove or prevent barriers to people with disabilities.
Many of these achievements are based on planned commitments made in last year's accessibility plan. You will also find additional achievements that resulted from opportunities to improve accessibility that occurred during the year. While we are proud of these efforts, we also clearly recognize that there is more work to be done. Both ministries remain strongly committed to improving accessibility for people with disabilities in all aspects of our work.
Joint MCSS and MCYS Achievements for September 2004 - September 2005
Commitment:
MCSS and MCYS are strongly dedicated to making continuous and strategic improvements on accessibility through the accessibility planning process. Both ministries will continue to identify, prevent and remove barriers in all areas and aspects of our work.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 accessibility planning cycle/In progress
Action and Timeframe:
- Ministry-specific accessibility planning questionnaires and guides were distributed throughout both ministries in spring 2005.
- In September 2004 and again in July 2005, memoranda signed by the deputy ministers were sent to all employees asking them to submit accessibility problems, concerns and suggestions to their managers or to their ministry's confidential e-mail account on accessibility. The MCSS/MCYS ODA lead monitored the accounts year round and several of the suggestions are currently accessibility planning projects.
- The human resources branch (HRB) developed and distributed a handout entitled Accommodating People with Disabilities: We All Share the Responsibility. The handout informs staff of the need to respond effectively to requests for accommodation from people with disabilities who are clients, members of the public, applicants and employees.
- The communications and marketing (CMB) branch maintained a link to the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario's Accessibility for Ministries website. This link was maintained on the MCSS and MCYS intranet sites. This site explains accessibility planning and includes resources on planning accessible meetings, events and on appropriate language.
- The MCSS/MCYS ODA lead worked with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO) on accessibility planning and provided input on effective methods to train ministry staff on accessibility.
- The ODA lead also consulted with leads from other ministries on several common issues and forwarded barriers, identified through the MCSS/MCYS accessibility planning process, that fall under the responsibility of another ministry. For example, the MCSS/MCYS lead and the leads from the Ministry of Government Services shared materials on accessibility in the results-based planning process.
Rationale:
- A decision was made to develop an expanded accessibility web page specific to MCSS and MCYS providing easy access to internal and external resources on accessibility. The web page is under development by CMB and HRB and is targeted for launch in Fall 2005.
- The new Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) is expected to affect the way ministry accessibility planning will occur in the next few years. As a result, activities to review the ministry accessibility planning process and to investigate the potential for establishing an OPS community of practice on accessibility will be undertaken when further information on the implementation of the AODA is available.
Commitment:
MCSS and MCYS will continue to improve the accessibility of their facilities and offices.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 accessibility planning cycle
Action and Timeframe:
- Building or office renovations to accommodate individual employees with disabilities in both ministries were addressed on a priority basis by the capital and accommodations services branch (CASB) that serves both ministries.
- During the past year, both ministries have implemented, and in many instances exceeded, the barrier-free requirements of the 1997 Ontario Building Code in renovations and relocations. In some instances, aspects of the standards for barrier-free design of Ontario government facilities were also exceeded. For example, automatic door openers were added in many locations to allow both staff and clients barrier-free access to washrooms and interview rooms.
- Offices of MCSS' Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), that primarily serve people with disabilities, continued to implement relevant aspects of the ODSP model office design as offices were renovated or relocated. The design includes a wide variety of accessibility features for clients and staff that, in some areas, exceed both Ontario government and Ontario Building Code barrier-free requirements. During the past year, the ODSP offices in Owen Sound, Windsor, and at 385 Yonge Street in Toronto were renovated for accessibility. Accessibility improvements were also made to the ODSP offices in Pembroke, Renfrew and Cornwall in the areas of client waiting rooms, customer service counters, washrooms and interview rooms. The consolidation verification process units of ODSP offices in Thunder Bay, North Bay and Timmins also received accessibility upgrades.
- A significant initiative was undertaken within MCYS that included upgrading accessibility at youth justice services division (YJSD) probation offices. Offices in Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins, Thunder Bay, Kenora and Sturgeon Falls were renovated or relocated improving barrier-free access. Accessibility improvements projects were also completed in probation offices in Windsor, Owen Sound, Woodstock, Brantford, St. Thomas and Simcoe.
- Both ministries continued to consider new lease locations that comply with the barrier-free requirements of the 1997 Ontario Building Code. Wherever possible, the ministries' lease renewals also met 1997 Ontario Building Code accessibility requirements.
Commitment:
Implement the guidelines for implementing the procurement provisions of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001. Ministry staff continue to consider accessibility as part of the procurement process. Formal processes will be communicated to staff to ensure compliance and consistency.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 Accessibility Planning Cycle
Action and Timeframe:
- In the fall of 2004, the financial planning and business management branch (FPBMB) distributed the guidelines for implementing the procurement provisions of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 to all corporate and regional directors of both ministries for distribution to staff.
- The children youth and social services information and information technology cluster (cluster), which provides services to both ministries, identified the Industry Canada accessible procurement toolkit as a reliable resource on information technology accessibility standards for use by the ministries.
- In July 2005, the cluster added a link to information on accessibility standards for software, hardware, documentation, training and networks to the procurement web page of the cluster website. The page also links to information on the various assistive devices that people with disabilities may use to access their computers.
Commitment:
The cluster will develop criteria requiring a knowledge of accessibility issues for the request for proposal (RFP) for the vendor of record (VoR) for information and information technology goods and services.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- Accessibility criteria were added to the RFP. The vendor, selected in December 2004, made a commitment that information and information technology accessibility needs would be met.
Commitment:
The Internet websites of MCSS and MCYS will continue to meet the accessibility requirements of the ODA.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 accessibility planning cycle
Action and Timeframe:
- Through the year, the webmaster ensured that all new material posted to the Internet websites met accessibility standards.
- By July 2005, CMB added web pages describing the accessibility features of each ministry's Internet website. The pages also provide information on how readers can take advantage of the accessibility features by using a web browser.
- To promote the ministries' TTY numbers, CMB launched a separate web page, in July 2005, listing more than 50 public access TTY telephone numbers on the Internet sites.
- The branch also continued efforts to make the internal intranet sites of both ministries accessible to employees with disabilities. New pages added by the branch during the year met accessibility standards. For example, the branch simultaneously posted print documents along with video and audio messages by the Deputy Minister of MCSS to ensure the information was accessible to employees with hearing impairments.
- In February 2005, an employee in the ODSP program with a hearing impairment reported that an audio portion of the ODSP directives computer-based training was not accessible. The performance management branch of MCSS responded by adding a text document of the audio component to the training.
- By fall of 2005, the policy development and program design division (PDPD) of MCYS had posted two TTY numbers to the Children's Information Portal, a website that provides one-window Internet access to all Ontario government services for children and youth. The TTY numbers for the Children's Services INFOline (1-800-387-5559) and for the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care's TeleHealth (1-866-797-0007) are available.
- Throughout the year, all new web pages added to the Children's Information Portal met ODA accessibility requirements.
Commitment:
The cluster will develop a strategy to integrate information and information technology accessibility planning into the services that it provides to ministry clients.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- Through the year, questions on accessibility issues received by cluster business consultants were directed to the cluster ODA lead for advice or assistance. For example, in spring 2005, a new standard ministry screensaver was introduced to staff computers through the technology system. As the contrast caused difficulty for some employees with low vision, the cluster responded by making the screensaver optional.
- By September 2005, a formal process was developed and implemented for staff of both ministries to report information technology related accessibility issues and for cluster staff to track and respond to those issues.
- The cluster led an Ontario Public Service-wide information management project that proposed the adoption of the principle that information would be accessible to all, regardless of format required.
Commitment:
MCSS and MCYS will continue to provide official ministry publications in alternate formats upon request. The ministries will also pursue initiatives to make other documents available in alternate formats, as identified below.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 accessibility planning cycle
Action and Timeframe:
- Through the year, both ministries continued to respond to any requests for alternate formats of official ministry publications.
- The ministries continued to make many documents and brochures available through the accessible Internet websites of both ministries.
Commitment:
MCYS and MCSS are strongly committed to meeting the individual accommodation needs of employees and applicants with disabilities.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 Accessibility Planning Cycle
Action and Timeframe:
- MCSS and MCYS continued to implement the government policy on employment accommodation requiring managers to accommodate the individual needs of employees and applicants for work-related barriers.
- A wide variety of accommodations of employees and applicants were reported from across the two ministries, for example:
- Accommodation for an interview for a person with an anxiety disorder.
- Attendant and interpreter services
- A mini-scooter
- Flashing fire alarm, vibrating pager triggered by alarm and evacuation chairs
- A variety of assistive devices including large print program, large monitor, scanner, voice recognition, word prediction and text-to-speech software
- Convex mirrors to enable a scooter user to move around the office safely
- Modifications to washrooms
- A request for staff to refrain from using fragrance in the workplace to accommodate an individual
- An assessment to help accommodate a person with a learning disability.
- The workplace discrimination and harassment prevention (WDHP) coordinator and volunteer advisors continued to answer questions and complaints relating to WDHP and disability
- The results of a survey on hiring practices and procedures as they relate to individuals with disabilities showed that most participants were familiar with the ODA and its provisions concerning recruitment. To make information on accommodations in the recruitment process quickly accessible by managers, a tip sheet will be prepared as part of the 2005-2006 planning cycle.
- The social assistance and municipal operations branch, (SAMO) in partnership with the cluster, responded to issues identified through an ergonomic assessment of the ODSP service delivery model technology (SDMT). The cluster provided staff with quick tips sheets in June 2005 and SDMT was updated in July 2005 to address issues that were raised in the ergonomic assessment.
Rationale:
- The initiative to determine OPS-wide interest in a joint effort to pre-qualify ergonomic service providers will be pursued once a new organizational structure for OPS human resources is identified.
Commitment:
Work towards having all new MCSS and MCYS managers and supervisors complete ODA online training that focuses on accommodating employees with disabilities.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- Memoranda, sent to all managers and supervisors, required those who had not completed the ODA computer-based training to do so by September 30, 2005.
Commitment:
MCSS and MCYS will continue to ensure funded capital program projects meet the accessibility standards of the 1997 Ontario Building Code (OBC).
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 accessibility planning cycle
Action and Timeframe:
- From October 2004 to September 2005, project proposals for capital grants required a commitment to meet or exceed the barrier-free requirements of the 1997 OBC.
- During the year, MCSS funded the renovation of two violence against women (VAW) shelters, began construction of three new VAW shelters and replacement of one other shelter. All projects met the barrier-free requirements of the 1997 OBC.
- MCSS funded 44 capital projects to acquire, renovate or construct community residential group homes to accommodate people with developmental disabilities. As a minimum standard, all met barrier free requirements of the 1997 OBC. To meet the needs of individuals with severe disabilities, several projects far exceeded those accessibility requirements.
Commitment:
The ministries will continue to consider acts or regulations for a barrier review analysis as part of the regular planning cycle.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 Accessibility Planning Cycle
Action and Timeframe:
During the year, the following changes were made to Ontario Works (OW) and ODSP regulations that have resulted in the reduction of barriers affecting people with disabilities who apply for or receive social assistance. As of December 2004:
- Under ODSP, awards for loss of guidance, care and companionship under subsection 61(2)(e) of the Family Law Act (FLA) are exempt as income and assets up to $100,000. This exemption allows ODSP recipients to retain a type of income that previously negatively impacted the amount of or eligibility for income support.
- Under ODSP, non-economic loss (NEL) awards made under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act are exempt as income and assets up to $100,000. This exemption allows ODSP recipients to retain a type of income that previously negatively impacted the amount of or eligibility for income support.
- Under ODSP and OW, the portion of a personal loan, student or trainee grant or award approved by the director or administrator for training or post-secondary education costs is exempt as income and assets. This exemption reduces economic barriers to education for social assistance recipients, including ODSP recipients, and their family members.
- Children of social assistance recipients are allowed to save their earnings. This exemption will be helpful to dependent children who are saving for post-secondary education and as a result, it will reduce economic barriers to education for dependent children of social assistance recipients, including ODSP recipients.
- Under ODSP and OW, a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) held by a social assistance recipient is exempt as income and assets. Payments from an RESP towards education costs on behalf of a social assistance recipient are also exempt as income and assets. This exemption reduces economic barriers to education for social assistance recipients, including ODSP recipients, and their family members.
- Under ODSP, the exemption for gifts or voluntary payments from any source was increased from $4,000 to $5,000 in a 12-month period for each member of the ODSP benefit unit. The increase to the exemption amount will provide further incentives for families and friends to provide additional support to ODSP recipients.
- Under ODSP and OW, the automatic $100 minimum sponsorship deduction has been eliminated for sponsored immigrants who are not living with their sponsors. The change in policy provides for a more equitable treatment of OW and ODSP recipients, regardless of their immigration status.
In addition:
- Previously, an ODSP regulation allowed the disability adjudication unit (DAU) to only consider information that was submitted with the original application during the internal review of a decision that an applicant was not a person with a disability. As of December 2004, the DAU must consider additional medical information during the internal review if it relates to conditions that existed at the time of the original application. It is anticipated that this change will improve access to the program.
- In an effort to improve access to the ODSP program, the additional professionals listed below are allowed, as of December 2004, to complete the activities of daily living index. The index is part of the disability determination package used to verify whether an ODSP applicant's impairment results in substantial restrictions in the activities of daily living (e.g. ability to attend to personal care or function in the community or workplace).
- A registered nurse who is a member of the College of Nurses of Ontario;
- A speech language pathologist who is a member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario; and,
- A social worker who is registered as a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers in accordance with the Social Worker and Social Services Work Act, 1998.
- As of November 1 2004, routine eye examinations for adults 20 to 64 years old were no longer covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). However, all social assistance recipients continue to be eligible for routine eye examinations once every 24 months as a mandatory benefit under OW and ODSP. This initiative allows social assistance recipients, including people with disabilities, to continue to have access to routine eye examinations.
Commitment:
Ensure that the 2005-2006 results-based planning training package includes appropriate ODA training for staff of both MCSS and MCYS.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- In November 2004, HRB provided an accessibility impact checklist to MCSS and MCYS results-based planning teams. The checklist, was designed to help staff determine whether an initiative or proposal offered accessibility to people with disabilities.
- During results-based planning, the ministry ODA Lead also provided detailed accessibility-related feedback on several MCSS and MCYS planning proposals as part of the HRB review.
- During business planning, cluster business consultants ensured that information and information technology accessibility considerations were included in results-based planning submissions.
- An IT equipment planning template, which requires the consideration of IT accessibility needs, was provided by the cluster for use during the results-based planning process.
Commitment:
Communicate information on fragrance sensitivities in the workplace to managers in both ministries.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- An information sheet on scented products was developed and communicated to staff of both ministries in September 2005.
Commitment:
MCSS and MCYS will provide effective response to calls to ministry TTY telephone lines.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 accessibility planning cycle
Action and Timeframe:
- A random survey of approximately one third of the ministries' public access TTY lines was conducted in March 2005. Survey results were shared with directors and facility administrators in June 2005 along with some helpful tips for improving TTY service delivery.
- A draft guide was expanded to cover the management and delivery of TTY services in addition to the actual use of TTY machines. Feedback from TTY users was also incorporated. It will be posted on an expanded intranet accessibility web page in Fall 2005.
Commitment:
Make the checklist for providing accessible meetings available to all staff of MCSS and MCYS.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario released a revised guide on planning for accessible events. A link to this document is available to all staff through the intranets of both ministries.
Additional Achievement:
HRB sent a memorandum to senior management and created a fact sheet for information systems staff advising them to plan early for the needs of employees with disabilities in the project to replace computers and upgrade software across both ministries.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- Accommodating Employees with Disabilities for an IT Refresh or Upgrade: An Overview for Information Systems Staff was released on the desktop refresh project intranet page of the cluster in March 2005.
Additional Achievement:
FPBM made the transfer payment budget package accessible to staff of external service providers.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- By January 2005, the package was posted to the MCSS and MCYS intranet sites and met website accessibility standards.
Additional Achievement:
Several offices in both ministries reported efforts to make meetings accessible to participants with disabilities.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- Through the year, the strategic policy and planning division (SPPD) of MCYS provided American Sign Language interpreter services at local Infant Hearing Advisory Committees to improve access to meetings for committee members who are deaf.
- During the year, the corporate policy and intergovernmental affairs branch (CPIA), which serves both ministries, hosted two meetings of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Benefits and Services for Persons with Disabilities working group and ensured that accessibility needs of participants were met for the meetings, accommodations and meals.
- The MCSS developmental services branch (DSB) has held six policy forums since October 2004. Accessibility was considered in the selection of sites for the forums.
MCSS Achievements for September 2004 to September 2005
Commitment:
The Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) branches (ODSP) will produce a policy development checklist that will include criteria to prevent the creation of barriers to people with disabilities in new policies and regulation amendments.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- The checklist was provided to OW and ODSP policy analysts in August 2005 for use when developing or reviewing policy.
Commitment:
The developmental services branch (DSB) of the social policy division of MCSS will ensure that policy and program initiatives resulting from the transformation of the developmental services system will include consideration of issues of accessibility and barriers to people with developmental disabilities.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 accessibility planning cycle
Action and Timeframe:
- DSB launched two pilot projects to improve access to specialized clinical services (e.g., psychiatric or behavioural assessment) by adults with a developmental disability who also have mental health issues or challenging behaviour. The projects provide services, through video conferencing technology, to communities throughout southwestern Ontario and to 46 remote communities in the northwest.
- To assist in the transformation of the developmental services system, Ernie Parsons, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community and Social Services – Disabilities, consulted with individuals and families from across the province on their thoughts, ideas and concerns about developmental services. Ten meetings were held through the year and all venues were accessible.
- In July 2005, DSB launched a project to test the effectiveness of new technologies in protecting people who are at risk of wandering. The project will evaluate locating technologies that can help protect the safety and security and enhance independence for those who are at risk of wandering.
Commitment:
The community services branch (CSB) of MCSS will ensure that all program review projects that are part of the policy development process include consideration of issues of accessibility and barriers to people with disabilities.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- As part of the review of MCSS-funded interpreter and intervenor services programs, consultations were held with 11 stakeholders in June 2005. Stakeholders provided advice on improving the accessibility and equity of interpreter and intervenor services and on making the services both accountable and sustainable.
- The consultation meetings were accessible to all participants.
Commitment:
MCSS will ensure that all new ODSP staff receive timely training in awareness, access and accountability and that there is consistency in the training.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 accessibility planning cycle
Action and Timeframe:
- Through the year, over 300 ODSP staff received awareness, access and accountability (AAA) training. All new staff receive this training within 90 days of being hired. The training includes awareness of the issues people with disabilities face, information on supports available to deliver service, and the accountability of ODSP staff to clients.
- Organizations for people with disabilities such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, Aids Committee of Toronto and the Canadian Paraplegic Association were invited to participate in the training. This has resulted in better linkages between community agencies and ODSP staff.
Commitment:
Develop an implementation plan for the MCSS ODSP system-generated letters that have been revised to improve tone and clarity, and to be user-friendly for clients.
Status: In progress
Action and Timeframe:
- More than 60 letters have been revised. SAMO has worked with the cluster to develop options for addressing the technical issues involved in having the technology system appropriately generate the letters.
Rationale:
- The technical issues involved in implementing the revised letters through the current technology are more complex than originally anticipated.
Commitment:
Continue to improve linkages between MCSS ODSP offices and local agencies and stakeholders.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- Through the year, ODSP offices continued to liaise with local agencies and stakeholders to provide information on program changes and to resolve issues. For example, ODSP managers in eastern region met regularly with a coalition of Ottawa agencies that serve people with disabilities to identify and reduce barriers to ODSP recipients.
- Linking with local agencies and stakeholders has been adopted as a standard business practice in all ODSP offices. ODSP managers and staff regularly delivered presentations to community groups, agencies and stakeholders to promote a common understanding of the ODSP program. For example, ODSP managers and staff from Central East Region regularly delivered presentations to community groups, agencies and stakeholders.
Commitment:
MCSS will investigate the feasibility of corresponding with ODSP clients using
e-mail. An implementation plan will be developed.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 accessibility plan
Action and Timeframe:
- SAMO identified the operational requirements for corresponding with eligible ODSP clients by e-mail.
- SAMO, in cooperation with the cluster, evaluated options for addressing the issues of privacy, security and efficient access to the system.
Commitment:
MCSS will continue to review the ODSP disability adjudication unit's (DAU) processes for barriers to ODSP program applicants.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- The internal review resulted in the creation of a new internal review and quality assurance team.
- All DAU staff have now completed the awareness, access and accountability training.
- TTY training was provided for new clerical staff. A new TTY orientation manual has been created and is stored next to the TTY.
Commitment:
Continue the review of ODSP service delivery to ensure ongoing customer service evaluation and improvement.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 accessibility planning cycle
Action and Timeframe:
- To address concerns raised by clients, staff and stakeholders, an ODSP service delivery framework was developed and shared with all ODSP staff in April, 2005. The document provides principles and guidelines for changes to service delivery and focuses on improved customer service.
- Several meetings were held with the Ontarians with Disabilities Action Coalition (ODAC), a coalition of organizations of and for people with disabilities. The applications working group and the earnings and employment group were re-established to look at ODSP service delivery issues. Meetings were held through the year.
- A video explaining the ODSP program to clients was created in April 2005 for use in ODSP offices. The video is captioned and helps make information on ODSP more accessible to people with learning disabilities, those who are visually impaired and those who are deaf, deafened and hard of hearing.
- Local ODSP offices reported a wide variety of efforts to remove barriers to clients with disabilities. For example, staff now have the flexibility to meet at off-site locations with clients who may not be able to visit the office. Many offices provided sign language interpreters and documents in alternate formats upon request and some offices offered tape recorders and cassettes to those clients who needed them.
Additional Achievement:
As of April 1, physiotherapy services are not covered under OHIP. However, social assistance recipients and members of their benefit unit continue to have access to government-funded physiotherapy services provided by designated physiotherapy clinics if a physician has referred them. This allows social assistance recipients, including people with disabilities, to continue to have access to government-funded physiotherapy services.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- Policy direction was issued to the field in March, 2005.
Additional Achievement:
All OW recipients and members of their benefit unit are eligible to take a family medical leave if they meet certain criteria. Payments for a family medical leave received under the Employment Insurance Act by a recipient or member of their benefit unit are considered income. However, any OW recipient or members of their benefit unit who choose to exercise their entitlement to take a leave will have their participation requirements deferred for the time that they are on leave. This initiative allows OW recipients, including those with disabilities, to exercise their right to take a family medical leave to provide care and support to a family member.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- Policy direction was provided to OW administrators in March, 2005.
Additional Achievement:
Accessibility improvements, (e.g., installing wheelchair ramps or flashing lights to signal the activation of fire alarm systems), were included as eligible expenditures for one-time funding provided by MCSS for upgrading women's shelters and second stage housing.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- MCSS made $2 million in one-time funding available for 2004-2005 improvements, including accessibility measures, as part of the Domestic Violence Action Plan. For example, with funds from this initiative the Bethesda House of Mercy in Bowmanville installed automatic swing door openers, and Family Transition Place in Orangeville implemented TTY service to increase accessibility for women who are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, deaf-blind and have speech impairments.
MCYS Achievements for September 2004 to September 2005
Commitment:
The youth justice services division (YJSD) of MCYS will revise the policies, procedures and standards for managing suicidal youth in directly operated secure custody and secure detention facilities.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- In March 2005, YJSD issued a new policy on managing suicidal behaviour in its direct-operated secure custody/detention facilities. The policy was developed in consultation with clinical and professional staff.
- Staff who work with youth in the ministry's direct-operated secure custody/detention facilities participated in Adolescent Suicide Prevention and Intervention Training. The majority of staff received the training by May 2005.
Commitment:
Evaluate telephone access at directly operated youth custody and detention facilities for people who are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or have impaired speech.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- A review of TTY access for youth and the public at directly operated youth justice custody and detention facilities was completed by spring 2005. A recommendation to implement TTY service was proposed and accepted.
Commitment:
Review telephone access at the MCYS regional offices of YJSD for people who are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or have impaired speech.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- A review of TTY access at regional offices of the YJSD was conducted. A recommendation to implement TTY service was proposed and accepted.
- Ahead of the proposed schedule, the western regional office has implemented a TTY line.
Commitment:
YJSD will continue to play an active role on the inter-ministerial provincial advisory committee (IMPAC) a provincial, community-led committee that addresses the needs of children and youth, including those with disabilities, whose requirements may not be met by the standard service sectors.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 accessibility planning cycle.
Action and Timeframe:
- MCYS continued to participate on IMPAC and responded to cases of young people with disabilities in conflict with the law, who required the development of specialized planning to address unique assessment and treatment needs.
Commitment:
YJSD will review its practices and procedures for assessing and identifying young people with special needs.
Status: In progress
Action and Timeframe:
- A review is being conducted of whether the practices and procedures of former phase II facilities, for assessing and identifying young people with special needs, should extend across all residential facilities in youth justice.
Rationale:
- The impact of the consolidation of services for youth under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and of the integration of youth justice services into MCYS requires examination.
Commitment:
The Office of Child and Family Service Advocacy, which advises the Minister of Children and Youth Services, will continue to provide child advocacy services for children who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing in Ontario in a manner that is sensitive to the needs of the Deaf community. The office will also continue to make special accommodation for children and youth who are blind or visually impaired, have physical, learning, mental health or developmental disabilities, as well as for those with other disabilities, special needs or medical issues.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 accessibility planning cycle
Action and Timeframe:
- Throughout the year, a child advocate with American Sign Language skills, who could be accessed directly by TTY, was available.
- Advocacy services for children with other disabilities and their families were also provided throughout the year.
Additional Achievement:
The MCYS Best Start plan for early learning and child care encourages families and services to come together to help Ontario children, including those with disabilities, to achieve early success in school. Best Start screens children to help identify needs and risks so that necessary services can be provided during critical learning and development stages. Several initiatives over the past year have helped to reduce barriers to children with disabilities and their families.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 accessibility planning cycle
Action and Timeframe:
- From April 2004 to March 2005, more than 4,000 new subsidized child care spaces were created. The additional funding incorporated resources to include children with special needs.
- In the same period, funding of the Preschool Speech and Language Program was increased by $4.7 million. The program is a community-based, prevention and early intervention program for young children with speech and language disorders and their families.
- Funding for the Infant Hearing Program, which identifies babies born with deafness or hearing impairments, and those at risk of early childhood progressive hearing loss, was increased by $1.2 million in 2004-2005. The program includes supports and services for language development.
- Funding to the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program, which focuses on early identification of special needs, was increased by $2.6 million in 2004-2005 and grew to $8.35 million in 2005-2006.
- In February 2005, an expert panel was established to help guide MCYS on efforts to provide developmental surveillance for every toddler in Ontario. The goal is to enhance early identification of risk, and help to strengthen parent strategies for children with extra support requirements, including those with disabilities.
- In May 2005, two expert panels were established that will provide guidance on junior kindergarten and senior kindergarten curriculum needs of young children with extra support requirements.
Additional Achievement:
As of April 2005, MCYS had expanded its autism program for preschool-age children by more than 25 per cent in a year. As a result, the number of children with autism waiting for assessment has decreased from more than 1,000 in March 2004 to 287 in March 2005.
Status: Completed for 2004-2005 accessibility planning cycle
Action and Timeframe:
- To provide support for school-aged children with autism, MCYS created a new School Support Program as part of its autism strategy. From September 2004 to April 2005, more than 130 new autism professionals were hired to help teachers and educators support students with autism spectrum disorder in the public school system. The program is now active in school boards across the province.
Commitments and Strategies for 2005-2006
MCSS and MCYS will continue to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities in all aspects of our work. The following initiatives are planned for the period from September 2005 to September 2006 and beyond.
In the summer of 2005, the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario began reporting to the minister of MCSS. As a result, their accessibility planning commitments for the coming year are included here. In addition, all commitments that improve accessibility ministries-wide will also now benefit the clients, customers, employees and applicants of the Directorate.
Customer Service
Commitment:
Both ministries will continue to meet the accessibility planning requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001.
Action:
- HRB will continue to coordinate accessibility planning activities for MCSS and MCYS and will maintain the confidential electronic mailboxes that allow staff to identify barriers or make suggestions on accessibility.
- CMB will continue to work with HRB to complete and launch, by fall 2005, an expanded, ministry-based, accessibility web page for use by staff of both ministries.
- HRB will investigate a variety of tools and resources on accessibility and customer service to determine effective ways to deliver this information to staff of both ministries.
- MCSS and MCYS will continue to consult with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario and other ministry ODA leads on accessibility planning.
Timeframe: Through the year
Commitment:
The 2005-2006 results-based planning training package will include information on the ODA and AODA for staff of both MCSS and MCYS.
Action:
- HRB will update and promote the use of the MCSS and MCYS accessibility impact checklist for results-based planning.
- The cluster will include information on accessibility obligations and considerations in the information and information technology package for the results-based planning process.
Timeframe: By December 2005
Commitment:
Training on preparing cabinet submissions for MCSS and MCYS staff will include information on accessibility obligations.
Action:
- HRB will provide guidance on accessibility obligations as part of the training on preparing cabinet submissions offered by the corporate policy and intergovernmental affairs branch (CPIA).
Timeframe: Through the year as required
Commitment:
CPIA, which serves both ministries, will continue to consider the accessibility needs of Ontarians with disabilities in federal/provincial/territorial relations.
Action:
- As negotiations occur, CPIA will pursue all opportunities to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities.
Timeframe: Through the year
Commitment:
MCSS and MCYS will continue to fulfill the guidelines for implementing the procurement provisions of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001.
Action:
- By September 2006, FPBM will develop a training component on the guidelines and related checklist and deliver it through the procurement practices training offered to staff of both ministries by the branch.
- By December 2005, the cluster will communicate to staff that standards on IT accessibility requirements (e.g., for software, hardware, networks) are available through a link on the cluster IT procurement intranet web page.
Timeframe: As above.
Commitment:
Help ensure ministry-sponsored events will include pre-planning for accessibility.
Action:
- Although detailed resources on accessible events are available through the accessibility web pages of both ministries, by January 2006 HRB will provide a quick tips sheet on making ministry events accessible for use by trainers and facilitators.
- Through the year, HRB will model expectations for accessibility planning at all leadership events.
Timeframe: As above.
Commitment:
The needs of the people with disabilities will be considered in emergency management planning by MCSS and MCYS.
Action:
- HRB will consult with external organizations of and for people with disabilities and employees with disabilities in both ministries for feedback on the MCSS and MCYS Emergency Management Plan. Both ministries have responsibility for planning how their services will continue in an emergency. MCSS must also plan for emergency social services (food, clothing and shelter, etc.,) in the event of a community emergency.
Timeframe: September 2006
Commitment:
To improve staff understanding of the barriers that people with disabilities often face, the Northern Regional Office will develop a staff education strategy using lunch and learn sessions.
Action:
- The business unit and ODSP management team of the Northern Regional Office will develop a strategy to offer lunch and learn sessions by local disability groups to help all staff better understand the barriers faced by people with disabilities. Information will also be incorporated into the employee orientation package.
Timeframe: July 2006
Commitment:
MCYS and MCSS offices are committed to improving customer service to ODSP clients.
Action:
- By fall 2005, action plans to implement improvements to local service delivery structures will be developed for each ODSP office.
- By September 2006, ODSP offices will commence implementing new service delivery structures.
- Through the year, regional management will regularly communicate with staff about the important obligation to identify issues affecting people with disabilities and to increase accessibility.
- All regions are committed to increasing community and home visits for ODSP clients who may have difficulty being served at the local office.
- By March 2006, several ODSP offices will install televisions in their waiting rooms to display the ODSP video. The video will provide information about program entitlements and eligibility in audio and captioned formats.
Timeframe: As above
Commitment:
The Accessibility Directorate will make the recently-developed customer service training package, "May I Help You" – Welcoming Customers with Disabilities, available on-line for use by government ministries and stakeholders.
Action:
- This training package provides all the materials needed for the delivery of a workshop on providing services to customers with disabilities. The purpose of the workshop is to raise the level of disability awareness and increase the knowledge of staff on how they can meet the needs of their customers with disabilities.
Timeframe: Fall 2005
Commitment:
The Accessibility Directorate will inform organizations or people that may be subject to a future accessibility standard, of preliminary measures they can implement to help ensure that the goods, services, facilities, accommodation and employment they provide, and the buildings, structures and premises they own or occupy, are accessible to people with disabilities.
Action:
The Accessibility Directorate's activities will include:
- Reviewing 2004 accessibility plans of municipal transit systems and municipalities to identify best practices for increasing accessibility. The Directorate will post such practices on the Accessibility Directorate website.
- Making public education materials available on-line, and in multiple formats upon request.
- Offering public outreach through presentations, tools and resources.
- Developing standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
Timeframe: Through the year
Commitment:
The management support branch's (MSB) integrated services for children unit will undertake several initiatives in the coming year to increase accessibility:
Action:
- The unit will assign a staff member to develop increased knowledge of accessibility issues and will develop an accessibility checklist to assist in the review and development of policy, programs and services.
- By spring 2006, the unit will develop and conduct a survey of stakeholders to help identify accessibility issues in policy, programs or services.
- By September 2006, the unit will begin to offer training in sign language to interested reception or program staff.
Timeframe: As above
Commitment:
MCYS will establish the York Simcoe Children's Treatment Centre to deliver local services to the 3,800 children requiring specialized treatment services and their families in York Region and Simcoe County.
Action:
- MCYS will develop a business plan, an infrastructure for the network of services and begin providing local clinical services.
Timeframe: Multi-year project: September 2006 for development of business plan and infrastructure for services.
Commitment:
Make TTY services available in MCYS YJSD regional offices and directly operated youth justice custody and detention facilities. This will facilitate confidential communication, as required by the Youth Criminal Justice Act, between clients, family and community partners who require the use of a TTY.
Action:
- YJSD will purchase TTYs and implement effective services.
Timeframe: March 2006
Commitment:
MCYS will continue to play an active role on the inter-ministerial provincial advisory committee (IMPAC), a provincial, community-led committee that addresses the needs of children and youth including those with disabilities or multiple disabilities.
Action:
● YJSD of MCYS will continue to participate on the inter-ministerial provincial advisory committee.
Timeframe: Through the year to September 2006
Commitment:
MCYS will provide additional funding to the nine regional autism service providers for the School Support Program. This will increase the number of autism professionals available to support teachers and educators of school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder in the public school system.
Action:
● Approximately 40 new autism professionals will be hired by the service providers who will partner with the school boards through a signed memorandum of understanding.
Timeframe: By April 2006.
Commitment:
The Office of Child and Family Service Advocacy, which advises the Minister of Children and Youth Services, will continue to provide child advocacy services for children who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing in Ontario in a manner that is sensitive to the needs of the Deaf community. The office will also continue to make special accommodation for children and youth with other disabilities, special needs or medical issues.
Action:
- A child advocate with American Sign Language skills, who can be contacted directly by TTY, will be available throughout the coming year.
- Advocacy services for children with other disabilities and their families will be provided throughout the year.
Timeframe: Through to September 2006
Employment
Commitment:
Both ministries will continue their strong commitment to meeting the individual accommodation needs of employees and applicants with disabilities.
Action:
- MCSS and MCYS will continue to accommodate employees and applicants with disabilities, for work-related barriers, by implementing OPS policies on employment accommodation and workplace discrimination and harassment prevention.
- FPBM will convert all policies in the electronic manual of ministry administration, to style-based documents by December 2005 to make them accessible to employees with disabilities.
- By June 2006, the business unit of the Northern Regional Office will implement a policy that requires all training opportunities to be fully accessible so that all staff can participate equally.
Timeframe: As above
Commitment:
Continue to communicate the need for all new MCSS and MCYS managers and supervisors to complete ODA online training.
Action:
- HRB will communicate the requirement and provide a deadline for new managers and supervisors to complete the training.
Timeframe: Annually/October 2005
Commitment:
Provide MCSS and MCYS managers and supervisors with additional information on how to provide accommodation to applicants with disabilities in the recruitment process.
Action:
- HRB will provide a tip sheet on providing accommodations in the recruitment process to managers and supervisors
Timeframe: February 2005
Commitment:
Facilitate the exchange of information between employees with disabilities using assistive devices.
Action:
- HRB will establish a voluntary assistive technology user group e-mail list.
Timeframe: May 2006
Commitment:
Identify any barriers that may exist in HRB career development programs or processes.
Action:
- HRB will consult with employees with disabilities in MCSS and MCYS to identify any barriers.
Timeframe: June 2006
Commitment:
The Accessibility Directorate will develop a training and information package for employers to increase awareness of how to make employment opportunities accessible to people with disabilities, i.e., hiring, training and retention.
Action:
- The package will include presentation materials, background information, tools and checklists, and will be made available on the Accessibility Ontario website as well as in multiple formats, upon request.
Timeframe: Fall 2005
Communications and Information
Commitment:
The Internet websites of MCSS and MCYS will continue to meet the accessibility requirements of the ODA.
Action:
- The CMB webmaster will continue to verify that all new material posted to the external Internet websites of both ministries will meet accessibility standards.
- All new material posted to the internal intranet websites of both ministries will also continue to meet accessibility standards.
Timeframe: Through the year
Commitment:
MCSS and MCYS will continue to provide official ministry publications in alternate formats upon request.
Action:
- Requests will be met on an ongoing basis.
Timeframe: Through the year
Commitment:
CMB will research methods to increase access to MCSS and MCYS news releases and other communication products by people with disabilities who may not rely on mainstream media because of barriers.
Action:
- Research community resources, such as VoicePrint Broadcast Reading Service.
Timeframe: Research to be completed by December 2005
Commitment:
MCSS and MCYS will continue measures to improve TTY services.
Action:
- A number of offices plan to add TTY telephone numbers to their letterhead including offices in the central east region, the central west region and HRB.
- In the fall of 2005, HRB will investigate whether offices offering TTY services require any additional support with ongoing training of staff on TTYs.
Timeframe: As above
Commitment:
The cluster, which provides information and information technology services to both MCSS and MCYS, will continue to track and provide timely solutions to MCSS and MCYS information and information technology accessibility problems, where possible.
Action:
- The cluster will communicate the new process for identifying accessibility problems to all staff of both ministries by January, 2006.
- Through the year, cluster business consultant quality assurance managers will continue to respond to accessibility issues related to ministry information technology that are raised by staff of both ministries.
Timeframe: As above
Commitment:
Establish a cluster responsibility centre on information and information technology accessibility standards.
Action:
- By December 2005, the cluster will identify a coordinator to maintain and communicate up-to-date information on accessibility standards and accessibility issues relating to software, hardware, networks, documentation, etc.
- The coordinator will post accessibility information to the cluster learning and development intranet site.
Timeframe: As above
Commitment:
The cluster will research cost-effective methods for both ministries to provide information in alternate formats and alternate media.
Action:
- The cluster will research and evaluate options for ministry offices to efficiently provide alternate format and alternate media products (e.g., converting documents to Braille, large print, computer disk).
Timeframe: April 2006
Commitment:
The Accessibility Directorate will continue to identify best practices and success stories to promote a blueprint for all organizations that are interested in improving opportunities for people with disabilities.
Action:
● Success stories and best practices will be made available on the Accessibility Ontario website.
Timeframe: Through the year
Commitment:
The Accessibility Directorate will continue to maintain the Accessibility for Ministries intranet site. This is a reference site, available to all Ontario government ministries, that promotes a focus on accessibility planning under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 and the transition to standards development under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
Action:
- Resources, tools, best practices and updates regarding the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, will be provided to Ontario government ministries on a regular basis.
Timeframe: Through the year
Commitment:
The ministry will develop additional communications materials in pre-printed alternate formats for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) clients.
Action:
- ODSP currently provides many documents on the ministry's accessible website, and several forms, such as employment supports forms, are pre-printed in large print and Braille. Over the coming year, several additional income support forms will be pre-printed in large print and Braille.
Timeframe: September 2006
Commitment:
To improve communications with ODSP clients who require alternate formats, MCSS will implement a business process to enable ODSP staff to communicate with pre-approved clients by e-mail, in a safe and secure manner.
Action:
- SAMO and the cluster will develop a business case and secure necessary approvals for a technological solution.
- SAMO and the cluster will implement a pilot project.
Timeframe: September 2006
Commitment:
MCSS will evaluate various technical solutions to implement revised plain language, ODSP SDMT system generated letters.
Action:
- SAMO and the cluster will finalize an options paper for senior management review.
Timeframe: Fall 2005
Built Environment
Commitment:
MCSS and MCYS will continue to improve the accessibility of their facilities and offices where and whenever possible.
Action:
- Priority will continue to be given to removing barriers affecting employees, clients and the public with disabilities.
- Where feasible and appropriate, the capital and accommodations services branch will continue to apply the most effective barrier-free design principles for the situation, rather than meet minimum standards of accessibility.
- New leases and lease renewals will continue to be negotiated to address the elimination of any barriers to staff, clients or the public with disabilities.
Timeframe: To September 2006
Commitment:
Funded capital program projects of MCSS and MCYS will continue to meet the accessibility standards of the 1997 Ontario Building Code.
Action:
- Through the year, projects will continue to be required to meet, at minimum, the barrier-free design standards of the 1997 Ontario Building Code.
- New guidelines for planning and implementation of infrastructure projects that detail the ministries' accessibility requirements will be released by fall 2005.
Timeframe: As above
Commitment:
ODSP offices will continue to improve accessibility through implementation of the model office design as renovations and relocations occur. The design includes some accessibility features that exceed the accessibility requirements of the 1997 Ontario Building Code and of the Standards for Barrier-Free Design of Ontario Government Facilities.
Action:
- Continue to implement appropriate aspects of the model office design in ODSP offices and facilities as renovations and relocations occur.
Timeframe: Multi-year project
Commitment:
Improve the accessibility of MCYS youth justice probation offices where possible.
Action:
- Where possible, improve accessibility of current probation offices through renovations or relocations.
Timeframe: Multi-year project to 2007
Commitment:
MCYS will establish a flagship youth centre of excellence that is accessible to people with disabilities. The Greater Toronto Area youth centre will provide a safe, secure and rehabilitative living environment for male and female young people in custody/detention.
Action:
- Planning for renovations and construction of this new GTA facility, as well as for programming, will include consideration of the accessibility needs of people with disabilities. For example, consideration will be given to the need for accessible washrooms, showers and bedroom areas and all common areas open to public access.
Timeframe: Planning for accessibility will continue through to completion of the project which is targeted for 2008
Acts and Regulations
Commitment:
Both ministries will continue to consider acts or regulations for a review for barriers to people with disabilities as work is planned.
Action:
- Senior management and staff who work with acts and regulations will continue to be advised, through the results-based planning process and the accessibility planning process, to consider acts and regulations for a review for barriers to people with disabilities in any work they undertake.
Timeframe: Through the year to September 2006
For More Information
Questions or comments about the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services accessibility plan are always welcome. Please contact:
For general inquiries:
In Toronto call: 416-325-5666.
Toll-free from across Ontario: 1-888-789-4199.
TTY number: 1-800-387-5559.
E-mail: mcssinfo@gov.on.ca
Ministry website addresses:
Ministry of Community and Social Services: www.mcss.gov.on.ca
Ministry of Children and Youth Services: www.children.gov.on.ca
The Human Resources Branch is co-ordinating the accessibility planning process for both ministries. You may also direct questions or comments to:
Linda MacQueen
Director, Human Resources Branch
Phone: (416) 327-4753
TTY: (416) 327-4817
E-mail: linda.macqueen@css.gov.on.ca
Visit the Ministry of Community and Social Services Accessibility Ontario web site at: /accessibility/index.html. The site promotes accessibility and provides information and resources on how to make Ontario a barrier-free province.
To order a free copy of this plan in an alternate format, please contact:
Publications Ontario
880 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M7A 1N8. Tel: (416) 326-5300
Out of town customers except Ottawa call: 1-800-668-9938
In Ottawa, call (613) 238-3630 or toll-free: 1-800-268-8758
TTY Service: 1-800-268-7095
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