OPS Ministry Accessibility Plans 2008-09
Executive Summary
I am pleased to present the 2008-09 accessibility plans for the Ontario Public Service. These accessibility plans outline ministries’ achievements and commitments to improve services for people with disabilities. These accessibility plans are developed under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA). The purpose of the ODA is to improve opportunities for people with disabilities by identifying, removing and preventing barriers in Ontario.
Government of Ontario ministries have been developing ODA accessibility plans for six years. As required by the ODA, this year’s accessibility plans address barriers to people with disabilities in acts, regulations, policies, programs and services. Here are some highlights:
Information and Communication
- Ministries continue to make improvements to their websites to make them more accessible to users of all abilities
- Government documents are available in a variety of formats such as large print, Braille and plain language
- Technological enhancements are ongoing, including an increased number of Braille printers and extended TTY technology.
Employment
- Managers continue to receive training on employee recruitment and accommodation in the workplace
- All OPS managers are required to complete a course on accommodating employees with disabilities
- Emergency evacuation processes are being enhanced to accommodate people with disabilities.
Built Environment
- Ministries continue to renovate buildings in accordance with barrier-free guidelines, such as adding elevators and constructing barrier-free washrooms
- Audits are often carried out to test accessibility in facilities, including entrances, counter heights and lighting.
Transportation
- Under the Ontario Bus Replacement Program, 421 new accessible buses have been purchased across the province
- Municipalities were provided with funding through the Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review to improve accessibility for travellers with disabilities.
In other areas, government ministries continue to develop initiatives that are required by the ODA. For example:
- Ministries continue to review acts and regulations to identify and remove accessibility barriers
- Ministries adhere to accessibility guidelines when purchasing goods and services.
We are embarking on a new era for accessibility in Ontario with an even stronger law. Accessibility planning under the ODA has built a strong foundation which will assist with the implementation of standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). The AODA is a groundbreaking piece of legislation that will pave the way to an accessible province by 2025. We will achieve this vision through new province-wide mandatory accessibility standards for the most important areas of our lives.
Our first accessibility standards – for customer service – came into force on January 1, 2008. Beginning January 1, 2010, designated public sector organizations will need to comply with this standard and provide service that is accessible to people with disabilities. Private sector and non-profit organizations that are obligated to comply with the standard will follow on January 1, 2012.
In this year’s plans, you can learn how ministries are preparing to comply with the accessible customer service standard. Here are some highlights:
- Ministries are ensuring that staff is fully trained on providing service to customers with disabilities through the e-learning course developed for Government of Ontario staff: “May I help You? – Welcoming Customers with Disabilities.”
- Ministries are reviewing their customer service policies, practices and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of the customer service standard. Many ministries will create new policies and procedures to provide accessible signage, such as large print and Braille.
- Ministries will build on the resources already in place to communicate with people who have disabilities, including the increased use of TTY lines, Braille and sign language interpretation.
- Ministries are creating processes for receiving feedback on their customer service to people with disabilities, including public websites, blogs, mail and telephone.
- Websites continue to be updated with new accessibility resources, such as a broad range of AODA compliance assistance materials available on www.accesson.ca/compliance.
- Ministries will continue to consider accessibility requirements when planning events and conferences.
These are just a few of the hundreds of accessibility initiatives that are underway across the Ontario public service.
We have made tremendous progress to break down barriers for Ontarians with disabilities. And we will continue to build on our achievements as we work to fulfill the vision of the AODA and an accessible province by 2025. By working together, we can make Ontario more inclusive for everyone.
Madeleine Meilleur
Minister of Community and Social Services
Listed below are the links to each government ministry's Accessiblity Plans: