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AODA Accessibility

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Statement of Commitment

Addiction Services Central Ontario is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence.

We believe in integration, and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and by meeting our accessibility requirements under Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Integrated Accessibility Standards – Accessibility Plan (Multi Year) – 50+ Employees

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005

Updated June 2019

Establishment of Accessibility Policies

Every obligated organization shall develop, implement and maintain policies governing how the organization achieves or will achieve accessibility through meeting its requirements under the accessibility standards referred to in this Regulation.

Action: Client Service Policy; Integrated Standards Policy
Status: Completed
Compliance Date: Updated; Approved by the Board in 2018-2019


Accessibility Plans

Large organizations shall:

a. establish, implement, maintain and document a multiyear accessibility plan, which outlines the organization‘s strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet its requirements under this Regulation;

Action: Attended public workshop; review and update plan as required by December 31.
Status: Plan completed
Compliance Date: January 1, 2014

b. post the accessibility plan on their website, if any, and provide the plan in an accessible format upon request; and

Action: Uploaded onto agency website
Status: Completed
Compliance Date: January 1, 2014

c. review and update the accessibility plan at least once every five years.

Action: Request Joint Health & Safety Committee to review Accessibility Plan on an annual basis and identify any gaps and make recommendations to close the gaps.
Status: New; In progress
Compliance Date: December 2019


Training

Every obligated organization shall ensure that training is provided on the requirements of the accessibility standards referred to in this Regulation and on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities to:

  1. all employees, and volunteers;
  2. all persons who participate in developing the organization‘s policies; and
  3. all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the organization.

Action: AODA Training for staff
Status: Completed
Compliance Date: May 2019

Action: Anti-Oppression, Anti-Racism (AOAR) Training for staff
Status: Completed
Compliance Date: June 2018

Action: Resources for AOAR to enhance staff’s knowledge and expertise
Status: In progress
Compliance Date: Ongoing

Feedback

Every obligated organization that has processes for receiving and responding to feedback shall ensure that the processes are accessible to persons with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible  formats and communications supports, upon request.

Action: Conduct a review of all feedback processes across the organization (internally and externally). Consult with all functional areas to make sure all feedback processes are captured.
Status: Completed
Compliance Date: January 1, 2015

Action: Determine what accessible formats and communication supports we will provide upon request.
Status: Can provide in soft copy as requested or enlargement of online OPOC survey.
Compliance Date: Ongoing

Action: Ensure staff and management are aware of the need to accommodate upon request.
Status: Completed through staff training.
Compliance Date: May 2019


Accessible Formats & Communication Supports

Except as otherwise provided, every obligated organization shall upon request provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities:

  1. in a timely manner that takes into account the person‘s accessibility needs due to disability; and
  2. at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons.

Action: Consider all requests received for accessible formats and communication supports and determine how the agency will be able to respond to these requests.
Status: Ongoing
Compliance Date: Ongoing

Action: Ensure these formats and supports can be provided in a timely manner.
Status: Ongoing
Compliance Date: Ongoing

Action: Communicate to staff and management that no additional charge is required
Status: Ongoing
Compliance Date: Ongoing

The obligated organization shall consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.

Action: Communicate to staff and management this requirement.
Status: Ongoing
Compliance Date: Ongoing

Action: Develop protocol for situations where a suitable agreement cannot be made.
Status: In Progress
Compliance Date: December 2019

Every obligated organization shall notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.

Action: Have a sign posted in reception area.
Status: In progress
Compliance Date: August 2019

Action: Post on website (IT).
Status: In progress
Compliance Date: August 2019

Action: Include notice on certain print materials.
Status: In progress
Compliance Date: August 2019


Accessible Websites & Web Content

Designated public sector organizations and large organizations shall make their internet websites and web content conform with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines  WCAG 2.0, initially at Level A and increasing to Level AA, and shall do so in accordance with the schedule set out in this section.

Action: Review website to ensure compliance.
Status: Ongoing
Compliance Date: Ongoing, particularly as web requirements for accessibility increase as per AODA legislation

Feedback

Every obligated organization that has processes for receiving and responding to feedback shall ensure that the processes are accessible to persons with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible  formats and communications supports, upon request.

Action: Conduct a review of all feedback processes across the organization (internally and externally). Consult with all functional areas to make sure all feedback processes are captured.
Status: Completed
Compliance Date: January 1, 2015

Action: Determine what accessible formats and communication supports we will provide upon request.
Status: Can provide in soft copy as requested or enlargement of online OPOC survey.
Compliance Date: Ongoing

Action: Ensure staff and management are aware of the need to accommodate upon request.
Status: Completed through staff training.
Compliance Date: May 2019


Accessible Formats & Communication Supports

Except as otherwise provided, every obligated organization shall upon request provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities:

  1. in a timely manner that takes into account the person‘s accessibility needs due to disability; and
  2. at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons.

Action: Consider all requests received for accessible formats and communication supports and determine how the agency will be able to respond to these requests.
Status: Ongoing
Compliance Date: Ongoing

Action: Ensure these formats and supports can be provided in a timely manner.
Status: Ongoing
Compliance Date: Ongoing

Action: Communicate to staff and management that no additional charge is required
Status: Ongoing
Compliance Date: Ongoing

The obligated organization shall consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.

Action: Communicate to staff and management this requirement.
Status: Ongoing
Compliance Date: Ongoing

Action: Develop protocol for situations where a suitable agreement cannot be made.
Status: In Progress
Compliance Date: December 2019

Every obligated organization shall notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.

Action: Have a sign posted in reception area.
Status: In progress
Compliance Date: August 2019

Action: Post on website (IT).
Status: In progress
Compliance Date: August 2019

Action: Include notice on certain print materials.
Status: In progress
Compliance Date: August 2019


Accessible Websites & Web Content

Designated public sector organizations and large organizations shall make their internet websites and web content conform with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines  WCAG 2.0, initially at Level A and increasing to Level AA, and shall do so in accordance with the schedule set out in this section.

Action: Review website to ensure compliance.
Status: Ongoing
Compliance Date: Ongoing, particularly as web requirements for accessibility increase as per AODA legislation