Integrated Accessibility Standard

Information and Communications

Within in the disability community, there is a large discussion around how many organizations are not in compliance with the AODA customer service standard and have not begun planning for compliance with the Integrated Accessibility Standard.  I thought I would review each of the questions to help you ensure you are in compliance.  I am discussing the requirements for the Integrated Accessibility Standard.  Please let me know how far in compliance you are.

Public libraries

19. (1) Every obligated organization that is a library board shall provide access to or arrange for the provision of access to accessible materials where they exist.

(2) Obligated organizations that are library boards shall make information about the availability of accessible materials publicly available and shall provide the information in accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, upon request.

(3) Obligated organizations that are library boards may provide accessible formats for archival materials, special collections, rare books and donations.

(4) Obligated organizations that are library boards shall meet the requirements of this section by January 1, 2013.

What does it look like for you to check yes to this question??

Libraries of educational and training institutions will be required to provide, procure or otherwise acquire an accessible or conversion ready format of print, digital or multimedia resources or materials, upon request. This requirement does not apply to special collections, archival materials, rare books or donations.

Public libraries will be required to provide access to, or arrange for, the provision of access to accessible materials where they exist, make information about the availability of accessible materials publicly available, and provide that information in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports upon request. They may (but are not required to) provide accessible formats for archival materials, special collections, rare books and donations.

Why is this requirement so important to the public?

This requirement speaks to serving the needs of both visible and invisible disabilities.  Remember that people with intellectual or learning disabilities need to have different access to printed materials. 

Here are some tips on how to interact with people with a learning disability.

* Patience and a willingness to find a way to communicate are your best tools.

* Speak normally and clearly, and directly to the person.


* Take some time — people with some kinds of learning disabilities may take a little longer to understand and
respond.

* Try to find ways to provide information in a way that works best for them.

* Be courteous and patient. The person will let you know how to best provide service in a way that works for them.

I believe that this is necessary for some but a benefit for all.  Can you think of ways this may help you access information from libraries?

Is there anything else that could be done to ensure that a compliance with this requirement?

If you are interested in learning more about Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or how to make accessibility a natural part of your business through the application of Corporate Social Responsibility, please contact Sandra Broekhof @ 416-579-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca or visit www.accessibilitycompliance.ca

Integrated Accessibility Standard

 Information and Communications

Within in the disability community, there is a large discussion around how many organizations are not in compliance with the AODA customer service standard and have not begun planning for compliance with the Integrated Accessibility Standard.  I thought I would review each of the questions to help you ensure you are in compliance.  I am discussing the requirements for the Integrated Accessibility Standard.  Please let me know how far in compliance you are.

Every obligated organization that is an educational or training institution shall do the following, if notification of need is given:

1. Provide educational or training resources or materials in an accessible format that takes into account the accessibility needs due to a disability of the person with a disability to whom the material is to be provided by,

i. procuring through purchase or obtaining by other means an accessible or conversion ready electronic format of educational or training resources or materials, where available, or

ii. arranging for the provision of a comparable resource in an accessible or conversion ready electronic format, if educational or training resources or materials cannot be procured, obtained by other means or converted into an accessible format.

2. Provide student records and information on program requirements, availability and descriptions in an accessible format to persons with disabilities.

What does it look like for you to check yes to this question??

Colleges of applied arts and technologies, as well as any public or private organizations that provide diploma or certificate courses under the Education Act, will be required to provide educational or training resource materials in an accessible format if “notification of need” is given. The materials may be provided by procuring, through purchase or obtaining by other means, an accessible or conversion ready electronic format, or if not available, by arranging for the provision of a comparable resource in an accessible or conversion ready electronic format. This will apply to student records and information on programs as well.

These organizations will be required to provide educational or training resources or materials in an accessible format if “notification of need” is given. They may do so by procuring or obtaining by other means, or if not available, by arranging for comparable resources in an accessible format. Student records and information on programs will need to be provided in an accessible format.

Some sample evidence include that the individual training and policy speaks to training requirements that are consistent with the Integrated Accessibility Standard. The company has a written training plan that includes the type of training to be provided and timing of training and the plan aligned with the company’s Accessible Policy and Multi-Year Plan. There is a list of which staff must receive training and has assurance that this staffs were trained. The company also has to have a record of dates that training was provided, content covered and how many people were trained.

Is there anything else that could be done to ensure that a compliance with this requirement?

If you are interested in learning more about Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or how to make accessibility a natural part of your business through the application of Corporate Social Responsibility, please contact Sandra Broekhof @ 416-579-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca or visit www.accessibilitycompliance.ca

Integrated Accessibility Standard

Information and Communications

Within in the disability community, there is a large discussion around how many organizations are not in compliance with the AODA customer service standard and have not begun planning for compliance with the Integrated Accessibility Standard.  I thought I would review each of the questions to help you ensure you are in compliance.  I am discussing the requirements for the Integrated Accessibility Standard.  Please let me know how far in compliance you are.

Training to educators

16. (1) In addition to the requirements under section 7, obligated organizations that are school boards or educational or training institutions shall provide educators with accessibility awareness training related to accessible program or course delivery and instruction.

(2) Obligated organizations that are school boards or educational or training institutions shall keep a record of the training provided under this section, including the dates on which the training is provided and the number of individuals to whom it is provided.

The required people to be trained in this part of the standard are:

* Educators in all school boards or educational or training institution.  

What does it look like for you to check yes to this question??

To mark yes to this questions means that your training policy is aligned with the company’s Accessible Year Plan as well as the Ontario Human Rights Code as it relates to disability and accessibility. These documents need to address that training requirements are consistent with the goals of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The training strategy includes details of what is covered in training and when it is provided. A record of the dates of training, how it was provided and how many people were trained is being kept.

Some sample evidence include that the individual training and policy speaks to training requirements that are consistent with the Integrated Accessibility Standard (section 7). The company has a written training plan that includes the type of training to be provided and timing of training and the plan aligned with the company’s Accessible Policy and Multi-Year Plan. There is a list of which staff must receive training and has assurance that this staffs were trained. The company also has to have a record of dates that training was provided, content covered and how many people were trained.

Is there anything else that could be done to ensure that a compliance with this requirement?

If you are interested in learning more about Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or how to make accessibility a natural part of your business through the application of Corporate Social Responsibility, please contact Sandra Broekhof @ 416-579-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca or visit www.accessibilitycompliance.ca

Integrated Accessibility Standard

Employment Standard

Within in the disability community, there is a large discussion around how many organizations are not in compliance with the AODA customer service standard and have not begun planning for compliance with the Integrated Accessibility Standard.  I thought I would review each of the questions to help you ensure you are in compliance.  I am discussing the requirements for the Integrated Accessibility Standard.  Please let me know how far in compliance you are.

Workplace emergency response information

27. (1) Every employer shall provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability, if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary and the employer is aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee’s disability.

(2) If an employee who receives individualized workplace emergency response information requires assistance and with the employee’s consent, the employer shall provide the workplace emergency response information to the person designated by the employer to provide assistance to the employee.

(3) Employers shall provide the information required under this section as soon as practicable after the employer becomes aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee’s disability.

(4) Every employer shall review the individualized workplace emergency response information,

(a) when the employee moves to a different location in the organization;

(b) when the employee’s overall accommodations needs or plans are reviewed; and

(c) when the employer reviews its general emergency response policies.

(5) Every employer shall meet the requirements of this section by January 1, 2012.

The best way to address this question is to talk to your employees with disabilities.  Ensure that all employees with disabilities (whether visible or invisible), have an individualized emergency response plan.  This means that the employer is aware of the need for accommodations. 

The emergency response plan needs to be reviewed regularly but especially when the employee moves to a different location in the organization and when the employer reviews its general response policies. 

It also helps to make the information accessible so everyone has the information they need to stay safe. This means that all information is available in a variety of formats (i.e., large print, Braille, closed captioning).

Is there anything else that could be done to ensure that a company can check YES to this third question?


If you are interested in learning more about Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or how to make accessibility a natural part of your business through the application of Corporate Social Responsibility, please contact Sandra Broekhof @ 416-579-1035 or sandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca or visit www.accessibilitycompliance.ca