Commitments and Strategies for 2007–2008
The Ministries’ focus in their 2007–08 action plans is to incorporate accessibility considerations into the ongoing policy, planning, management and review processes. Communication and staff training and guidance are also significant in the 2007–08 plans, to raise awareness, provide guidance regarding accessibility issues and needs, and involve staff in initiating responses.
The plans also include participation of the Ministries on implementation teams dealing with standards development for the new Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Commitments and strategies for the coming year are listed below.
Section 4 – Built Environment
Commitment: The Ministries will meet the standards for barrier–free design of Ontario government facilities in its facility acquisitions, construction, or significant renovation to existing or leased facilities.
Action and timeframe: The Ministries’ facility planning, acquisitions, construction, or substantial renovation will adhere to the government–adopted standards for barrier–free design. The Ministries will meet this commitment in facility planning and development initiatives undertaken in 2007–08.
Status: Complete and ongoing. Significant completion was reached with the construction of the Aylmer District Office, as well as Killbear Park Visitor Centre, and various Ontario Park comfort stations. All facilities meet the new barrier–free design standards.
Section 5 – Procurement of goods and services
Commitment: The Ministries will ensure managers and supervisors are provided guidance on accessibility in procurement of goods and services. The Ministries will continue to implement in its procurement processes the government–wide guidelines for accessibility in procurement.
Action and timeframe: The Ministries will continue to adhere to MGS procurement accessibility guidelines, will communicate these to relevant staff and will incorporate them in ministry procurement procedures. The Ministries will also review and apply when available the upcoming Accessible Procurement E–module training tool for training staff who provide procurement services.
Section 6 – Government Internet sites
Commitment: The Ministries will continue to ensure that their internet sites are accessible, including testing of all new site content.
Action and timeframe: The Ministries will continue to monitor all web site content for accessibility. The Ministries will be implementing a new web content management system and the new design standards for Ontario government web sites in 2007–08. The Ministries will ensure the new web site design meets ODA accessibility requirements. The Ministries will also be developing and implementing formal protocols, standards and guidelines to ensure continued accessibility of web site content. MNR’s Communications Services Branch offers access to seminars on ODA compliance and invites participation.
The Ministry of Natural Resources’ (MNR) Fish and Wildlife web site does more than comply with ODA requirements. Electronic services for hunters have been a priority in the Fish and Wildlife Branch for some time. Most recently, the reporting of harvests has moved to an electronic form as a pilot for wider–scale reporting. This opens the door to additional opportunities for providing electronic information in the future. It is currently possible for anglers and hunters to buy certain licenses online, and to apply to certain big game draws through an automated telephone system, which links directly to a database in real time.
Section 7 – Government publications
Commitment: The Ministries will continue to follow existing guidelines and procedures for meeting requests for accessible formats through Publications Ontario.
Action and timeframe: The Ministries will continue to work cooperatively with Publications Ontario to provide publications in an ODA compliant format. All ministry staff will be provided with ongoing guidance on procedures for responding to requests for publications in accessible formats.
Section 8 – Government employee accommodation
Commitment: The Ministries will continue to identify employee accommodation needs and access the Employment Accommodation Fund to accommodate staff with disabilities. We will also participate in the development and the roll out strategy of new standards development as part of the implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities.
Action and timeframe: Ministry procedures incorporating these actions regarding staff with disabilities will be followed in 2007–08.
Commitment: The Ministries will ensure that all managers and supervisors receive a training package on how to accommodate the accessibility training needs of employees and job applicants with a disability.
Action and timeframe: Training materials and information will be made available.
Commitment: The new Employment Accommodation and Return to Work Operating Policy has been developed and is now available online to OPS employees
Action and timeframe: The Ministries have trained all managers and human resources advisors. The rollout is continuing and a training package has been prepared for all managers and team leaders to train their staff. Also, employees were encouraged to access this information on the MyOPS web site and given instructions on how to do so.
Commitment: MNR’s Science and Information Resources Division willmake use of capital funding to plan and implement changes at Harkness Lab to better accommodate people with disabilities (i.e. changes to one of the cabins, the cookhouse and a washroom to provide barrier–free access).
Action and timeframe: Spring 2008.
Section 9 – Government funded capital programs
Commitment: Capital funding proposals in the Ministries’ corporate business plan for 2007–06 will be reviewed for compliance with requirements under Section 9 of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Conformity with the standards for barrier–free design of Ontario government facilities will be an important focus.
Action & timeframe: All funding proposals will be reviewed for compliance with accessibility requirements. The reviews will be carried out during Results Based Planning for 2007–08.
Status: The review of capital funding proposals in the Ministries’ corporate business plan for 2007–08 has been completed. During 2006–07, the following were placed into service and meet accessibility requirements:
- Algonquin Park West Gate Comfort Station
- Wasaga Beach Comfort Stations (2)
- Earl Rowe Vault Privies
- Rock Point Vault Privies (2)
- Grundy Lake Maintenance Building
- Ivanhoe Lake Maintenance Building
- Algonquin Lake of Two Rivers Park Store
- Algonquin Portage Park Store
- Marten River Park/Gate Office
- Neys Gatehouse
- Killbear Entry Control Office
Rationale: This commitment has been met according to the unique purpose and circumstance of each individual project.
Section 10 – Accessibility planning
Commitment: The Ministries will continue the work of their Accessibility Working Group to provide ongoing coordination for accessibility planning and improvements.
Action and timeframe: The CAO has recently sent a memo to ADMs of both ministries in an attempt to solicit more members. We are encouraging people with disabilities and people that have an interest in the subject to join. As well, the current Accessibility Working Group represents each Division and Program Area. The Terms of Reference for this committee will be expanded to include input on the various MGS standards committees for the new AODA. Membership is currently being reviewed to ensure an equal representation for the Ministries as well as for people with a disability. Discussions with respect to the need for two separate Ministry Working Groups are underway. Committee member duties may be expanded in 2007/08 to include:
- Input to the development of AODA standards.
- Participation on implementation teams.
- Input to annual reports, including ODA and AODA.
Acts and Regulations
Commitment: The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) will work cooperatively with other ministries in assessing current provisions for people with disabilities regarding fees, permits and services.
Action and timeframe: MNR will continue discussions with other relevant ministries and will respond to needs for refinements or improvements in accessibility provisions. Discussions and implementation of results are an ongoing commitment.
Status: In progress. MNR is undertaking a comprehensive review of pricing and revenue and will be developing a Natural Resources Valuation and Pricing Policy Framework. Accessibility considerations will be included in this framework and its future implementation. Review of pricing strategies with other relevant ministries will include accessibility provisions and be undertaken following development of this policy framework. Initial discussions are yet to be completed.
Rationale: Establishing a valuation and pricing policy framework is considered essential prior to discussions with other ministries on accessibility provisions regarding fees, permits and services.
Policies
Commitment: Guidance will be provided to staff undertaking policy and program development on how to identify needs and include accessibility provisions in policy and program proposals.
Action and timeframe: Develop and implement guidelines for incorporating accessibility considerations in policy and program development. New standards are currently being developed jointly at sector tables. Work in this area will be completed when the new accessibility standards are released.
Commitment: The Ministries will advance their diversity objectives by examining employment systems, processes, tools and documents. Accessibility issues will be an area of focus for this assessment.
Action and timeframe: Review of employment systems, processes, tools and documents, including attention to accessibility issues, will be undertaken following the establishment and implementation of pending changes in human resource services/delivery underway for the Ontario Public Service. The Ministries will commence this review in 2007–08 following implementation of changes in the Human Resources Branch.
Programs and Services
Commitment: MNR will have plans in place for the evacuation of staff and visitors with disabilities in ministry and public–use facilities per the ODA's "Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs" where MNR is considered to have the operating lead. MNR will ensure the plans are incorporated in an Emergency Procedures handbook and distributed to all staff.
Action and timeframe: The needs of people with a disability will continue to be provided for with the parameters established as new evacuation plans are developed or existing plans and procedures are reviewed and updated.
Commitment: Deliver communication products and services regarding MNR’s services and delivery methods to clients with a disability.
Action and timeframe: MNR’s customer service delivery arm (a network of 32 district offices across the province) has undergone significant changes over the last few years, including changes in the nature of the services delivered and the delivery method. As a result, MNR’s customer service procedures need to be reviewed. The ministry will produce communication materials concerning clients with a disability and develop communication tools. These will be posted on the ministries intranet site and communicated to all staff.
Commitment: In preparation for AODA approval, the Ministries will communicate new responsibilities to agencies, boards and commissions.
Action and timeframe: A review of the agencies’, boards’ and commissions’ new commitments are to be included in the Ministries’ business plan; the timing will be determined based on when the AODA regulations are passed.
Commitment: Through electronic service delivery initiatives, the Ministries have improved and will continue to improve access for people with a disability to a variety of direct services including permits, purchasing, information and query responses.
Action and timeframe: Ongoing improvements throughout 2007–08 to electronic service delivery in accordance with government–wide priorities, initiatives and resource availability.
Commitment: Educate staff and managers on the ODA and AODA.
Action and timeframe: The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario is launching a new e–training module. This will be mandatory training for all ministry employees via an intranet site currently in development. The timing is dependant on when the AODA regulations are passed.
Rationale: Education on AODA is linked to ministry corporate communication about the implementation of the AODA.
Commitment: The Ministries will develop an implementation plan for incorporating specific provisions for customer services to people with a disability and include these provisions in updated customer service procedures.
Action and timeframe: Implementation to commence in 2007–08 to identify specific provisions for customer services to people with a disability, complete an implementation plan and include it in customer service procedures. Attention will be paid to a range of measures, including better understanding of needs and improved attitudes toward people with a disability. We will finalize the implementation plan by March 2008.
Status: An implementation plan is ongoing. Like MNR’s Natural Resources Information Centre, the Outdoors Card Centre takes calls from the public. In 2007 the Outdoors Card Centre will update its customer service procedures to include how to serve callers who use a TTY telephone line.
Commitment: The Ministries’ Communications Tool Box is a new intranet site for all staff involved in communications activities. Staff can access the Tool Box via the intranet. As well, MNR recently launched an online digital photo gallery, accessible through new icons on employee’s computer desktops. The Tool Box provides information about communications processes, products and best practices, as well as links to tools and resources such as templates and reference documents.
Action and Timeframe: The Communications Tool Box is an evolving document. MNR’s Communication Services Branch will be updating and enhancing it regularly. They will be asking staff for comments and suggestions for improvements in advance of each update. This intranet site will be 100% accessible to persons with a disability by March 2008.
Commitment: Ontario Parks’ Policy states that if people with a disability enter the park for day–use purposes, for example a picnic, all of the occupants of the vehicle is granted entry under the discounted disabled vehicle permit. The same approach holds for camping, where all members of the camping party are granted the discounted rate.
Action and Timeframe: Ongoing.
Commitment: All signage in Ontario Parks is done in symbols that are universally understood. When lettering is used, it is of a very large size making it easier to read.
Action and Timeframe: Ongoing.
Practices
Commitment: The Ministries will continue to communicate the provisions of the ODA and the implementation of the AODA to all ministry staff.
Action and Timeframe: Communication will be issued from the office of the CAO as well as postings on intranet sites, planned for spring 2008. Staff is encouraged to attend ODA seminars. Two issues of Compass (MNR’s electronic staff newsletter) have addressed the ODA in great detail.
Commitment: At a local level, client feedback will be encouraged and monitored for concerns brought forward regarding accessibility.
Action and Timeframe: Appropriate communications from the office of the CAO has occurred.
Commitment: The Ministries are committed to ensuring all employees are provided awareness training to increase their sensitivity to the needs of people with a disability, who may include internal clients, colleagues and the public.
Action and Timeframe: All staff and managers (new and current) will be encouraged to attend accessibility awareness training. In addition, the Ministries will communicate to all employees the availability of electronic training called “May I Help you – Welcoming Customers with Disabilities”, available through the Centre for Leadership’s electronic learning section.
Commitment: Accessibility audits will be continued in several representative ministry sites and program areas to assess accessibility provisions and identify priorities for addressing needs.
Action and Timeframe: These audits will establish measures and approaches to be adopted in our ministries and will also help raise awareness of staff and managers regarding accessibility needs. Audits to commence September 2007.
Commitment: The Ministries will provide information on accessibility requirements, provisions and initiatives on its general internet and intranet sites.
Action and Timeframe: Implement provision of accessibility information on general sites following web site redesign and development of a communications strategy. The Ministries will provide information on accessibility requirements/provisions/initiatives on both the internet and intranet web sites, following implementation of the new content management system and new design standards for Ontario government web sites. We expect to make the information available on during 2007–08.
