Introduction

In June 2005, the Ontario government took a strong stand on accessibility when it passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) into law.

The AODA lays out a comprehensive road map to make Ontario accessible to all people through the development, implementation and enforcement of new, mandatory accessibility standards for some of the most important aspects of people’s lives.

Five key areas have been identified for the first accessibility standards: customer service, transportation, information and communications, the built environment, and employment.

The accessible customer service regulations were approved by the Lieutenant-Governor and will come into force on January 1, 2008.

An initial proposed standard on accessible transportation has been developed by the Transportation Standards Development Committee.  It was posted for public review on June 27, 2007 and will be available for public comment until September 28, 2007.

The Standards Development Committee that will draft the proposed information and communications standard was established and began meeting in April, 2007.  
The committees developing the accessible built environment and accessible employment standards have been selected and will begin meeting in the fall of 2007.

While the government is moving forward to implement the AODA, there will be a transition period where government and the broader public sector will continue to meet their 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 These obligations will remain in effect until they are repealed and replaced by standards under the new act.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 mean real and effective change.

This document is the fifth annual accessibility plan developed by the Ministry of Culture. It highlights the achievements of the 2006/2007 plan and outlines the commitments for 2007/2008 so that no new barriers are created and, over time, existing ones are removed.

This ministry intends to build on its achievements by implementing initiatives that support the government's commitment to continue to make Ontario an inclusive and accessible province where people of all abilities have a chance to fully achieve their potential.

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Message from the Minister

On behalf of Ontario’s Ministry of Culture, I am pleased to present my ministry’s 2007/2008 Accessibility Plan.  Under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) all public sector and broader public sector organizations are required by law to have an annual accessibility plan and to make it available to the public.  This is the fifth year in which plans have been written and are being implemented by organizations such as ours across the province.

This year marks the second anniversary of the landmark Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, (AODA) – legislation that will require the development, implementation and enforcement of accessibility standards in key areas of daily living.

The accessible customer service regulations were approved by the Lieutenant-Governor on August 11, 2007 and will come into force on January 1, 2008.  An initial proposed standard on accessible transportation standard has been developed by the Transportation Standards Development Committee and was posted for public review between June 27 and August 31, 2007.

The Standards Development Committee that will draft the proposed information and communications standard was established and began meeting in April 2007.   The committees developing the accessible built environment and accessible employment standards have been selected and will begin meeting in the fall of 2007.

Here at the Ministry of Culture, we are building on the success of our previous four plans and continuing to look for ways to better meet the needs of people with disabilities who come into contact with this ministry, regardless of whether they are staff, members of the general public or ministry stakeholders.

My ministry is committed to improving accessibility through identifying, removing and preventing barriers, working together within our ministry, across government and in our relationships with our stakeholders. 

This ministry continues to work to better educate staff on accessibility.  Examples of this work in the past year include review of existing programs and activities, updating agencies on revised or new regulations and standards, and coordinating the development of a new on-line procurement tool.  More examples are provided in the pages that follow.
I encourage you to share your comments or concerns with us.

Sincerely,

Caroline Di Cocco

Minister

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Report on Achievements

Commitment

Ministry managers will report internal and external stakeholder inquiries and comments in order to assess accessibility needs.

Status:   Completed and Ongoing

Action and Timeframe

A manager’s accessibility survey document was developed to record the number and nature of accessibility-related inquiries and comments received from internal and external stakeholders.

The survey was drafted, approved and will be circulated to managers in the Fall of 2007 and the ministry Accessibility Planning Team will assess the results.

Commitment    

The ministry will review all its existing programs and activities, including eligibility criteria, and terms and conditions of grant program contracts, to incorporate accessibility for people with disabilities.

Status:   In progress

Action and Timeframe

A sub-group will conduct a review of the ministry’s programs and activities, including grant programs, along with applications and procedures, for accessibility by using the review framework developed by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.

From the review, a plan will be implemented to address identified barriers within these programs and activities which prevent people with disabilities from accessing and applying for funding.

Rationale

In 2006/2007, this commitment was deferred due to other priorities and staffing changes.   The 2007/08 plan will include a review of the following programs: Provincial Heritage Organization Grant, Heritage Organization Development Grant, First Nations Development Grant, Library Strategic Development Fund and Community Information Centres Pay Equity.

EMPLOYMENT

Commitment

The ministry will ensure that all procurement managers and staff are familiar with the Ministry of Government Services’ new Accessible Procurement E-module (on-line) training tool.  As well, procurement accessibility activities from previous years will be maintained and reviewed to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.

Status:   In progress

Action and Timeframe

Staff engaged in procurement activity will be advised of their responsibility to review the MBS Procurement E-module (on-line) training tool and will include this in their Performance Development and Learning Plan.

The link to the Accessible Procurement E-module Training Tool will be forwarded to all procurement managers and staff.  This will be completed by September 2007.

Areas of improvement and any barriers will be identified and quantitative measures will be employed in the reports, e.g., number of procurement staff vs. those trained on E-module, purchases reviewed for accessibility.

The ministry Accessibility Planning Team will review status on a quarterly basis.

Rationale

In 2007/2008, the Accessibility Planning Team will follow-up to review new managers and staff engaged in procurement to ensure that E-module training has been completed.

Commitment

Human resources-related activity will continue to be reviewed to identify areas of improvement and remove any barriers (i.e., job descriptions, staff orientation, accessible accommodation).

Status:   Completed

Action and Timeframe

The MCL Accessibility Planning Team received regular reports on ministry work related to human resources and action was taken to address any barriers identified.

In December, 2006 a list of recommended training (including ODA and Injury Illness and Employment Accommodation training) for new managers was developed and posted on the Human Resources website.

Commitment

The ministry will maintain and continue to strengthen the role of the Accessibility Planning Team.

Status:  Completed and Ongoing

Action and Timeframe

Implementation of this commitment continued in 2007/08. Steps were taken to better integrate accessibility into ministry operations. The plan includes new staff orientation, current staff orientation, all staff days reference, intranet updates (e.g. Tip of the Month, PDLP Reference).

Commitment

Program and policy initiatives from previous years will be reviewed to ensure they continue to be accessible e.g., accessibility issues addressed in Results Based Planning.

Status:  Completed and Ongoing

Action and Timeframe

A guide was prepared with a checklist for staff to complete of accessibility issues to be addressed, their impact and how to eliminate them.

The ministry Accessibility Planning Team reviewed the guide throughout 2006 and it was approved in February 2007.

The guide will be reviewed, approved and adopted by the ministry’s Divisional Leadership Committee in 2007/08. 

Commitment

The ministry will investigate, assess and communicate the availability of adaptive technologies and accessible website design to promote their use.

Status:  Completed and Ongoing

Action and Timeframe

Identify the types of services to be provided.

Information about any new technologies or approaches was considered by the team and communicated to others as appropriate.

Commitment

The ministry will conduct staff surveys to determine the level of staff awareness of accessibility issues and to provide appropriate training.

Status:  In progress         

Action and Timeframe

In 2006/2007, a staff survey was prepared and the ministry Accessibility Planning Team approved it as a mechanism to assess training needs.

The survey was revised, the draft approved and will be circulated in the Fall of 2007.   The ministry Accessibility Planning Team  will assess the results.

Rationale

The survey was deferred until Fall of 2007 to ensure maximum staff response.

COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION

Commitment

Communications-related activities will be assessed to identify areas of improvement and remove any barriers, e.g., Internet and Intranet content, TTY service, 1-800 service, the list of interpreters and signers and opportunities for staff on the ministry’s intranet.

Status:  Completed and Ongoing

Action and Timeframe

A schedule of regular reporting to the Accessibility Planning Team was established  with the Team determining follow-up actions.

Commitment

The ministry will work with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario to learn about accessibility best practices, resources, existing materials, and education tools and to communicate them in a staff and key stakeholders Awareness and Education Campaign.   The campaign will promote the use of accessibility tools in service delivery.

Status:   TBD

Action and Timeframe

In 2006/07,  the review of accessibility initiatives to be shared with staff and key stakeholders was a regular agenda item at team meetings.  This commitment will continue into 2007/08.  The Accessibility Planning Team anticipated implementation of AODA, by advising on standards development matters and acting as a conduit to key stakeholders.

Commitment

The ministry will update its agencies on new or changed regulations/standards relating  to agencies’ obligations under accessibility legislation.  The ministry will also encourage agencies to include accessibility in their programs and practices with regard to good business practices, especially those agencies serving the public.

Status:   Ongoing

Action and Timeframe

Ministry staff will forward information to agencies about their obligations under accessibility legislation, as appropriate.

New information on the impact of accessibility initiatives will be communicated to agencies.

When regulations/standards are prescribed for agencies, the ministry will follow up with them.

Commitment

The ministry will review web site content to ensure it is accessible and accessibility information is up-to-date.

Status:   Ongoing

Action and Timeframe

Ministry program areas will review web site content to identify any barriers and take appropriate action.

Commitment

Activities and information gathering to expand knowledge and understanding of intellectual, mental health and learning disabilities will be undertaken.

Status:   In progress

Action and Timeframe

Two information sessions featuring representatives from intellectual, mental health and learning disability organizations to educate staff will be planned.

The information sessions will be scheduled in Fall, 2007.

BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Commitment

Every reasonable effort will be made to make existing and future ministry premises barrier free.

Status:  In progress

Action and Timeframe

A presentation on ministry emergency measures was made to senior ministry staff in early 2007 and this will be followed up with presentations to ministry staff in Fall, 2007.

There are no major impediments to the overall satisfactory use of ministry offices by either staff or visitors.

The ministry has reviewed and removed the main barriers to accessibility in its offices and continue to periodically assess its built environment.

ACTS AND REGULATIONS

Commitment

Both existing or proposed statutes and/or regulations will be reviewed to identify any barriers or potential impact with respect to accessibility.

Status:   Completed and Ongoing

Action and Timeframe

The ministry introduced a new statute, Status of Ontario’s Artists Act, 2007, There were no accessibility concerns in relation to this legislation.

The ministry made amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act.  The OHA used to require that any public notice be put in a newspaper of general circulation.  One amendment to the OHA allows for notice to be in accordance with policies adopted by the City of Toronto under the City of Toronto, 2006 Act, and by other municipalities under the Municipal Act, 2001 (provision not yet in force).  These acts allow the municipality to create policies regarding form and manner of public notice.  By amending OHA to allow different types of public notice, it leaves the door open for notices in accessible formats and media.

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Ongoing Accessibility Improvement Initiatives

The Ministry of Culture achieved or is in the process of achieving its accessibility objectives as articulated in the plan.  

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Commitments - Measures to Prevent New Barriers

In the coming year, the ministry commits to assess its acts, regulations, policies, programs, practices and services to determine their effect on accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Customer service

The Ministry of Culture will continue to review policies and programs to ensure that they give due consideration to accessibility needs in the area of customer service.

Employment

The Human Resources Branch will continue activities to increase accessibility for employees and to identify and remove barriers. 

Communications and information

The Ministry of Culture will continue to assess, investigate and communicate the availability of adaptive technologies and accessible web site design to encourage regular and barrier-free usage by stakeholders.

Built environment

The Ministry of Culture will consider undertaking an accessibility audit of its offices at 400 University Avenue to assess any current barriers and to prevent new barriers being created.

Acts and regulations

The Ministry of Culture will continue to review draft statutes and regulations to ensure consistency with accessibility requirements. Every effort will be made to ensure that accessibility obligations are addressed as early as possible in the development of statutes and regulations (e.g. policy development).

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Commitments - Barriers to be Addressed

The Ministry of Culture commits to identifying, removing and preventing barriers to persons with disabilities in the coming year.

Built environment

Barrier

Current public signage presents information in a format that may represent a barrier for people with visual impairments.

The public staff telephone lists outside office entry doors are not in a sufficiently large font, and are often difficult to read even for those without a visual  impairment. 

In consultation with the ADO, a "template" format with the correct font and suggested contrast/colours will  be sent to all program areas to use.

Commitment

All public ministry office telephone lists will be presented in a font and manner that is accessible to staff and customers with visual impairments.

Responsibility

To be addressed in consultation with corporate services and ADO.

Timeline

Spring 2008

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For More Information

Questions or comments about the ministry's accessibility plan are always welcome.
Please phone: 
James Hamilton, Chair, Ministry Accessibility Planning Team
416-212-7505
james.hamilton@ontario.ca

General inquiry number: 416-212-0644
TTY number: 416-325-5170
1-800 number: 1-866- 454-0049 (local conversion number: 416-325-8758)
E-mail: info.mcl@ontario.ca

Ministry website address: http://www.culture.gov.on.ca

Visit the Ministry of Community and Social Services Accessibility Ontario web portal at: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/accessibility/. The site promotes accessibility and provides information and resources on how to make Ontario a barrier-free province.

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ISSN [1708-4687]

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