HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-11-129 - Integrated Accessibilty RegulationS~a~F Re opt
I~TC~~nT~~ CommunrtyServicesDepar~men~
REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: September 26, 2011
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, 2687
PREPARED BY: Kelly Steiss, Inclusion Coordinator, 2226
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: September 13, 2011
REPORT NO.: CSD-11-129
www.kitchenerca
SUBJECT: INTEGRATED ACCESSIBILITY REGULATION
(ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES
ACT, 2005)
RECOMMENDATION:
For information only
BACKGROUND:
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) is provincial legislation
designed to identify, prevent and remove barriers for persons with disabilities to their full
participation in the life of the province. Municipalities, colleges, universities, hospitals, schools
and the private sector are required to comply with this legislation and its accompanying
Standards.
The AODA made provisions for the development as well as the enforcement of standards that
will make Ontario more accessible by 2025. Standards under this legislation include customer
service, transportation, information and communication, built environment and employment. On
January 1, 2008, the Customer Service Standard was the first standard to become law. On June
23, 2011, the Integrated Accessibility Regulation (see e-laws.gov.on.ca \ Ont. Reg. 191/11)
came into law and is a compilation of the information and communication, employment and
transportation standards into one Regulation.
The Integrated Accessibility Regulation covers such areas as:
Emergency planning and evacuation
Multi-year accessibility plans
Purchasing
Training
Website and web content
Employment
Customer service and communication
Compliance timelines are staggered but start as early as January 1, 2012.
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S~a~F Re opt
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REPORT:
In the implementation of this regulation, it will be important to keep connected with what is
happening regionally. Staff are working with other staff from the surrounding municipalities of
Waterloo, Cambridge, the Region, Guelph, the County of Wellington and the Townships of
Woolwich, Wellesley and North Dumfries to find opportunities to share best practices and
resources so as to provide for consistent implementation of the Integrated Accessibility
regulation. This will not only allow staff to coordinate their efforts, but will benefit those
individuals with a disability. This approach was utilized in the implementation of the Customer
Service regulation and proved to be an effective use of resources.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The Integrated Accessibility Regulation aligns with the Strategic Plan in the areas of:
Quality of Life -Compliance with the Integrated Accessibility Regulation will create
opportunities for all citizens to participate, feel welcome and included in the community.
• Leadership and Community Engagement -The Integrated Accessibility Regulation
provides for the accommodation of persons with disabilities to support their participation
in being active and engaged in decision-making.
Diversity -The Integrated Accessibility Regulation provides for Standards with respect
to disability-related accommodations and service provision that supports equitable
access, meaningful participation and inclusion.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Any costs associated with the implementation of the regulation will be determined as the
impacted operating units complete compliance work plans and are able to fully realize the
impacts of the legislation.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The Integrated Accessibility Regulation includes in its Standards the requirement to consult with
persons with a disability and an accessibility advisory committee. The City of Kitchener consults
with the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee on a regular basis and will seek public
feedback as per the requirements of the Regulation.
CKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO, Community Services
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