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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-12-046 - 2012 Accessibility Plan REPORT TO:Finance and Corporate Services Committee A th DATE OF MEETING: April 16, 2012 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and Services, 519-741-2687 PREPARED BY: LoriAnn Palubeski, Manager, Program and Resource Services, 519-741-2623 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All th DATE OF REPORT: March 28th, 2012 REPORT NO.: CSD-12-046 SUBJECT: 2012 ACCESSIBILITY PLAN (ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, 2001) RECOMMENDATION: That the draft 2012 Accessibility Plan attached to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee report (CSD-12-046) be approved as the Annual Accessibility Plan for 2012 for the Corporation of the City of Kitchener in accordance with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001. BACKGROUND: The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) legislates that municipalities prepare an annual accessibility plan as part of their annual planning process. The legislation challenges the Corporation to think and act strategically and to integrate accessibility planning into existing corporate, business and strategic planning processes. The purpose of the plan is to outline the measures that the Corporation has taken in the investigation and removal of barriers that prevent a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of our community because of his/her disability. We continue to coordinate our planning in conjunction with the City of Waterloo. REPORT: The purpose of the plan is to describe and document the measures that the Corporation has taken and plans to take in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers for people living with a disability. Loosely defined, barriers can be anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of community life. Buildings, by-laws, policies, programs and attitudes can all create barriers. The 2012 Accessibility Plan is divided into two sections. Section 1 describes the activities and the initiatives implemented by staff in 2011, including projects not noted in the 2011 Plan. Section 2 presents a summary of the 2012 initiatives including, staff responsible, completion dates and alignment with the respective standards. ï ó ï The Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) was consulted and has provided feedback in the development of the Plan. Once approved, the Plan will be made available to members of the public, as is required by the ODA. Beginning in 2013, as per changes to the legislation, designated public sector organizations will be required to produce multi-year accessibility plans rather than annual plans. This will allow staff to adopt a more strategic approach to accessibility planning. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The 2012 Accessibility Plan supports the following directions noted in the City of Kitchener’s Strategic Plan: 1. Diversity: The development of policy and strategies to ensure broad access, equity and inclusion of our diverse citizens in the life of the Corporation. That staff continues to oversee priorities for physical accessibility improvements in city facilities as required under the Ontario Disabilities Act (ODA), 2001 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: In September 2005, Council approved the establishment of a capital budget (Corporate Accessibility Fund) for the purpose of funding the costs associated with implementing the legislation as well as to fund corporate projects that remove barriers and improve access. At that time, $100,000 per year was allocated from 2006 through to 2011. The current capital forecast is as follows: Year2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Capital$95,974 $97,894 $99,852 $101,848 $103,885 $105,963 $108,083 $110,244 $112,449 $114,698 Budget COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Municipalities are required to consult and seek advice from an Accessibility Advisory Committee, of which, the majority of members must be persons with a disability. The Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo consult with the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) in all matters related to accessibility including the development of the Annual Accessibility Plan. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO, Community Services ï ó î 2012 Annual Accessibility Plan The Accessibility Plan for the City of Kitchener and the City of Waterloo ï ó í Table of Contents Page Executive Summary 3 Section 1 5 Status Updates for 2011 Initiatives Customer Service Regulation 6 Information and Communication Standard 6 Transportation Standard 7 Employment Standard 7 Built Environment Standard 8 Notable Successes 9, 10 Section 2 11 Plan of Activities for 2012 Customer Service Regulation 12 Integrated Accessibility Regulation 12 Built Environment Standard 12 Appendices Appendix 1 – City of Waterloo Technical Resource Group 13 DRAFT 2012 Annual Accessibility 2 ï ó ì City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo 2012 Accessibility Plan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report was prepared in order to meet the obligations of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). The Plan describes the actions taken by each of the participating municipalities in 2011 and the activities for 2012 that will identify, prevent and remove barriers for persons with a disability. The Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo are proud to present the Joint Plan and to report on the steps that are being taken to identify, prevent and remove barriers to accessibility in our communities. BACKGROUND Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) was passed into law “to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities and to provide for their full involvement in the identification, prevention and removal of barriers to their full participation in the life of the Province”. The ODA applies to all municipalities, hospitals, district school boards, colleges, universities, public transportation organizations, the Ontario Government, ministries and agencies. The ODA requires municipalities to prepare annual accessibility plans and to obtain advice from an accessibility advisory committee on the contents of the Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to identify, prevent and remove barriers to accessibility in each municipality’s by-laws, policies, practices and services. The accessibility plan must be made available to the public. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) The AODA focuses on improving accessibility in areas such as buildings and spaces, employment, customer service, information and communications and transportation in the private, government and broader public sector. The AODA intends to achieve an accessible Ontario on or before January 1, 2025. To do so, mandatory and enforceable standards have been implemented. These Standards include: Customer Service Standard Established as regulation 429-07 on January 1, 2008 Requirements include development of policies, practices and procedures as well as the provision of training for staff and volunteers who interact with the public Integrated Accessibility Regulation (IAR) Established as regulation 191-11 on July 1, 2011 Brings together three standard areas in one proposed Regulation: Information and Communication, Transportation and Employment Requirements common to all standard areas include training and policy development Built Environment Standard Final Proposed Accessible Built Environment Standard submitted to the Minister of Community and Social Services in July 2010 Components that address items included in the Ontario Building Code (OBC) will be incorporated into the next revision of the OBC Remaining components will be included in a separate regulation, with a planned release of 2012 More information on the Standards can be found on the Ministry of Community and Social Services website at www.mcss.gov.on.ca DRAFT 2012 Annual Accessibility 3 ï ó ë Review of the Legislation In June 2009, Charles Beer was appointed by the Ontario government to conduct an independent review of the AODA and the ODA. His report was released in May 2010. While Mr. Beer’s findings led to his recommendation to repeal the ODA, he has advised that the Province’s first priority should be in the implementation of the remaining accessibility standards. He also recommended that all provisions in the ODA that are not included in the AODA be incorporated into the latter before the former is repealed. Mr. Beer’s report can be found on the Ministry of Community and Social Services website, at the link provided above. Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) The Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee was established to advise the participating Councils on the preparation, implementation and effectiveness of their respective Plans. The participating municipalities include the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, the Region of Waterloo and the Townships of Woolwich, Wellesley and North Dumfries. The Councils also seek advice from GRAAC on the accessibility of buildings, structures or premises that the municipalities purchase, build, renovate or lease as municipal capital facilities. GRAAC also reviews site plans and drawings for new municipal buildings or developments (as per Section 41 of the Planning Act) that the Committee selects. GRAAC members for 2011: Gordon Cummer(Co-Chair) Taposhi Batabyal Paula Saunders Sharon Giles (Co-Chair)Sharon Ward ZellerKurt Schneider Mike BeginSaul HerzogCarrie Speers Gail Brunsdon Ken Parker Anthony Cashin Amy Ross For the most current information, please see the GRAAC website at www.graac.ca. Staff Contacts GRAAC operates with the support of staff representatives from each of the participating municipalities, which include Region of Waterloo, and the Townships of Woolwich, Wellesley and North Dumfries. The following staff may be contacted for additional information related to the Plan, the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee or the municipalities involved in this Plan: City of Kitchener – Lolita Paroski, Inclusion Coordinator th 200 King Street West, 7 Floor, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7 519-741-2226 or lolita.paroski@kitchener.ca City of Waterloo – Lolita Paroski, Inclusion Coordinator Adult Recreation Centre, 185 King Street South, Waterloo, ON N2J 1P7 519-747-8651 or lolita.paroski@waterloo.ca DRAFT 2012 Annual Accessibility 4 ï ó ê Section 1 Status Updates on 2011 Initiatives Note : For the purposes of this report, ‘Joint’ refers to both the City of Kitchener and the City of Waterloo DRAFT 2012 Annual Accessibility 5 ï ó é 2011 Joint Status Updates Customer Service Regulation ActionStatusDetails Area of Responsibility Develop a plan to provide ongoing CarryUpon advice from the Inclusion training to staff in regards to the forwardCanadian Hearing Society Services, use of TextNet software and their customer base,Customer City of Waterloo changed Service to a single TTY number. Training plan to be developed. Implement training sessions and CarryTraining sessions will be Inclusion provide resources to staff in forwardscheduled. Resources in Services, regards to the use of TextNet the use of TextNet are Customer softwareavailable within the Service software Provide education and information CompleteThree (3) sessions offered Inclusion supports to affiliated groups to in 2011 to assist affiliated Services, , assist them with Customer Service groups with resources to Volunteer Regulation compliance by the meet compliance with the Services, public/non-profit sector deadline of Customer Service Athletics, January 1, 2012 Regulation. Community and Cultural Services Provide resources to staff in CompleteAn “accessibility” resources Inclusion regards to accessible customer section was set-up on both Services, service practices and procedures the City of Kitchener and Corporate the City of Waterloo Communications intranets. Moving forward, this will be a location for staff to upload documents and information related to accessibility and compliance with accessibility legislation. Integrated Accessibility Regulation - Information/Communication Standard ActionStatusDetails Area of Responsibility Implement a process for providing CarryThe Integrated Accessibility Inclusion alternate/acceptable formats when forwardRegulation allows for the Services, ASL interpreters are not available. provision of accessible Clerks, Process to be compliant with formats and communication Corporate Information and Communication supports for persons with Communications standarddisabilities by January 1, 2015. Some clarification and understanding of what the province is requiring of municipalities under this section is required to move forward. Develop a communications CompleteA statement with respect to Clerks, DRAFT 2012 Annual Accessibility Plan 6 ï ó è strategy for staff and the public on the provision of alternate Communications the process for requesting formats is now included on and Corporate Services materials in alternate formats. the City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo websites as well as on public documents. Waterloo staff have received communication and direction on how to process a request for alternate formats and is available on the Intranet. Explore funding options for the CompleteCouncil meetings are Clerks, Inclusion provision of closed captioning televised by Rogers and as Services during televised Council meetings such the City of Kitchener and the City of Waterloo have no control over the provision of closed captioning. Work towards further compliance CarryThe Integrated Accessibility Information with respect to the accessibility of ForwardRegulation requires Technology, web communications (i.e. compliance with WCAG 2.0 Information compliance with W3C standards, Level A by January 1, 2014 Management HTML code that is reader friendly) and with Level AA by and Technology January 1, 2021. Services Explore options to communicate CarryPlan of action to be Policy, Planning the level of accessibility of Forwarddevelopedand community trails Performance; Design and Development Integrated Accessibility Regulation: Transportation Standard ActionStatus Details Area of Responsibility When the regulation is released, CompleteOlder Adult transportation Community determine if compliance services do not fall under Programs and requirements apply to City-run these compliance Services, transportation services, e.g. Older requirements. However, the Community and Adult transportation services Older Adult transportation Cultural services do provide Services services within the intention of the legislation (i.e. announcement of stops) Integrated Accessibility Regulation: Employment Standard ActionStatus Details Area of Responsibility Review policies and practices with CarryThe Integrated Accessibility Human respect to recruitment, hiring and ForwardRegulation makes Resources interviewing as per the provisions and established requirements under the timelines with respect to the Employment Standard employment cycle. DRAFT 2012 Annual Accessibility Plan 7 ï ó ç Integrated Accessibility Regulation: Built Environment Standard ActionStatusDetailsAreaof Responsibility Create an implementation plan for CarryAwaiting release of the Built Facilities compliance with the Built ForwardEnvironment Standard into Management, Environment Standard RegulationAsset Management, Building, Planning, Policy Development Review of the status of the CompleteUpgrades and Facilities Accessibility audit completed by improvements made to a Management, the Herrington Group with the number of areas. Full Asset Grand River Accessibility Advisory details are contained in the Management Committee (GRAAC) section Notable Successes (p 9 & 10 of thisreport). Continue with facility upgrades as CarryContinuous improvements Facilities identified in the Accessibility Audit Forwardand consideration by staff Management, within approved 2011 capital with respect to accessibility Asset budgetoccur within renovations. Management Investigate existing accessible CarryPlan of action to be Transportation parking infrastructure in the ForwarddevelopedPlanning, Downtown and Uptown cores, with Parking the goal of ensuring that Operations, By- community needs are being met law Enforcement DRAFT 2012 Annual Accessibility Plan 8 ï ó ïð 2011 Notable Successes City of Kitchener Customer Service Regulation Accessibility areas are reserved during special events for the BluesFest and Oktoberfest to allow for seating areas that provided a line of sight to the entertainment Copies of by-laws and forms within the by-law office can be e-mailed, upon request, thus saving the customer a need to come into the office. On-line applications for committee/board appointments are now available. Built Environment Incorporated barrier free design principles throughout McLennan Park Infrastructure projects were completed that renovated older facilities and included improvements to family change spaces and accessible washrooms at the Breithaupt Centre, Wilson Pool, Harry Class Pool and Lyle Hallman Pool. The Breithaupt Centre 25 yard pool changerooms were renovated this year to include new fully accessible male, female and family changerooms. An accessible family washroom was created in the lobby. In addition, new sliding doors were installed in the solarium to allow barrier free access to the building. Enforcement and by-law offices at Duke and Ontario streets were retrofitted to include an automatic sliding door for public access to the front office and the front counter was lowered. Information and Communication Changes were made with respect to processes within by-law that removed the requirement to access services in person. These included: - If a person forgets to renew their accessible parking permit and it expires, and as a result is issued a parking ticket, by-law will allow the customer time to contact their Doctor and apply for a new permit. Once the new permit is produced, the parking ticket can be cancelled. - If a parking ticket is issued and the individual did have an accessible parking permit, the customer can seek to have the parking ticket cancelled by faxing or emailing their permit into the by-law office thus saving the customer the need to come in and resolve their parking ticket. DRAFT 2012 Annual Accessibility Plan 9 ï ó ïï 2011 Notable Successes City of Waterloo Customer Service Regulation Implemented the ability to use fillable forms to enable applications to be completed on- line for committee/board appointments, Program and Activities Guide, Spaces and Places for Paws Handbook and Event Services Catalogue The City of Waterloo Museum had identified design deficiencies of exhibition cases limiting visitor experience to the facility. Through an examination of visitor patterns and consultation with GRAAC a new suite of display cases were designed, fabricated and installed. The dialogue with various individuals and the GRAAC has led to further improvements in current techniques for hanging, lighting and label placement for exhibitions. Built Environment Transportation Master Plan included recommendations that promote accessibility in the following ways: - focus on alternative forms of transportation - advocacy for a Complete Streets policy which means future roads are designed for all users to safely move along and across a City street; adoption of a sidewalk snow clearing program Infrastructure funding allowed for the following: - new concrete sidewalks at Albert McCormick Community Centre - new ice rink spectator seating with accessible platform at Moses Springer Community Centre - power and automated doors were installed in washrooms and dressing rooms and new changeroom/washroom partition door fixtures (locking mechanisms, etc.) at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex Facility upgrades to improve accessibility include: - mailroom at City Hall renovated to increase the width of the aisle ways - revenue counters renovated to include a lowered counter - City Hall washrooms renovated - Library washrooms in the lower level at the Main Branch renovated - City of Waterloo Museum assessed the suite of display cases and had new cases designed, fabricated and installed new cases that has led to improvements in current techniques for hanging, lighting and label placement for exhibitions. - Service Centre renovated the payment and reception area - accessible access to Hillside Park trail - lowered counters were installed at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, Albert McCormick Community Centre and RIM Park - Facility, Allocation and Bookings offices were relocated within the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex and amendments were made to counter heights to accommodate accessibility. - new sportsfields at RIM Park have integrated accessible parking, trails and pathways. Water wheelchairs were replaced at the Swimplex at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex Information and Communication New software tools used to provide publications in an easy to access format which allows for easy modification of the font size. Incorporated the TTY number on allCommunity, Culture and Recreation Services advertisements and business cards. DRAFT 2012 Annual Accessibility Plan 10 ï ó ïî Section 2 Plan of Activities for 2012 DRAFT 2012 Annual Accessibility Plan 11 ï ó ïí 2012 Joint Plan of Activities Customer Service Regulation ActionTimeline Area of Responsibility Develop a plan to provide ongoing training to June 30, 2012 Inclusion Services, staff in regards to the use of TextNet software Customer Service Implement training sessions for staff in regards December 31, 2012Inclusion Services, to the use of TextNet software Customer Service Integrated Accessibility Regulation ActionTimeline Area of Responsibility Establish accessibility policies and a December 31, 2012 Inclusion Services, statement of organizational commitment to Clerks, Corporate accessibility (IAR 191/11 Section 3) Services & Corp. Communications Establish, implement and maintain a multi-December 31, 2012 Inclusion Services year accessibility plan (IAR 191/11 Section 4) Establish accessibility criteria for procuring or December 31, 2012 Purchasing acquiring goods, services or facilities (IAR 191/11 Section 5) Incorporate accessibility features when December 31, 2012 Purchasing designing, procuring or acquiring self-service kiosks (IAR 191/11 Section 6) Accessible web content (IAR 191/11 Section January 1, 2012 IT 14). Process in place to ensure accessible IMTS/Corporate web content Services Consultation regarding accessible taxi cabs December 31, 2012 Inclusion Services (with the Region of Waterloo) Built Environment Standard ActionTimeline Area of Responsibility City of Waterloo Fire Station #1 will be December 31, 2012 Asset Management undergoing renovations and will require consultation on accessibility with GRAAC nd City of Waterloo (Adult Recreation Centre) 2As per grant fundingAsset Management floor accessible washrooms Continue with facility upgrades as identified in December 31, 2012 Facilities Management, the Accessibility Audit within approved 2012 Asset Management capital budget Investigate existing accessible parking December 31, 2012 Transportation infrastructure in the Downtown and Uptown Planning, Parking cores, with the goal of ensuring that Operations, By-law community needs are being met Enforcement DRAFT 2012 Annual Accessibility Plan 12 ï ó ïì Appendix 1 City of Waterloo Technical Resource Group For The Accessibility Plan Department/DivisionCMT Rep Staff Lead ODA/AODA Responsibilities Corporate Services DavidSusan Greatrix Clerks, bylaw, mayor’s office, legal CalderJim Barry services, corporate policies CorporateJennifer Ormston Communications plan, publishing access Communicationsplan, alternate formats, etc Info & Communications Standard Human Resources Alison Meunier Employee accommodations, policies, recruitment, Employment Standards InformationTeresa Soulliere Accessible web site Management & Garry Bezruki TEXTNET/assistive corporate Technology Servicestechnologies Asset Management Kevin Lobsinger Access upgrades to municipal facilities, project administration Purchasing & Inventory KarenJohn Miller Regard to accessible goods and Eskensservices/purchasing policies (Acting CFO) Development Services CameronBebe Khan Site plans, standards and policy Rappdevelopment, building code issues Building Standards Ralph Kaminski Inspection & building code issues Built Environment Standards Public Works Services BillPhil Hewitson Engineering – infrastructure, design of Garibaldisidewalks, curb cuts, traffic – parking, roads Mark Dykstra Parks, snow removal, playgrounds Community Culture & DavidSteve HeldmanFacility scheduling, program registration Recreation Services Smithprocesses, aquatics, access to facilities and services, cemeteries NancyHallPrograms Jim Zuber Colleen Miller Special Events & Festivals (outdoor) Leslie Hepditch Chris Cressman Emergency Planning – facility services/community evacuation centres LolitaParoskiCustomer Service Standard Lori Ludwig ODA/AODA Access Plan Administrator, Inclusion LindaCookCapital/operational budget development Lori Ludwig related to Access plan Karen Eskens/G.N. Grey Silo Golf Course LibraryLaurieLynda Gale Access to building, programs, services & Clarkeaccommodations DRAFT 2012 Annual Accessibility Plan 13 ï ó ïë DRAFT 2012 Annual Accessibility Plan 14 ï ó ïê