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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 Accessibility Plan 1 2018 Election Accessibility Plan Accessible Election Mandate: “The City of Kitchener strives to provide a voting process that encourages participation of persons with a disability and inspires confidence in the municipal election” The Election Accessibility Plan reaffirms the City of Kitchener’s commitment to ensure full and equal access to electoral services for persons with disabilities. This Plan will identify and pro-actively address accessibility barriers for the 2018 municipal election. As Voting Day approaches, this plan will be continuously updated as the City of Kitchener identifies new barriers and areas of improvement. Legislative Requirements - Municipal Elections Act,1996, as amended In addition to the City of Kitchener’s internal accessibility policies, the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 states the following: Duties of clerk 11(1) The Clerk of the municipality is responsible for conducting elections within the municipality. 1996, c. 32, Sched., s. 11 (1). Electors and candidates with disabilities 12.1 (1) A clerk who is responsible for conducting an election shall have regard to the needs of electors and candidates with disabilities. 2009, c. 33, Sched. 21, s. 8 (8). Plan re: barriers (2) The clerk shall prepare a plan regarding the identification, removal and prevention of barriers that affect electors and candidates with disabilities and shall make the plan available to the public before voting day in a regular election. 2016, c. 15, s. 11. Reporting Requirements (3) Within 90 days after voting day in a regular election, the clerk shall prepare a report about the identification, removal and prevention of barriers that affect electors and candidates with disabilities and shall make the report available to the public. 2016, c. 15, s. 11. Variations for electors with visual impairments 41 (3) The clerk shall make such changes to some or all of the ballots as he or she considers necessary or desirable to allow electors with visual impairments to vote without the assistance referred to in paragraph 4 of subsection 52 (1) 1996, c. 32, Sched., s. 41 (3); 2001, c. 32, s. 30 (1). 2 Accessibility (2) In establishing the locations of voting places, the clerk shall ensure that each voting place is accessible to electors with disabilities. 2009, c. 33, Sched. 21, s. 8 (23) Expenses 88.19 (3) 9 Expenses that are incurred by a candidate with a disability or a registered third party who is an individual with a disability, are directly related to the disability, and would not have been incurred but for the election to which the expenses relate. 2016, c. 15, s. 57 (3). Definition of a Disability & Barrier: Pursuant to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, “disability” means, (a) any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device, (b) a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability, (c) a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language, (d) a mental disorder, or (e) an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997; (“handicap”) Pursuant to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, “barrier” means, - anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of his or her disability, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an information or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy or a practice; (“obstacle”) Ontario Human Rights Commission An important note from the Ontario Human Rights Commission, “disability” covers a broad range and degree of conditions, some visible and some not visible. A disability may have been present from birth, caused by an accident, or developed over time. Development of the Election Accessibility Plan: 3 In developing this plan, the Election Steering Committee is consulting with stakeholders and community members early in the election process to maximize dialogue to create a more accessible election. This plan is a “living” document which will be improved and updated as best practices are identified and new opportunities for improvements arise. This is to ensure all concerns and recommendations are received, and to be responsive to feedback from the community. The Election Accessibility Plan will be followed with a Post-Election Accessibility Report. The report will assess the initiatives taken by the City to address accessibility barriers. Additionally, the report will determine if the initiatives can be improved and whether they will be continued in subsequent elections. Ideas & Feedback: The City Clerk encourages input and feedback to further enhance election accessibility. If you feel you have identified a barrier or have a recommendation to further improve accessibility for the upcoming election, please e-mail AccessibleElection@kitchener.ca Feedback on this Plan can be submitted through the following channels: Email: AccessibleElections@Kitchener.ca Phone: 519-741-2203 Fax: TTY: 1-866-969-9994 By Mail: The Office of the City Clerk City of Kitchener 200 King St West Kitchener ON N2G 4G7 The elements of this Plan can be broken down into seven categories: 1. Consultation Initiatives 2. Communication Initiatives 3. Candidate Initiatives 4. Voting Place Initiatives 5. Voting Process Initiatives 6. Training Election Worker Initiatives 7. Post-election Accessibility Report 4 1. Consultation Initiatives Collaborate with individuals and groups in the community to gain an increased understanding into providing an accessible election for persons with a disability and to receive feedback on this Plan. Consultation initiatives include:  Review comments from electors, candidates, and election workers regarding 2014 election.  Consult with Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) early to gain committee feedback on potential barriers and methods to overcome these barriers.  Collaborate with disability groups and networks to help disseminate election information through the City’s website, social media, etc.  Conduct a post-election survey to receive additional comments and feedback on the 2018 election from electors, candidates, and election workers.  Attend any meetings or events that promote accessibility to bring attention to accessibility- related barriers for elections.  Consider having a preview day for accessible voting equipment to increase comfort level for voters with disability. 2. Communication Initiatives Provide election information in an accessible format and utilize multiple broadcast mediums to maximize access. Communication initiatives include:  Focus on providing election information that is informative, clear, and easy to understand.  A section of the City of Kitchener election website will be dedicated to accessibility.  The City’s election website will receive continuous updates before and throughout the 2018 election.  Ensuring web pages are W3C Consortium WCAG 2.0 Level AA Compliant.  Dedicated e-mail or web form for correspondence specific to accessibility for the election.  Provide equipment to facilitate communication for election staff and members of the public who are deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing. 3. Candidate Initiatives Provide candidates with election information on how to make their campaigns accessible and election information that is accessible. Alternative formats and communication supports are available upon request. 5 Candidate Initiatives include:  Provide candidates with AMCTO guide for running an accessible campaign.  Provide candidates with list of locations and services to connect with persons without a permanent residence.  Candidate information regarding accessibility will be provided to candidates in an information package and posted on the City website.  Candidate information session(s) to be held in accessible location(s).  Making alternative formats for information regarding a candidate’s campaign available upon request.  Provide candidates with a variety of resources from Inclusion Services.  Provide candidates with the City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo Customer Service and Duty to Accommodate training brochures. 4. Voting Place Initiatives Ensure voting places are accessible and easy to navigate. Voting Place Initiatives include:  Perform a site visit to inspect all potential voting locations for accessibility.  Ensure voting locations have adequate signage for easy navigation of voting places.  The main entrance to the voting place will be the accessible entrance.  Establish voting places at St. John’s Community Kitchen and Ray of Hope that are accessible to electors without a permanent residence.  Establish voting places at retirement homes and institutions to assist electors. 5. Voting Process Initiatives Ensure the voting process is easy and accessible for persons with a disability. Voting Process initiatives include:  Ensure accessible voting equipment is available at Advance Polling locations. Including audio tactile interface, sip ‘n’ puff or paddle buttons to assist electors.  Election staff will be trained to assist voters when requested by the voter. This includes accommodating bedside voters.  Produce clear guides for the use of accessible voting equipment. 6  Design ballots with ballot vendor and accessibility groups to make them easier to read and mark voting selections.  Affidavit of Residence & Declaration of Identity forms will be provided to St. John’s Community Kitchen and Ray of Hope to efficiently assist persons without a permanent residence to receive a ballot.  Text magnifiers will be provided to assist electors who have limited vision.  Notepads will be provided to increase communication to assist electors who are hard of hearing or deafened.  Have chairs or stools available for electors who cannot stand for a prolonged period.  Create process to notify electors in the case of an emergency or disruption of services.  Assess the state of alternative voting options for next election. 6. Training of Election Officials Initiatives Training for election workers will include a focus on accessibility to increase familiarity with accessible voting options and processes. Training of election officials initiatives include:  Election staff will be trained on accessible election equipment and assisting electors with a disability.  Election staff will be trained not to restrict service persons or animals who are assisting a person with a disability.  Hire additional election staff to assist at certain voting locations to enhance accessibility.  Elections workers will be provided accommodations upon request to ensure training is accessible to all election workers.  Election workers hired to work at St. John’s Community Kitchen and Ray of Hope will be volunteers or employees at those organizations. This is to maintain the confidence and to increase comfortability of electors without a permanent residence.  Election worker training guide will include information on processing an affidavit for persons without a permanent residence or without identification.  Review accessibility course to familiarize election workers with providing an accessible election to all voters.  Provide City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo Customer Service and Duty to Accommodate training brochures. 7 7. Post-election Accessibility Report Following the election, the City of Kitchener will release a post-election report. This report will assess the initiatives outlined in this plan. The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 states the following: Report (3) Within 90 days after voting day in a regular election, the clerk shall prepare a report about the identification, removal and prevention of barriers that affect electors and candidates with disabilities and shall make the report available to the public. 2016, c. 15, s. 11.