This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot 0417b4232b69 · verified 2026-06-09 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
1
ANNUAL ACCESSIBILITY PLAN
2020-2022
The Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston
Submitted to:
Mayor Ferguson and Members of Council
Submitted by:
Janet Denkers, Clerk-Administrator
Submitted on: December 10, 2020
This publication is available in alternative formats
2
Table of Contents
Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston
Annual Accessibility Plan - 2020-2022
Executive Summary
Page 3
Aim
Page 3
Objectives
Page 3
Description of Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston
Page 4
Brooke-Alvinston commitment to accessibility planning
Page 4
Recent and past barrier removal initiatives
Page 5
Consultation
Page 6
Review and monitoring process
Page 7
Goals for the Municipality
Page 7
Communication of Plan
Page 7
Appendix A - Accessibility Plan-Notice-website
Page 9
Appendix B - Accessibility Plan-Timeline of Requirements
Page 10
Appendix C- Accessibility Plan-Customer Service Policy
Page 11
Appendix D - Accessibility Plan-Customer Service Policy
Page 12
3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (AODA)
is to improve opportunities for people with disabilities and to provide for their
involvement in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to their full
participation in the province of Ontario. To this end, the AODA mandates that
each municipality prepare an annual accessibility plan.
AIM
This report describes the measures that the Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston has
taken in the past and the measures to identify, remove and prevent barriers to
people with disabilities who use the facilities and services of the municipality
including staff and other members of the community.
The municipality meets the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act,
(AODA) Customer Service Standard. The municipality must continue staff
training for new staff, volunteers and contractors, respond to requests for
documents in alternate formats, accept and request feedback on the accessibility
of municipal facilities and continue to post any notices for the disruption of
services. The AODA includes standards for Employment, Information and
Communication, Built Environment and Transportation.
The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) is now law. It is the
newest of the standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians Disability Act
(AODA). Municipalities must comply with the IASR, which requires the
development and implementation of policies, procedures and practices to
enhance accessibility for employees and potential employees with disabilities. In
addition, improve information and communications (e.g. web sites, brochures,
mailings etc.) so that they are accessible for persons with disabilities. Finally,
there are requirements that must be met with respect to transportation. The
requirements of the municipality to meet these regulations will be phased in.
OBJECTIVES
This report:
1)
Describes the process by which the municipality will identify,
remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities.
2)
Lists the facilities, policies, programs, practices and services that
the municipality will review in the coming years to identify barriers to
people with disabilities.
4
3)
Describe the measures the municipality will take in the coming year
to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities.
4)
Describe how the municipality will make this accessibility plan
available to the public.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BROOKE-ALVINSTON
The Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston is a restructured municipality (2001)
comprised of the former municipalities of Brooke and the Village of Alvinston.
The municipality has a population of approximately 2411 residents, according to
the 2016 census.
The municipality is responsible for the provision of municipal services through the
municipality including (1) arena/community complex, two (2) libraries, three (3)
ball diamonds, one (1) fire hall, one (1) works depots, one (1) municipal office.
The Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston is committed to Accessibility by:
i.
Updating its Municipal Accessibility Plan annually as required.
ii.
Ensuring municipal facilities, publications, websites, meetings and
services are accessible to people with disabilities.
iii.
Providing staff with customer service training with respect to interaction
with and understanding issues concerning people with disabilities
iv.
Having an official plan that promotes a barrier free municipality.
v.
Ensuring barrier free designs are incorporated into new construction
projects and redevelopments in outdoor spaces.
vi.
Providing information in alternative formats to people with disabilities as
requested.
vii.
Constant improvements to the municipal webpage to make it easier for
persons with disabilities to access the information.
viii.
Annual Grant submissions under the Enabling Accessibility Fund - small
project component for future improvements of municipally owned property
ix.
The provision of quality services to all ratepayers and members of the
community with disabilities.
x.
Review of municipal by-laws, policies, programs, practices and services to
ensure accessibility is maintained.
5
The Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston accessibility plan by has been created by:
1. Conducting research on barriers to people with disabilities and
determining how it relates to the facilities, regulations, policies, programs,
practices and services offered by the Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston.
2. Listing facilities, regulations, policies programs, practices and services that
or may cause barriers to people with disabilities.
3. Identifying barriers that will be removed or prevented in the coming years.
Recent barrier-removal initiatives
During the last several years, there have been informal initiatives to identify,
remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities. They are identified as:
Barrier & Type
Location
Strategy Used
Election
Municipality
Vote by Mail
The vote by mail process
allows residents who may
have difficulty attending
polling stations to
execute their electoral
rights via mail-in ballots.
Regulations provide that
visually impaired voters
may seek the assistance
of a family member.
Physical
Administration Building
The municipal office was
completely renovated
beyond the requirements
of the Ontario Building
Code to fully
accommodate the public
and / or employees with
disabilities
Physical
Municipality
Clearly marked signage
for handicapped parking
Information
Municipality
Procedures for delivering
information in alternate
formats e.g. minutes
printed in a 16 font or
electronic format if
requested
Planning
Municipality
Zoning by-law review
(2012) ensures
6
consistency with
accessibility standards
Transportation
Municipality
Sidewalk construction is
done with accessibility in
mind, taking into account
width and contour to
enable easier access
onto and off of the
sidewalks
Rest Areas
Municipality
Street furniture / benches
have been installed in
new park developments
(on River Street) for a
rest area.
Emergency Plan
Municipality
A total re-write of the plan
is currently being done in
an accessible format and
includes a section on
dealing with persons with
disabilities in a potential
emergency situation
Accessibility
BAICC
The Arena Complex has
been equipped in recent
years with various items
to accommodate persons
with disabilities to include
an automatic entrance,
elevator to the second
floor and an elevated
platform for wheel chairs
to watch sports games.
Consultation Activities
The target group to review this plan is the general public.
A review of legislative & regulatory amendments and any other relevant
documentation and local requirements is conducted annually before producing
this report.
Appendix A, attached to this document, shows the website advertisement for
comment into the Municipality's accessibility plan.
7
The Clerk regularly invites staff to voice concerns and help identify barriers in
municipal facilities, services, policies and regulations and suggest ways to
improve them.
REVIEW AND MONITORING PROCESS
Targets are established based on what is achievable in a 12 month period. Since
a Municipal Accessibility Plan is required on an annual basis, reviews will occur
mid year to review progress. Attempts to consult with individuals with disabilities
will proceed in the annual re-evaluation of the accessibility plan.
The timing of submission of this report shall precede the forthcoming annual
budget discussions.
Goals for 2013
1. Ongoing Accessible Customer Service Standards training in accordance
with legislation for any new employees, volunteers and contractors
2. Continue to consider accessibility during any sidewalk construction
3. Municipal staff will participate, when possible, in education programs or
training workshops
4. The municipality will continue to improve the municipal website and
newsletters for the visually impaired
5. Grant submission approvals under the HRSDC Enabling Accessibility
Fund-small project component
6. Ongoing by-law enforcement of designated handicap parking areas
7. Annual re-painting of all handicap parking spots in the Municipality.
COMMUNICATION OF THE PLAN
The Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston Accessibility Plan will be a web enabled
document in a pdf format that is accessible for all on the municipal website. The
Accessibility Plan will also be made available in hard copy format upon request.
8
Appendix A
2012 Brooke Alvinston
Accessibility Plan-Notice-website
The Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston is continually updating their Accessibility
Plan in accordance with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 and is required
to attempt to consult with people with disabilities regarding accessibility issues in
the Municipality.
To discuss accessibility issues, please contact Janet Denkers, Clerk by
telephone at 519-898-2173 or by email at [email protected] or by
visiting the Brooke-Alvinston Municipal Office at 3236 River Street in Alvinston.
Janet Denkers
Clerk
9
Appendix B
2012 Brooke-Alvinston
Accessibility Plan-Timeline of Requirements
Standard
Deadline
Status
Customer Service Standard
January 2012
Complete
Employment Standard
phased in 2012-2021 Partial
Transportation
not applicable
Information & Communication
phased in 2012-2021 Partial
Built Environment
not finalized
Employment Standard
The Accessibility Standard for Employment will help Ontario businesses and
organizations make accessibility a regular part of finding, hiring and supporting
employees with disabilities. Organizations will have to:
-
let job applicants know that recruitment and hiring processes will be
modified to accommodate their disabilities, if requested.
-
build the accessibility needs of employees into their human resources
practices.
-
create a written process (not applicable to small organizations) for
developing and documenting individual accommodation plans for
employees with disabilities.
-
help employees stay safe in an emergency by providing them with
individualized emergency response information when necessary.
Information & Communication Standard
Provide accessible formats and communications supports as quickly as possible
and at no additional cost when a person with a disability asks for them. Make
feedback
processes
accessible
by
providing
accessible
formats
and
communications supports when requested. Make public emergency information
accessible when requested.
Built Environment Standard
The Ontario Government has issued four sets of standards under the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) to achieve the
vision of a barrier-free Ontario by 2025. In the case of the Accessible Built
Environment, no Standard has yet been finalized.
10
Appendix C
2012 Brooke Alvinston
Accessibility Plan-Customer Service Policy
Accessible Standards for Customer Service
Purpose
To ensure all Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston programs and services are
accessible to everyone in the community in accordance with Ontario Regulation
429/07 Accessibility Standards for Customer Service.
Policy Overview
These policies and procedures apply to all goods and services that are delivered
by the Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston, by any means including in person, by
telephone, electronically, by mail, visually, orally or by written means.
This policy applies to all Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston staff, volunteers,
elected officials and third parties who deal with the public, on behalf of the
Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston.
Policy
The Municipality shall meet its duties and responsibilities under Ontario
Regulation 429/07 by adhering to the following principles and practices:
1. Training
Training is required for those staff, elected officials, volunteers or third
parties that interact with the public on behalf of the Municipality, or who
are involved in developing policies, practices and procedures. The
required training must include information on how to communicate and
interact with people with disabilities, how to interact with people who have
an assistive device, service animal or support person, how to utilize
assisted devices that are available on Municipal premises, and what to do
if a person has difficulty accessing Brooke-Alvinston services.
The training will include the core principles of customer service as set out
by the Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston which include: dignity, equity,
inclusion, independence, integration, sensitivity and equality.
A training program of varying modules will be implemented which will
ensure compliance and meet the needs of various departments and
employee groups. Records are to be kept indicating the dated and
training provided, and the number of individuals to whom it was provided.
Third party organizations providing goods and services on behalf of the
Municipality shall provide relevant training, learning opportunities or
direction to employees and volunteers regarding their roles and
responsibilities under the AODA.
11
2. Service Animals and Support Persons
A person with a disability accompanied by a service animal is permitted to
enter the Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston premises with the animal unless
the animal is otherwise excluded by law. Should a service animal be
excluded from the premises then the Municipality shall ensure that other
measures are available to enable the person with the disability to obtain,
use or benefit from the good and/or services.
Section 4(9) of the Accessibility Standards on Customer Service indicates
that an animal is a service animal if (1) it is readily apparent that the
animal is being used for reasons related to a person's disability; or (2) if
the person provides a letter from a doctor or nurse confirming that the
animal is required for reasons relating to the disability.
Staff will be properly trained to identify support persons who may be a paid
professional, volunteer, family member or friend that may accompany a
customer in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care or
medical needs or with access to goods and services.
A disabled person's support person is to be permitted access to Municipal
facilities at no charge when there is a regular fee to access the facility.
3. Notice of Temporary Disruptions
The Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston will give notice of temporary
disruptions to service or facilities used by persons with disabilities
including the reason(s) for the disruption. The notice shall be posted
appropriately at the facility and on the Municipal website when
appropriate. When the disruption is planned, advanced notice will be
provided.
4. Feedback
Notices in customer service areas will notify customers that their feedback
is welcomed and valued for the continual improvement of services so as to
avoid inadvertently excluding people with disabilities from activities or
services.
An accessible simple to use system of providing feedback and complaints
will be made available through a range of service channels.
Staff will make note of feedback given in person, verbally or in writing,
online, by telephone or any other means. A simple to use, accessible
process for customers to provide feedback or complaints will be in place.
5. Emergency Situations
Staff will be familiar with emergency procedures and how to assist
customers or staff who may require help during an emergency.
12
Appendix D
2012 Brooke Alvinston
Accessibility Plan-Accessibility Standard for Employment
Accessibility Standard for Employment - Providing emergency response information for
employees with disabilities
The Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston is committed to employee safety. Under Ontario's
Accessibility Standard for Employment, employers with employees with disabilities must provide
individualized emergency information to them. Brooke-Alvinston administration has not been
advised of any of its employees having a disability. If an employee identifies their disability,
appropriate accommodations will be made by administration to give them the help they need in
the event of an emergency. Upon the hiring of a new employee, the attached memo will be
provided to the employee.
Employee Memo:
At the Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston, we take employee safety seriously.
If you have a disability, whether permanent or temporary, and may need help during an
emergency, please let me know. We will ask you to complete a self-assessment form, then will
work with you to develop individualized emergency response information that will meet your
needs in an emergency situation.
Please note that we do not need to know the details of your medical condition or disability, only
the kind of help you may need. The information you provide will be kept confidential and only
shared with your consent.
If you have questions or you already have emergency response information and need to adjust
it, please let me know.
Thank-you
Rick Holland
Treasurer-Administrator