Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy

Moosonee, Ontario

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot 94827d15c557 · verified 2026-06-09 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

Adopted by Moosonee Town Council - Resolution #13-064 Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee - Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy 2 Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee is committed to ensuring all legislated requirements are met in the area of Integrated Accessibility Standards for employment, information & communications, and transportation. Purpose Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) all public and private sector organizations must meet the requirements of accessibility standards established by regulation. This policy establishes the Integrated Accessibility Standards in the areas of employment, information & communications, and transportation for the Town of Moosonee, in accordance with Ontario Regulation 191/11 and with the Ministry of Community & Social Services intent to, "streamline, align and phase-in accessibility requirements and allow for progress on accessibility and reduce the regulatory burden for obligated organizations". This regulation came into force on July 1, 2011. Scope and Responsibilities This policy has been drafted in accordance with the Regulation and addresses how The Town of Moosonee achieves accessibility through meeting the Regulation's requirements. It provides the overall strategic direction that we will follow to provide accessibility supports to Ontarians with disabilities. The requirements of the Regulation include:  Establishment, implementation, maintenance and documentation of a multi-year accessibility plan, which outlines the organization's strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet its requirements under the Regulation;  Incorporation of accessibility criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services, or facilities;  Training; and  Other specific requirements under the Information and Communication, Employment and Transportation Standards. Policy Statement and Organizational Commitment The Town of Moosonee is committed and guided by the four core principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity and supports the full inclusion of persons as set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. The Town of Moosonee shall use every effort to ensure that we meet the needs of people with disabilities, in a timely manner, through the implementation of this policy. The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee - Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy 3 Definitions  Accessible Formats may include, but are not limited to, large print, recorded audio and electronic formats, Braille and other formats usable by persons with disabilities.  Accommodation means the special arrangement made or assistance provided so that persons with disabilities can participate in the experiences available to persons without disabilities. Accommodation will vary depending on the person's unique needs.  Communication Supports may include, but are not limited to, captioning, alternative and augmentative communication supports, plain language, sign language and other supports that facilitate effective communications.  Communications means the interaction between two or more persons or entities, or any combination of them, where information is provided, sent or received.  Conversion Ready means an electronic or digital format that facilitates conversion into an accessible format.  Designated Public Sector Organization means every municipality and every person or organization listed in Column 1 of Table 1 of Ontario Regulation 146/10 (Public Bodies and Commission Public Bodies -- Definitions) made under the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006.  IAP means Individualized Accommodation Plan.  Information includes data, facts and knowledge that exists in any format, including text, audio, digital or images, and that conveys meaning.  Internet Website means a collection of related web pages, images, videos or other digital assets that are addressed relative to a common Uniform Resource Identifier  Mobility Aid means a device used to facilitate the transport, in a seated posture, of a person with a disability.  Mobility Assistive Device means a cane, walker, wheelchair, scooter or similar aid.  New Internet Website means either a website with a new domain name or a website with an existing domain name undergoing a significant refresh.  Redeployment means the reassignment of employees to other departments or jobs within the organization as an alternative to layoff, when a particular job or department has been eliminated.  Unconvertible means if it is not technically feasible to convert the information or communications. It also means if the technology to convert the information or communications is not readily available.  Web Content Accessibility Guidelines means the World Wide Web consortium recommendation, dated December 2008, entitled "Web Content Accessibility Guidelines" (WCAG) 2.0. The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee - Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy 4 General Provisions 1) Multi-Year Accessibility Plan - The Town of Moosonee's Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlines a phased-in strategy to prevent and remove barriers and addresses the current and future requirements of the AODA. The Town of Moosonee will report annually on the progress and implementation of the Plan, will post the information on our website and will provide the information in alternative formats upon request. The Plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every five (5) years. 2) Training - The Town of Moosonee will ensure that training is provided to all employees, volunteers, agents, contracts and others who deal with the public on behalf of the Town and those involved in developing customer service policies, practices, and procedures, will receive Accessibility Awareness Training on the requirements of the accessibility standards referred to in the Regulation and in the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities. Training provided shall be appropriate to the duties of the employees, volunteers and other persons. Training will be provided as soon as practicable. If any changes are made to this policy or the requirements, training will be provided. We shall maintain a record of the dates when training is provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided. Information & Communications Standard The Town of Moosonee will create, provide and receive information and communications in ways that are accessible to people with disabilities. If the Town of Moosonee determines that it is not technically feasible to convert the information or communications, or the technology to convert the information or communications is not readily available, we will be obligated to provide the person that requires the information with: a) An explanation as to why the information or communications were unconvertible; and b) A summary of the unconvertible information or communications. Emergency Information If the Town of Moosonee prepares emergency procedures, plans and/or public safety information and makes the information available to the public, we shall provide the information in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, as soon as practicable, upon request. Feedback Process The Town of Moosonee has processes in place for receiving and responding to feedback and will ensure that those processes are provided in accessible formats and with communication supports, upon request. We will notify the public about the availability of formats and communication supports. The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee - Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy 5 Accessible Formats and Communication Supports By January 2016, The Town of Moosonee shall be obligated to provide or arrange for accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities: a) Upon request, in a timely manner, that takes into account the person's accessibility needs due to a disability; b) At a cost that is not more than the regular cost charged to other persons; c) Consult with the person making the request and determine suitability of an accessible format or communication support; d) Notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports. Website Accessibility The Town of Moosonee shall make its internet website and web content conform with the world wide web consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 initially at a Level A and increasing to Level AA. By January 1st, 2014, any New Internet and New Intranet municipal website(s) and associated web content will conform to WCAG 2.0 Level A. By January 1st, 2021 all municipal internet website content will conform to WCAG 2.0 Level AA. Employment Standard The Employment Standard builds upon the existing requirements under the Ontario Human Rights Code in relation to how to accommodate individuals with disabilities throughout the job application process and the employment relationship. It applies with respect to employees and does not apply to volunteers and other unpaid individuals. The requirements of the Employment Standard shall be met by January 1st, 2015, unless otherwise specified. Procuring or Acquiring Goods, Services or Facilities The Town of Moosonee shall incorporate accessibility criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities, except where it is not practicable to do so. This standard shall be met by January 1st, 2014, unless otherwise specified. Self-Service Kiosks The Town of Moosonee shall incorporate accessibility criteria and features when designing, procuring or acquiring self-service kiosks, except where it is not practicable to do so. This standard shall be met by January 1st, 2014, unless otherwise specified. The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee - Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy 6 Recruitment & Retention By January 2015, The Town of Moosonee shall notify employees and the public about the availability of accommodations for applicants with disabilities:  During the recruitment process when job applicants are individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process;  If a selected applicant requests an accommodation, The Town of Moosonee shall consult with the applicant and provide and/or arrange for the provision of a suitable accommodation that takes into account the applicant's disability;  Notify the successful applicant(s) of the policies for accommodating employees with disabilities. Employee Notification By January 2015, The Town of Moosonee shall inform its employees of the policies used to support its employees with disabilities, including but not limited to, policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee's accessibility needs due to a disability:  As required, to new employees as soon as practicable after they begin their employment;  Whenever there is a change to existing policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee's accessibility needs due to a disability. Accessible Formats By January 2016, In addition, where an employee with a disability requests it, The Town of Moosonee will consult with the employee to provide and/or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for:  Information that is needed in order to perform the employee's job;  Information that is generally available to employees in the workplace;  Consult with the employee making the request to determine the suitability of an accessible format or communication support. Individual Accommodations Plan By January 2015, The Town of Moosonee shall have in place a written process for developing a documented Individual Accommodations Plan (IAP) for employees with a disability. The process will include:  The employee's participation in the development of the IAP;  Assessment on an individual basis;  Identification of accommodations to be provided and  Timeline(s) for the provision of accommodations; The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee - Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy 7  The Town of Moosonee may request an evaluation by an outside medical or other expert, at its expense to assist with determining accommodation and how to achieve accommodation;  The employee may request the participation of a representative from his/her bargaining unit, where represented, or otherwise, a representative from the workplace not from a bargaining unit;  Steps to be taken to protect the privacy of the employee's personal information;  Frequency with which the IAP will be reviewed and updated and the manner in which it will be done;  If denied, the reasons for the denial will be provided to the employee;  A format that takes into account the employee's disability needs;  If requested, any information regarding accessible formats and communication supports provided;  Identification of any other accommodation that is to be provided. Return to Work By January 2015, The Town of Moosonee will have in place a return to work process for employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and require disability-related accommodation in order to return to work. This process must be documented and outline the steps that The Town of Moosonee will take to facilitate the return to work and include an IAP. Performance Management, Career Development & Advancement, Redeployment By January 2015, The Town of Moosonee will take into account the accommodation needs and/or IAPs of employees when:  Using performance management processes;  Providing career development and advancement information;  Using redeployment procedures. Transportation Standard The Transportation Standard will make it easier for people to travel in Ontario, including persons with disabilities, older Ontarians and families traveling with children in strollers. The Town of Moosonee will:  Ensure taxicabs do not charge a higher fare or additional fee to persons with disabilities;  Ensure taxicabs do not charge a fee for storage of assistive devices;  Ensure taxicabs have appropriate information displayed on the rear bumper and available in an accessible format to passengers. The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee - Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy 8 Workplace Emergency Response Information The Town of Moosonee shall provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability:  If the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary and the employer is aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee's disability.  If the employee who receives individual workplace emergency response information requires assistance and with the employee's consent, The Town of Moosonee shall provide the workplace emergency information to the person designated by The Town of Moosonee to provide assistance to the employee; as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee's disability;  Review the individualized workplace emergency response information when the employee moves to a different location in the organization, when overall accommodation needs plans are reviewed and when the employer reviews its general emergency response policies. Regulatory Requirements An Administrative Monetary Penalties scheme is being established under the AODA. The scheme will allow a director or designate to:  issue an order against a person, organization or corporation to pay a penalty amount as a result of non-compliance with the AODA or the accessibility standards. The largest penalty amount that can be issued to an individual or an organization that is not a corporation is $50,000;  establish an Administrative Monetary Penalties Program that prescribes the administrative penalties; Use of Administrative Monetary Penalties will be considered an avenue of last resort when all other compliance assistance and improvement options have been exhausted. The Town of Moosonee shall designate the License Appeal Tribunal (LAT) to hear appeals of Directors Orders under the AODA. The LAT will hear appeals from organizations of Directors Orders but not individual complaints. Individuals who feel their human rights have not been met would continue to lodge a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Modifications to this or any other policy Any policy of The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed. | The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee | PO Box 727 | Moosonee, Ontario P0L 1Y0 |