Accessibility
Plan 2006-2007
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Table of Contents
Introduction
Message from the Minister of Agriculture, Food and
Rural Affairs
Report on Achievements
Commitments - Measures to Prevent New Barriers
Commitments - Barriers to be Addressed
For More Information
Introduction
In June 2005, the Ontario government took a strong stand on accessibility
when it passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
into law.
The AODA lays out a comprehensive road map to make Ontario accessible
to all people through the development, implementation and enforcement
of new, mandatory accessibility standards for some of the most important
aspects of people's lives.
The first two standards that are currently being developed cover the
areas of transportation and customer service. On June 13, the first anniversary
of the passage of the AODA, the government announced the development of
three new standards that will address information and communications,
the built environment, and employment.
While the government is moving forward to implement the AODA, there will
be a transition period where government and the broader public sector
will continue to meet their obligations under the Ontarians with Disabilities
Act, 2001 (ODA). These obligations will remain in effect until they are
repealed and replaced by standards under the new act.
Under the ODA, Ontario government ministries, municipalities, hospitals,
school boards, colleges, universities and public transportation organizations
are required to develop annual accessibility plans to make policies, practices,
programs, services and buildings more accessible to people with disabilities.
These plans must be made available to the public. Accessibility planning
efforts to date have developed a strong foundation for the development
of accessibility standards that will mean real and effective change.
This document is the fourth annual accessibility plan developed by the
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. It highlights the achievements
of the 2005-06 plan and outlines the commitments for 2006-07 so that no
new barriers are created and, over time, existing ones are removed.
This ministry intends to build on its achievements by implementing initiatives
that support the government's commitment to continue to make Ontario an
inclusive and accessible province where people of all abilities have a
chance to fully achieve their potential.
Message from the Minister of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs
I am pleased to present the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs'
Accessibility Plan for 2006-2007.
All public sector and broader public sector organizations are required
by law to have an annual accessibility plan and to make it available to
the public. This is the fourth year in which plans have been written and
are being implemented by organizations such as ours across the province.
This year marks the first anniversary of the landmark Accessibility for
Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, (AODA) - legislation that will
foster the development, implementation and enforcement of accessibility
standards in key areas of daily living.
To commemorate this milestone, three new accessibility standards to be
developed in the areas of communications and information, the built environment,
and employment were recently announced. This is in addition to two standards
already being developed, which deal with customer service and transportation.
My ministry is committed to improving accessibility through identifying,
removing and preventing barriers, working together within our ministry,
across government and with our stakeholders in key areas of customer service,
employment, communications and information, and the built environment.
Here at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, we are building
on the success of our previous three plans and continuing to look for
ways to better meet the needs of people with disabilities who come into
contact with this ministry, regardless of whether they are staff, members
of the general public or ministry stakeholders.
This ministry continues to work to better educate staff on accessibility.
Examples of this work in the past year include training to raise awareness
among front line employees regarding the needs of persons with disabilities,
and the co-operation of ministries at our head office location to create
a regional facility that incorporates many features removing accessibility
barriers. More examples are provided in the pages that follow.
If you have any comments or concerns, I encourage you to send them using
the contact information located at the end of this document.
Sincerely,
Leona Dombrowsky
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Report on Achievements
2005 - 2006 Accessibility Improvement Initiatives
In 2005-2006, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural
Affairs built upon its previous efforts to reduce barriers to accessibility
by undertaking a number of initiatives in the areas of customer service,
employment, communications and information, built environment, and acts
and regulations. A brief summary of the results of these initiatives this
year is found below.
Customer Service
- Commitment: The ministry commits to supporting ongoing compliance
with the ODA and improving accessibility for people with disabilities
through the work of the accessibility planning work group (APWG).
Status: Completed
Action: The APWG met to review action plans and timeframes
to support the commitments outlined in the accessibility plan. The
intranet website Ontarians with Disabilities Act - ODA for OMAFRA
was maintained with current information for staff including membership
roll, meeting minutes, suggestion box - barriers to accessibility,
as well as helpful links. The provision of relevant education and
awareness sessions through the Lunch and Learn program was also promoted
on the ministry's Wellness intranet page. A Deputy Minister's communication
was sent to all staff to remind them of ministry obligations under
the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Members of
the work group toured the Kitchener location of Kidsability Centre
for Child Development. The tour heightened awareness of the measures
that can be taken to promote a barrier-free physical environment and
the need for holistic planning to address barriers. New managers were
reminded of their commitment to review e-training modules available
to provide a general overview of accessibility issues and ministry
legislative obligations, as well as provide an overview of obligations
regarding the procurement of goods and services. Finally, new membership
to represent two ministry divisions was secured this past year.
Timeframe: September 2005 - August 2006
- Commitment: The ministry commits to continue to provide advice
and direction to staff to help them consider accessibility issues when
procuring goods and services.
Status: Completed
Action: The need to consider accessibility issues when procuring
goods and services was communicated to all managers. Internal procurement
checklists were amended and guidelines shared. Managers are now required
to sign off that consideration has been given to accessibility issues
when procuring goods and services, according to the guideline.
Timeframe: September 2005 - August 2006
- Commitment: The ministry commits to continuing its practice
of considering accessibility issues in its collaborations with other
ministries.
Status: Completed
Action: The resource centre operated out of the ministry's
Guelph headquarters at 1 Stone Road saw the opening of the Service
Ontario counter in 2005-2006. The counter is the focal point in this
multi-ministry building for customer contact services that range over
several co-operating ministries, but predominantly those services
offered by OMAFRA. All cooperating ministries worked through a Ministry
of Government Services (MGS)-led project design committee with architecture
and interior design professionals using the Barrier-free Design Guidelines
document prepared by MGS. The result is a "flagship" regional
facility that incorporates many features removing accessibility barriers.
OMAFRA has also consulted with the Ontario Realty Corporation concerning
an appropriate assessment methodology for accessibility improvements
to other public areas of the Guelph headquarters
Timeframe: September 2005 - August 2006
- Commitment: The ministry commits to ensuring that public meetings
and stakeholder consultations are accessible to members of the public
with disabilities.
Status: Completed
Action: The ministry holds typically over 1000 regional meetings
and workshops annually. Most of these meeting would be held at meeting
rooms in ministry offices, community centres, hotels, etc. that are
accessible to persons with physical disabilities. No specific requests
for accommodation were received through regional offices, the Agricultural
Information Contact Centre, or program areas; however, persons with
disabilities have participated as members of local organizations and
have attended many local meetings. The procedural guideline developed
in 2004-2005 was used, for example, as a planning tool for the successful
HACCP Advantage Expo held in February 2006, which had over 400 attendees.
Timeframe: September 2005 - August 2006
- Commitment: The ministry commits to ensuring that persons with
disabilities who come to ministry locations are provided with the same
level of customer service as persons without disabilities receiving
customer service.
Status: Completed
Action: The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario supported
the ministry's commitment to raise awareness among its front line
employees regarding the needs of persons with disabilities. A workshop
entitled "Client Service Excellence" was held in March for
client service representatives from central and west regions of the
ministry. A second workshop entitled "May I Help You?" was
held in April for employees in eastern Ontario. Both workshops included
tips and techniques for serving persons with vision impairments, deaf
or hard of hearing, physical, mental health and learning disabilities.
A total of about 40 staff received training and resources. In addition,
three "Lunch and Learn" sessions were held for employees
at the Guelph location under the banner of the ministry's Wellness
program. These sessions focused more broadly on understanding the
issues facing persons with disabilities.
Timeframe: Spring 2006
Employment
- Commitment: The ministry commits to ensuring that hiring practices
include consideration for persons with disabilities. The ministry will
continue to ensure that all interviews for job competitions are held
in accessible locations, and that accommodation is made for candidates
with a disability who request it.
Status: Completed
Action: Over the course of the year, 100 competitions for
positions at the ministry were held. All job opportunities advertised
identify the provision of accommodation for persons with disabilities
with examples provided such as wheelchair access or sign-language
interpretation.
Timeframe: September 2005 - August 2006
- Commitment: The ministry commits to removing barriers to enable
individual employees to function to their potential in the workplace
environment.
Status: Completed
Action: A total of 20 ergonomic assessments took place this
past year resulting in the provision of workstation equipment and
or accessories including voice activated software, specifically sized
and/or outfitted chairs, footrests and an adjustable desk.
Ergonomics is the science which studies the relationship of the worker
and the workplace; fitting workplace tasks and workplace to the worker
resulting in worker comfort, efficiency and productivity. In order
to help promote ergonomics in the ministry, our website provides staff
with information on ergonomics including Ergonomic Workstation Checklist,
Office Ergonomics Resource Sheets, Stretch Break information, linkages
to associated website, articles on Video Display Terminal Eye Examinations
and Repetitive Strain Injuries, Guide to Preventing Repetitive Strain
Injury in the Workplace and tips for healthy handling.
Timeframe: September 2005 - August 2006
Communication and Information
- Commitment: The ministry commits to maintaining its practices
of providing publications in accessible formats.
Status: Completed
Action: No requests for publications in alternative format
were received over the course of the year. New and revised publications
continue to include a commitment to be made available in an alternative
format if requested.
Timeframe: September 2005 - August 2006
- Commitment: The ministry commits to continuing the practice
of clearly identifying TTY numbers on publications.
Status: Completed
Action: Nine new or revised titles were released over the
course of the year. All titles included a TTY number.
Timeframe: September 2005 - August 2006
- Commitment The ministry commits to maintain its compliance
with ODA requirements for public facing Internet sites and internal
staff Intranet sites.
Status: Ongoing
Action: The ministry continues to actively ensure content
is compliant on our internet site.
Timeframe: September 2005 - August 2006
Rationale: Implementation of new software, an Enterprise Content
Management System, to maintain our Internet and intranet websites
continues to be a goal. A delay in the project was necessary to allow
us to participate in the new service being provided by Ministry of
Government Services. This will keep us in step with the government's
e-Government and e-Ontario strategies for improved seamless, simple,
accountable and accessible service delivery.
Built Environment
- Commitment: The ministry commits to continuing to identify
barriers to accessibility in locations across the province. The ministry
will build on its review of office locations with a list of follow-up
issues to be inspected by facilities staff to identify specific priorities
for inclusion within the ministry's 2006-07 infrastructure plan, as
well as for future years.
Status: Completed
Action: The ministry had compiled a series of assessments
of the barriers to accessibility at each of its 12 resource centres
across Ontario at the outset of 2005-2006. Based on a review of the
physical barriers identified in these assessments, it was determined
that a capital program to overcome the barriers should be proposed
within the ministry's 2006-2007 Infrastructure Plan. A proposal was
prepared and included in the Plan, citing criteria for prioritizing
projects and recommending an annual allotment of capital funds over
a five year period. Work continues to further identify and prioritize
specific projects for inclusion in the 2007-2008 Infrastructure Plan.
Ministry evacuation protocol at its 1 Stone Road location includes
specific provisions for persons with disabilities.
Timeframe: September 2005 - January 2006
- Commitment: The ministry commits to continuing its work with
its agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs) to assist them in becoming
compliant with the ODA.
Status: Ongoing
Action: Improving accessibility remains a key criterion used
to evaluate all minor capital projects that are submitted for consideration
and approval in support of the delivery of agency programs such as
those offered through the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario.
It should also be noted that any current or proposed new capital
project has to be designed to meet current barrier free standards.
The ministry will continue to provide support and advice as needed
with regard to changes under the new legislation to enable ABCs to
consider accessibility issues within their respective organizations.
Timeframe: September 2005 - August 2006
Rationale: The ministry will continue to work with agencies
as standards are develop to identify specific commitments they will
need to make to foster compliance with the new Accessibility for Ontarians
with Disabilities Act.
Acts and Regulations
- Commitment: The ministry commits to reviewing all new legislation,
regulations and policies for ODA and compliance.
Status: Completed
Action: At this time, no new or revised legislation or regulation
has been introduced that required review for ODA compliance.
Timeframe: September 2005 - August 2006
- Commitment: The ministry commits to continue the practice of
considering accessibility issues in the review/approval of proposals
for the funding for transfer payment organizations and capital programs.
Status: Completed
Action: Accessibility is currently a category eligible for
project funding under the Ontario Small Town and Rural Development
(OSTAR) initiative, which the ministry administers in partnership
with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal. Grants were provided
to a municipality to eliminate barriers to a municipal building and
fire hall, and to a county to perform renovations to ensure and administrative
centre and county council chambers were barrier-free to persons with
disabilities. The ministry will continue to monitor all relevant funding
requests to identify and address accessibility issues.
Timeframe: September 2005 - August 2006
Commitments - Measures to Prevent New Barriers
In the coming year, the ministry commits to assess relevant
acts, regulations, policies, programs, practices and services as needed
to determine their effect on accessibility for persons with disabilities.
This section summarizes these commitments.
Customer Service
- Education and awareness will continue to be a priority to build employee
awareness of the types of disabilities and how to respond to persons
with disabilities. A variety of formats will be used including e-modules,
workshops, and lunch and learn sessions. Specific training will be directed
to staff who provide service over the phone and via the Internet
Employment
- Training will be provided to managers on accommodating employees as
well as accommodating job applicants who have disabilities.
- Tools will be made available and promoted as a mechanism to identify
any potential new barriers employees may face (barriers that are attitudinal,
physical, or in the areas of communications, information, and policy).
Communications and Information
- The ministry will ensure that design and delivery and administration
of ministry-funded programs do not create barriers for people with disabilities.
- The ministry will work to implement new software, an Enterprise Content
Management System, to maintain the compliance of its Internet and intranet
websites.
Built Environment
- Work will continue to identify and set priorities for specific projects
to include in the ministry's 2007-2008 Infrastructure Plan.
- The ministry will continue to work with agencies to identify any specific
commitments they will need to make to foster compliance with the new
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Acts and Regulations
- Legal Services will ensure that AODA requirements are appropriately
addressed in proposed OMAFRA legislation.
Commitments - Barriers to be Addressed
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs commits to identify,
remove and prevent barriers to persons with disabilities in the coming
year. This section summarizes these commitments.
Customer Service
- Barrier: Persons with disabilities who obtain ministry services
in person, over the telephone, or through the Internet may not receive
the same level of access as the general public.
Commitment: Front line employees need to be aware of, and
formally trained in, service to persons with disabilities. The ministry
will continue outreach awareness and training to employees using a
variety of media and interventions such as e-learning modules, presentations,
workshops and lunch and learn sessions. A target group for the upcoming
year will be employees of the ministry's Agricultural Information
Contact Centre.
Responsibility: Line managers of employees who work directly
with persons.
Timeline: September 2006-August 2007
- Barrier: New and emerging ministry program areas are not automatically
represented on the ministry's working group in order to ensure that
any potential barriers associated with those programs are identified
and remedies proposed.
Commitment: The Accessibility Planning Working Group (APWG)
will continue to review its membership to ensure that it adequately
represents the focus of ministry priorities.
Responsibility: APWG and ministry senior management.
Timeline: September 2006-August 2007
- Barrier: Persons and stakeholders who have a disability may
not enjoy the same level of access to participate in public events.
Commitment: The Procedural Guideline to assist ministry employees
to design and administer barrier free public events will be more widely
promoted across the ministry and the APWG will work with ministry
employees to review its usefulness as a planning tool and ensure its
continuous improvement.
Responsibility: APWG and a cross-section of ministry employees
planning public events
Timeline: September 2006-August 2007
Employment Accommodation
- Barrier: Potential candidates for job competitions who have
a disability may not require the same access as the general public.
Commitment: Job competitions that are posted indicate the
provisions that will be made for persons with a disability who apply,
including accessible locations and accommodation.
Responsibility: Human Resources Branch
Timeline: September 2006-August 2007
- Barrier: Employees who have a disability do not always have
the tools they require to perform their job to their potential.
Commitment: The ministry will work to provide ergonomic and
other types of accommodation to employees to ensure their full participation
on the job. Front line managers will be made aware and trained in
supporting job accommodation practices.
Responsibility: Line Managers, Service Management Branch,
Human Resources Branch
Timeline: September 2006-August 2007
Communications and Information
- Barrier: Publications may not be accessible to persons with
disabilities.
Commitment: All new or revised publications will include a
TTY number. Publications will be made available in alternative format
to those who request it.
Responsibility: Communications Branch
Timeline: September 2006-August 2007
- Barrier: As new or revised content or software is introduced
on the ministry Internet or intranet website, it may not be accessible
to persons with disabilities.
Commitment: Implementation of new Enterprise Content Management
System software will keep the ministry in step with the government's
e-Government and e-Ontario strategies for improved seamless, simple,
accountable and accessible service delivery. Until that implementation
is complete, the ministry will actively ensure content is compliant
with existing standards.
Responsibility: Communications Branch
Timeline: September 2006-August 2007
Built Environment
- Barrier: Assessments completed at ministry resource centres
and other ministry properties have identified physical barriers to accessibility.
Commitment: To identify and develop an Infrastructure Plan
that will recommend annual resourcing over a five year period for
capital projects. Specific projects identified for this year include:
- Kemptville College - design and planning for accessibility upgrades
to the main administration building.
- Ridgetown College - new classroom and athletic complex designed
to current barrier free standards; design and planning for new elevator
and accessibility upgrades at the main administration building;
accessibility upgrades to various classrooms around campus.
Responsibility: Service Management Branch, Research and Innovation
Branch
Timeline: September 2006-August 2007
For More Information
- Questions or comments about OMAFRA's accessibility plan are always
welcome.
Please phone: (519) 826-3135
General inquiry number: (519) 826-3100
TTY number: (519) 826-7402
Toll Free: 1 888 466-2372
E-mail: Accessibility@omafra.gov.on.ca
Ministry website: ontario.ca/omafra
Visit the Ministry of Community and Social Services' Accessibility
Ontario web portal at: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/accessibility/index.html.
The site promotes accessibility and provides information and resources
on how to make Ontario a barrier-free province.
Alternate formats of this document are available free upon request
from:
Publications Ontario
880 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M7A 1N8. Tel: (416) 326-5300
Out of town customers, except Ottawa, call: 1-800-668-9938
In Ottawa, call (613) 238-3630 or toll-free: 1-800-268-8758
TTY Service: 1-800-268-7095
Queen's Printer for Ontario
ISSN 1710-291X Accessibility Plan. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs
Ce document est disponible en français.
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