Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario (CPA Ontario) Mission Statement: "To assist persons with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities to achieve independence, self reliance and full community participation."

National not-for-profit organization Founded in 1945 by WWII veterans Sault Ste. Marie office opened in September 2007 CPA Ontario supports people with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities to live independently by providing community service navigation, advocacy, information and resources, disability adjustment assistance, and peer support. Goals are client-driven. CPA Ontario

Legislation

Accessibility Rights 101 We need to understand where accessibility rights have come from in order to understand where we are today, and why

Charter of Rights and Freedoms 1982 inclusion of handicap in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) Charter applies to any government law or governmental activity OHRC applies to private and public sectors including not-for-profit organizations The term handicap was changed to disability in Under the OHRC, every person has a right to equal treatment without discrimination because of disability… The code requires employers, landlords and providers of goods, services and facilities to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship.

Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) 2001 Applies to Municipalities, Schools, Universities, Colleges and Hospitals Must prepare annual accessibility plans and make available to the public Must consult with persons with disabilities in the community on the plan Municipalities with populations over 10,000 must appoint an Accessibility Advisory Committee comprised of mostly people with disabilities

Purpose of the ODA 2001 To advise council on the identification of and removal of barriers in the Corporation But no standards to follow in barrier removal activities Need for more specific guidelines so that persons with disabilities can expect same standard regardless of where they live

AODA was divided into 5 key areas… –Accessible Customer Service –Employment –Information and Communications –Transportation –Built Environment Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) 2005

Where are we now with these Standards?

In place for public sector since January 2010 In place for private sector January 2012 Must take into account a persons disability and provide customer service respecting principles of: Independence Dignity Integration Equal Opportunity Accessible Customer Service ONTARIO REGULATION 429/07

Applies to all Ontario businesses and organizations with one or more employee There are four things that need to be done: –Create a plan –Train staff –Put it on paper –Report back to the Ministry

Accessible Customer Service ONTARIO REGULATION 429/07 Assistive devices –Ensure that staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing goods or services Communication –Communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability

Accessible Customer Service ONTARIO REGULATION 429/07 Service animals –Service animals are allowed on the parts of premises that are open to the public Support persons –A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them and let people know what fees (if any) are charged for support persons

Accessible Customer Service ONTARIO REGULATION 429/07 Notice of temporary disruption –In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities will notify customers promptly. –Clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.

Accessible Customer Service ONTARIO REGULATION 429/07 Training for staff –Organizations will provide training to employees, volunteers and others who deal with the public or other third parties on their behalf Feedback process –For customers who wish to provide feedback on the way that goods and services to people with disabilities is delivered

Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) 191/11 IASR includes: Employment Information and Communication Transportation The requirements will be phased in over time between 2011 and 2021

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 IASR Employment

IASR Employment create a written process 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

IASR Information and Communication make websites and web content accessible according to the World Wide Web Consortiums Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 provide accessible formats and communications supports as quickly as possible and at no additional cost when a person with a disability asks for them

IASR Information and Communication make feedback processes accessible by providing accessible formats and communications supports when requested make public emergency information accessible when requested

IASR Information and Communication Educational and training institutions provide educational and training resources and materials in accessible formats upon request provide educators with accessibility awareness training related to accessible program or course delivery

IASR Information and Communication Libraries –libraries of education and training institutions must make resources accessible upon request –public libraries must provide access to or arrange access to accessible materials where they exist

IASR Transportation Conventional and specialized transportation services –service providers shall identify the process for managing, evaluating and taking action on customer feedback –shall annually hold at least one public meeting involving persons with disabilities to ensure that they have an opportunity to participate in a review of the accessibility plan and that they are given the opportunity to provide feedback on the accessibility plan.

IASR Transportation –must make information on accessibility equipment and features of their vehicles, routes and services available to the public –cannot charge a fare to a support person when the person with a disability requires a support person to accompany them on the conventional or specialized transportation service

IASR Transportation –will accommodate people with disabilities when the accessibility equipment on the vehicles breaks down –must repair accessibility equipment that is broken as soon as it is practicable –shall establish, implement, maintain and document emergency preparedness and response policies that provide for the safety of persons with disabilities

IASR Transportation –deploy lifting devices, ramps or portable bridge plates upon the request of a person with a disability –ensure that adequate time is provided to persons with disabilities to safely board, be secured and deboard transportation vehicles and that assistance be provided, upon request, for these activities

IASR Transportation –shall ensure that persons with disabilities are able to board or deboard a transportation vehicle at the closest available safe location, as determined by the operator, that is not an official stop, if the official stop is not accessible and the safe location is along the same transit route. –shall give consideration to the preferences of the person with a disability.

IASR Transportation –shall ensure that there is clearly marked courtesy seating for persons with disabilities on its transportation vehicles –shall ensure that there are, on request, pre- boarding verbal announcements of the route, direction, destination or next major stop

IASR Transportation –shall ensure that there are audible announcements of all destination points or available route stops on its transportation vehicles while the vehicle is on route or while the vehicle is being operated.

IASR Transportation –shall allow companions to travel with persons with disabilities if space is available and will not result in the denial of service to other persons with disabilities –shall allow dependants to travel with a person with a disability who is the parent or guardian of the dependant if appropriate child restraint securement systems and equipment are, if required, available

Built Environment –The goal of the Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment is to remove barriers in public spaces and buildings. –The standards for public spaces will only apply to new construction and planned redevelopment. –Enhancements to accessibility in buildings will happen at a later date through Ontarios Building Code, which governs new construction and renovations in buildings.

Where does all this leave people with disabilities today?

For more information… Ministry of Community and Social Services AODA Alliance Citizens with Disabilities Ontario