The Etobicoke Children's Centre Accessibility Plan

Introduction

In 2005, the government of Ontario passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (the “AODA”). It is the goal of the Ontario government to make Ontario accessible by 2025. The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations (“IASR”) under the AODA require that effective January 1, 2014, The Etobicoke Children’s Centre (The ECC) establish, implement, maintain and document a multiyear accessibility plan which outlines the organization’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers for persons with disabilities and to meet its requirements under the IASR.

Under the AODA, the following accessibility standards set certain requirements that are applicable to The Etobicoke Children’s Centre:

Customer Service;
Information and Communications;
Employment; and
Proposed Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment

This multi-year plan outlines The ECC’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers to address the current and future requirements of the AODA, and in order to fulfill the commitment as outlined in The ECC’s Accessibility Policy - AODA Integrated Accessibility Standard.

In accordance with the requirements set out in the IASR, The ECC will:

Establish, review and update this plan in consultation with persons with disabilities, as needed and as the agency complies with each of the requirements over time;
Post this plan on its website (www.etobicokechildren.com);
Report as required on its website on the progress of the implementation of this plan;
Provide this plan in an accessible format, upon request; and
Review and update this plan at least once every five years.

Core Principles of the Plan

We endeavor to ensure that the plan and related practices and procedures are consistent with the following four (4) core principles:

Dignity – Persons with a disability must be treated as valued persons as deserving of service as any other person.
Equality of Opportunity – Persons with a disability should be given an opportunity equal to that given to others to obtain, use and benefit from our services.
Integration – Wherever possible, persons with a disability should benefit from our services in the same place and in the same or similar manner as any other person. In circumstances where integration does not serve the needs of the person with a disability, services will, to the extent possible, be provided in another way that takes 2 into account the person’s individual needs.
Independence – Services must be provided in a way that respects the independence of persons with a disability. To this end, we will always be willing to assist a person with a disability but will not do so without the express permission of the person.

AODA – Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

CUSTOMER SERVICE	Requirement	Status
Establish Policy	AODA Integrated Accessibility Standard Policy	Complete
Use of Service Animas and Support Persons	Allow service animals to enter the premises.	Complete
Notice of Temporary Disruption	Website Banner – announce building or service disruption.	Complete
Training for Staff	Staff, volunteers and students are required to complete the following training: · AODA Customer Service and Understanding Human Rights, AODA Edition	Complete and Ongoing with new staff, volunteers and students.
Feedback/Complaint Process	Provide information to the public, in an accessible manner, on process for providing and responding to feedback.	Complete
Availability of Documents	Notice that documents required by this regulation are available on request.
Format of Documents	Documents will be required in a format that takes into account the disability of the person requesting the document.
Multi Year Accessibility Plan	Develop a multi-year accessibility plan to identify and remove barriers to service.

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION	Requirement	Status
General	In all cases, notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.	Website, Phone Message, Signs
Feedback	Process to receive feedback in different ways to ensure accessibility.
Accessible Formats & Communication Supports	Provide accessible formats and communication supports when requested.
Emergency Procedures and Plans	If emergency plans are public, that information will be available in an accessible format if requested.	Not Applicable.
Accessible Website	Website is WCAG compliant	Complete
Educational & Training	The ECC is not a training institution.	Not Applicable
Public Libraries	The ECC is not a public library.	Not Applicable

EMPLOYMENT	Requirement	Status
Recruitment	Job postings indicate that accommodations will be made for candidates with a disability	Complete
Interview	Applicants selected for an interview will be told that accommodations will be arranged if needed.	Complete
Hiring	When offering employment, the person will be told about The ECC’s related to accessibility and communication supports.	Complete
Workplace Emergency Response Information	Provide individualized workplace emergency response plan/information if it is required.	Complete
Documented Individualized Accommodation Plan	Process for development of an individualized accommodation plan.	Complete
Return to Work	If applicable, an individualized accommodation plan will be developed as part of the Return to Work process.	Complete
Performance Management	The needs of employees with disabilities will be accommodated during the Performance Management process.	Complete
Career Development	The needs of employees with disabilities will be accommodated when providing career development opportunities.	Complete


The goal of this standard is to remove barriers in public spaces and buildings, as applied to newly constructed or redeveloped buildings after January 1, 2017. When the standard is finalized and comes into force, The ECC will ensure that any applicable requirements set out in the standard are followed.	The ECC’s main site on Hartsdale Drive is accessible for people with disabilities related to mobility. Clients or visitors who require this type of accommodation are directed to request appointments be held at this site.	Ongoing

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