Halton's Commitment to Accessibility

Halton Region is committed to meeting the:

• accessibility needs of people with disabilities with respect to Halton Region’s goods, services and facilities, in a timely manner;
• objectives and requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and the Ontario Regulation 191/11 - Integrated Accessibility Standards (IASR); and
• requirement for a discrimination-free working environment under the Ontario Human Rights Code R.S.O. 1990, c.H.19 (Code).

The purpose of this policy is to:

• identify and address compliance requirements and accessibility standards under the AODA and the IASR; and
• enable the development and implementation of procedures as prescribed by the IASR related to the following:
  • Accessible Customer Service
  • Accessible Information and Communications
  • Accessible Employment
  • Design of Public Spaces (Accessible Built Environment)

This policy applies to all Halton Region employees in the provision of goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities.

In this policy,

• “employee” means a Halton Region staff member as well as any other individual working on behalf of Halton Region which may include contractors, consultants, volunteers, students and agents of Halton Region.
• “disability” has the same meaning as in the AODA, which provides as follows:
  • any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device;
  • a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability;
  • a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language;
  • a mental disorder; or
  • an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
• “Halton Region” means The Regional Municipality of Halton.

This policy will be made publicly available and will be provided in an accessible format, upon request as soon as practicable.

Halton Region will undertake the following actions to meet the compliance requirements under Part 1 of the IASR.

5.1. Multi-year Accessibility Pans & Annual Progress Reports

As required by the IASR, Halton Region will:

• develop a multi-year accessibility plan outlining its strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet the requirements of the IASR;
• consult the Halton Region Accessibility Advisory Committee and people with disabilities in establishing, reviewing and updating multi-year accessibility plans;
• post the multi-year accessibility plan on its website and provide the plan in an accessible format, upon request;
• review and update the plan at least once every five years;
• develop annual progress reports on measures taken to implement the multi-year accessibility plan, post them on Halton Region’s website and provide them in an accessible format, upon request; and,
• prepare an annual status report on the progress of measures taken to implement the multi-year accessibility plan.

5.2. Procurement

Halton Region will incorporate accessibility design, criteria and features when procuring and acquiring goods, services or facilities, except where it is not practicable to do so.

Halton Region will incorporate accessibility features when designing, procuring or acquiring self-service kiosks.

If Halton Region determines that it is not practicable to incorporate accessibility design, criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities, it shall provide an explanation, upon request.

5.3. Training

Halton Region will ensure that training is provided to the following individuals:

• all persons who are an employee of Halton Region;
• all persons who are completing a practicum, co-op or placement as part of an academic program with Halton Region; and
• all persons who participate in developing Halton Region’s policies.

The training will include the following topics:

1. a review of the purposes of the AODA;
2. the Code as it pertains to people with disabilities;
3. the requirements of accessibility standards set out in the IASR;
4. the provision of Halton Region’s goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities;
5. how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities;
6. how to interact with people who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a guide dog, service animal or support person;
7. the use of equipment and devices available on Halton Region’s premises or otherwise provided by Halton Region that may help with the provision of goods, services or facilities to a person with a disability; and
8. what action to take if a person with a particular type of disability is having difficulty accessing goods or services.

The training will be appropriate to the duties of the employees and other persons and shall be provided as soon as practicable. Halton Region will provide training to the persons listed above with respect to any changes to its policies on an ongoing basis. Halton Region will maintain a record of the training provided with respect to obligations under the AODA and the Code.

Ensuring that contractors and agents who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of Halton Region have been trained is addressed through Halton Region’s procurement process.

5.4. Accessibility Compliance Reports

Halton Region shall file accessibility compliance reports as set out in section 14 of the AODA.

Commissioners and Directors will ensure:

• their employees are aware of this policy and its related procedures; and
• their employees have completed the TRAKS accessibility training module and other accessibility training, as required.

Strategic Policy & Government Relations will:

• support and work with Halton Region program areas to achieve compliance with the requirements of this policy;
• develop multi-year accessibility plans and annual progress reports; and
• complete and submit accessibility compliance reports.

Employees will:

• review and familiarize themselves with this policy and its requirements; and
• complete the TRAKS accessibility training module and other accessibility training, as required.

This policy supports Halton Region’s compliance with requirements in the IASR. Failure to meet the requirements in this policy may result in Halton Region being in a position of non-compliance with respect to the IASR.