Policy - IASR Accessibility Standards - 20250114
100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Policy
PMO & Business Transformation
Contact: Accessibility Advisor
Approval Authority: CAO
Effective: February 27, 2023
Revised: January 14, 2025
______________________________________________________________________________________
Integrated Accessibility Standards
Purpose
Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (A.O.D.A.) 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 and communication, transportation and design
of public spaces for the Town of Aurora in accordance with Ontario Regulation 191/11.
The requirements set out in this policy and the Integrated Accessibility Regulation are
not a replacement or a substitution for the requirements established under the Human
Rights Code nor do the standards or policy limit any obligations owed to persons with
disabilities under any other legislation.
This policy has been drafted in accordance with the Ontario Regulation 191/11 and
addresses how the Town of Aurora will achieve accessibility through meeting the
regulation’s requirements. It provides direction that the Town of Aurora 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 Town of Aurora’s strategy to identify,
remove and prevent barriers and meet its requirements under the regulation
• Incorporation of accessibility criteria and features when procuring or acquiring
goods, services, or facilities (please refer to By-Law Number 6404-22)
• Training
• Other specific requirements under the Information and Communication,
Employment, Transportation, and Design of Public Spaces Standards sections of
this policy
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Scope
All employees and elected officials.
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
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
The interaction between two or more persons or entities, or any combination of them,
where information is provided, sent or received.
I.A.P.
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
A collection of related web pages, images, videos or other digital assets that are
addressed relative to a common Uniform Resource Identifier (U.R.I.) and is accessible
to the public.
Kiosk
An interactive electronic terminal, including a point-of-sale device, intended for public
use that allows users to access one or more services or products or both.
Redeployment
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.
Unconvertable
a) Not technically feasible to convert the information or communications
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b) The technology to convert the information or communications is not readily
available
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
The world wide web consortium recommendation, dated December 2008, entitled Web
Content Accessibility Guidelines (W.C.A.G.) 2.0.
Policy
General Requirements
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
The Town of Aurora’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlines a phased-in strategy to
prevent and remove barriers and addresses the current and future requirements of the
A.O.D.A. The Town of Aurora will report annually on the progress and implementation of
the plan, post the information on the Town’s website and will provide it in alternative
formats upon request. The plan will be reviewed and updated at least once every five
years.
Procuring or Acquiring Goods, Services or Facilities
The Town of Aurora will use accessibility criteria and features when procuring or
acquiring goods, services or facilities, except where it is not practical to do so (in which
case, if requested, will provide an explanation). Please refer to By-Law Number 6404-22.
Self-Serve Kiosk
The Town of Aurora shall have regard to the accessibility for persons with disabilities
when designing, procuring or acquiring self-service kiosks.
Training
The Town of Aurora will ensure that training is provided to all employees 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. Ongoing training will be
provided to new employees as soon as practicable. If any changes are made to this
policy or the requirements, training will be provided. The Town of Aurora shall maintain
a record of the dates when training is provided and the number of individuals to whom it
was provided.
Information & Communication Standard Requirements
The Town of Aurora will create, provide and receive information and communications in
ways that are accessible to people with disabilities.
If the Town of Aurora determines that it is not technically feasible to convert the
information / communication or the technology to convert is not readily available, the
Town will be obligated to provide the person that requires the information with:
• An explanation as to why the information or communications are unconvertible
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• A summary of the unconvertible information or communications
Emergency Information
If the Town of Aurora prepares emergency procedures, plans or public safety
information and makes the information available to the public, the Town shall provide
the information in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, as
soon as practicable, upon request.
Feedback
The Town of Aurora has a process 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. The Town of Aurora will notify the public about
the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.
Accessible Formats & Communication Supports
The Town of Aurora shall be obligated to provide or arrange for accessible formats and
communication supports for persons with disabilities:
• Upon request in a timely manner that takes into account the persons’
accessibility needs due to a disability
• At a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons
• Consult with the person making the request and determine suitability of an
accessible format or communication support
• Notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication
supports
Website Accessibility
The Town of Aurora shall make their internet website and web content conform with the
World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (W.C.A.G.) 2.0 Level
AA.
Employment Standard Requirements
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 to
employees and does not apply to volunteers and other non -paid individuals.
Recruitment
The Town of Aurora 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
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• If a selected applicant requests an accommodation, the Town of Aurora shall
consult with the applicant and provide or arrange for the provision of a suitable
accommodation that takes into account the applicant’s disability
• Notify successful applicants of the policies for accommodating employees with
disabilities
Please refer to the Recruitment and Selection policy for additional information.
Employee Notification
The Town of Aurora shall inform its employees of its 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
In addition to and where an employee with a disability requests it, the Town of Aurora
will consult with the employee to provide 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 in determining the suitability of an
accessible format or communication support
Individual Accommodation Plan (I.A.P.)
The Town of Aurora shall have in place a written process for the development of a
documented individual accommodation plan for employees with a disability. The
process includes:
• The employee’s participation in the development of the I .A.P.
• Assessment on an individual basis
• Identification of accommodations to be provided
• Timelines for the provision of accommodations
• The Town of Aurora may request an evaluation by outside medical or other
expert, at the Town’s expense, to assist with determining accommodation and
how to achieve accommodation
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• Employee may request the participation of a representative from their bargaining
agent, where represented, or otherwise a representative from the workplace not
from a bargaining agent
• Steps taken to protect the privacy of the employee’s personal information
• Frequency with which the I.A.P. will be reviewed and updated and the manner in
which it will be done
Return to Work
The Town of Aurora has a return to work process in place for employees who have been
absent from work due to a disability and require disability -related accommodations in
order to return to work. Please refer the Return to Work Program policy for additional
information.
Performance Management, Career Development and Advancement, and Redeployment
The Town of Aurora will take into account the accommodation needs and / or individual
accommodation plans of employees when:
• Using performance management processes
• Providing career development and advancement information
• Using redeployment procedures
Workplace Emergency Response Information
The Town of Aurora shall provide individualized workplace emergency response
information to employees who have a disability:
• As soon as practicable after becoming aware of the need for accommodation
due to the employee’s 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 an individual workplace emergency response
information requires assistance and with the employee’s consent, the Town of
Aurora shall provide the workplace emergency information to the person
designated by the Town of Aurora to provide assistance to the employee
The individualized workplace emergency response information is reviewed when the
employee moves to a different location in the organization, when overall
accommodations needs or plans are reviewed and when the employer reviews its
general emergency response policies.
Transportation Standard Requirements
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.
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The Town of Aurora will:
• Consult with Accessibility Advisory Committee, persons with disabilities and the
public to determine proportion of accessible taxicabs required in the community,
including steps to meet the need
• 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 both the rear bumper
and available in an accessible format to passengers
The Town of Aurora Multi-Year Accessibility Plan will include progress made by the
municipality to meet the accessible taxi needs of the community.
Design of Public Spaces in the Built Environment Requirements
The Town of Aurora will meet the requirements under the Accessibility For Ontarians
with Disabilities Act, 2005 (A.O.D.A.) and, in particular, the Design of Public Spaces
Standards (Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment) section in relation to:
• Recreational trails / beach access routes
• Outdoor public-use eating areas like rest stops or picnic areas
• Outdoor play spaces, like playgrounds in municipal parks
• Exterior paths of travel, such as sidewalks, ramps, stairs, curb ramps, rest areas
and accessible pedestrian signals
• Accessible parking on and off street
• Service related elements such as service counters, fixed queuing lines and
waiting areas
• Scheduled preventative maintenance
Exclusions
This policy shall not apply during any period where an emergency has been declared by
the head of Aurora Town Council. The Town will strive to maintain accessibility
whenever feasible and appropriate.
Responsibilities
All Staff
• Comply with all aspects of the policy
• Demonstrate behaviours that are consistent with the policy
• Participate fully in training as it relates to this policy
• When aware of areas of non-compliance ensure supervisor or manager is
notified
Management
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• Educate employees and ensure compliance with all aspects of the policy
• Demonstrate behaviours that are consistent with the policy
• Provide support and guidance to staff members in fulfilling the policy
• Ensure all staff are trained according to the requirements of the A.O.D.A.
legislation
• When aware of areas of non-compliance ensure appropriate action is taken
• Complete and file an accessibility report as required by the legislation
Monitoring and Maintenance
CAO / directors / managers / supervisors and employees should work collaboratively to
resolve issues related to this policy. Any employee found to be disrespecting the terms
of this policy other than under exceptional circumstances, emergencies or operatio nal
requirement is subject to an investigation and discipline deemed appropriate by their
immediate supervisor, Human Resources, the Town Clerk and / or CAO.
This policy will be reviewed two years from its effective or revision date, in accordance
with the Town of Aurora’s policy maintenance schedule .
References
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.11
• Ontario Human Rights Code
• Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11
• By-law - Procurement
• Policy – Recruitment and Selection
• Policy – Return to Work
• Town of Aurora Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
• World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines