POLICY - Integrated Accessbility Standards - 20230227
100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Integrated Accessibility Standards
Access Aurora
Contact: Accessibility Advisor, Access Aurora
Approval Authority: CAO
Effective: February 27, 2023
______________________________________________________________________________________
Purpose
Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) 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 Regulation 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 5500-13, 25.1-25.2);
• Training; and
• Other specific requirements under the Information and Communication,
Employment, Transportation, and Design of Public Spaces Standards.
Scope
All Employees and Elected Officials.
Definitions
Accessible Formats
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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.
IAP
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 (URI) 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.
Unconvertible
Means:
a) It is not technically feasible to convert the information or communications;
b) The technology to convert the information or communications is not readily
available.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
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The world wide web consortium recommendation, dated December 2008, entitled Web
Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.
Policy
Part I: 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
AODA. 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 5500-13,
25.1-25.2
Self-Service 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. Training will be developed
and implemented by January 1, 2014. 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.
Part II: 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:
a) an explanation as to why the information or communications are unconvertible;
and
b) a summary of the unconvertible information or communications.
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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:
a) Upon request in a timely manner that takes into account the persons’
accessibility needs due to a disability;
b) At a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons;
c) Consult with the person making the request and determine suitability of an
accessible format or communication support;
d) 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 (WCAG) 2.0 initially
at Level A and increasing to Level AA. By January 1, 2014, any new web content will
conform with WCAG 2.0 Level A. By January 1, 2021 all internet website and web
content will conform with WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
Part III: 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. The
requirements of the Employment Standard shall be met by the Town of Aurora by
January 1, 2014, unless otherwise specified.
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 Staff 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; and
• consult with the employee making the request in determining the suitability of an
accessible format or communication support.
Individual Accommodation Plan (IAP)
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. Process to
include:
• The employee’s participation in the development of the IAP;
• 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;
• 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;
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• Steps taken to protect the privacy of the employee’s personal information;
• Frequency with which the IAP 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;
• And will review the individualized workplace emergency response information
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.
Part IV: 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.
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;
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• 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 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 (AODA) 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; and
• Outdoor play spaces, like playgrounds in municipal parks; and
• Exterior paths of travel, such as sidewalks, ramps, stairs, curb ramps, rest areas
and accessible pedestrian signals; and
• Accessible parking on and off street; and
• Service related elements such as service counters, fixed queuing lines and
waiting areas; and
• Scheduled preventative maintenance
Exclusions
This Policy shall not apply during any period where an emergency has been declared by
the head of Council.
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
• 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 AODA
legislation.
• When aware of areas of non-compliance ensure appropriate action is taken.
• Complete and file an accessibility report as required by the legislation.
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Monitoring and Compliance
In accordance with the Town of Aurora policies, collective agreement and applicable
legislation and policies any non-compliance with this policy will result in an
investigation. Any employee found to be disrespecting the terms of this policy other
than under exceptional circumstances, emergencies or operational requirement is
subject to possible discipline up to and including termination. CAO / Director /
Managers / supervisors and employees should work collaboratively to resolve issues
related to this policy. Employees can escalate issues to Human Resources where
difficulties continue.
References
• Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 11
• World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
• Ontario Human Rights Code
• Procurement By-law Number 5500-13
• Staff and Recruitment Policy
Review Timeline
This policy will be reviewed 2 years after the initial approval date.