- Introduction
This document represents the update to the Region of Peel’s second Accessibility Plan - September 2004 which was endorsed by the Peel Regional Council on October 7, 2004.
This third Accessibility Plan for the Region has been prepared based on information gathered from: strategic level consultations with the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC); the Region of Peel Accessibility Planning Program; and information submitted by Regional departments.
As detailed in the previous plan, the overall goal of the AAC and the Region’s Accessibility Planning Program is to incorporate an accessibility component into the Service Strategy and Business Planning processes of each department, and by extension, the Regional Corporation as a whole. This practice, which will allow the Region to systematically integrate accessibility planning into existing departmental operations, is currently being implemented.
Similar to last year’s Plan, the 2005 Accessibility Planning Program Plan has also used a format similar to the departmental Service Strategy Business Plans to enable staff to identify projects from the Accessibility Plan and link them with the accessibility projects listed in their departmental business planning. This has enabled the Accessibility Planning Specialist to monitor and report on the progress of departmental accessibility initiatives in a systematic manner. At the same time, this document continues to address the reporting requirements within the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) and details the recently proclaimed Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).
Another new development for integrating accessibility planning into existing departmental processes was the creation of the Barrier Identification and Tracking Tool (BITT). The BITT is an on-line tool that receives, consolidates, and manages accessibility barriers identified by all Region of Peel employees. The information collected through this data base will be used to manage departmental accessibility tasks by prioritizing and planning for improvements during the Service Strategy and Business Planning Process.
In the creation of the first and second Accessibility Plans, the AAC identified attitudinal barriers as one of the key barriers to address. It was recommended that disability education and sensitivity training sessions be provided to address these barriers. Six of these training sessions were organized and delivered for Regional staff at three separate Regional locations.
This third Accessibility Plan represents the on going process of ensuring the programs and services of the Region of Peel become fully accessible for individuals with disabilities. As an organization strongly committed to integrated processes, the Region of Peel will continue its efforts to identify and remove existing barriers while laying the foundation for the prevention of future barriers.
This third Accessibility Plan document reflects the continued dedication of the Region of Peel to meeting the commitments made within its Strategic Action 5.4, “Contributing to creating a receptive, accessible community that ensures full participation of individuals with disabilities”.
Introduction (PDF 21KB, 2 pages)
