Making Way
For Ontarians with Disabilities

ODA Legislative Requirements

APPENDIX I
2005 ACCESSIBILITY PLAN

This section was prepared to provide readers with detailed information of Regional accessibility initiatives by listing activities which have taken place since the development of the second Accessibility Plan. The second Plan was developed by identifying four main objectives to achieve the Regional goal of creating a receptive and accessible community, that will ensure full participation of persons with disabilities according to the obligations set out by the provincial disability legislations the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). The following initiatives fully support the four objectives outlined in the second and third Regional Accessibility Plans.

  1. Objective #1: To develop ability of all Regional staff to effectively and proactively identify and address accessibility barriers.

    • Coordinated the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee and staff activities to implement Strategic Action 5.4: “Contributing to creating a receptive, accessible community that ensures full participation of individuals with disabilities”.
    • Created and distributed AAC brochures to clarify mandate, roles and responsibilities of the Committee as well as the Accessibility Planning program.
    • Created and posted an Accessibility Planning section on Pathways, the Regional Intranet Website, to share Accessibility Planning Program information, AAC member profiles and other disability related resources and initiatives with the staff.
    • Raised AAC profile and improved staff accessibility awareness by submitting Quick Poll questions and a series of communications on Pathways.
    • Developed an electronic Barrier Identification and Tracking Tool (BITT) and standardized processes to assist departments in identifying and reporting barriers and planning for accessibility improvements.
    • Developed a Pathways story and presented the newly developed BITT to all Departmental Management Teams, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) advisory committee and various divisional teams to assist departments in identifying and reporting barriers and planning for accessibility improvements.
    • Compiled an interim Facility Audit Tool, a working document including industry best practices, Universal Design standards and Ontario Building Code requirements to be used by the Housing and Property department until specific provincial standards for built environments are developed by the provincial government.
    • Organized a full-day event to celebrate International Day of Disabled Persons by: Regional Council proclaiming the day; by conducting five interactive sessions for 165 employees with specific tips on communicating effectively with colleagues and customers with disabilities; and by awarding annual accessibility awards to individuals and departments to recognize their efforts to improve accessibility within regional programs, facilities and processes.
    • Prepared analysis of proposed legislation, Bill 118, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), introduced by the Province to replace the ODA, 2001, and submitted two reports to Regional Council.
    • Researched and disseminated information to all Regional departments with respect to emerging disability trends, fact sheets, legislative and disability issues.
    • Arranged an overview session for Transhelp and Access Peel staff to introduce them to the B480-02 customer service standards for serving clients with disabilities.
    • Assisted the Social Services department in leading the organization of six Disability Education and Awareness Training sessions for the Regional staff at three separate Regional locations.
    • Prepared and posted a Pathways story to highlight the key areas of newly proclaimed Bill 118, the AODA, 2005, which received Royal Assent on June 13, 2005 to become a Law.



  2. Objective #2: To improve accessibility of municipal programs, services and facilities.

    • Delivered presentations to the Executive Management Team (EMT) and Departmental Management Teams (DMT) outlining the Corporate Accessibility Planning program and the planned approach to include accessibility as a Service Strategy Business Plan (SSBP). Also prepared various communications to advise EMT and DMT of the strategy developed to integrate the annual accessibility planning process with the Strategic Plan and departmental SSBPs.
    • Provided quarterly progress reports to members of the EMT and interim status report to Regional Council using the SSBP format.
    • Created alternate formats of the Council approved Accessibility Plan and published the Plan in accessible format on the internal and external Regional Websites.
    • Identified training needs of Ontario Works and Children’s Services staff, and developed training sessions to enable the staff to understand and address the needs of clients with learning and mental health disabilities.
    • Reviewed annual Waste Management brochure and Region of Peel Access to Peel brochures to improve publication accessibility.
    • Assisted Waste Management staff in revising the text of their public tender document to ensure an accessibility check is included in the procurement process.
    • Assisted Region of Peel (ROP) project team by compiling appropriate guidelines required to audit the Mississauga Valley child care centre.
    • Assisted in organizing AAC tours to audit Regional facilities: Battleford Recycling Centre; Summerville Pines Senior’s Residence.
    • Assisted project manager of 11 Indel Avenue in ensuring that the text of their Request for Proposal includes accessibility recommendations in the compliance reports prepared by external consultants.
    • Organized a joint meeting hosted by Region of Peel AAC to discuss transportation sector issues within Peel region.


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  3. Objective #3: To address policy issues and optimize advocacy efforts.


  4. Tasks completed:
    • Participated actively in discussions and meetings of Ontario Network of Accessibility Professionals (ONAP).
    • Established a regional stakeholder group Peel Partners in Accessibility to exchange information and best practices.
    • Participated in the national launch of Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion, People in Motion show, Access II conference (Burlington), Minister of Citizenship and Immigration press conference, and legislative vote for the passing of Bill 118.
    • Participated in meetings and e-mail discussions of regional stakeholder group Peel Partners in Accessibility and Ontario Network of Accessibility Professionals (ONAP) to exchange information and best practices.
    • Assisted the AAC in preparing recommendations to submit to Regional Council, the Province and the Accessibility Directorate to strengthen the ODA during 2004 and 2005 public consultations to develop the AODA.


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  1. Objective #4: To build public awareness and knowledge of accessibility issues.

    Tasks completed:
    • Revised Making Way Internet site to improve usability and accessibility of the site for persons with disabilities.
    • Posted revised AAC terms of reference, brochure and 2005 Accessibility Plan on the Website.
    • Organized a meeting among communications professionals from the City of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon to explore common themes and consistent messaging around accessibility.
    • Developed a communication strategy for the AAC and the Accessibility Planning program.
    • Organized a Region of Peel booth at Connections 2005 – The 6th Annual Resource Fair for People with Disabilities
    • Coordinated five media releases and published articles to announce appointment of AAC members; approval of 2nd Accessibility Plan by Regional Council; Council proclamation of December 3rd – International Day of Disabled Persons; and the MP/MPP Update for Accessibility Planning in the Region of Peel.

    Appendix I (PDF 30KB, 5 pages)