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

1. Build an effective training and development program for staff.

• Establish a training and development curriculum, including customized training modules and tools for specific operational needs.

11 (3) (b) (d)

• Development of a comprehensive initiative “Diversity, Access and Equity Strategy” (DAE) by the Health department to provide training and tools for program staff regarding accessibility.

1. DAE Strategy Approved
2.  Develop &  Implement action plan

Fall 2006 and continuing

July 2006
December 2008

• TransHelp in-house trainer will be reviewing all policies and procedures with current driver/operators, and will also be providing training to outside service providers (e.g. taxi companies).

• Accessibility Planning Specialist scheduled to present to staff of all 11 directly-operated child care centres on accessibility.

• Implement sensitivity training for Regional Council and the Executive Management Team.
• This training will also be included within the orientation session conducted for new Council members following each municipal election.

January 2007

2. Ensure ongoing internal communication on accessibility.

• Develop and implement a corporate-wide communication and education strategy and implement strategy using Pathways to submit Accessibility Stories, Poll Questions, and Surveys.

3. Develop specific accessibility standards and guidelines for for all internal and external publications.

• Review existing publications and standards and provide recommendations.

• Review the W3C (Website Accessibility Standards) and apply to Health department Website.
  • Web team will  commence work as DAE strategy has been approved

• Review accessibility guidelines for publications related to Health department programs.
  • Health and Communications Services will commence work in Fall, 2006

• Health department planning to undertake an environmental scan of existing policies, guidelines and standards relating to accessibility within each division.
  • DAE Strategy approved
  • Develop & implement action plan

• TransHelp currently reviewing the accessibility of newsletter and Website, including consideration of font size, colour, and language.

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

1. Ensure effective process in place to integrate AAC advice.

• Clarify roles and responsibilities of AAC and staff by developing AAC brochures and distributing them externally and internally.

2. Strengthen organizational processes that will support accessibility.

• Adopt CSA standards where available and applicable.

• Public Works department developing accessible corporate standard for interior facility signage (increasing font sizes of signs, etc)

• Social Services department developing pilot project to explore the development of new accessible office space.

• The Employment Resource Centre at Peel Youth Village installing computers equipped with screen magnifier software for visitors with low vision, and telephones with TTY uni-phone access.

• Research and document departmental best practices and share with other departments.

• Recognize departmental and individual efforts to improve accessibility by awarding them annually and highlighting their achievements to encourage others.

3. Develop a process for reporting of barriers and accessibility issues.

• Ensure accessibility plans incorporated into departmental Service Strategy Business Plans.

4. Integrate accessibility issues into key planning documents.

• Ensure accessibility is integrated into human services component of Regional Official Plan renewal and any future amendments to the Regional Official Plan Strategic Update.

• Ensure transportation needs of persons with disabilities included as a component in transportation demand study implementation.

5. Ensure accessibility while organizing corporate events and meetings.

• Create a checklist to support decision-making and publish on Pathways, the Regional intranet.

6. Ensure effective process in place to implement universal design philosophy.

• Research and prepare guidelines and standards for site managers to assist in identifying barriers in existing and new facilities.

• Social Services department planning to renovate space at the Valley Child Care Centre for a new Infant Therapeutic Nursery Program, which will be wheelchair accessible.

• TransHelp working on ensuring all of the exterior doors to their building are accessible.

• Review and advise on detailed plan for Joint Use Facility.

3. To address policy issues and optimize advocacy efforts.

1. Undertake policy development approach.

• Develop a barrier free policy for the Region of Peel to address barrier removal and prevention.

2. Establish strong partnerships with other governments and organization.

• Participate in existing networks.

• Establish a network of Peel professionals responsible for implementing ODA.

3. Pursue advocacy opportunities with the province.

• A Community Forum is being organized  to engage external organizations and the Province

4. To build public awareness and knowledge of accessibility issues.

1. Create opportunities for public involvement.

• Post AAC agendas and minutes on external Website.

• Host a community event/forum.

• Develop approach to engage stakeholders in renewal of plan.

• Social Services department (Children’s Services Division) is developing a survey to assess the accessibility of programs relating to special needs and physical accessibility, with the goal of creating an inventory of programs and services for parents and caregivers of children from birth to six years.

• TransHelp is working with Communications Services to assess whether the public is interested in accessing their newsletter via the Website rather than through hard copies.

2. Implement an external communication and education strategy.

• Develop an external and internal communication Work Plan.

• Develop and maintain accessibility planning external Web page.

• Provide regular updates and news/information to media.