Regional Government

Human Resources to implement Diversity Strategy and an employment systems review This is a review of policies and access points for potential candidates to ensure that there are no physical/cultural barriers.

Policy/Practice, Attitudinal,   Informational

December 2007

Organize Skilform Training for all new and current drivers to address attitudinal barriers towards persons with disabilities. 

Attitudinal,  Informational

July 2007-
 June 2008

Invite staff member from Accessibility Planning Office to provide an update to all employees at TransHelp Staff Day.

Attitudinal,  Informational

December 2007

TransHelp staff to participate in transit industry workshops and seminars

Policy/Practice

July 2007 and Ongoing

1.2    Build an effective internal communication strategy that promotes accessibility.

Review web site accessibility standards and incorporate these into renewal of the Health Services Pathways intranet site.

Communicational

2007-2008

1.2    Build an effective internal communication strategy that promotes accessibility.

Review web site accessibility standards and incorporate these into renewal of the Health Services Pathways intranet site.

Communicational

2007-2008

TransHelp will review the Region of Peel Accessibility Plan on a monthly basis at TransHelp management meetings and on a quarterly basis at all-staff meetings.

Policy/Practice

August 2007 to June 2008

Create a checklist to support decision-making and publish on Pathways, the Regional intranet.  Based on the IDDP and 2006 Inaugural events experiences a checklist is being compiled for further discussion with various divisions.

Policy/Practice

2009

Event planning committees to ensure accessibility is included into scope of work for events such as Roadeo Day and TransHelp Staff Day

Physical and Policy/Practice

August to December

2. To develop and strengthen organizational processes that will support accessibility.

2.1    Ensure effective processes are in place to consult effectively with the AAC

TransHelp staff will attend monthly Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) meetings and provide regular updates.

Policy/Practice and Attitudinal

Starting in Fall 2007

Incorporate accessibility design elements into the new Fairview Clinic.

Physical, Architectural

September 2007

Establish a Site Plan Subcommittee comprised of regional staff and AAC to review all Regional site plans.

Physical and Architectural

2007 onwards

2.2   Improve processes for identification and reporting of barriers and accessibility issues.

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

Policy/Practice and Architectural

July 2008

During a facility audit conducted by TransHelp, barriers to accessibility were identified in the female washroom.  It will be re-designed to improve accessibility. 

Physical

September to December 2007

TransHelp staff to audit existing facilities to identify barriers in the workplace.

Health & Safety and Physical

August 2007 to June 2008

2.3   Integrate  
        accessibility into key  planning documents

Ensure that amendments to the Regional Official Plan will integrate accessibility into the Human Services component of the Official Plan.

Policy/Practice

Ongoing

2.4  Create, develop,
support and sustain strategies that implement recommenda-tions of the transportation demand study       

Accessible Transportation Coordination Office (ATCO) will obtain software to manage and coordinate the transportation options for people with disabilities who do not qualify for TransHelp, under the current criteria and refer them to the appropriate services within the Region in a timely manner.

Physical

2008

ATCO will work with transit agencies to promote accessible public travel and transportation options for all passengers, including TransHelp passengers.  Promotion of accessible public transit includes travel training options, subsidized by the Region of Peel.

Physical

Spring 2008

ATCO will increase service development and support for persons with disabilities by working with transportation advisory group(s) that will provide feedback on accessible transportation initiatives within the Region of Peel.

Physical

Spring 2008

ATCO will initiate the Passenger Assistant Program (PAP).  This is  a program that will provide support and assistance to people with disabilities who identify needing extra supports while in transit

Physical

Winter 2008

4. To build public awareness and advocate for accessibility of programs and services.

4.1    Create opportunities for public engagement.

Accessibility Planning Office to participate in existing networks.
Health Services Staff to participate in Peel Regional Diversity Roundtable network, Ontario Public Health Association working group on Access, Equity and Social Justice,  to work towards development of stronger linkages with Local Health Integration Networks to promote diversity and accessibility

Information and  Communication

On-going

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

Survey is being conducted soliciting feedback from customers.

Information and Communication

January 2008

The External web site will be updated as part of the new departmental restructuring.  Accessibility will be considered as part of this project.

Informational, Communicational

Fall 2008

Participate in community events and fundraisers to build awareness of TransHelp services

Informational

July 2007 - Ongoing

Some areas of the communication strategy developed two years ago were implemented using the internal and external web sites and through promotion of the Community Forum hosted to commemorate International Day of Disabled Persons day.

Information

On-going