MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES
AND
MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES
2004-2005
Accessibility Plan
Download the printer-friendly
version of the Accessibility
Plan |
|
|
|
Standard Print |
Large Print |
Table of Contents
Introduction
Message from Minister of Community and Social Services
Message from Minister of Children and Youth Services
Joint Accessibility Plan
Report on Achievements of 2003-2004 Planning Commitments
Commitments and Strategies for 2004-2005
For more information
Introduction
In December 2001, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) was passed into law. Its purpose is to improve opportunities for people with disabilities and to provide for their involvement in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to their full participation in the life of the province.
One of the requirements under the ODA is that Ontario government ministries, municipalities, hospitals, school boards, colleges, universities and public transportation organizations develop annual accessibility plans to make policies, practices, programs, services and buildings more accessible to people with disabilities. The plans must be available to the public.
This document is the second annual accessibility plan developed by the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. It highlights achievements of the 2003-04 plan and outlines commitments for 2004-05 so that no new barriers are created and existing ones are removed over time.
Ministries across government are increasing awareness of accessibility and integrating accessibility into daily business practices in a number of areas, including staff training, public information, facilities, and program and service delivery processes.
The Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services intend to build on their achievements by implementing initiatives that support the government's efforts and commitment to continue to make Ontario an inclusive and accessible province where people of all abilities have a chance to fully participate and achieve their potential.
Message from the Minister of MCSS
The Ministry of Community and Social Services has made great strides in identifying, removing and preventing barriers to people with disabilities and ensuring equal access to all information, policies and programs. Our staff has embraced the challenge of ensuring that all Ontarians have equal opportunity to live, work and participate in the diverse activities available in our communities.
In 2004/2005, several key activities were undertaken to produce our year-two accessibility plan and to help us work toward the government's shared goal of an inclusive and accessible Ontario.
Our ministry has reduced barriers to information on a number of ministry programs, services, and supports by providing accurate information on the Internet. This allows easy access from local communities and makes information accessible to those who use assistive devices to operate their computers.
We've put innovative programs in place to support community projects that meet the needs of children and families, and we've endeavoured to remove barriers to employment faced by people with disabilities.
The McGuinty government is working to strengthen communities so that they can offer a high quality of life for Ontarians of all abilities.
Our ministry is strongly committed to improving accessibility for all people with disabilities. I believe we are delivering the real, positive change that will make Ontario strong, healthy and prosperous.
Hon. Sandra Pupatello
Minister of Community and Social Services
Message from the Minister of MCYS
It is my pleasure to share the many successes the Ministry of Children and Youth Services has celebrated this past year in working toward the government's goal for an inclusive and accessible Ontario.
The Ministry of Children and Youth Servis was created in November 2003 to concentrate our government's programs and services for children and youth in a dedicated ministry. From the beginning, our new ministry committed to work in the interests of all children and youth, so that they have access to opportunities to live, work and participate in the wide range of activities available in our communities.
Our Accessibility Plan is a joint plan with the Ministry of Community and Social Services, as we continue to work together closely to provide accessible programs, services and supports for children, youth and families.
We have implemented specific projects and activities in barrier identification, removal and prevention in all communications, facilities and technology. We have applied practical solutions so that the information on our websites is complete, usable and easily accessible to everyone.
Our goal is to enhance the lives of children and youth with disabilities and their loved ones by developing innovative programs and services. We are promoting community awareness and understanding as we all work toward an inclusive and accessible Ontario.
The McGuinty government is working to build strong and liveable communities that offer a high quality of life for Ontarians of all abilities and real, positive change that will make Ontario strong, healthy and prosperous.
Hon. Marie Bountrogianni
Minister of Children and Youth Services
Joint Accessibility Plan
This is the second joint accessibility plan for the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) and the new Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS).
MCYS, originally named the Ministry of Children's Services, was created in November 2003 to bring together the provincial government's programs and services for children and youth and ensure a seamless service delivery system for children, youth and their families. MCYS provides funding for child welfare, family intervention services, children's community support services, children's mental health services, children's treatment centres and child care. Services include intensive behavioural intervention for children with autism, hearing loss screening programs for infants, preschool speech and language services, services and supports to children with special needs, services for youth in conflict with the law, and the Office of Child and Family Service Advocacy.
MCSS provides income and employment support to people with disabilities (the Ontario Disability Support Program) and it supervises the administration of financial and employment assistance to people in need and shares the cost of that assistance (Ontario Works). In addition, the ministry provides funding for supports and services for people with special needs, community and developmental services, Aboriginal people, and people who are homeless or otherwise socially disadvantaged in society, as well as for victims of violence against women. MCSS also provides funding to non-profit agencies for interpreter and intervenor services for people who are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or deaf-blind.
MCSS and MCYS will continue to share administrative services such as human resources, financial planning, corporate policy and communications. As such, accessibility commitments impacting these business areas will continue to be a shared effort. In addition, many of the services and programs will continue to be delivered through the existing network of province-wide regional offices. As these offices continue to support the services and programs of both ministries, their efforts to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities will also be shared.
The plan also highlights the accessibility achievements and future commitments that are unique to the service, program, policy or work of one ministry. For initiatives that are unique to one ministry only, the plan refers to the name of that ministry or the relevant branch, program or service.
Report on Achievements of 2003-2004 Planning Commitments
In this section, we are presenting our achievements for the period from September 2003 to September 2004. While we are proud of these accomplishments, we also recognize that there is more work to be done and the process of removing barriers will be ongoing. The ministries are strongly committed to improving accessibility for people with disabilities in all aspects of our work.
Joint MCSS and MCYS Achievements for September 2003 - September 2004
Commitment:
The accessibility planning committee will continue to meet to implement the ministries' accessibility plan. The Committee will provide a focal point for questions about accessibility planning.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
- The accessibility planning committee members continue to act as co-ordinators for gathering information on accessibility-related issues from their respective divisions, branches, or union members.
- The ministries' Ontarians with Disabilities Act , 2001(ODA) lead, based in the human resources branch (HRB), actively liaises with ODA leads from other ministries to share information, ideas and strategies, and will continue to look for further opportunities to collaborate. Over the year, the ODA lead has also responded to a variety of questions on accessibility and will continue to provide a focal point for accessibility issues.
Commitment:
Maintain and monitor the confidential accessibility planning electronic mailbox account to allow employees to continue to identify barriers to people with disabilities in any aspect of their work.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
- By September 2004, a number of employees had identified barriers and offered suggestions on accessibility planning through the confidential e-mail account, as well as through their managers and ODA leads.
- Two dedicated, confidential e-mail accounts, one for each ministry, have been created. The MCYS account is access.mcys@css.gov.on.ca. The MCSS account is access.mcss@css.gov.on.ca. The accounts are regularly monitored and content of the messages, without any personal identifying information, is forwarded to the relevant member of the accessibility planning committee for consideration in future accessibility and business planning.
Commitment:
To ensure that future proposed programs and services stemming from the business planning process do not create barriers, HRB will develop a checklist on ODA compliance for staff to use during the business planning process. For example, this checklist will help to integrate accessibility planning considerations into procurement, communications, and accommodation decisions.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- In November 2003, HRB developed an accessibility checklist to assist staff in considering accessibility in the business planning process.
- In early 2004, a new results-based planning process was introduced and HRB staff reviewed new business proposal notes and provided comments on accessibility considerations.
Commitment:
The HRB will also develop materials on ODA requirements to include in the training session for ministry staff involved in the business planning process.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
An ODA module was developed and incorporated into the business planning training package that was delivered in November 2003.
Commitment:
The HRB will develop a training framework and curriculum for new managers that will include an ODA module.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
Management Board Secretariat (MBS) has developed and piloted a similar training framework for new managers across the Ontario Public Service (OPS). Participants are informed that ODA training is a requirement and that the training is available online. Material provided to the participants also makes reference to ODA legislation and refers participants to the online training. HRB is adopting this framework and material for use in both MCSS and MCYS.
Commitment:
A handout on ODA rights and responsibilities will be developed and included in the participant's handout package for the orientation session for new employees. Similar content will be included in the online orientation website. In addition, new managers and supervisors will be directed to complete the online ODA training.
Status: In progress
Action and Timeframe:
- A handout on rights and responsibilities for accommodating employees, applicants, and members of the public with disabilities has been created.
- A memorandum was sent to senior management asking them to help ensure that all new managers and supervisors complete the ODA computer-based training module on employment accommodation by September 30, 2004.
- To support managers in providing effective employment accommodations to employees with disabilities and injuries, the human resources network, a group of human resources managers from across the ministries, created the MCSS and MCYS Return to Work and Employment Accommodation Reference for Managers. This document was shared with managers in August 2004.
- Two special information sessions on employment accommodation and the workplace safety and insurance program were delivered by HRB to managers in two regional offices in November 2003 and May 2004.
Commitment:
Support managers in effectively locating consultants to assist in accommodating employees and applicants with disabilities or health issues by developing a request for qualification for ergonomic consultants.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- A draft request for qualification to providers of ergonomic services has been developed.
- Further consideration is being given to establishing an OPS-wide approach for contracting ergonomic consultants.
Commitment:
Research into the practices of other jurisdictions will be conducted to identify a variety of strategies for effective evacuation of people with disabilities. This review will be made available to managers to assist them in updating or creating site-specific evacuation plans to meet the individual needs of people with disabilities in their buildings.
Status: Research was completed.
Action and Timeframe:
- Research into evacuation practices of other jurisdictions was completed.
- The review included an evaluation of evacuation products by three ministry employees with disabilities.
- An occupational therapist was contracted to assist the employees and the occupational health and safety staff with the evaluation.
- Reports for individual employees have been shared with their respective managers for consideration.
- The results of the research indicated that a case-specific approach is more appropriate in developing an effective evacuation strategy.
Commitment:
The contract requirements for vendors who provide employee assistance programs (EAP) to ministry staff will be reviewed to determine if a TTY line is available and if their website is accessible.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- The accessibility of website and telephone services provided by the five firms currently delivering employee assistance programs (EAPs) to the ministries was reviewed.
- The current EAP contracts expired at the end of September 2004 and one service provider for the whole OPS has been selected. The ministries requested that accessibility requirements be included as criteria for selecting the new service provider.
Commitment:
Recruitment procedures and practices will be reviewed to determine if any barriers exist. This initiative will include research on best practices in other jurisdictions.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- Research identified accessible recruitment practices and issues from a wide variety of organizations and jurisdictions.
- The research was used to develop a survey to examine current recruiting and hiring practices as they related to attracting people with disabilities. The survey was conducted in February 2004 and a report was prepared.
Commitment:
The HRB will review TTY line access to ministry offices that serve the public.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
A survey of more than 40 TTY numbers in MCSS and MCYS was conducted and a summary report of the findings was completed in August 2004.
Commitment:
Create an online toolkit on the appropriate use of TTYs and make it available to all staff.
Status: In progress
Action and Timeframe:
A practical guide for TTY users in MCSS and MCYS has been drafted based on best practice research. The guide is in the process of being reviewed by employees who use TTYs.
Rationale:
It was determined that a review of the guide by employees who use TTYs is an important step. The completed document will be placed on the accessibility intranet website of each ministry by December 2004.
Commitment:
Inform staff of the procedures for responding to requests for alternate formats of official documents.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
The OPS Guide to Alternate Formats for Government Publications has been posted on the MCSS and MCYS accessibility intranet website where it is available to all staff.
Commitment:
Develop a checklist for providing accessible meetings and make it available to staff.
Status: In progress
Action and Timeframe:
- Research identified a variety of checklists being used in other ministries and jurisdictions. A best practice checklist is currently being developed and will be made available on the accessibility intranet websites by January 2005.
- Invitations to orientation sessions for new employees, make-a-difference recognition events, and the MCSS leadership day, included offers of accommodation for all attendees.
Commitment:
Revise the Manager's Guide to Accommodations Services (a guide on building and office design) to include sections on the accommodation of employees with disabilities and the requirements of the ODA.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
The Guide to Accommodation Planning and Management, including a section on ODA accessibility requirements, was completed in February 2004 and shared with corporate and regional offices.
Commitment:
Implement new Government of Ontario barrier-free design guidelines when the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC) releases them.
Status: In progress
Action and Timeframe:
This commitment will be implemented when the guidelines are available.
Commitment:
Review and verify potential barriers that were identified during the barrier identification exercises. Areas to be reviewed include physical barriers relating to limited accessible parking, office and washroom doors, layout of work areas, meeting areas and an elevator. The ministries will create a list of priorities for action.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
Barriers were identified, reviewed and prioritized in 2003 and again in 2004. A list of priorities for action was prepared and is being addressed.
Commitment:
The communications and marketing and human resources branches of MCSS and MCYS will work together to increase awareness among all staff of the ministries' ODA responsibilities and of disability issues.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
The focus of the strategy was the development of a central intranet site devoted to providing information on disabilities, barriers, and accessibility to all staff. The site was launched in September 2004 on both the MCSS and the MCYS intranets. The website provides a focal point for staff for information on accessibility. Accessibility information will also be integrated into other resources where appropriate.
Commitment:
The web master will conduct accessibility reviews of all new webpages for the Internet to ensure they meet accessibility standards.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
All new material posted to the ministries' Internet sites is reviewed and tested to ensure that it is ODA compliant.
Commitment:
Purchase a TTY for the communications and marketing branch.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
A new TTY line was installed in the communications and marketing branch in 2003. Staff received training on the use of the TTY.
Commitment:
Research options for more efficiently providing alternate format versions of official ministry documents.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
- Official ministry publications are posted on the Internet websites in three accessible formats (Microsoft Word, HTML and PDF).
- In January 2004, the financial planning and business management branch, which supports both ministries, distributed the ministry's transfer payment budget package, a tool to assist transfer payment agencies in preparing their service/budget submissions, in both Excel and Microsoft Word formats to allow easy conversion to alternate formats if required.
Commitment:
Inform all staff of their responsibility for complying with the Guidelines for Implementing the Procurement Provisions of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 when the guidelines are distributed by Management Board Secretariat (MBS).
Status: In progress
Action and Timeframe:
Ongoing
Rationale:
As a general practice, ministry staff consider accessibility issues when obtaining goods and services for the ministry. With the Government's recent release of formal procurement guidelines, ministry processes will be formalized in 2004-05 and communicated to staff to ensure compliance and consistency.
Commitment:
The human services information and information technology cluster (HSC), responsible for information technology systems, will research accessibility standards for information hardware and software.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
The HSC, which serves both ministries, will co-ordinate the process of obtaining information on existing accessibility standards for information and information technology. Information available from organizations of and for people with disabilities in Canada and elsewhere will also be reviewed.
Rationale:
This is a multi-year project designed to develop a knowledge base in the HSC in the area of assistive technology and its relationship to networks, hardware, configuration, licensing, planning, enhancement, desktop resources, and renewal. The HSC is currently reviewing material from the World Wide Web Consortium, Adaptive Technology Resource Centre of the University of Toronto and the Assistive Devices Industry Office of Industry Canada. HSC is also reviewing material from developers of assistive technology and from organizations of and for people with disabilities such as Literacy for Independent Living, a project of the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres (CAILC).
Commitment:
The human services information and information technology cluster will develop a procedure for ministry information systems staff to identify and report accessibility barriers in information systems.
Status: In progress
Action and Timeframe:
- The business consultants/quality assurance managers (BCQAs) within the HSC will be the first point of contact regarding information and information technology accessibility related issues.
- By December 31, 2004, HSC business consultants will develop a process, in conjunction with the ministry business areas, to help report and address information technology accessibility issues.
- On an ongoing basis, the BCQA managers will review ministry business planning for information and information technology initiatives and identify the need for consideration of accessibility issues.
Additional Achievement:
MCSS and MCYS jointly announced a $10 million funding increase to quadruple the number of people who benefit from Ontario's home and vehicle modification program. The program is also being extended to include children with disabilities. As a result of these enhancements, many more people with disabilities will enjoy the dignity and satisfaction that comes with living independently.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
- Beginning this fiscal year, this significant funding boost will help up to an additional 1,000 people a year make their homes safer or modify their vehicles.
- The program will now serve children with disabilities for the first time.
- The program will also now cover the costs for vehicle modification to support people with disabilities to participate in community life, educational activities or attend necessary medical services.
Additional Achievement:
The corporate policy and intergovernmental affairs branch, which serves both ministries, created a draft cabinet submission checklist that incorporates accessibility considerations into the cabinet submission process.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
The draft cabinet submission checklist was developed in the fall of 2003.
MCSS Achievements for September 2003 to September 2004
Commitment:
Make the MCSS intranet site (an internal ministry website available to all staff) accessible. An intranet strategy will be developed by March 2004.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
All new material posted to the MCSS intranet site for staff is reviewed and tested to ensure that it is ODA compliant. An action plan to make current material accessible has been drafted and will be submitted for approval.
Commitment:
Purchase a TTY for the service delivery model technology (SDMT) help desk that offers technical support for the SDMT software.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
A TTY was purchased and installed at the SDMT help desk.
Commitment:
Research best practices on managing fragrance sensitivity in the workplace.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- Research was conducted on fragrance sensitivity in the workplace. The research identified best practices from several different organizations and jurisdictions across North America.
- The human resources branch sent an internal memorandum educating staff on the potential health issues associated with scented products in the workplace because of the existence of employees with fragrance sensitivities in the branch.
Commitment:
The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) disability awareness training session will be reviewed and upgraded. The new content will be incorporated directly into the current ODSP training module. This will make disability awareness an integral component of program training for ODSP staff and is designed to improve customer services to ODSP clients. In addition, the ministry will get organizations involved in helping to improve disability awareness training for staff.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- During the year, awareness, access, and accountability (AAA) regional workshops were conducted for all ODSP staff to enhance disability awareness. The workshops focused on the need to raise awareness and understanding of the issues faced by people with disabilities, strengthen knowledge on the types of supports available to deliver service, and reinforce accountability as a service provider.
- Organizations of and for people with disabilities were invited to participate in each of the sessions.
Commitment:
The disability adjudication unit's (DAU) processes will be reviewed to identify and remove barriers to ODSP applicants.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
- The DAU working group, which includes members of the ODSP Action Coalition, a coalition of organizations of and for people with disabilities, continues to identify issues and discuss strategies to improve access to the ODSP.
- The self-report form has also been revised to capture additional information on education and work history to assist in the eligibility assessment.
- A project was launched to improve the timeframes and decision making at internal review.
- To manage client correspondence more effectively, a new information management system and file room was created. An operational review of business practices was conducted and has resulted in more efficient information management processes.
- The DAU has also updated its telephone systems and added a TTY number to improve service.
- The review of DAU processes and changes to improve client service will continue.
Commitment:
A review of the current approach to service delivery will be conducted for the ODSP program. This will include a review of the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system to expand it and include program information. The IVR allows social assistance recipients to obtain details about their cases and benefits through a touch-tone phone, seven days a week.
Status: Ongoing, although the IVR expansion has been deferred due to other information system priorities.
Action and Timeframe:
- The review of the current ODSP service delivery model is a multi-year project and is continuing through the upcoming year.
- A new Social Assistance and Municipal Operations website, providing information for social assistance staff in provincial and municipal offices, was created and is ODA compliant, allowing staff who use assistive devices equal access.
Commitment:
The ODSP program management network will develop a strategy to review business processes related to information management in an effort to remove barriers that have been identified.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
In an effort to remove barriers to clients, a document on best practices in information management was completed in January 2004 and shared with ODSP program managers and regional offices. The document covers areas such as correspondence, phone systems and file rooms.
Commitment:
The purpose, content and format of ODSP system-generated letters to clients will be reviewed to identify and remove barriers such as the extensive use of legal terminology, repetitiveness of information and complex language. Stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide input.
Status: In progress
Action and Timeframe:
- The policy content in more than 60 system generated letters was revised to make them easier to understand and to ensure recipients have the information they need to make decisions and respond to the ODSP local office. Particular attention was given to the tone and language of the letters in an effort to make them user friendly and more sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities.
- As part of the process, the ministry has consulted with organizations such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, Community Living Ontario, the Ontario Learning Disability Association, and the ODSP Action Coalition. Currently, the letters are being revised to incorporate the feedback received from the stakeholders.
Commitment:
The ministry will conduct a review of all ODSP offices to determine which aspects of the proposed model office design will be implemented and how. The model office design is a client-friendly design based on the principles of functionality, autonomy and safety. It includes a variety of barrier-free features such as counters, waiting areas, and washrooms that are wheelchair accessible, use of colour contrast, and a combination of direct and indirect lighting.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
- A review of ODSP offices was completed. Several offices are currently in the process of developing their design, while other offices have implemented a number of features of the model office design.
- The pilot for the complete ODSP model office design was introduced in the Bracebridge office in March 2004.
Rationale:
Offices will be upgraded as they undertake renovations or relocate.
Commitment:
Build and strengthen linkages between regional ODSP offices and local advocacy groups (e.g., CMHA, CNIB), service providers and community agencies.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
- In the Improving ODSP Service Delivery Plan, regional offices identified the need to strengthen linkages with local agencies.
- During the year, all regional offices conducted presentations and provided information materials such as brochures and tip sheets to a variety of local agencies and organizations including children's treatment centres, boards of education, community resource centres, legal clinics, Canadian Mental Health Association and The Canadian National Institute for the Blind.
Commitment:
Revise the ODSP training curriculum to include the updated ODSP policy directives and methods for staff to accommodate the individual needs of clients.
Status: In progress. Phase I and II have been completed. Phase III will be addressed in the coming year.
Action and Timeframe:
- Phase I and Phase II of the ODSP directives training was revised and incorporated into the current ODSP program training module which was delivered to all ODSP staff during the year.
- ODSP program managers also informed staff to be aware of the ministry's obligation to accommodate disability-related service needs.
Commitment:
Explore options for providing ODSP forms, letters, and other written information in alternate formats.
Status: In progress
Action and Timeframe:
- An options paper for corresponding with clients by e-mail was developed and is currently being evaluated.
- ODSP offices frequently use computer diskettes and large print documents to communicate with clients requesting this accommodation. Other formats such as Braille are also provided upon request.
Commitment:
Conduct an ergonomic assessment of the service delivery model technology (SDMT) software to identify potential barriers or health and safety issues for staff. SDMT is a database for social assistance programs.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
An ergonomic assessment of the SDMT was completed in April 2004.
Additional Achievement:
MCSS signed the Canada-Ontario labour market agreement for persons with disabilities. Under the agreement, programs that make employment more accessible to people with disabilities are cost shared 50/50 between the federal government and the Province of Ontario. This means that people with a wide range of disabilities will benefit, including people with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, mental illness and those with sensory impairment such as hearing or visual impairments.
Status: Completed
Action and Timeframe:
- Negotiations for this agreement have been underway since 2002, and resulted in the signing of the agreement on May 3, 2004.
- Throughout the negotiations, provincial and national disability organizations were consulted for their input.
Additional Achievement:
MCSS announced an increase in social assistance payments to eligible people who rely on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). These are the first increases to social assistance and ODSP rates since 1993.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
- On May 18, 2004 a three per cent rate increase to the basic needs allowance and maximum shelter allowance for individuals and families who rely on social assistance was announced.
- The government will get extra funds to eligible individuals and families on social assistance as quickly as possible. Until the rate increase can be implemented, eligible social assistance recipients will receive two lump-sum special payments in the fall of 2004.
Additional Achievement:
MCSS restored the nutritional allowance for pregnant women who receive social assistance to assist in giving all children the best possible start in life.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
Effective June 25, 2004, the nutritional allowance will provide $40 per month for pregnant women ($50 if a non-dairy diet is required) in both Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program.
MCYS Achievements for September 2003 to September 2004
Commitment:
Make the MCYS intranet site (an internal ministry website available to all staff) accessible.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
- The intranet website of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services is ODA compliant.
- New material posted to the website is reviewed to ensure it meets accessibility standards.
Commitment:
Research and develop a tool (e.g., checklist) on accessibility for an inter-ministerial policy development process for children with complex special needs.
Status: Deferred as a result of organizational and transitional changes associated with MCYS.
Additional Achievement:
The youth justice services division (YJS) of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services assessed each youth entering the secure custody system for 16 and 17-year-olds to identify individual needs, including any disability-related needs. The information was incorporated into the individual case management plan, and a program plan, addressing any disability-related barriers, was created.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
All youth entering the custody system were assessed for individual needs, including disability-related needs, and necessary accommodations were identified in the individual case management plan.
Additional Achievement:
The YJS division has a special needs committee to identify and analyze systemic issues including barriers to youth with disabilities. The committee is empowered to make recommendations about special needs funding.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
- The committee makes recommendations on funding for youth who require services specific to their disability, such as interpreter services or alternate format publications.
- The committee also provides a focal point for identifying and addressing systemic barriers facing a youth with a disability.
Additional Achievement:
The youth justice services (YJS) division of MCYS plays an active role on the inter-ministerial provincial advisory committee (IMPAC), a provincial, community-led committee that addresses the needs of children and youth who fall between the cracks of service sectors. This committee addresses issues of children and youth with multiple or complex disabilities, if the need exists.
Status: Ongoing
Action and Timeframe:
- YJS will continue to play an active role in IMPAC.
- MCYS will also continue its dedicated fund to address IMPAC recommendations.
Commitments and Strategies for 2004-2005
MCSS and MCYS will continue their work to identify, remove and prevent barriers. The following initiatives are planned for the period from
September 2004 to September 2005 and beyond.
Legislative Requirements
Commitment:
MCSS and MCYS are strongly dedicated to making continuous and strategic improvement on accessibility through the accessibility planning process. Both ministries will continue to identify, prevent, and remove barriers in all areas and aspects of our work.
Action:
- All MCSS and MCYS employees will continue to be encouraged to submit accessibility concerns and suggestions to their managers, accessibility planning committee members, or through their ministry's confidential e-mail account.
- The ministries will establish a review and monitoring process of the suggestions to the confidential e-mail accounts to ensure that suggestions and comments are considered.
- The ministries will communicate information to all staff, through a new handout, on ODA rights and responsibilities for accommodating employees, applicants, clients and members of the public. The handout will be incorporated into orientation programs and launched on the accessibility intranet website. Implementation will begin in October 2004.
- The communications and marketing branch and the human resources branch will maintain and update the accessibility websites on the intranets of both ministries.
- The human resources branch will investigate the potential for establishing a community of practice on accessibility across the OPS. The goal will be to share ideas, information, and best practices, and to collaborate on the development of tools, guides, and products.
- The ministries will continue to consult with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Commitment:
MCSS and MCYS will continue to improve the accessibility of their facilities and offices.
Action:
- Both ministries will implement the new Government of Ontario barrier-free design guidelines when they are released by the Ontario Realty Corporation.
- The ministries will continue to consider only new lease locations that comply with the barrier-free requirements contained in the 1997 Ontario Building Code.
- Building or office renovations required to accommodate individual employees with disabilities will continue to be addressed on a priority basis by the accommodation planning unit (APU) that serves both ministries.
- Barriers in offices and buildings will continue to be verified, prioritized and added to the list of work to be done.
- Offices of MCSS' Ontario Disability Support Program, that primarily serve people with disabilities, are in the process of implementing the proposed model office design as offices are renovated or relocated. The design includes a wide variety of physical accessibility features that exceed Ontario Building Code requirements.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Commitment:
Distribute an accessibility planning questionnaire throughout MCYS to assist in identifying barriers to people with disabilities and potential solutions.
Action:
Develop the questionnaire and distribute to MCYS divisional ODA leads for response. Responses will be used to establish the priorities to be addressed in 2005 and to develop a strategy to prevent new barriers.
Timeframe: March 2005
Commitment:
Implement the Guidelines for Implementing the Procurement Provisions of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001. Ministry staff continue to consider accessibility as part of the procurement process. Formal processes will be communicated to staff to ensure compliance and consistency.
Action:
The financial planning and business management branch will inform all staff of both ministries of their responsibility to comply with the guidelines.
Timeframe: In progress
Commitment:
The human services information and information technology cluster (HSC) will develop criteria requiring a knowledge of accessibility issues for the request for proposal (RFP) for the vendor of record (VoR) for information and information technology goods and services.
Action:
The HSC will develop criteria for the RFP requiring potential vendors to demonstrate knowledge of assistive technology, accessibility features and accessible design principles affecting the areas of hardware, configuration, licensing, enhancement and desktop resources.
Timeframe: The RFP for the VoR for information and information technology goods and services is expected to be completed by
November 2004.
Commitment:
The Internet websites of MCSS and MCYS will continue to meet the accessibility requirements of the ODA.
Action:
- On an ongoing basis, the web master will ensure that all new material posted to the Internet websites of both ministries meets accessibility standards.
- By December 2004, the communications and marketing branch will create webpages describing the accessibility features of each ministry's Internet website as well as provide some instructions for using accessibility features through a web browser.
- By December 2004, the communications and marketing branch will also create webpages listing all ministry TTY telephone numbers and post them on the Internet websites of both MCSS and MCYS.
- The Children's Information Portal, a new website that provides one-window Internet access to all Ontario Government services for children and youth will be reviewed to help ensure MCYS TTY numbers are easily accessed.
- The Children's Information Portal meets ODA accessibility requirements and new pages will continue to be tested to ensure they meet these requirements.
Timeframe: As above
Commitment:
MCSS and MCYS will continue to provide official ministry publications in alternate formats upon request. The ministries will also pursue initiatives to make other documents available in alternate formats, as identified below.
Action:
- Both ministries will continue to respond to requests for alternate formats of official ministry publications.
- The ministries will continue to make many documents, brochures, forms and publications available through the Internet websites, which are fully accessible.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Commitment:
MCYS and MCSS are strongly committed to meeting the individual accommodation needs of employees and applicants with disabilities.
Action:
- MCSS and MCYS continue to implement the Management Board Secretariat policy on employment accommodation, which requires managers to accommodate the individual needs of employees and applicants for work-related barriers.
- The ministries will continue to respond to questions and complaints about discrimination through a dedicated workplace discrimination and harassment (WDHP) co-ordinator and many volunteer WDHP advisors.
- By December 2004, the human resources branch will share the findings of the survey of accessibility in the recruitment process with the human resources network, a group of HR professionals from across both ministries. The group will work together to identify next steps.
- By March 2005, the human resources branch will investigate the potential for establishing a centralized OPS-wide approach to contracting ergonomic consultants. Partnerships with Management Board Secretariat and other ministries will be explored.
- The final report of an ergonomic assessment of the service delivery model technology, used by MCSS staff of the Ontario Disability Support Program, is being reviewed and an action plan will be developed by November 2004.
Timeframe: As above
Commitment:
Work towards having all new managers and supervisors within MCSS and MCYS complete the ODA online training.
Action:
Advise all new managers and supervisors during the orientation process of the requirement to complete the ODA online training.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Commitment:
MCSS and MCYS will continue to ensure funded capital program projects meet the accessibility standards of the 1997 Ontario Building Code.
Action:
Project proposals will continue to require a commitment to meet Ontario Building Code requirements.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Acts and Regulations
Commitment:
Through the ministries' accessibility planning process, no act or regulation was identified for a barrier review analysis for the upcoming year. The ministries will continue to consider acts or regulations for a barrier review analysis as part of the regular planning cycle.
Action:
Continue to consider relevant acts or regulations for a possible barrier review analysis as part of the regular planning cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Policies
Commitment:
The social assistance and employment opportunities division will develop a policy development checklist that will include criteria to prevent the creation of barriers in new policies and regulation amendments.
Action:
Develop a checklist and communicate the need to use the checklist to all policy analysts in the division.
Timeframe: A policy development checklist will be implemented by September 2005.
Commitment:
The community services branch (CSB) in the community and developmental services division of MCSS will ensure that all program review projects which are part of the policy development process include consideration of issues of accessibility and barriers to people with disabilities.
Action:
All program review projects of CSB (e.g., projects related to violence against women and interpreter and intervenor policy areas) will be required to assess and identify any barriers or other accessibility issues.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Commitment:
The developmental services branch (DSB) in the community and developmental services division of MCSS will ensure that policy and program initiatives resulting from the transformation of the developmental services system will include consideration of issues of accessibility and barriers to people with developmental disabilities.
Action:
All policy and program initiatives will be required to identify, assess and consider accessibility issues
Timeframe: Ongoing
Commitment:
The youth justice services division of MCYS will revise the policies, procedures and standards for the management of suicidal youth in secure custody and secure detention facilities.
Action:
- Integrated standards and required elements for the management of suicidal youth will be implemented and will apply to youth in secure custody and secure detention facilities.
- The revised policy will be communicated to all relevant staff.
Timeframe: March 2005
Programs and Services
Commitment:
MCSS and MCYS will provide effective response to calls to ministry TTY telephone lines.
Action:
- By November 2004, share the results of the 2003-2004 TTY survey with all relevant offices for their information and action.
- By December 2004, revise the draft guide on TTYs based on the feedback received and post it to the Intranet websites of both ministries.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Commitment:
Make the checklist for providing accessible meetings available to all staff of MCSS and MCYS.
Action:
By January 2004, the checklist will be posted on the accessibility intranet website and staff will be informed of its availability.
Timeframe: As above
Commitment:
MCSS will ensure that all new Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) staff receive the awareness, access and accountability training in a timely fashion and that there is consistency in the training.
Action:
- The training will be provided quarterly at a central location at Queen's Park rather than in regional sessions.
- Organizations of and for people with disabilities will continue to be invited to participate through presentations and other means.
Timeframe: The sessions will be delivered quarterly.
Commitment:
Develop an implementation plan for the MCSS ODSP system-generated letters that have been revised to improve tone and clarity, and to be user-friendly for clients.
Action:
The program management division of MCSS will develop the implementation plan.
Timeframe: Fall 2004
Commitment:
Continue to improve linkages between MCSS ODSP offices and local agencies and stakeholders.
Action:
- MCSS ODSP offices will be asked to share methods for establishing linkages over the past year and this information will be used to develop a summary of best practices for establishing and maintaining linkages with community agencies and stakeholders. The summary will be shared with all offices.
- Linkages with local organizations will be integrated into standard business practices of local ODSP offices.
Timeframe: The document on best practices will be shared by January 2005. Local office efforts to maintain linkages with local agencies will be ongoing.
Commitment:
MCSS will investigate the feasibility of corresponding with ODSP clients via e-mail. An implementation plan will be developed.
Action:
- Assess the options for corresponding with ODSP clients via e-mail.
- Create an implementation plan.
Timeframe: September 2005
Commitment:
MCSS will continue to review the ODSP disability adjudication unit's (DAU) processes for barriers to ODSP program applicants.
Action:
- The review of DAU processes and recommendations to remove barriers and improve client service will continue.
- Based on the evaluation of the internal review project of the DAU, MCSS will implement the strategy as an ongoing business practice.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Commitment:
Continue the review of ODSP service delivery to ensure ongoing evaluation and improvement of customer service.
Action:
The review of ODSP service delivery will continue through the year and an action plan will be developed.
Timeframe: An action plan will be developed by September 2005.
Commitment:
The Office of Child and Family Service Advocacy, which reports to the minister of Children and Youth Services, will continue to provide child advocacy services for children who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing in the Province of Ontario in a manner that is sensitive to the needs of the deaf community. The office will also continue to make special accommodation for children and youth who are blind and learning disabled, children and youth with special needs, physically challenged, developmentally challenged and medically challenged.
Action:
- Continue to make available a child advocate with sign language skills and who can be accessed directly by TTY.
- Continue to provide advocacy services for children with other disabilities and their families.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Commitment:
Evaluate telephone access at youth justice custody facilities for people who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing.
Action:
Identify and review the TTY line access at youth justice custody facilities.
Timeframe: September 2005
Commitment:
Review telephone access at the regional offices of the youth justice services division of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services for people who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing.
Action:
Identify and review TTY line access at Regional Offices of YJS.
Timeframe: September 2005
Practices
Commitment:
The human services information and information technology cluster (HSC), which provides services to both MCSS and MCYS, will develop a strategy to integrate information and information technology accessibility planning into the services that HSC provides to ministry clients.
Action:
- By December 31, 2004, HSC business consultants will develop a process with the ministry business areas to help report and address information and information technology accessibility issues.
- On an ongoing basis, HSC will work with clients of both ministries to identify accessibility issues relating to information systems.
Timeframe: As above
Commitment:
Ensure that the 2005-2006 results-based planning training package includes appropriate ODA training for staff of both MCSS and MCYS.
Action:
- In the fall of 2004, review the current ODA training module and associated materials and revise them to reflect the new results-based planning process.
- On an ongoing basis, HSC business consultants will ensure that information and information technology accessibility considerations are included in results-based planning submissions.
Timeframe: As above
Commitment:
Communicate information on fragrance sensitivities in the workplace to managers in both ministries.
Action:
Develop a summary document of best practices on managing the accommodation of fragrance sensitivity in the workplace and advise all managers that this information is available.
Timeframe: April 2005
Commitment:
The youth justice services division of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services will continue to play an active role on the inter-ministerial provincial advisory committee (IMPAC), a provincial, community led committee that addresses the needs of children and youth.
Action:
Continue to participate on the inter-ministerial provincial advisory committee.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Commitment:
The youth justice services division of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services will review its practices and procedures for assessing and identifying young people with special needs.
Action:
Determine whether current practices and procedures should extend to all custodial facilities (e.g., group homes and secure custody facilities).
Timeframe: Multi-year project
For More Information
Questions or comments about the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services accessibility plan are always welcome. Please contact:
For general inquiries:
In Toronto call: 416-325-5666.
Toll-free from across Ontario: 1-888-789-4199.
TTY number: 1-800-387-5559.
E-mail: mcssinfo@gov.on.ca
Ministry website addresses:
Ministry of Community and Social Services: www.mcss.gov.on.ca
Ministry of Children and Youth Services: www.children.gov.on.ca
The Human Resources Branch is co-ordinating the accessibility planning process for both ministries. You may also direct questions or comments to:
Linda MacQueen
Acting Director, Human Resources Branch
Phone: (416) 327-4755
TTY: (416) 327-4817
E-mail: linda.macqueen@css.gov.on.ca
Visit the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration's Accessibility Ontario web portal at: www.gov.on.ca/citizenship/accessibility. The site promotes accessibility and provides information and resources on how to make Ontario a barrier-free province.
To order a free copy of this plan in an alternate format, please contact:
ServiceOntario Publications
880 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M7A 1N8. Tel: (416) 326-5300
Out of town customers except Ottawa call: 1-800-668-9938
In Ottawa, call (613) 238-3630 or toll-free: 1-800-268-8758
TTY Service: 1-800-268-7095
Queen's Printer for Ontario
ISSN 1708-3222 (Online)
Ce document est disponible en français.