This document is available in alternate formats upon
request by contact ing [email protected]
City of London
Multi-Year
Accessibility
Plan
Annual Status Update
2014
1
A Message from the Accessibility
Advisory Committee Chair
I have had the opportunity to serve as Chair of the City of London’s
Accessibility Advisory Committee throughout the f irst year of the f ive
year Accessibility Plan. During this t ime, London has continued to
make great strides in accessibility; not only by achieving the
benchmarks laid out in the Accessibility for Ontarians w ith Disabilit ies
Act (AODA), but routinely exceeding them.
Despite the AODA being the most comprehensive piece of
accessibility legislat ion in Canada, there are st ill areas w hich the City
realized should be stronger. As a result , over the past year the City of
London in partnership w ith the Accessibility Advisory Committee has
undertaken a number of init iat ives, including a review of the Facilit ies
Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) w hich establishes a minimum
accessibility standard for City ow ned/operated propert ies.
Similarly, the Accessibility Guide for Playgrounds and Outdoor
Recreation identif ied in the plan is currently under development. The
City has sought to identify areas not addressed in exist ing legislat ion
and begin progressive changes or programs to f ill these gaps; including
mental health init iat ives; outreach and aw areness; and addressing
barriers specif ic to children and families.
As the city continues to look to the future, striving to exceed
Provincial legislat ion and set new , higher standards, I am confident
London w ill remain the benchmark for accessibility.
Michael Daw thorne
Accessibility Advisory Committee Chair
City Of London
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1. Introduction
The Accessibility for Ontarians w ith Disabilit ies Act , 2005 (AODA)
requires each municipality in Ontario to prepare a f ive-year
accessibility plan. The plan is a strategy to prevent and remove
barriers for persons w ith disabilit ies. Municipalit ies must w rite an
annual status report on the progress of measures taken to implement
their plan.
Over the past year, the City of London has moved the yard st ick
forw ard on accessibility. We have made many improvements to our
services and facilit ies to comply w ith the legislat ion. We have also
been proactive in addressing accessibility needs that are not legislated.
We continue to make incremental changes to move tow ard being a
more accessible city.
This update report gives an overview of steps w e have taken to
eliminate barriers and comply w ith the AODA in 2014.
2. Accessibility Commitment
The Corporation of the City of London is committed to providing
quality goods, services and facilit ies that are accessible to all persons
w e serve and in a manner that respects the dignit y and independence
of persons w ith disabilit ies. We are committed to meeting the needs of
persons w ith disabilit ies in a t imely manner and w ill do so by
preventing and removing barriers to accessibility in customer service,
information and communication, employment, the built environment
and transportat ion. We are committed to meeting the requirements of
applicable legislat ion, including the AODA and the Ontario Human
Rights Code.
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3. 2014 Accomplishments
Fixed queuing at Provincial Offences Building
Customer Service Standard
The Accessibility Standards for Customer Service came into effect in
2008. The City of London became compliant w ith this standard in
2010. We recognize that improving the accessibility of our customer
service is ongoing and w e w ill alw ays strive to do better. We continue
to offer Accessible Customer Service training to all new employees.
In 2014, w e completed an audit of all customer service counters
operated by the City. We implemented an accessible counter retrof it
program to upgrade frequently used counters w e did not previously
have intentions of replacing. Under this program, $200,000 w ill be
contributed to accessible counter upgrades each year for f ive years.
To improve w ay-f inding for our customers, w e purchased larger, more
easily readable signage for our Provincial Offences Administrat ion
building, and the main f loor of City Hall.
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Integrated Accessibility Standards General
Requirements
The AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards came into effect in
2011. Within this legislat ion are general requirements and standards
for Information and Communication, Employment, Transportat ion, and
the Design of Public Spaces.
The City of London’s Integrated Accessibility Policy and Mult i-Year
Accessibility Plan w ere each developed and passed by Council in
2013. Also in 2013, the City’s Purchasing and Supply By-Law w as
amended to incorporate accessibility criteria into the purchasing
process.
Training on the Integrated Accessibility Standards and the Human
Rights Code w as given to all City staff and volunteers in 2014. Along
w ith this, a refresher on the Customer Service Standards w as also
given. Accessibility training continues to be a part of new employee
orientat ion
Information and Communications
Standards
The City of London launched its new w ebsite in 2013. Many aspects
of the site w ere upgraded to increase accessibility and comply w ith
WCAG 2.0 guidelines. Updates included improved keyboard
navigability, increased colour contrast, adding play/pause buttons to
rotat ing content, and adding a site map. We purchased Site Improve
softw are w hich provides us w ith information on the accessibility of
our site.
In 2014, w e further improved the accessibility of our w ebsite by
upgrading our Brow seAloud program so it automatically loads instead
of having to dow nload it . This makes it more convenient for those
w ith visual impairments to listen to site content.
We added a more robust Accessibility page to the site. Here, you can
f ind our policies, plans, and resources created by our Accessibility
Advisory Committee. This is also w here our Feedback and Request for
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Accommodation forms can be found, as w ell as our Notice of
Temporary Disruptions in Service w ebpage.
This year, w e launched an Accessible Document Training program to
provide staff w ith a manual on how to create their documents so they
are more readable by persons w ith disabilit ies. In 2014, over 150
individuals completed the training. It w ill continue to be offered
through our corporate training catalogue.
Accessible Document Training
Employment Standard
The City of London is committed to accessible hiring pract ices. In
2014, all job postings w ere amended to include a statement about
availability of accommodations for applicants w ith disabilit ies
throughout the recruitment process.
If an applicant is selected for an interview , they are advised in w rit ing
that accommodations are available. When making an offer of
employment, a copy of the City’s Accommodation of Employees w ith
Disabilit ies Guideline is included in the offer package so that all new
employees are aw are of our policies.
All new hires are required to attend an orientat ion session w hich
includes training on AODA standards. Beginning in 2014, the “ It Starts
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w ith Me” training w as launched w hich includes an overview of the
Accommodation for Employees w ith Disabilit ies Guideline.
Design of Public Spaces
Accessible Parking in Springbank Park
The Design of Public Spaces Standards became law in 2013 to
remove barriers in public spaces and buildings. Beginning in 2016, the
City w ill be required to meet accessibility requirements w hen
construct ing and maintaining new or redeveloped elements of public
spaces. The City is already in compliance w ith many of the Public
Spaces Standards, as w e have been building to comply w ith our
Facilit ies Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) since 2001.
Throughout 2014, staff have been w orking to update FADS to ref lect
the new AODA standards, as w ell as changes to the Building Code.
The revised FADS Manual w ill be released in 2015.
Though the Design of Public Spaces Standards are not enforced until
2016, and are not retrof it , w e continue to be proactive and made
many accessibility improvements to our facilit ies in 2014 including:
Constructed new accessible No. 7 Fire Hall
Constructed a new accessible family w ashroom and installed a
new accessible service counter at Canada Games Aquatic
Centre
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Installed automatic door openers on the third and fourth f loors
of Market Tow er
Installed automatic door openers to the gymnasium and
w ashroom doors at Carling Heights Optimist Centre
Installed a chair lif t and barrier free door operator to create one
accessible courtroom at our Provincial Offences Court
Constructed a new barrier free entrance and ramp to the
training centre at AJ Tyler Operations Centre
Built a new accessible w ashroom at St. Julien Fieldhouse
Accessibility improvements to customer service queuing area at
the Provincial Offences Administrat ion Building
In addit ion, w e partnered w ith the Rotary Club to make accessibility
upgrades to the Northw est Optimist Park in 2014. Accessibility
components of the play structure include:
A double-slide
A drum panel (sensory play)
Wheelchair reach gear panel
Hand rings
Braille clock panel
Solo spinner
Shop counter (social and imaginary play)
Seat below deck (quiet retreat)
Transfer stat ions on both junior and senior structures
Under the City’s Audible Pedestrian Signal program, 25 intersections
w ere updated w ith audible pedestrian signals in 2014. This brings the
total in the city to 91.
To prepare for the 2016 Public Spaces Standards, w e amended our
Zoning and Parking By-law s to ref lect the new parking standards for
size and number of accessible parking stalls. The City continues to
offer tw o-hour free parking in all off -street municipal lots for persons
w ith an accessible parking permit.
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Municipal Elections 2014
Accessible Voting Machine Demonstrat ion
Accessibility w as a top priority during the 2014 Municipal Elect ion.
Accessibility training w as given to all elect ions staff . A training video
w as created to teach staff about accessible customer service at the
polling stat ions. A second video w as f ilmed and aired on Rogers TV
informing the public about accessibility during the elect ion.
All polling locations w ere located in accessible buildings and along a
bus route. The Accessibility Advisory Committee review ed all new
polling locations.
For the f irst t ime ever, accessible voting machines w ere available at all
advanced polls. These machines have features w hich increase
accessibility including a magnif ier screen, head phones that read the
ballot aloud, and a sip and puff mechanism for marking a ballot.
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4. Accessibility Advisory Committee
The City of London Accessibility Advisory Committee (ACCAC) w as
created in 2002. The Committee advises and assists the City in
creating a barrier-free London. We are fortunate to have such a
dedicated group of engaged and informed volunteers. Throughout
2014, ACCAC review ed and advised the City on a number of
init iat ives including amendments to the Zoning By-Law , the Parking
By-Law , the Dow ntow n Master Plan, and the London Plan.
Through its sub-committees, great w ork w as accomplished in
improving accessibility at the City. A parks and playground user
survey w as developed by the Built Environment Sub-Committee for
considerat ion in future park design. The Policy Sub-Committee
review ed ACCAC’s Terms of Reference.
Carmi Levi Speaking at the App-Ability Lunch-and-Learn
Tradit ionally, ACCAC’s Education and Aw areness Sub-Committee has
held an annual conference on accessibility. This year, the group
decided to try a dif ferent public aw areness approach by conducting a
series of Lunch and Learns. Over 80 part icipants attended sessions
that w ere held in 2014 at the Public Library including:
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“ Putt ing the Pieces Together” – Speakers Lori Hassall and
Laurie St. Pierre from London Health Science Centre conducted
a session on support ing individuals w ith mental health issues to
secure and maintain meaningful employment
“ Vote, It ’s Your Right” – City Elect ions staff demonstrated
technology available to voters in the municipal elect ion
“ App-Ability” – Carmi Levi, a technology analyst and journalist,
explored how persons w ith disabilit ies can use apps to enhance
their lives
5. Accessibility Governance
The City’s Accessibility Coordinator acts as a resource for all service
areas and facilitates compliance w ith the AODA. The Coordinator
keeps informed about legislat ion, and part icipates in accessibility
netw orks such as the Ontario Netw ork of Accessibility Professionals
(ONAP). The Coordinator also acts as a resource for the community
and in 2014 made presentat ions on the AODA to a Western University
Social Work Master’s class and a Municipal Law class.
In 2013, an Accessibility Implementation and Compliance Committee
w as formed to coordinate all internal efforts required for compliance
w ith the Integrated Accessibility Standards. In order to streamline the
number of cross-divisional teams at the City, this committee w as
disbanded in 2014.
Now , all oversight of AODA matters is handled through the City’s
Operations Management Team (OMT). This team has representat ives
from each Service Area, ensuring that standards are being met, and
bringing forw ard accessibility issues in their areas. This group also
oversees the AODA budget.
Throughout the past year, OMT brought forw ard suggestions for
purchasing over 35 items that w ould help make the City’s services
more accessible. Using the AODA Operating Budget, the City bought
items such as a pool access chair, accessible picnic tables, an
emergency evacuation chair for our long-term care home, signage,
automatic door openers, an accessible change table, and
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communication devices. Though these items are not required by the
AODA, they are “ nice to have” and increase access to our services.
Accessible Picnic Table
6. Accessibility Budget
In 2013, the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulat ion became law
under the AODA. Previously, it w as thought that the Public Spaces
port ion of this standard w ould apply retroactively. This w ould create a
signif icant expense for compliance. It is now confirmed that the new
Design of Public Spaces Standard applies only to new builds and
renovations.
In anticipation of the Public Spaces Standard, the AODA Reserve Fund
had accumulated over $1.2 million in 2013. At this t ime, it w as
recommended that the ent ire contents of the reserve be ut ilized for an
improvement program to exist ing capital assets. An addit ional
$50,000 per year w as contributed to the Audible Pedestrian Signal
program for the next 5 years, doubling the exist ing program.
$200,000 per year w as contributed to updating customer service
counters for the next 5 years.
Accessible Change Table
12
The AODA Operating Budget remains at $374,220 per year. This
budget is used for operational expenses such as training, softw are,
interpreters, alternate document formats, and the purchase of one-off
items that increase accessibility of our services.
7. Conclusion
Over the past year, the City has made tremendous improvements to
its policies, by-law s, services, and facilit ies to increase accessibility.
The City of London is committed to removing barriers and improving
the quality of life for people of all ages and abilit ies.
We look forw ard to implementing the remainder of the 2013-2017
Accessibility Plan and moving tow ard a more accessible Ontario.
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Accessibility Action Plan 2013-2017 Updates
Program or Service Area
Barrier Action Timeline
General Policies and Procedures
ACCAC, Steering
Committee, Accessibility
Coordinator
Systemic Barriers Create 5-year accessibility plan and
annual status updates.
Annually
ACCAC, Steering
Committee, Accessibility
Coordinator
Systemic Barriers Develop and maintain AODA policies,
procedures, pract ices, part icularly for
the new Integrated Standard
Integrated Accessibility
Standards Policy created
2013
ACCAC Systemic Barriers Review City Budget w ith an
accessibility lens
Annually
ACCAC Systemic Barriers Conduct an internal review of ACCAC
committee, mandate, and structure to
ensure it is representat ive of the
community and meeting its mandate
Reviewed ACCAC Terms of
Reference in 2014
ACCAC Part icipation Create a Public Event Policy for all City
meetings and public part icipation
events
2015
14
Program or Service Area
Barrier Action Timeline
Purchasing and Supply Inaccessible Facilit ies,
Goods and Services
Continue to consider accessibility in
procurement
Accessibility statement
added to Purchasing and
Supply Policy and RFP’s in
2013
EMPLOYMENT
Human Resources Att itudinal Barriers Conduct “ It Starts With Me” enhanced
employee training regarding
harassment and discrimination
Over 650 employees
received training in 2014
Human Resources Barriers to Employment Increase awareness and opportunit ies
for persons w ith disabilit ies to gain
employment w ith the City (e.g. attend
disability related job fairs)
Internship program created
in 2014 aimed at recent
grads, persons w ith
disabilit ies, and newcomers
Human Resources Barriers to Inclusion
and Safety
Continue to partner w ith the London
Diversity and Race Relat ions Advisory
Committee to identify opportunit ies to
meet the needs and protect the safety
of persons w ith disabilit ies
Ongoing
Human Resources Barriers to Employment A City of London representat ive is a
member of the Ability First Coalit ion
which works w ith employers in the
community to increase employment
Ongoing
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Program or Service Area
Barrier Action Timeline
opportunit ies for persons w ith
disabilit ies
Human Resources Barriers to Employment Continue to accommodate employees
w ith disabilit ies
Ongoing
Human Resources Barriers to
Communication and
Safety
Provide individualized w orkplace
emergency plans and response
information to employees w ith
disabilit ies
Ongoing
Human Resources Att itudinal Barriers,
Barriers to Employment
Deliver Inclusive Recruitment and
Select ion training to hiring managers
Ongoing
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
Communications Communication Barriers Print City’s TTY number on all
promotional materials
Ongoing
Communications Communication Barriers Notify the public about availability of
alternate formats and communication
supports upon request
Added to website in 2014
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Program or Service Area
Barrier Action Timeline
Communications Communication Barriers Launch new website w ith content
conforming w ith WCAG 2.0 Level A
Website launched 2013
All Service Areas Barriers to Services and
Facilit ies
Provide notice of temporary disruptions Added Temporary
Disruptions page to website
in 2014
Communications,
Information Technology,
ACCAC, Human
Resources
Communication Barriers Launch Accessible document and PDF
training
Over 150 employees
trained in 2014
ACCAC, Communications Communication Barriers Work w ith Communicat ions to test the
City’s website for accessibility
ACCAC members reviewed
website before launch
Parks Barriers to Part icipation Update the general park database and
the City’s website w ith listing of
accessible park facilit ies
Ongoing
Aquatic Services Barriers to Part icipation Update the general aquatic website
w ith a list ing of accessible aquatic
facilit ies and features
Ongoing
ACCAC Barriers to Accessibility Continue to conduct annual
Accessibility Conference
3 Lunch-and Learns 2014
ACCAC Barriers to Inclusion Annually nominate a candidate for the
Mayor’s New Year’s Honor List under
the Persons w ith Disabilit ies category
Annually
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Program or Service Area
Barrier Action Timeline
ACCAC Att itudinal Barriers Continue to develop and dist ribute
pamphlets to inform the public about
issues related to persons w ith
disabilit ies
Ongoing
ACCAC Accessible Parking Continue to educate the public about
accessible parking issues such as
signage, etc.
Began work on accessible
parking campaign to be
launched 2015
PUBLIC SPACES
Housing and Social
Services
Barriers to Accessible
Housing
Continue to provide a grant per
accessible unit to contractors as
incentive to build accessible units in
affordable housing projects
Ongoing
Housing /ACCAC Barriers to Accessible
Housing
Create a more extensive checklist of
exist ing social housing units to ensure
applicant households are aware of the
level of modif icat ions available.
2015
Housing Barriers to Accessible
Housing
Continue to encourage more affordable
units to be available through the City’s
new affordable housing programs.
2013-2017
Housing Barriers to Accessible
Housing
Continue to provide and promote use
of FADS to developers operating in
affordable housing programs w ith City
Ongoing
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Program or Service Area
Barrier Action Timeline
grants/funding. Include FADS
standards in future proposal calls for
the City' s affordable and social housing
init iat ives
Housing Barriers to Accessible
Housing
Continue to deliver the Ontario
Renovates program to assist seniors
and persons w ith disabilit ies in
accessing funds to address minor
renovations and support their
continued affordable and stable
housing
Ongoing
ACCAC Barriers to Accessible
Housing
Develop a summary of standards to
assist landlords and property owners
2015
ACCAC Inaccessible Facilit ies Continue to part icipate in the
development of the Access Guide
Canada Project of the Canadian
Abilit ies Foundation for the review of
facilit ies
Ongoing
Facilit ies/ACCAC Inaccessible Facilit ies Update priorit ized list of City facilit ies
to target for upgrades
Ongoing
Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Implement ‘quick f ix’ accessibility
upgrades issued through w ork orders
Ongoing
Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Barrier free upgrades to East Lions Pool
and South London Community Pool
Installed Change table to
South London Community
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Program or Service Area
Barrier Action Timeline
Pool 2014
Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Consult ACCAC on annual review of
FADS
Consulted w ith ACCAC in
2014 for 2015 release of
new version of FADS
Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Maintain an inventory of accessibility
features in City facilit ies
Ongoing
Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Apply FADS to all current and future
City of London new and/or renovated
facilit ies
Ongoing
Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Follow ing budget approval, provide a
list of approved capital projects to
ACCAC
Annually
Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Continue to disseminate FADS to other
municipalit ies, architects, contractors,
and students. Maintain a record of
those requesting its use/adoption
Currently we have 50
municipalit ies/organizations
on record as adopting
FADS in Canada and the
US.
Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Use the Facilit ies register to assess 5-
year Facilit ies Capital Forecast to set
priorit ies for retrof it t ing
Ongoing. Began
implementing Service
Counter Retrof it program in
2014
Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Barrier free upgrades to Carling Arena Completed 2014
Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Install door operators in Council
Chambers and handrails in the public
Postponed until City Hall
space review is completed
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Program or Service Area
Barrier Action Timeline
gallery
Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Barrier free upgrades at No. 1 Fire
Stat ion entrance and w ashrooms
Upgrades to entrance doors
and counter
Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Accessibility upgrades to 2nd,3 rd, and
4 th f loor of Market Tow er (automatic
door operators)
Completed 2014
Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Accessibility upgrades to public area
counters and circulat ion at POA
building
Completed 2014
Housing and Social
Services
Inaccessible Facilit ies Modif icat ions to customer service
counters on 2nd and 3 rd Floor at Market
Tower and modif icat ions to the
Housing off ice to provide for increased
accessibility
Completed 2014
Housing and Social
Services
Inaccessible Facilit ies Construct ion of client interview booth
on 3 rd f loor at Market Tower to provide
for increased accessibility
Completed 2014
ACCAC/Parks Inaccessible Play
Spaces
Develop an Accessibility Guide for
playgrounds and outdoor recreation
2013-2015
Parks Inaccessible Play
Spaces
Provide one play structure per year
w ith a variety of accessible features in
each of the 22 district parks.
2014 upgrades to
Northwest Optimist Park
completed. Playground
resurfacing completed at
Jaycee Optimist Park,
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Program or Service Area
Barrier Action Timeline
Dunkirk Park, and SE
Optimist Park
Parks Environmental Barriers Continue to develop accessible
pathway systems in all City parks
Ongoing
Storybook Gardens Inaccessible Public
Spaces
Upgrade spray pads w ith accessibility
as a key design feature
2014
Parks Inaccessible Public
Spaces
Spray Pad Development Plan Pending Council budget
approval
Parks/ACCAC Inaccessible Public
Spaces
Audit exist ing parks for accessibility Ongoing, survey developed
by ACCAC in 2014
Parking Enforcement Inaccessible Parking Continue to provide 2-hour free parking
to persons w ith accessible parking
permits in Off Street Municipal Parking
Lots
Ongoing
Roads/ACCAC Barriers to Pedestrians Continue dialogue regarding temporary
sidewalks during construct ion, the
t iming of pedestrian signals, snow
removal pract ices, and other pedestrian
concerns
Construct ion
Administrat ion delegation
at November ACCAC
discussed sidewalk access
during road construct ion
Roads/ACCAC Barriers to Pedestrians Develop a retrof it t ing priority system
for implementation of accessible
pedestrian signals and curb cuts
25 Audible pedestrian
signals installed in 2014
Facilit ies, Parks and Rec,
ACCAC, Parking, Roads
Barriers to Public
Spaces
Continue to implement the new Public
Spaces Standards
Standards come into ef fect
2016
22
Program or Service Area
Barrier Action Timeline
CUSTOMER SERVICE
City Clerk, ACCAC Municipal Elect ion
Accessibility
Work to make elect ions more
accessible for both voters and
volunteers
Completed 2014. (See
Page 8 of report)
Human Resources Att itudinal Barriers Continue to conduct Customer Service
Training
Refresher given to all staff
during IASR training.
Continue to deliver during
new staff orientat ion
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Neighbourhood, Children,
and Fire Services
Att itudinal Barriers Provide training on inclusion –All Kids
in Camp - to organizations that run
children/youth Camps programs
Ongoing
Neighbourhood, Children,
and Fire Services
Barriers to Part icipation Annual investments made in
games/equipment accessible by all
children for summer programs
Ongoing
Neighbourhood, Children,
and Fire Services
Att itudinal Barriers Train summer staff in inclusion Ongoing
Neighbourhood, Children,
and Fire Services
Att itudinal Barriers Sensit ivity training for Spectrum
instructors
Ongoing
Neighbourhood, Children, Barriers to Part icipation City direct ly provides “ Summer Ongoing
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Program or Service Area
Barrier Action Timeline
and Fire Services Surprise” - a camp for youth 12 -21
yrs. w ith disabilit ies
Neighbourhood, Children,
and Fire Services
Barriers to Part icipation Monitor self -reported special needs of
program part icipants in CLASS system
(alerts instructors of special needs)
Ongoing
Neighbourhood, Children,
and Fire Services
Barriers to Part icipation Use accessible buses for summer
program excursions
Ongoing
Neighbourhood, Children,
and Fire Services
Barriers to Part icipation Offer wheelchair tennis in partnership
with the Thames Valley Children’s
Centre
Ongoing
Neighbourhood, Children,
and Fire Services
Barriers to Part icipation Make recreation centres available to
community agencies w ho provide
education, support, and advocacy for
persons w ith disabilit ies
Ongoing
Neighbourhood, Children,
and Fire Services
Barriers to Part icipation Hire 2 summer “ Inclusion Coordinator”
posit ions each year
Ongoing
Neighbourhood, Children,
and Fire Services
Barriers to Part icipation Implement TRACKS (peer mediated
supports for children w ith special
needs) program in camps and
Fall/Winter/Spring programs
Ongoing
Neighbourhood, Children
and Fire Services
Barriers to Part icipation A number of raised, portable garden
beds have been built that are available
upon request and can be installed as
needed in community garden sites
New in 2014 and w ill be
available in an ongoing way
24
Program or Service Area
Barrier Action Timeline
accessed by gardeners requiring them.
Neighbourhood, Children
and Fire Services
Att itudinal Barriers All casual staff in programs and
community centres w ere trained on
the Integrated Accessibility
Standards w ith a refresher on the
Human Rights Code in 2014
2014
Aquatic Services Part icipation Summer staff trained in inclusion of
children w ith disabilit ies, use of lif ts
Ongoing
Aquatic Services Barriers to Part icipation Continue integrated sw im program
which was init iated in 2006 in
partnership w ith the Thames Valley
Children’s Centre
Each Spring
Housing and Social
Services
Systemic Barriers Continue to include the needs of
persons w ith disabilit ies in the Ontario
Works Service Plan and include
housing w ith supports for persons w ith
disabilit ies in the Homeless Prevention
and Housing Plan
Ongoing
Housing and Social
Services
Barriers to Employment Continue to assist Ontario Works
part icipants w ith employment barriers,
including disabilit ies through:
Individualized Case Management,
LEADS wraparound planning and
Ongoing
25
Program or Service Area
Barrier Action Timeline
employment supports, and supports by
partner agencies
Housing and Social
Services
Communication Barriers Review protocols and pract ices
regarding the TTY machine to ensure
clients and staff are maximizing its use
at Market Tower and Northland Mall
Social Services sites
Continue w ith this init iat ive at the
South London Community Centre
Social Services site
2014
2015
Housing and Social
Services
Systemic Barriers Conduct a pilot init iat ive to assist
Ontario Works clients w ith complex
mental health disabilit ies to access
services, supports and benefits in the
community
2014
Housing and Social
Services
Att itudinal Barriers Partner w ith community agencies and
organizations to raise awareness and
understanding of the needs of persons
w ith disabilit ies.
Ongoing
Housing and Social
Services
Communication Barriers Implemented communication devices at
Market Tower and at Northland Mall
Social Services locations to facilitate
staff-client communicat ion when a sign
language interpreter may not be
2014
26
Program or Service Area
Barrier Action Timeline
available
Housing and Social
Services
Barriers to Employment Installed software on computers in
Ontario Works Employment Resource
Centres at Market Tow er and
Northland Mall to enhance visual size
and appearance on computer screens
to enhance job searching
2014