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LEGISLATION UPDATES

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1.0 Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996, Disclosure For 2008 (Appendix 1.0).....................................2 2.0 Accessibility For Ontarians With Disability Act, 2005 – Ontario Regulation 439-07 (Appendix 2.0) ...2 3.0 Accessibility Standards For Customer Service, Information And Communications (Appendix 3.0)....2 4.0 Posting Of Final Proposed Transportation Standard ................................................................................3

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1.0 Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996, Disclosure for 2008 (Appendix 1.0)

A letter dated February 2, 2009 was received outlining the reporting and administrative requirements of the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act for the year 2008. The Act requires employers receiving public funding from the Province of Ontario to disclose annually, the names, positions, titles, salaries and taxable benefits of their employees who are paid $100,000 or more in a year. Submissions are due to the Ministry of Finance by March 6, 2009.

2.0 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act, 2005 – Ontario Regulation 439-07 (Appendix 2.0)

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act, 2005 received Royal Assent on June 13, 2005. Its purpose is to benefit all Ontarians by developing, implementing, and enforcing accessibility standards to achieve accessibility for all by January 1, 2025. The Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) has established Standards Development Committees to develop common sets of accessibility standards for Customer Service, Information and Communications, Built Environment, Employment, and Transportation. The Accessibility Standards for the Customer Service Regulation came into force on January 1, 2008; it applies to every public sector organization and to every person or organization that provides goods or services to the public. Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs), as Crown agencies, are required to comply with the Customer Service Regulation by the January 1, 2010 deadline (LHINs are identified in Schedule 1 of O. Regulation 429/07 http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_070429_e.htm#BK9).

3.0 Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Information and Communications (Appendix 3.0)

In a memo dated January 29, 2009, Ron Sapsford, Deputy Minister advised that on January 1, 2008, the first standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 came into force. The Accessibility Standards for Customer Service require all public sector organizations designated in the standard, and all organizations and businesses in Ontario with at least one employee, to provide accessible customer service.

Public sector organizations, including the Ontario Public Service, broader public sector, municipalities and approximately 100 agencies, authorities, boards and commissions are required to comply with the customer service standard by January 1, 2010. The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario and the Ministry of Community and Social Services are assisting organizations to meet the requirements of the customer service standard by providing the following key compliance assistance tools and resources:

• Catalogue of compliance assistance resources, and • Set of Questions and Answers

The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario will be holding information sessions on the customer service standards with agencies, authorities, boards, commissions and municipalities designated under the standard in Spring 2009.

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4.0 Posting of Final Proposed Transportation Standard

The final proposed Accessible Transportation Standard, as part of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, has now been posted on the Ministry of Community and Social Services’ website. The initial proposed standard for accessible transportation was developed by an external Transportation Standards Development Committee (SDC). This external committee included representatives from the disability community as well as the public and private sectors. The initial proposed standard was released for its mandatory public review period from June 27, 2007 to September 28, 2007. The committee then revised the initial proposed standard to reflect the public’s input resulting in the final proposed Accessible Transportation Standard. The final proposed standard has now been submitted to the Minister of Community and Social Services for consideration. The final proposed standard is available on the Ministry of Community and Social Services’ website at: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/accessibilityOntario/accesson/business/transportation/index

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APPENDICES

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APPENDIX 1.0

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APPENDIX 2.0

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APPENDIX 3.0a

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) Ontario Regulation 429/07

Accessibility Standards for Customer Service

Information for Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs)

The AODA received Royal Assent on June 13, 2005. Its purpose is to benefit all Ontarians by developing, implementing, and enforcing accessibility standards to achieve accessibility for all by January 1, 2025. The Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) has established Standards Development Committees to develop common sets of accessibility standards for Customer Service, Information and Communications, Built Environment, Employment, and Transportation. The Accessibility Standards for the Customer Service Regulation came into force on January 1, 2008; it applies to every public sector organization and to every person or organization that provides goods or services to the public. Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs), as Crown agencies, are required to comply with the Customer Service Regulation by the January 1, 2010 deadline (LHINs are identified in Schedule 1 of O. Regulation 429/07 http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_070429_e.htm#BK9). If you have any questions about the AODA, the customer service standard or its requirements, please contact the AODA Contact Centre (ServiceOntario) toll free at: 1-866-515-2025 or 1-800-268-7095 (TTY) or visit the website at: http://www.AccessON.ca/compliance. The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO) is expecting to hold an information session on the customer service standard with agencies, authorities, boards, commissions and municipalities designated under the standard in Spring 2009. The ADO will be contacting you with more details on this event in the near future.

Accessibility Resources Accessibility Directorate of Ontario For obligated organizations under the customer service standard www.AccessON.ca Management / Policy Makers

Guide to the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07

Format: Print, Online (HTML, PDF, Word) Language: English, French http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/accessibilityOntario/accesson/compliance/customer/accessibility_guide Explains the formal meaning of the regulation and provides some examples to help describe its interpretation.

TIP:

Compliance Manual: Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07

The general public materials can also be used to complement the resources listed on this page.

Format: Online (PDF, Word, HTML) Language: English, French http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/accessibilityOntario/accesson/compliance/customer/Compliance_Manual.htm A “how to” manual that offers compliance assistance information to obligated organizations.

Accessibility Standards for Customer Service: Summary of Requirements

Format: Print, Online (PDF, Word) Language: English, French http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/accessibilityOntario/accesson/compliance/customer/Summary_require Highlights in clear language what organizations need to know about the standard to comply.

Accessibility Resources Accessibility Directorate of Ontario For obligated organizations under the customer service standard www.AccessON.ca Management / Policy Makers / Customer Service Providers

Serve-Ability: Transforming Ontario’s Customer Service

Format: Online (Flash, HTML, CDs coming soon) Language: English, French http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/serve-ability/splash.html

TIP: The general public materials can also be used to complement the resources listed on this page.

This e-learning course will improve the quality of your customer service, help you better serve customers with different disabilities and help you meet your legal obligations under the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service.

Accessibility Resources Accessibility Directorate of Ontario For the general public and people with disabilities www.AccessON.ca

Format: Print, Online (PDF) Language: English, French http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/publications/AODA_brochure07.htm Provides a general overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act including key areas of standards development, the standards development process and barriers to accessibility.

About the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005

About the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07

Format: (coming soon) Language: English, French This primer provides information on the customer service standard and is aimed at the general public, obligated organizations, and customers with disabilities.

An Accessible Ontario: It’s just good business! Format: DVD, online Language: English, French http://www.accesson.ca/ado/english/video/index A DVD containing videos, animations and photos depicting accessible customer service in various settings. Excerpts from the DVD are also available online.

COMING

SOON

Talk to Me – Serving Customers with Disabilities Format: DVD, online Language: English, French Contains documentary clips of real people with a range of disabilities talking about the barriers they face and providing specific customer service tips and techniques.

An Easy to Read Guide on the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service

Format: (coming soon) Language: English, French Guide intended for people with disabilities who want information about the customer service standard.

Accessibility Resources Accessibility Directorate of Ontario Compliance Assistance & General Inquiries www.AccessON.ca

AccessON.ca/compliance Language: English, French www.AccessON.ca/compliance A one-stop shop for information and resources to assist organizations in complying with accessibility standards.

AODA CONTACT CENTRE

Language: English, French www.serviceontario.ca 1-866-515-2025 ServiceOntario acts as the central point of contact for questions about the AODA and compliance with the standards and has links to the Canada Ontario Business Service Centre (COBSC).

For more information about these accessibility resources, please contact:

E-mail: accessibility@css.gov.on.ca Websites: www.AccessON.ca www.AccessON.ca/compliance www.mcss.gov.on.ca/accessibility/index.html

Outreach and Compliance Branch Public Education and Partnerships Unit Accessibility Directorate of Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services

777 Bay Street, Suite 601A Toronto, ON M7A 2J4

TTY: 416-326-0148 / 1-888-335-6611 Fax: 416-326-9725

Q&As for Schedule 1 and 2 Organizations and Municipalities Customer Service Information Package - December 2008

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Compliance with the Customer Service Standard: Questions and Answers for Designated Agencies,

Authorities, Boards, Commissions and Municipalities

Additional questions and answers on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and compliance can be found at: www.AccessON.ca/compliance. 1. Requirements under the Standard Q Who constitutes ‘third parties’? The phrase “other third parties” is used in sub-sections 1(1), 4(1) and 6(1) of the regulation, and this phrase refers to who is receiving the services. For example, in section 6(1), designated organizations are required to ensure that “every person who deals with members of the public or other third parties on behalf of the provider” is trained about providing goods or services to people with disabilities. Other third parties might include:

• business clients • non-profit organizations • charities, etc.

So, if an employee, volunteer or agent of a designated organization deals with members of the public, businesses, charities or other organizations, then the designated organization must ensure that training is provided. See also Section 4(b) of the Guide to the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, at: www.AccessON.ca/compliance. Q Do additional customer service requirements apply to designated broader

public sector organizations? Yes, designated public sector organizations must:

1. Document in writing all policies, practices and procedures for providing accessible customer service and meet other document requirements set out in the standard. 2. Notify customers that documents required under the customer service standard are available upon request. 3. When giving documents required under the customer service standard to a person with a disability, provide the information in a format that takes into account the person’s disability.

2. Roles and Responsibilities Q Is there any direct outreach planned for designated AABCs and

municipalities under the customer service standard?

Q&As for Schedule 1 and 2 Organizations and Municipalities Customer Service Information Package - December 2008

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The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO) is expecting to hold an information session on the customer service standard for obligated agencies, authorities, boards, and commissions and municipalities in Spring 2009. More details on this session will be provided in the near future. A similar session was held in November 2008 for ministry liaisons to learn about the requirements of the standard and provide input on compliance assistance products. Q Who can answer questions about the customer service standard? Questions about the AODA, the customer service standard and its requirements should be directed to:

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Contact Centre (ServiceOntario)

Toll Free: 1-866-515-2025 TTY: 416-325-3408 / Toll-free 1-800-268-7095 Fax: 416-325-3407 Website: www.AccessON.ca Questions and/or comments about current or future compliance assistance resources should be directed to:

Lisa Butler, Policy Advisor Accessibility Directorate of Ontario Telephone: 416-212-2140 / TTY: 416-325-3408 Email: lisa.m.butler@ontario.ca

3. Resources Q What is the EnAbling Change Partnership? Through the EnAbling Change Partnership Program, the Accessibility Directorate is working with non-profit organizations to develop and fund projects that will improve accessibility for people with disabilities. These projects will develop tools and resources that can be used by other organizations across the province to break down barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating in day-to-day activities. Q Will the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) continue to be in

effect? Yes, ministries and broader public sector organizations covered by the ODA will continue to be required to develop annual accessibility plans which include the identification, removal and prevention of barriers in a number of areas. The ODA will continue to be in effect until it is repealed.