Executive summary

Like all ministries, the OFA complies with the IASR. This regulation established phased-in requirements in the following accessibility standards:

  • customer service
  • information and communications
  • employment
  • transportation
  • design of public spaces

The general requirements are:

  • procurement
  • training

In 2012, the OPS released its first MYAP entitled Accessibility in the Ontario Public Service: Leading the Way Forward.

OFA’s 2016 Accessibility Report demonstrates how the measures taken in 2016 support the key outcomes and deliverables of the 2012-2016 OPS MYAP.

Section one: reports on measures taken in 2016

Customer service

MYAP key outcome

People with disabilities who are OPS customers receive quality goods and services in a timely manner.

Measures taken by OFA in 2016

OFA continued to ensure that accessibility was embedded in its customer service delivery and when conducting business with stakeholders. This includes proactively offering accommodation in invitations to meetings, conferences and other events.

The OFA reviewed and analyzed accessibility feedback received from customers in order to facilitate continuous improvement in OFA’s programs and services. The Communications Branch tracks all feedback that is received about accessibility through the OFA’s general inquiry phone line and TTY, email account, and letters. Feedback is provided, in writing, by the Communication Branch in consultation with the appropriate branch.

Information and communications

MYAP key outcome

Information and communication are both available in accessible formats or with necessary supports to all OPS staff and customers.

Measures taken by OFA in 2016

The OFA public website follows the international WCAG 2.0 Level AA and is accessible.

Online training modules on creating accessible documents were made available to all staff.

The TTY line was made public on the OFA website and the government telephone directory, INFO-GO.

Employment

MYAP key outcome

OPS employees with disabilities participate fully and meaningfully in their employment.

Measures taken by OFA in 2016

All new managers were required to complete the online training on the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation by June 30, 2016 to ensure that all managers are well-informed on how to ensure accessibility as required.

All directors and executive leads attended training workplace discrimination and harassment prevention.

The OFA consulted the OPS recruitment centre on an ongoing basis to ensure accessibility and employment accommodation best practices are followed during the recruitment process.

Design of public spaces

MYAP key outcome

There is greater accessibility into, out of and around OPS facilities and public spaces.

Measures taken by OFA in 2016

OFA continued to ensure that its facilities meet Infrastructure Ontario’s Barrier Free Design Standards.

During a 2016 office relocation, the OFA installed an automatic accessible door at the main office entrance and built an accessible washroom on the same floor. The space was designed to allow easy access to all areas.

General outcomes

MYAP key outcome

OPS staff is able to identify barriers to accessibility, in OPS policies, programs, services and facilities, and actively seek solutions to prevent or remove them on a continuing basis throughout the organization.

Measures taken by OFA in 2016

The OFA fulfilled its commitment to ensure that all staff completed the mandatory training to provide accessible customer service.

All OFA staff were required to take training on the Information and Communications Standards and all OFA employees have completed this training. The training covers accessible formats and communications supports, accessible websites, and accessible emergency information. The course was added to OFA’s mandatory training requirements.

To date, many OFA employees have taken the OPS Inclusion Lens e-learning. OFA will ensure that all staff has completed the training by September 30, 2017. The OPS Inclusion Lens is a user-friendly, accessible, online tool that helps OPS employees to become more knowledgeable about diversity, inclusion and accessibility; identify barriers within the policy, program or service development processes; and think through strategies to remove or mitigate barriers.

Section two: addressing the identification of barriers in legislation and implementation frameworks

Introduction

In 2005, the government introduced the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, with the goal of making Ontario accessible by 2025. In support of this goal, the government subsequently committed to review Ontario legislation to identify and address accessibility barriers, and undertook a coordinated review of 51 statutes considered to have a high impact on persons with disabilities.

As a result of this review, the government made changes to 11 statutes spread across seven ministries to ensure that Ontario laws better reflect accessibility considerations. The changes to the 11 statutes were included in the government’s 2016 Budget bill, which received Royal Assent on April 19, 2016.

Each ministry continues to be responsible for identifying and addressing barriers in their legislation and the policies and programs through which that legislation is implemented, and for reporting on results through its accessibility report.

OFA remains committed to the goal of ensuring that Ontario legislation and implementation frameworks do not create barriers to persons with disabilities.

Measures in place in 2016

To date, the OFA has reviewed the French Language Services Act and Franco-Ontarian Day Act and found no accessibility barriers.

Actions taken in the past year

The OFA used the OPS Inclusion Lens when assessing regulations, policies and programs, and services to remove barriers for persons with disabilities.

Related

All 2016 ministry accessibility reports

2012-2016 Ontario Public Service Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

A guide to accessibility directives and policies in the Ontario Public Service