Lessons from Ontario: Canada ’ s Leader in Accessibility

1. Lessons from Ontario: Canada’s Leader in Accessibility International Summit on Accessibility Improving Employment Opportunities for Youth with Disabilities July 13th 2014 Accessibility Directorate of OntarioMinistry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure

2. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) “We are all different, there is no such thing as a standard run-of-the-mill human being, but we share the same spirit. What is important is that we have the ability to create…there is always something you can do and succeed at.”

3. Accessibility as Economic Development • Improving the employment outcomes and opportunities for people with disabilities is an economic and social imperative – requiring collaborative effort between the government and employers. • For the Ministry, the approach is to address barriers and create a level playing field for people with disabilities. • Accessibility has been defined as economic development, rather than branded as social assistance.

4. Accessible Standard for Employment Areas Covered • Human resources processes: • recruitment and hiring • return to work • performance management • career development • job changes • Accessible formats and communication supports • Individual accommodation plans • Workplace emergency response information

5. Linking Employers to Postsecondary Graduates with Disabilities • 46,700 postsecondary students registered with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSDs) in 2011-2012. • AccessibleCampus.ca • Ontario Chamber of Commerce “Building Bridges: Linking Employers to Postsecondary Graduates with Disabilities” report 5

6. Key Findings of OCC 2013 “Building Bridges” Report • Demand-Side Barriers: • Attitudinal barriers toward people with disabilities • Perceived opportunity costs of being organizationally inclusive • Limited HR resources and capacity • Supply-Side Barriers: • Lack of work related experience • Education and skills attainment • Absence of transitional support to employment

7. Meeting the Recommendations of the OCC • Business to Business (B2B) Partnerships • Reaching out to Small Business Enterprise Centres • Employer Roadmap for Recruiting, Accommodating, and Retaining Graduates with Disabilities • Conference Board of Canada “Employers’ Toolkit” • Employer Handbook • Developing an Awareness and Marketing Campaign • The Adventures of Harold Jeepers YouTube Videos

8. Promoting Accessible Design • Connect: EnAbling Change Design Competition • Students submit ideas for accessible products and public spaces • IDeA Competition • Engineering and architectural students submit creative inventions that address accessibility concerns • In partnership with the Council of Ontario Universities 8

9. Moving Forward Developing an Action Plan • The Ministry will focus on promoting the business case to hire people with disabilities. • The Ministry will continue to work on enhancing the comprehensive employment support system. • Progress is being made on a cross-government action plan, guided by the Partnership Council on Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities.

10. AccessOntario Facebook.com/AccessON @OntMinCommunity ontario.ca/AccessON AODA Contact Centre (ServiceOntario) Toll-Free: 1-866-515-2025 TTY: 416-325-3408 / 1-800-268-7095 Fax: 416-325-3407 ServiceOntario Publications (to order resources online):www.publications.serviceontario.ca