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Ontario’s Accessibility Journey

Ontario’s Accessibility Journey. 2012 Ontario Library Association (OLA) Super Conference February 2, 2012. Accessibility Directorate of Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services. Background. Why Are We Here?

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Ontario’s Accessibility Journey

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  1. Ontario’sAccessibility Journey 2012 Ontario Library Association (OLA) Super Conference February 2, 2012 Accessibility Directorate of OntarioMinistry of Community and Social Services

  2. Background Why Are We Here? • Currently one in seven Ontarians face barriers to accessing jobs, goods, services, education, community and social activities • This will increase to one in five Ontarians within 20 years • Baby Boomers represent 40% of the income share in Ontario. As they age, it is expected that they will drive government to meet their needs and demands Vision: An Accessible Ontario by 2025 • First jurisdiction in the world to move from legislation that reacts to complaints to one that takes a proactive approach to mandating accessibility • Only jurisdiction in the world that requires public and private sector organizations to train their staff on how to provide accessible customer service • Only jurisdiction in Canada with legislation that sets out a clear goal and a time frame in which to meet that goal - accessibility in the areas that most impact the daily lives of people with disabilities by 2025

  3. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005 The AODA allows for the creation of accessibility standards in five key areas of daily living Customer Service Standard The Customer Service Standard was the first accessibility standard under the AODA Public Sector organizations had to comply by January 1, 2010, while private and not-for-profit organizations had to comply by January 1, 2012 Employment, Information and Communications, Transportation Standards Three standards were harmonized under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) which came into effect July 1, 2011 Requirements within the regulation are phased-in between 2011 and 2021 Built Environment Standard This standard is not yet law Requirements in this standard will apply on a go-forward, and will not include retro-fit provisions

  4. Specific Requirements for Libraries under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) • Under the Information and Communications Standard, there are two specific requirements for libraries: • Libraries of Educational and Training Institutions • When requested, libraries of educational and training institutions (as defined in the regulation) will need to provide accessible or conversion-ready formats of library materials when they are available • Under this requirement rare books, special collections, archived materials, and donated books and other donated materials are not included • Public Libraries • When requested, public library boards (as defined in the regulation) will need to provide access to accessible library materials, where they exist • Library boards also need to make information about the availability of accessible materials publicly available • Under this requirement rare books, special collections, archival materials, and donations may be provided in an accessible format • The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO) is currently developing guidelines and how-to resources to help make it easier for organizations to comply

  5. Changing Culture and Building Awareness • Continuous engagement with key partners: • Ministry of Tourism and Culture and libraries engaged during the development of the IASR • Private sector advisory committee to coordinate outreach • Ongoing working groups – Businesses, Broader Public Sector, Municipal Sector, Transit, Disability Community • Use of social media and technology, reaching stakeholders where and when they want: YouTube channel, live webinar series, online training • EnAbling Change Partnership Program - strategic relationships to: • develop and deliver targeted outreach, tools and resources to support compliance • expand reach beyond internal capacity through creative allocation of key resources • share practical tools with organizations across the public, private and non-profit sectors • EnAbling Change Partnership with the Ontario Library Association • In 2009/2010, the OLA worked in partnership with the ADO to develop training videos for library staff demonstrating accessible customer service scenarios in library settings

  6. Getting to 2025 - Accessible Information and Communications in Libraries • Benefits to public library patrons: • Greater access to a variety of library materials • Greater knowledge about the availability of accessible materials within their library system • Information provided about services and events hosted by the library available in an accessible manner • Increased accessibility features in self-serve checkout kiosks

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