Pathways Health Centre for Children
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Annual Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Update 2016
1. Executive Summary The Government of Ontario enacted the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in 2005. This act lays the framework for the development of province-wide mandatory standards on accessibility in all areas of daily life. Ontario now has accessibility standards in five areas: •
Customer Service
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Employment
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Information and Communications
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Transportation
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Design of Public Spaces
These additional provincial laws and regulations shape our accessibility plans: •
The 2001 Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA)
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Accessibility Standards for Customer Service (Regulation 429/07)
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The AODA Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation (IASR)
The following tools and supports are used to shape our Pathways accessibility plans and maintain compliance with the AODA Standards: •
Feedback from our clients, customers, volunteers, staff and community
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The Ministry of Community and Social Services website: AccessOn.ca
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AODA Compliance Wizard (AccessOn.ca website)
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Consultation with our municipal Accessibility Coordinator
2. Pathways’ Commitment to Accessibility Pathways Health Centre for Children is committed to: •
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The continual improvement of access to Centre facilities, policies, programs, practices and services for clients and their families, staff, clinicians, volunteers, our community partners and the community of Sarnia-Lambton; The participation of persons with disabilities in the development and review of its annual accessibility plans; The provision of quality services to all clients and their families, our community partners and the community of Sarnia-Lambton.
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This is an update to our multi-year accessibility plan. This work plan is a continuation of the tasks and projects accomplished in our previous Accessibility Plan. It identifies the measures that Pathways Health Centre for Children has taken in 2015 to enhance accessibility and any new initiatives we will explore during 2016 to support compliance of the AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations for 2025. It also captures activities that Pathways will do to enhance accessibility in our community for our clients and families. 3. Process for Identifying Accessibility Needs at Pathways Pathways will use the following methods to identify accessibility needs and requirements during 2015: □
Current AODA legislation that identifies compliance requirements for 2016 / 2017
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Client, staff and community input
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Input from the Pathways Health, Safety and Risk Committee
4. The Pathways Accessibility Committee Dave Schaller is the Chair of the Accessibility Committee at Pathways Health Centre for Children. He is the Manager of Community Services and co-ordinates a number of inclusive community programs and services for children and young adults with disabilities. Dave Schaller is a member of Sarnia’s Accessibility Committee and has been working closely with the City of Sarnia since September 2003 to develop the city’s accessibility plans in compliance with the AODA. Members of the Pathways Accessibility Committee: □ □ □ □
Dave Schaller - Chair Jenny Greensmith Brian Racher Karen Holland
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5. 2015 Accessibility Work Plan Summary
Task
Action □
□ Enhance communication opportunities for clients at Pathways’ reception desk.
□ Prepare for Employment Standards compliance within the Integrated Standards Regulation.
Our Augmentative Communications Service (ACS) has developed a communication sheet using picture symbols. This will be used by our reception staff to support clients who use picture symbols to communicate. Pathways reception staff and volunteers will receive training from our ACS staff.
The Manager responsible for Human Resources is reviewing our employment policies to test for compliance under the Integrated Standards Regulation. Changes will be made, as required, to meet compliance requirements for Jan.1, 2016.
Status Training has been provided and is now part of our reception and volunteer orientation process. Complete These changes are now reflected on our website under the employment tab and have been integrated into the processes we use to advertise, interview, hire and orientate new staff. Complete .
□ Pathways shall remain informed about community accessibility challenges and how they may impact our clients and families.
□ Pathways will provide input to the city of Sarnia regarding the accessibility needs of children and youth with disabilities as it pertains to the revitalization of Centennial Park.
The Chair of the Pathways Accessibility committee will attend the Sarnia Lambton Accessibility Summit in May 2015.
Complete
Pathways provided the Sarnia Accessibility Coordinator with input during the community consultations in the summer of 2015.
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In collaboration with our Parent Advisor, we will encourage and support our families to provide Pathways also provided input into the Centennial Park Revitalization plan input into the design of the regarding the accessibility needs of their children new family washroom at the Sarnia Library and the Parks and Recreation Community Information Brochure. Complete
□ Enhance accessibility of the washroom in the C.A.C.H.É. Child Care Service area.
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Some children require a step stool to reach the sink in one of the washrooms. This is especially difficult for a child with a visual impairment. The Maintenance Supervisor will lower the sink, so a step stool is no longer required.
Complete
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□ Enhance opportunities for staff to provide feedback regarding accessibility ideas.
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Two Huddle Boards have been installed to capture staff’s quality improvement ideas. This includes ideas on how to enhance accessibility at Pathways.
Complete
6. 2016 Accessibility Work Plan
Task
Action □
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Replace the entrance doors in the Aquatics area and Main Entrance area.
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Scooter parking
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Increase accessibility in the Aquatic Change rooms.
The Maintenance Supervisor will contact local contractors for installation quotes. We are aware that these door systems may be required to be unlocked by a staff member with mobility issues and will discuss strategies with the contractor, before the installation. We will also check with the City Accessibility Coordinator for additional ideas. The Maintenance Supervisor will contact local concrete and electrical contractors for quotes to build a small scooter parking area near the Aquatic entrance. Once the quotes are received, funding opportunities will be explored.
Status
Quotes under review
Quotes under review
Explore the pros and cons of including battery recharge stations.
Five standard shower heads will be replaced with hand held shower heads.
Installation will be completed by April 2016.
7. Review and Monitoring Process •
The Pathways Accessibility Committee will meet regularly to review progress.
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The committee will remind staff annually, either through personal contacts or by email, about their roles in implementing the plan.
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The Pathways Accessibility Committee will also commit to providing annual information updates to the Leadership Team and the Health, Safety and Risk Committee.
8. Communication of the Plan •
The Centre’s annual multi-year Accessibility Plan will be posted on Pathways Health Centre for Children’s website under the Accessibility Tab.
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Hard copies will be available in the Centre’s Family Networking Room.
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On request, the plan can be provided in alternative formats such as large print (18-point font), at no additional cost to a person with a disability.
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The contact information for the Pathways Accessibility Officer is available on our website under the Accessibility Tab if anyone has feedback, questions or concerns about the annual update to our multi-year Accessibility Plan.
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