This training brochure provides a general overview of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) and the Ontario Human Rights Code, as it relates to persons with disabilities.
This training is mandatory for all organizations in Ontario with one or more employees.
Understanding accessibility is also the right thing to do both for our communities and for our economy. Consider that:
The Ontario Human Rights Code, or the “Code” for short, is a provincial law that aims to prevent discrimination in specific areas such as jobs, housing and services.
The Code ensures people with disabilities have:
To further understand the Code as it pertains to disabilities, you should understand what constitutes a disability.
Many people think of disabilities as noticeable physical disabilities – such as someone using a wheelchair. Not all disabilities are visible and you can’t always tell who has one. A disability can cover a broad range of conditions. It can be present from birth, result from an accident or develop over time.
According to the Code, disabilities can include physical limitations, mental disorders, cognitive or intellectual development disorders and substance addictions.
The Code requires that Peel accommodate people with disabilities to the point of “undue hardship.” Undue hardship refers to situations where severe negative effects outweigh the benefit of providing the accommodation, such as accommodations that infringe on the rights of others.
Examples of accommodations Peel could provide to people with disabilities include printed material in alternative formats (such as electronic files, large print or Braille), installing automatic door openers, and sign language interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The Code applies to all Ontario organizations and covers employees, volunteers and unpaid workers.
The IASR is a grouping of five standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The purpose of the AODA is to make our province fully accessible by 2025 by creating and enforcing accessibility standards. Accessibility Standards are rules that all organizations, including Peel, must follow to remove and prevent barriers so that people with disabilities can participate in everyday life.
The IASR contains general requirements and five standards:
There are five general requirements, which apply across all four IASR standards.
Training
Peel Region must provide training to volunteers and employees. As a volunteer for the Peel, your role in meeting this requirement is to ensure that you have reviewed the material in this brochure.
Accessibility Policies
As required by the IASR, Peel has developed accessibility policies describing what we do, or intend to do, to meet the requirements of the Regulation. Peel Region’s Accessibility Policy (G00-20) and Accessible Customer Service Policy (G00-18) are available at peelregion.ca and in alternate formats upon request.
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
As required by the IASR, Peel has developed a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan to outline the steps we have taken and plan to take to prevent and remove barriers. The Plan is posted at peelregion.ca and is available in accessible formats upon request.
Self-Service Kiosks
Peel must incorporate accessibility features into any self-service kiosks we operate to allow people with disabilities to use self-service kiosks independently. These are self-serve electronic terminals, such as grocery store checkouts and parking payment terminals.
Procuring or Acquiring Goods, Services or Facilities
The fifth general requirement is that Peel incorporates accessibility design, criteria and features when procuring goods, services, or facilities. Peel has included accessibility criteria in every request for proposal (RFP).
The Information and Communications Standard outlines how organizations will be required to create, provide and receive information in ways that are accessible for people with disabilities. There are four requirements under this standard:
Provide accessible formats and communication supports
Peel Region must provide information and communications in an accessible manner to people with disabilities. Alternatives to standard print are often referred to as ‘accessible formats,’ and ways to assist communication between people are referred to as ‘communication supports’.
Some examples of accessible formats and communication supports include:
When a request is received, Regional staff or volunteers must:
Accessible formats and communication supports must be provided in a timely manner and at a cost that is not more than the regular cost charged for the standard service. In other words, if Peel does not charge a fee for a document it cannot charge a fee for the same document produced in an alternate format.
This requirement does not apply to:
When it’s not possible to convert requested material, Peel Region must provide the individual making the request with the following information:
The Region must comply with requirements to provide accessible formats and communication supports. Peel’s Accessible Formats and Communication Supports Policy (G00-23) can be found at peelregion.ca and in alternate formats upon request.
Develop an accessible feedback process
Under the IASR regulation, our feedback processes must be accessible. This means that anytime we set up a process to collect feedback from our clients or our staff, such as through surveys, comment boxes, or email requests, we must ensure that there are accessible options so that everyone in Peel can participate.
Accessible feedback processes includes:
Ensure accessible emergency procedures, plans and public safety information
Upon request, Peel must provide emergency procedures, plans and public safety information in an accessible format. Real-time emergency information (such as announcements and alarms) is not included in this requirement.
Develop accessible websites and web content
Peel will be required to make its websites and web content accessible for persons with disabilities. An accessible website allows persons with disabilities to use screen readers and other similar applications to access information on the site. New websites and web content must conform to the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 at Level AA. Peel’s Digital Accessibility Policy (I10-01-13) can be found at peelregion.ca and in alternate formats upon request.
This standard helps prevent and remove barriers to public transportation to make it easier for people to travel in Ontario.
At Peel Region, our TransHelp Program offers key services to make transportation in Peel accessible for persons with disabilities.
Existing services include:
The goal of this standard is to remove barriers in buildings and public spaces, such as parks and pedestrian crosswalks. The requirements only apply to spaces that are newly constructed or redeveloped, it does not require changes to existing infrastructure.
Below are a few examples which highlight the initiatives that Peel has taken to make our public spaces accessible:
Fill out and submit the Training Registration Card that came with this material. Only by submitting this card will your mandatory training be noted as complete in Peel Region files.