Ontario’s Accessibility Journey

1. Ontario’sAccessibility Journey Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations June 16, 2011 Accessibility Directorate of OntarioMinistry of Community and Social Services

2. 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 • Opportunity for 360,000 organizations across Ontario to enhance customer base • Martin Prosperity Institute said embracing accessibility may unleash economic growth. An accessible Ontario could result in increased: • Tourism expenditures of $700 million to $1.6 billion over the next five years • Retail sales ranging from $3.8 to $9.6 billion over the next 5 years

3. Ontario: Canada’s Leaderon Accessibility 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

4. The Customer Service Standard • Shifting organizational cultures • “May I help you?” • 100% of public sector organizations have filed reports certifying compliance with the standard • January 1, 2012: 360,000 private / not-for-profit sector organizations required to comply • 60,000 will have to submit a compliance report

5. Integrated Accessibility Regulation • Integrated Accessibility Regulation (IAR) includes the Information and Communications, Employment and Transportation standards, and: • balances government’s commitment for enforceable standards with Open for Business mandate for streamlined regulation • creates flexibility for the expansive, culturally diverse private and non-profit sectors • sets phased-in timelines to mitigate burden and give organizations time to plan ahead • Highlights: • accessibility planning integrated into the fabric of business development • emergency planning to take into account accessibility needs • web sites that meet international standards • accessibility reflected throughout employee career development • buses, trains and streetcars across the province accessible to all

6. The Built Environment Standard • Includes proposed changes to Ontario Building Code (OBC) as well as areas not covered in the OBC such as: • outdoor spaces, playgrounds, recreational trails, streetscapes • This standard will create an environment that is seamlessly connected for all • The standard will not include retrofits or single family houses • Government is considering what will become law and when

7. Changing Culture and Building Awareness • Web of internal / external partners engaged: • 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

8. EnAbling Change Partnerships Ontario Community Support Association Community & Home Support Services Retail Council of Canada Public Hospitals Ontario Library Association March of Dimes Canada Ontario Historical Society Retail School Boards & Schools Ontario Hospital Association Ontario Education Services Corp Communities Action ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes Intégration communautaire de Nipissing Ouest Colleges Ontario Council of Ontario Universities Colleges & Universities Link Up Employment Services Human Resources Professionals Association Francophone Community Employers & HR Professionals Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments Municipalities Architects & Interior Designers Association of RegisteredGraphic Designers of Ontario Communication Designers Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto Cultural Groups Springtide Resources OFIFC Social Services Network Reena Taxis Ontario Public Transit Association Community Agencies Ontario Chinese Restaurant & Food Services Association Business Restaurants Ontario Chamber of Commerce Canadian Franchise Association Toronto Association of BIAs National Quality Institute Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce Accessibility with Moxie Foundation Adaptive Technology Resource Centre Social & Enterprise Development Innovations Hospitality & Tourism Mental Health Service Providers Ontario Federation of Community Health & Addiction Programs Media Innoversity Greater Toronto Hotel Association

9. Getting to 2025An Accessible Rental Market • Accessible online services (e.g. colour contrast, large text option) • Rental agreement forms and other important paperwork available in accessible formats, upon request (e.g. email) • Emergency information in accessible formats, upon request • If information is required by law (e.g. fire code); or • If information is usually prepared by an organization to plan ahead for events such as evacuations from the building • Rental organizations with one or more employees may offer Ontarian renters:

10. Getting to 2025An Accessible Retail Sector • Possibilities for customers: • Audio functionality for online shopping • Larger change rooms • Product instructions available via email • Flexible return policies • For job applicants: • Accessible formats • Accommodation plans in place

11. What’s next? • Requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Regulation come in effect July 1, 2011 • Customer Service compliance for private and not-for profit sectors - 2012 • Development of guidelines and how-to resources to help make it easier for organizations to comply

12. What your organization can do! • Comply with the customer service standard • Learn about all the accessibility standards • Work together to pool ideas and resources • Nurture a culture of accessibility at work and in your community • Send people to our website to learn more and get updates Be an Accessibility Champion

13. Appendix A: Links and Resources AccessON www.ontario.ca/AccessON Click on “What do I need to do?” 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