Training Presentation January 2015 The Accessibility for Ontarians - PDF document

January-15 Training Presentation January 2015  The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) became law on June 13, 2005  Under this landmark legislation, the government of Ontario will develop mandatory accessibility standards that will recognize, identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities in key areas of daily living.  The standards will apply to private and public sector organizations across Ontario.  Standards will be developed to achieve real results in stages. They will set milestones that must be reached every five years or less, so that Ontario is accessible to people with disabilities by 2025.  AODA pertains to improving accessibility standards for people with disabilities in Ontario. File Ref 6.2 AODA Presentation Rev-A Origination By: Paisley McRae Controlled copy on server. Date: January 15, 2015 Issued By: ND 2 of 27 1

January-15 Accessible Customer Service Standard addresses business 1. practices and training needed to provide better customer service to people with disabilities. Accessible Information and Communications Standards to 2. address the removal of barriers in access to information. Accessible Built Environment Standards to address access 3. into and within buildings and outdoor spaces and are expected to build on Ontario’s Building Code. Employment Accessibility Standards to address paid 4. employment practices relating to employee-employer relationships, which could include recruitment, hiring, and retention policies and practices. Accessible Transportation Standards to address aspects of 5. accessible public transportation and these standards are crucial to people with disabilities. File Ref 6.2 AODA Presentation Rev-A Origination By: Paisley McRae Controlled copy on server. Date: January 15, 2015 Issued By: ND 3 of 27 Currently, the only standard in effect is the Customer Service Standard. The Government of Ontario is working with development committees, comprised of people with disabilities, government representatives, business owners and members of the general public to outline the standards that will be considered for the above mentioned standards. File Ref 6.2 AODA Presentation Rev-A Origination By: Paisley McRae Controlled copy on server. Date: January 15, 2015 Issued By: ND 4 of 27 2

January-15 Disability is defined in the AODA as any degree of physical disability,  infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness Includes diabetes, epilepsy, brain injury, paralysis, amputation, lack  of physical coordination, blindness, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment Physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair  or other remedial appliance or device Mental impairment or a developmental disability  Learning disability  Mental disorder  Injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under  the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 . File Ref 6.2 AODA Presentation Rev-A Origination By: Paisley McRae Controlled copy on server. Date: January 15, 2015 Issued By: ND 5 of 27 Under the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service  Regulations, an organization is required to: Establish Policies, practices and procedures that govern the ◦ provision of goods and services to persons with disabilities Respects the dignity and independents of persons with ◦ disabilities Integrated unless an alternate measure is necessary ◦ ◦ Equal opportunity to use and benefit from the goods and services Allow persons with disabilities to enter their premises ◦ accompanied by a service animal or support person Give notice of temporary disruption in facilities or services that ◦ allow persons with disabilities to benefit from the goods or services File Ref 6.2 AODA Presentation Rev-A Origination By: Paisley McRae Controlled copy on server. Date: January 15, 2015 Issued By: ND 6 of 27 3

January-15 Under the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulations, an organization is required to: Train all people who interact with the public or third parties on our ◦ organizations behalf How to interact and communicate with people with various types of ◦ disabilities How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device ◦ or support person How to use equipment or devices available at your workplace to assist ◦ providing goods or services to people with disabilities What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing the ◦ goods or services provided Establish a process to receiving and responding to feedback about the ◦ manner in which it provides goods or services to persons with disabilities and make information about the process readily available to the public Maintain documents containing the general policies, feedback processes ◦ and training materials File Ref 6.2 AODA Presentation Rev-A Origination By: Paisley McRae Controlled copy on server. Date: January 15, 2015 Issued By: ND 7 of 27  Our current policies supporting the AODA: ◦ Accessible Customer Service and Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy (I:\Policies) ◦ Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (I:\Procedures) Both documents can be found on our server in IMS documents or a copy can be requested from your supervisor. Different formats are available upon request File Ref 6.2 AODA Presentation Rev-A Origination By: Paisley McRae Controlled copy on server. Date: January 15, 2015 Issued By: ND 8 of 27 4

January-15  Estimated that 15.5% of Ontarians have a disability and the number is expected to grow as the general population ages  15.5% of the population represents $25 billion in spending power  Influence the spending of 12-15 million other consumers  AODA Act will enact 4 more regulations every 5 hears for the next 20 years to remove barriers in the following areas: 1. Customer Service 2. Information and Communication 3. Employment 4. Transportation 5. Built Environment File Ref 6.2 AODA Presentation Rev-A Origination By: Paisley McRae Controlled copy on server. Date: January 15, 2015 Issued By: ND 9 of 27  Forest City Castings is committed to excellence in serving all customers including persons with disabilities  We will communicate with persons with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability  We will train staff who communicate with customers on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities  Remember the following guidelines: ◦ Use the words “disability or disabled” ◦ Put people first, ◦ It is proper to say “person with a disability” not “disabled person” ◦ If you are not sure about a disability, it is better to wait until the individual describes their situation to you rather than make your own assumptions File Ref 6.2 AODA Presentation Rev-A Origination By: Paisley McRae Controlled copy on server. Date: January 15, 2015 Issued By: ND 10 of 27 5

January-15 Vision loss reduces a person’s ability to see clearly. Few people with vision loss are totally blind, many have limited vision. Vision loss can restrict your customers’ ability to read signs, locate landmarks, or see hazards. General tips on how to interact with customers who have vision loss: Don’t assume they can’t see you  Don’t touch your customer without asking permission  Don’t hesitate to use words such as “read”, “see” or “look”. These words are used by  people with vision loss too. Identify yourself when you approach your customer and speak directly to him/her  When providing printed material offer to read the information to the person  If you leave the room, let your customer know you are going.  Ask permission to offer your arm to guide them if needed  Don’t touch or speak to service animals– they are working and have to pay attention at  all times If you’re uncertain on how to provide directions, ask the person how to do so  Types of assistive devices your customer might use: Braille  Large Print  White cane or guide dog  File Ref 6.2 AODA Presentation Rev-A Origination By: Paisley McRae Controlled copy on server. Date: January 15, 2015 Issued By: ND 11 of 27 People who have hearing loss may be deaf, deafened, or hard of heading. People can be oral deaf in which they are unable to hear but prefer to talk instead of sign language. General tips on how to interact with customers with hearing loss: Attract the customer’s attention before speaking. Generally, the best way is by  gentle touch on the shoulder or with a gentle wave of your hand Ask how you can help. Do not shout  If necessary, ask which communication method is easier for them  Make sure you are in a well-lit area where they can see your face and read your  lips Reduce background notice or move into an quieter area  Types of assistive devices your customer might use: ◦ Hearing aid ◦ Paper and Pen ◦ Personal amplification device ◦ Support person such as sign language interpreter File Ref 6.2 AODA Presentation Rev-A Origination By: Paisley McRae Controlled copy on server. Date: January 15, 2015 Issued By: ND 12 of 27 6