THE CORPORATION OF THE NATION MUNICIPALITY
POLICY ON THE INTEGRATED ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS UNDER THE ACCESSIBLITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, 2005
Effective Date: January 30, 2023
This policy is consistent with the Integrated Accessibility Standards made under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, as amended from time to time (the "AODA").
Purpose
The Nation Municipality is committed to maintaining an accessible environment for persons with disabilities in the delivery of its services and facilities, and in its employment practices. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and by meeting the accessibility requirements under the AODA.
Applicability
This policy applies to employment with the Nation Municipality and to all municipal services and facilities that are provided externally to the public or to third parties.
This policy applies to all municipal employees and volunteers, as well as all persons who participate in developing in the municipal policies, practices and procedures and all persons who provide services or facilities on behalf of the municipality.
Definitions
For the purpose of this policy:
Disability means:
a) Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, blindness or visual impairment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device;
b) A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability;
c) A learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understating or using symbols or spoken language;
d) A metal disorder; or
e) An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
Policy
- Use of Animals or Support Persons; Temporary Disruptions; Feedback Process:
Please see the Nation Municipality's Policy on Accessibility Standards for Customer Service.
- Procurement
The Nation Municipality will incorporate accessible criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, service, or facilities, including self-service kiosks. If it is not practicable to do so, the municipality will provide an explanation upon request.
- Communication and Information:
The Nation Municipality is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. We will communicate with people with disabilities with sensitivity and in ways that take into account their disability. We are available to answer any questions that members of the public may have in person, by telephone, or via email.
The Nation Municipality will post a notice on its website notifying the public of the availability of accessible formats and communication supports. When asked, we will arrange for the timely provision of accessible formats and communication supports where necessary, at no additional cost. This includes publicly available information about our services, as well as publicly available emergency information, and any feedback processes that may be offered from time to time. We will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs. If the municipality determines that the information requested cannot be provided in an accessible way, the municipality shall advise the person who has requested the information with an explanation as to why the information could not be provided, together with a summary of the information.
Our website and web content conform with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, at Level AA.
- Employment Standards
Please see the Nation Municipality's Statement of Policy and Procedure: Accommodation on the Basis of Disability and Accessible Employment.
- Training for Employees:
Please see the Nation Municipality's Policy on Training on the Integrated Accessibility Standards.
- Design of Public Spaces
The Nation Municipality will comply with the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces if it makes major changes to an existing - or constructs a new - public space that is covered by that Accessibility Standard.
Modifications to This or Other Policies
Changes will not be made to this policy unless the impact of the changes on persons with disabilities has been considered.
Any municipal policy that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities will be modified or removed as required.