city of london multi-year accessibility plan · 2015-04-23 · accessibility plan were each...

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City of London

Multi-Year

Accessibility

Plan

Annual Status Update

2014

1

A Message from the Accessibility

Advisory Committee Chair

I have had the opportunity to serve as Chair of the City of London’s

Accessibility Advisory Committee throughout the f irst year of the f ive

year Accessibility Plan. During this t ime, London has continued to

make great strides in accessibility; not only by achieving the

benchmarks laid out in the Accessibility for Ontarians w ith Disabilit ies

Act (AODA), but routinely exceeding them.

Despite the AODA being the most comprehensive piece of

accessibility legislat ion in Canada, there are st ill areas w hich the City

realized should be stronger. As a result , over the past year the City of

London in partnership w ith the Accessibility Advisory Committee has

undertaken a number of init iat ives, including a review of the Facilit ies

Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) w hich establishes a minimum

accessibility standard for City ow ned/operated propert ies.

Similarly, the Accessibility Guide for Playgrounds and Outdoor

Recreation identif ied in the plan is currently under development. The

City has sought to identify areas not addressed in exist ing legislat ion

and begin progressive changes or programs to f ill these gaps; including

mental health init iat ives; outreach and aw areness; and addressing

barriers specif ic to children and families.

As the city continues to look to the future, striving to exceed

Provincial legislat ion and set new , higher standards, I am confident

London w ill remain the benchmark for accessibility.

Michael Daw thorne

Accessibility Advisory Committee Chair

City Of London

2

1. Introduction

The Accessibility for Ontarians w ith Disabilit ies Act , 2005 (AODA)

requires each municipality in Ontario to prepare a f ive-year

accessibility plan. The plan is a strategy to prevent and remove

barriers for persons w ith disabilit ies. Municipalit ies must w rite an

annual status report on the progress of measures taken to implement

their plan.

Over the past year, the City of London has moved the yard st ick

forw ard on accessibility. We have made many improvements to our

services and facilit ies to comply w ith the legislat ion. We have also

been proactive in addressing accessibility needs that are not legislated.

We continue to make incremental changes to move tow ard being a

more accessible city.

This update report gives an overview of steps w e have taken to

eliminate barriers and comply w ith the AODA in 2014.

2. Accessibility Commitment

The Corporation of the City of London is committed to providing

quality goods, services and facilit ies that are accessible to all persons

w e serve and in a manner that respects the dignit y and independence

of persons w ith disabilit ies. We are committed to meeting the needs of

persons w ith disabilit ies in a t imely manner and w ill do so by

preventing and removing barriers to accessibility in customer service,

information and communication, employment, the built environment

and transportat ion. We are committed to meeting the requirements of

applicable legislat ion, including the AODA and the Ontario Human

Rights Code.

3

3. 2014 Accomplishments

Fixed queuing at Provincial Offences Building

Customer Service Standard

The Accessibility Standards for Customer Service came into effect in

2008. The City of London became compliant w ith this standard in

2010. We recognize that improving the accessibility of our customer

service is ongoing and w e w ill alw ays strive to do better. We continue

to offer Accessible Customer Service training to all new employees.

In 2014, w e completed an audit of all customer service counters

operated by the City. We implemented an accessible counter retrof it

program to upgrade frequently used counters w e did not previously

have intentions of replacing. Under this program, $200,000 w ill be

contributed to accessible counter upgrades each year for f ive years.

To improve w ay-f inding for our customers, w e purchased larger, more

easily readable signage for our Provincial Offences Administrat ion

building, and the main f loor of City Hall.

4

Integrated Accessibility Standards General

Requirements

The AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards came into effect in

2011. Within this legislat ion are general requirements and standards

for Information and Communication, Employment, Transportat ion, and

the Design of Public Spaces.

The City of London’s Integrated Accessibility Policy and Mult i-Year

Accessibility Plan w ere each developed and passed by Council in

2013. Also in 2013, the City’s Purchasing and Supply By-Law w as

amended to incorporate accessibility criteria into the purchasing

process.

Training on the Integrated Accessibility Standards and the Human

Rights Code w as given to all City staff and volunteers in 2014. Along

w ith this, a refresher on the Customer Service Standards w as also

given. Accessibility training continues to be a part of new employee

orientat ion

Information and Communications

Standards

The City of London launched its new w ebsite in 2013. Many aspects

of the site w ere upgraded to increase accessibility and comply w ith

WCAG 2.0 guidelines. Updates included improved keyboard

navigability, increased colour contrast, adding play/pause buttons to

rotat ing content, and adding a site map. We purchased Site Improve

softw are w hich provides us w ith information on the accessibility of

our site.

In 2014, w e further improved the accessibility of our w ebsite by

upgrading our Brow seAloud program so it automatically loads instead

of having to dow nload it . This makes it more convenient for those

w ith visual impairments to listen to site content.

We added a more robust Accessibility page to the site. Here, you can

f ind our policies, plans, and resources created by our Accessibility

Advisory Committee. This is also w here our Feedback and Request for

5

Accommodation forms can be found, as w ell as our Notice of

Temporary Disruptions in Service w ebpage.

This year, w e launched an Accessible Document Training program to

provide staff w ith a manual on how to create their documents so they

are more readable by persons w ith disabilit ies. In 2014, over 150

individuals completed the training. It w ill continue to be offered

through our corporate training catalogue.

Accessible Document Training

Employment Standard

The City of London is committed to accessible hiring pract ices. In

2014, all job postings w ere amended to include a statement about

availability of accommodations for applicants w ith disabilit ies

throughout the recruitment process.

If an applicant is selected for an interview , they are advised in w rit ing

that accommodations are available. When making an offer of

employment, a copy of the City’s Accommodation of Employees w ith

Disabilit ies Guideline is included in the offer package so that all new

employees are aw are of our policies.

All new hires are required to attend an orientat ion session w hich

includes training on AODA standards. Beginning in 2014, the “ It Starts

6

w ith Me” training w as launched w hich includes an overview of the

Accommodation for Employees w ith Disabilit ies Guideline.

Design of Public Spaces

Accessible Parking in Springbank Park

The Design of Public Spaces Standards became law in 2013 to

remove barriers in public spaces and buildings. Beginning in 2016, the

City w ill be required to meet accessibility requirements w hen

construct ing and maintaining new or redeveloped elements of public

spaces. The City is already in compliance w ith many of the Public

Spaces Standards, as w e have been building to comply w ith our

Facilit ies Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) since 2001.

Throughout 2014, staff have been w orking to update FADS to ref lect

the new AODA standards, as w ell as changes to the Building Code.

The revised FADS Manual w ill be released in 2015.

Though the Design of Public Spaces Standards are not enforced until

2016, and are not retrof it , w e continue to be proactive and made

many accessibility improvements to our facilit ies in 2014 including:

Constructed new accessible No. 7 Fire Hall

Constructed a new accessible family w ashroom and installed a

new accessible service counter at Canada Games Aquatic

Centre

7

Installed automatic door openers on the third and fourth f loors

of Market Tow er

Installed automatic door openers to the gymnasium and

w ashroom doors at Carling Heights Optimist Centre

Installed a chair lif t and barrier free door operator to create one

accessible courtroom at our Provincial Offences Court

Constructed a new barrier free entrance and ramp to the

training centre at AJ Tyler Operations Centre

Built a new accessible w ashroom at St. Julien Fieldhouse

Accessibility improvements to customer service queuing area at

the Provincial Offences Administrat ion Building

In addit ion, w e partnered w ith the Rotary Club to make accessibility

upgrades to the Northw est Optimist Park in 2014. Accessibility

components of the play structure include:

A double-slide

A drum panel (sensory play)

Wheelchair reach gear panel

Hand rings

Braille clock panel

Solo spinner

Shop counter (social and imaginary play)

Seat below deck (quiet retreat)

Transfer stat ions on both junior and senior structures

Under the City’s Audible Pedestrian Signal program, 25 intersections

w ere updated w ith audible pedestrian signals in 2014. This brings the

total in the city to 91.

To prepare for the 2016 Public Spaces Standards, w e amended our

Zoning and Parking By-law s to ref lect the new parking standards for

size and number of accessible parking stalls. The City continues to

offer tw o-hour free parking in all off -street municipal lots for persons

w ith an accessible parking permit.

8

Municipal Elections 2014

Accessible Voting Machine Demonstrat ion

Accessibility w as a top priority during the 2014 Municipal Elect ion.

Accessibility training w as given to all elect ions staff . A training video

w as created to teach staff about accessible customer service at the

polling stat ions. A second video w as f ilmed and aired on Rogers TV

informing the public about accessibility during the elect ion.

All polling locations w ere located in accessible buildings and along a

bus route. The Accessibility Advisory Committee review ed all new

polling locations.

For the f irst t ime ever, accessible voting machines w ere available at all

advanced polls. These machines have features w hich increase

accessibility including a magnif ier screen, head phones that read the

ballot aloud, and a sip and puff mechanism for marking a ballot.

9

4. Accessibility Advisory Committee

The City of London Accessibility Advisory Committee (ACCAC) w as

created in 2002. The Committee advises and assists the City in

creating a barrier-free London. We are fortunate to have such a

dedicated group of engaged and informed volunteers. Throughout

2014, ACCAC review ed and advised the City on a number of

init iat ives including amendments to the Zoning By-Law , the Parking

By-Law , the Dow ntow n Master Plan, and the London Plan.

Through its sub-committees, great w ork w as accomplished in

improving accessibility at the City. A parks and playground user

survey w as developed by the Built Environment Sub-Committee for

considerat ion in future park design. The Policy Sub-Committee

review ed ACCAC’s Terms of Reference.

Carmi Levi Speaking at the App-Ability Lunch-and-Learn

Tradit ionally, ACCAC’s Education and Aw areness Sub-Committee has

held an annual conference on accessibility. This year, the group

decided to try a dif ferent public aw areness approach by conducting a

series of Lunch and Learns. Over 80 part icipants attended sessions

that w ere held in 2014 at the Public Library including:

10

“ Putt ing the Pieces Together” – Speakers Lori Hassall and

Laurie St. Pierre from London Health Science Centre conducted

a session on support ing individuals w ith mental health issues to

secure and maintain meaningful employment

“ Vote, It ’s Your Right” – City Elect ions staff demonstrated

technology available to voters in the municipal elect ion

“ App-Ability” – Carmi Levi, a technology analyst and journalist,

explored how persons w ith disabilit ies can use apps to enhance

their lives

5. Accessibility Governance

The City’s Accessibility Coordinator acts as a resource for all service

areas and facilitates compliance w ith the AODA. The Coordinator

keeps informed about legislat ion, and part icipates in accessibility

netw orks such as the Ontario Netw ork of Accessibility Professionals

(ONAP). The Coordinator also acts as a resource for the community

and in 2014 made presentat ions on the AODA to a Western University

Social Work Master’s class and a Municipal Law class.

In 2013, an Accessibility Implementation and Compliance Committee

w as formed to coordinate all internal efforts required for compliance

w ith the Integrated Accessibility Standards. In order to streamline the

number of cross-divisional teams at the City, this committee w as

disbanded in 2014.

Now , all oversight of AODA matters is handled through the City’s

Operations Management Team (OMT). This team has representat ives

from each Service Area, ensuring that standards are being met, and

bringing forw ard accessibility issues in their areas. This group also

oversees the AODA budget.

Throughout the past year, OMT brought forw ard suggestions for

purchasing over 35 items that w ould help make the City’s services

more accessible. Using the AODA Operating Budget, the City bought

items such as a pool access chair, accessible picnic tables, an

emergency evacuation chair for our long-term care home, signage,

automatic door openers, an accessible change table, and

11

communication devices. Though these items are not required by the

AODA, they are “ nice to have” and increase access to our services.

Accessible Picnic Table

6. Accessibility Budget

In 2013, the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulat ion became law

under the AODA. Previously, it w as thought that the Public Spaces

port ion of this standard w ould apply retroactively. This w ould create a

signif icant expense for compliance. It is now confirmed that the new

Design of Public Spaces Standard applies only to new builds and

renovations.

In anticipation of the Public Spaces Standard, the AODA Reserve Fund

had accumulated over $1.2 million in 2013. At this t ime, it w as

recommended that the ent ire contents of the reserve be ut ilized for an

improvement program to exist ing capital assets. An addit ional

$50,000 per year w as contributed to the Audible Pedestrian Signal

program for the next 5 years, doubling the exist ing program.

$200,000 per year w as contributed to updating customer service

counters for the next 5 years.

Accessible Change Table

12

The AODA Operating Budget remains at $374,220 per year. This

budget is used for operational expenses such as training, softw are,

interpreters, alternate document formats, and the purchase of one-off

items that increase accessibility of our services.

7. Conclusion

Over the past year, the City has made tremendous improvements to

its policies, by-law s, services, and facilit ies to increase accessibility.

The City of London is committed to removing barriers and improving

the quality of life for people of all ages and abilit ies.

We look forw ard to implementing the remainder of the 2013-2017

Accessibility Plan and moving tow ard a more accessible Ontario.

13

Accessibility Action Plan 2013-2017 Updates

Program or Service Area

Barrier Action Timeline

General Policies and Procedures

ACCAC, Steering

Committee, Accessibility

Coordinator

Systemic Barriers Create 5-year accessibility plan and

annual status updates.

Annually

ACCAC, Steering

Committee, Accessibility

Coordinator

Systemic Barriers Develop and maintain AODA policies,

procedures, pract ices, part icularly for

the new Integrated Standard

Integrated Accessibility

Standards Policy created

2013

ACCAC Systemic Barriers Review City Budget w ith an

accessibility lens

Annually

ACCAC Systemic Barriers Conduct an internal review of ACCAC

committee, mandate, and structure to

ensure it is representat ive of the

community and meeting its mandate

Reviewed ACCAC Terms of

Reference in 2014

ACCAC Part icipation Create a Public Event Policy for all City

meetings and public part icipation

events

2015

14



Purchasing and Supply Inaccessible Facilit ies,

Goods and Services

Continue to consider accessibility in

procurement

Accessibility statement

added to Purchasing and

Supply Policy and RFP’s in

2013

EMPLOYMENT

Human Resources Att itudinal Barriers Conduct “ It Starts With Me” enhanced

employee training regarding

harassment and discrimination

Over 650 employees

received training in 2014

Human Resources Barriers to Employment Increase awareness and opportunit ies

for persons w ith disabilit ies to gain

employment w ith the City (e.g. attend

disability related job fairs)

Internship program created

in 2014 aimed at recent

grads, persons w ith

disabilit ies, and newcomers

Human Resources Barriers to Inclusion

and Safety

Continue to partner w ith the London

Diversity and Race Relat ions Advisory

Committee to identify opportunit ies to

meet the needs and protect the safety

of persons w ith disabilit ies

Ongoing

Human Resources Barriers to Employment A City of London representat ive is a

member of the Ability First Coalit ion

which works w ith employers in the

community to increase employment

Ongoing

15



opportunit ies for persons w ith

disabilit ies

Human Resources Barriers to Employment Continue to accommodate employees

w ith disabilit ies

Ongoing

Human Resources Barriers to

Communication and

Safety

Provide individualized w orkplace

emergency plans and response

information to employees w ith

disabilit ies

Ongoing

Human Resources Att itudinal Barriers,

Barriers to Employment

Deliver Inclusive Recruitment and

Select ion training to hiring managers

Ongoing

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Communication Barriers Print City’s TTY number on all

promotional materials

Ongoing

Communications Communication Barriers Notify the public about availability of

alternate formats and communication

supports upon request

Added to website in 2014

16



Communications Communication Barriers Launch new website w ith content

conforming w ith WCAG 2.0 Level A

Website launched 2013

All Service Areas Barriers to Services and

Facilit ies

Provide notice of temporary disruptions Added Temporary

Disruptions page to website

in 2014

Communications,

Information Technology,

ACCAC, Human

Resources

Communication Barriers Launch Accessible document and PDF

training

Over 150 employees

trained in 2014

ACCAC, Communications Communication Barriers Work w ith Communicat ions to test the

City’s website for accessibility

ACCAC members reviewed

website before launch

Parks Barriers to Part icipation Update the general park database and

the City’s website w ith listing of

accessible park facilit ies

Ongoing

Aquatic Services Barriers to Part icipation Update the general aquatic website

w ith a list ing of accessible aquatic

facilit ies and features

Ongoing

ACCAC Barriers to Accessibility Continue to conduct annual

Accessibility Conference

3 Lunch-and Learns 2014

ACCAC Barriers to Inclusion Annually nominate a candidate for the

Mayor’s New Year’s Honor List under

the Persons w ith Disabilit ies category

Annually

17



ACCAC Att itudinal Barriers Continue to develop and dist ribute

pamphlets to inform the public about

issues related to persons w ith

disabilit ies

Ongoing

ACCAC Accessible Parking Continue to educate the public about

accessible parking issues such as

signage, etc.

Began work on accessible

parking campaign to be

launched 2015

PUBLIC SPACES

Housing and Social

Services

Barriers to Accessible

Housing

Continue to provide a grant per

accessible unit to contractors as

incentive to build accessible units in

affordable housing projects

Ongoing

Housing /ACCAC Barriers to Accessible

Housing

Create a more extensive checklist of

exist ing social housing units to ensure

applicant households are aware of the

level of modif icat ions available.

2015

Housing Barriers to Accessible

Housing

Continue to encourage more affordable

units to be available through the City’s

new affordable housing programs.

2013-2017


Housing

Continue to provide and promote use

of FADS to developers operating in

affordable housing programs w ith City

Ongoing

18



grants/funding. Include FADS

standards in future proposal calls for

the City' s affordable and social housing

init iat ives


Housing

Continue to deliver the Ontario

Renovates program to assist seniors

and persons w ith disabilit ies in

accessing funds to address minor

renovations and support their

continued affordable and stable

housing

Ongoing

ACCAC Barriers to Accessible

Housing

Develop a summary of standards to

assist landlords and property owners

2015

ACCAC Inaccessible Facilit ies Continue to part icipate in the

development of the Access Guide

Canada Project of the Canadian

Abilit ies Foundation for the review of

facilit ies

Ongoing

Facilit ies/ACCAC Inaccessible Facilit ies Update priorit ized list of City facilit ies

to target for upgrades

Ongoing

Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Implement ‘quick f ix’ accessibility

upgrades issued through w ork orders

Ongoing

Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Barrier free upgrades to East Lions Pool

and South London Community Pool

Installed Change table to

South London Community

19



Pool 2014

Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Consult ACCAC on annual review of

FADS

Consulted w ith ACCAC in

2014 for 2015 release of

new version of FADS

Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Maintain an inventory of accessibility

features in City facilit ies

Ongoing

Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Apply FADS to all current and future

City of London new and/or renovated

facilit ies

Ongoing

Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Follow ing budget approval, provide a

list of approved capital projects to

ACCAC

Annually

Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Continue to disseminate FADS to other

municipalit ies, architects, contractors,

and students. Maintain a record of

those requesting its use/adoption

Currently we have 50

municipalit ies/organizations

on record as adopting

FADS in Canada and the

US.

Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Use the Facilit ies register to assess 5-

year Facilit ies Capital Forecast to set

priorit ies for retrof it t ing

Ongoing. Began

implementing Service

Counter Retrof it program in

2014

Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Barrier free upgrades to Carling Arena Completed 2014

Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Install door operators in Council

Chambers and handrails in the public

Postponed until City Hall

space review is completed

20



gallery

Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Barrier free upgrades at No. 1 Fire

Stat ion entrance and w ashrooms

Upgrades to entrance doors

and counter

Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Accessibility upgrades to 2nd,3 rd, and

4 th f loor of Market Tow er (automatic

door operators)

Completed 2014

Facilit ies Inaccessible Facilit ies Accessibility upgrades to public area

counters and circulat ion at POA

building

Completed 2014

Housing and Social

Services

Inaccessible Facilit ies Modif icat ions to customer service

counters on 2nd and 3 rd Floor at Market

Tower and modif icat ions to the

Housing off ice to provide for increased

accessibility

Completed 2014

Housing and Social

Services

Inaccessible Facilit ies Construct ion of client interview booth

on 3 rd f loor at Market Tower to provide

for increased accessibility

Completed 2014

ACCAC/Parks Inaccessible Play

Spaces

Develop an Accessibility Guide for

playgrounds and outdoor recreation

2013-2015

Parks Inaccessible Play

Spaces

Provide one play structure per year

w ith a variety of accessible features in

each of the 22 district parks.

2014 upgrades to

Northwest Optimist Park

completed. Playground

resurfacing completed at

Jaycee Optimist Park,

21



Dunkirk Park, and SE

Optimist Park

Parks Environmental Barriers Continue to develop accessible

pathway systems in all City parks

Ongoing

Storybook Gardens Inaccessible Public

Spaces

Upgrade spray pads w ith accessibility

as a key design feature

2014

Parks Inaccessible Public

Spaces

Spray Pad Development Plan Pending Council budget

approval

Parks/ACCAC Inaccessible Public

Spaces

Audit exist ing parks for accessibility Ongoing, survey developed

by ACCAC in 2014

Parking Enforcement Inaccessible Parking Continue to provide 2-hour free parking

to persons w ith accessible parking

permits in Off Street Municipal Parking

Lots

Ongoing

Roads/ACCAC Barriers to Pedestrians Continue dialogue regarding temporary

sidewalks during construct ion, the

t iming of pedestrian signals, snow

removal pract ices, and other pedestrian

concerns

Construct ion

Administrat ion delegation

at November ACCAC

discussed sidewalk access

during road construct ion

Roads/ACCAC Barriers to Pedestrians Develop a retrof it t ing priority system

for implementation of accessible

pedestrian signals and curb cuts

25 Audible pedestrian

signals installed in 2014

Facilit ies, Parks and Rec,

ACCAC, Parking, Roads

Barriers to Public

Spaces

Continue to implement the new Public

Spaces Standards

Standards come into ef fect

2016

22



CUSTOMER SERVICE

City Clerk, ACCAC Municipal Elect ion

Accessibility

Work to make elect ions more

accessible for both voters and

volunteers

Completed 2014. (See

Page 8 of report)

Human Resources Att itudinal Barriers Continue to conduct Customer Service

Training

Refresher given to all staff

during IASR training.

Continue to deliver during

new staff orientat ion

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Neighbourhood, Children,

and Fire Services

Att itudinal Barriers Provide training on inclusion –All Kids

in Camp - to organizations that run

children/youth Camps programs

Ongoing


and Fire Services

Barriers to Part icipation Annual investments made in

games/equipment accessible by all

children for summer programs

Ongoing


and Fire Services

Att itudinal Barriers Train summer staff in inclusion Ongoing


and Fire Services

Att itudinal Barriers Sensit ivity training for Spectrum

instructors

Ongoing

Neighbourhood, Children, Barriers to Part icipation City direct ly provides “ Summer Ongoing

23



and Fire Services Surprise” - a camp for youth 12 -21

yrs. w ith disabilit ies


and Fire Services

Barriers to Part icipation Monitor self -reported special needs of

program part icipants in CLASS system

(alerts instructors of special needs)

Ongoing


and Fire Services

Barriers to Part icipation Use accessible buses for summer

program excursions

Ongoing


and Fire Services

Barriers to Part icipation Offer wheelchair tennis in partnership

with the Thames Valley Children’s

Centre

Ongoing


and Fire Services

Barriers to Part icipation Make recreation centres available to

community agencies w ho provide

education, support, and advocacy for

persons w ith disabilit ies

Ongoing


and Fire Services

Barriers to Part icipation Hire 2 summer “ Inclusion Coordinator”

posit ions each year

Ongoing


and Fire Services

Barriers to Part icipation Implement TRACKS (peer mediated

supports for children w ith special

needs) program in camps and

Fall/Winter/Spring programs

Ongoing

Neighbourhood, Children

and Fire Services

Barriers to Part icipation A number of raised, portable garden

beds have been built that are available

upon request and can be installed as

needed in community garden sites

New in 2014 and w ill be

available in an ongoing way

24



accessed by gardeners requiring them.

Neighbourhood, Children

and Fire Services

Att itudinal Barriers All casual staff in programs and

community centres w ere trained on

the Integrated Accessibility

Standards w ith a refresher on the

Human Rights Code in 2014

2014

Aquatic Services Part icipation Summer staff trained in inclusion of

children w ith disabilit ies, use of lif ts

Ongoing

Aquatic Services Barriers to Part icipation Continue integrated sw im program

which was init iated in 2006 in

partnership w ith the Thames Valley

Children’s Centre

Each Spring

Housing and Social

Services

Systemic Barriers Continue to include the needs of

persons w ith disabilit ies in the Ontario

Works Service Plan and include

housing w ith supports for persons w ith

disabilit ies in the Homeless Prevention

and Housing Plan

Ongoing

Housing and Social

Services

Barriers to Employment Continue to assist Ontario Works

part icipants w ith employment barriers,

including disabilit ies through:

Individualized Case Management,

LEADS wraparound planning and

Ongoing

25



employment supports, and supports by

partner agencies

Housing and Social

Services

Communication Barriers Review protocols and pract ices

regarding the TTY machine to ensure

clients and staff are maximizing its use

at Market Tower and Northland Mall

Social Services sites

Continue w ith this init iat ive at the

South London Community Centre

Social Services site

2014

2015

Housing and Social

Services

Systemic Barriers Conduct a pilot init iat ive to assist

Ontario Works clients w ith complex

mental health disabilit ies to access

services, supports and benefits in the

community

2014

Housing and Social

Services

Att itudinal Barriers Partner w ith community agencies and

organizations to raise awareness and

understanding of the needs of persons

w ith disabilit ies.

Ongoing

Housing and Social

Services

Communication Barriers Implemented communication devices at

Market Tower and at Northland Mall

Social Services locations to facilitate

staff-client communicat ion when a sign

language interpreter may not be

2014

26



available

Housing and Social

Services

Barriers to Employment Installed software on computers in

Ontario Works Employment Resource

Centres at Market Tow er and

Northland Mall to enhance visual size

and appearance on computer screens

to enhance job searching

2014

city of london multi-year accessibility plan · 2015-04-23 · accessibility plan were each...

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