PowerPoint Presentation

[Audio] Welcome to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Training Program..

[Audio] This course provides you with information about the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)..

[Audio] This course will cover the following topics: Module 1 – Compliance Requirements Module 2 – Information and Communication Standards Module 3 – Employment Standards Module 4 – Transportation Standards Module 5 – Design of Public Spaces Standards Module 6 – Customer Service Standards.

[Audio] At the conclusion of the training course, you will be able to recognize your rights and responsibilities under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act..

[Audio] The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) became law on June 13, 2005. Under this landmark legislation, the government of Ontario developed mandatory accessibility standards that organizations must follow to become more accessible. The goal for the province is to be fully accessible by 2025. All levels of government, private sectors, and non-profits must comply. The purpose of the AODA is to develop, implement, and enforce accessibility standards, so that all Ontarians will benefit from accessible services, programs, and employment..

[Audio] During this course, many terms will be discussed. Here we explain some important terms defined under the AODA: Barrier: Anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of his or her disability Disability: Under AODA, disability includes a range of conditions, some of which are visible and some of which are not visible. Conditions may have been present from birth, have been caused by an accident, or have developed over time. Disabilities include: visual, hearing, physical, intellectual, learning, and mental health disabilities..

[Audio] AODA training gives employees basic knowledge about accessibility and how it impacts people with disabilities. We often think of disabilities as either physical or visible. However, AODA includes all disabilities: physical, visible, and invisible disabilities, such as learning and mental health disabilities..

[Audio] Ontario businesses must follow the Ontario Regulation 191/11: Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) to prevent and remove barriers for people with disabilities. In 2016, the five standards of the AODA were consolidated under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR). The five standards are: information and communication, employment, transportation, design of public spaces, and customer service..

[Audio] The information and communications standard outlines requirements for organizations to create, provide, and receive information and communications that are accessible for people with disabilities..

[Audio] The employment standard requires that employers must make their workplace and employment practices accessible to potential or current employees with disabilities..

[Audio] The transportation standard sets out the requirements for transportation service providers. Particularly, features and equipment on vehicles, routes, and services offered must be accessible to people with disabilities..

[Audio] The design of public spaces standard outlines the need for newly constructed or redeveloped public spaces to be accessible for people with disabilities..

[Audio] The customer service standard outlines requirements for removing barriers so that people with disabilities can access goods, services, and/or facilities..

[Audio] Slide 16 Ontarians with disabilities represent a growing market that the province cannot afford to miss out on. The population of Ontarians who have disabilities is steadily growing. Accessible information and employment will make it possible for this growing group of working-aged people to contribute to the economy and society in a meaningful way. Accessible transportation and public spaces will ensure that people can move around their communities, work outside their homes, and access goods and services. Customer service that accommodates people's individual needs will allow them to exercise their spending power. When combined with the aging population, people with disabilities will make up an estimated $536 billion dollars of total income for Canada..

[Audio] People with disabilities are overlooked when it comes to workplace employment. Despite the stereotypes and barriers, there are plenty of benefits and reasons to hire people with disabilities. AODA assists both people with disabilities and employers to ensure that people living with impairments have equal opportunity and utilize their skills in the workplace. Becoming an inclusive workplace promotes diversity, productivity, reduced absenteeism, increased talent and profitability. In turn, with an inclusive workplace, your business's brand and reputation will improve. Customer loyalty will increase when clients see a diverse and accessible work environment. The bottom line is that a more accessible Ontario is good for both the economy and the community. The application of AODA standards at the earliest time will help meet those projected economic growths by 2025..

[Audio] Module 1: Compliance Requirements.

[Audio] Module 1 is about the AODA compliance requirements. After this module, you will be able to: Explain AODA compliance requirements.

[Audio] While each of the five IASR standards has its own specific requirements, there are also general requirements that apply to all of the standards. These include: training, an accessibility policy, and an accessibility plan. AODA_M1_S4 AODA training gives employees basic knowledge about accessibility and how it impacts people with disabilities..

Accessibility Training AODA training gives employees basic knowledge about accessibility and how it impacts people with disabilities.

[Audio] AODA training is required if you are a paid worker, a volunteer, or a new worker. You need to take AODA training if you: Provide goods, services, or facilities on behalf of your organization Develop an organization's policies (for example, a board member) Make changes to your organization's accessibility policies Are an existing worker and start a new position.

[Audio] All organizations have to keep track of their workers' training records, which must include the name of the worker and date of completion..

[Audio] An accessibility policy guides an organization's practices for providing goods, services, and facilities to people with disabilities. It also helps an organization achieve its accessibility goals. All large private and non-profit organizations and all public-sector organizations must have an accessibility policy in writing. These sectors must also make their policies available to the public..

[Audio] An accessibility plan works with the policy. The plan outlines what steps an organization will take to prevent and remove barriers to employment, and when it will do so. Organizations must also publish annual status reports. In addition, they must review and update their plans at least every five years..

[Audio] In this module, you learned the compliance requirements your business must meet. You learned that all workers, paid and unpaid, require AODA training. You also learned that large private and Non-profit organizations, as well as public sector organizations, require an accessibility policy and plan..

[Audio] False.

[Audio] true.

[Audio] Module 2: Information and Communication Standards.

[Audio] Earlier in this course you learned that the five AODA accessibility standards fall under the IASR. This module covers the Information and Communications Standards. Module 2 is about the Information and Communication Standards. After this module, you will be able to: Identify the communication factors organizations need to know in order to provide employees and customers with accessible information and communication.

[Audio] The Accessibility Standard for Information and Communication requires businesses and organizations to provide and communicate information in ways that work for all employees and customers. This means that organizations must let the public know if they have information available in accessible formats. For instance, restaurants with Braille menus, or performance venues with American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted performance dates, must advertise the availability of these services so that customers who need them will be aware. Moreover, organizations must also make workers and the public aware that they will provide information in accessible formats, and make communication supports available, upon request..

[Audio] Some of the communication factors you need to consider are: Websites and web contents Formats and communication supports Emergency information Education materials and training resources Educators Public library materials and resources.

[Audio] By January 1, 2021, all internet, websites and web content must comply with the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA. These guidelines make websites more accessible for people who must use computers differently because of their disabilities. People must be able to navigate websites using technologies that make browsing possible without certain actions, such as looking at the screen or clicking a mouse. These technologies include speech recognition software, screen reader software, and screen magnification software..

[Audio] Organizations need to create and provide free accessible formats and communication supports to customers with disabilities. One example of an accessible format is the dual availability of printed and digital text formats when disseminating important information. For instance, a clinic handing out pamphlets with printed information on its various programs must also have the same information freely available in an alternative digital text-only format accessible by screen reading software on computers or tablets for persons with vision impairments or learning disabilities that affect reading..

[Audio] Examples of accessible formats are: Html or Microsoft Word Braille Large print Audio Described video Text transcripts of visual or audio information Reading information aloud.

[Audio] Examples of communication supports are: Writing, email, or texting Captions Sign language interpretation Video relay service Assistive listening systems Augmentative and alternative communication devices, such as letter, word, or picture boards Rephrasing information or restating it in clear language.

[Audio] Accessible formats and communication supports must be provided in a timely manner when requested. Organizations should work with the person requesting the information to find out what format will work best for them. If it is not technically possible to convert information into an accessible format, the organization producing it must explain why and provide a summary of the information. Also, organizations cannot charge more for accessible formats or communication supports than the regular cost of the original format..

[Audio] This standard also applies to customer feedback systems. In order to put the lessons you learned from your customers to good use, you can incorporate them into existing policies and processes to make other types of feedback systems accessible. One example is by going beyond hand-written surveys and putting in place processes that receive online and telephone feedback. If you don't receive and respond to feedback about other topics, you are not required to start doing so..

[Audio] You must ensure that your workers are informed about how to be safe at work. This includes providing workers with accessible public emergency information. A good example is an emergency safety brochure distributed throughout a university campus with several copies in large fonts or plain text files available upon request..

[Audio] Awareness Training School boards must provide accessibility awareness training to educators. Educators may be strictly defined as those who: Design courses Prepare and/or deliver lessons Are staff of school boards.

[Audio] However, best practice suggests that educators also include: Early childhood educators Educational assistants Child and youth workers Support staff Administrative staff Best practice classifies the above workers as educators because they all encounter students with disabilities over the course of their general work..

[Audio] The training will help educators identify and meet the needs of students with different types of disabilities. It will also help them correct any barriers in the classroom, such as: Narrow aisles or pathways that have physical obstacles Lack of technology and other resources, such as speech recognition software or Braille Books.

[Audio] Training will also help educators become familiar with the various techniques that improve the learning environment for students with disabilities and the different types of learning resources and materials to use when developing lesson plans. Accessible lessons are lessons designed with all learners in mind. Training needs to incorporate teaching and training strategies for students with various disabilities, including visual, hearing, and mobility impairments, as well as learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and mental health challenges..

[Audio] Schools are required to provide course and program information, educational materials, training resources, and student records in accessible formats to ensure that all students with disabilities get the information they need. You may also be required to use in-house or external contractors to convert texts and images to accessible formats. Additionally, you'll need to work closely with individuals with disabilities to find out which format best suits their needs and meet them accordingly..

[Audio] All public libraries must provide alternative accessible formats, wherever possible, of all new and old library materials, such as literary, musical, artistic and dramatic works. Let the public know about the availability of these materials in your library. When your library procures new materials, consider the variety of accessibility needs of your users. Libraries of educational or training institutions must provide, procure, or acquire accessible formats of print, digital, or multimedia resources for people with disabilities upon request. However, special collections, archival materials, rare books, and donations are exempt..

[Audio] In this module, you learned six different communication factors that organizations must consider. You learned the various examples of accessible formats and communication supports. You also learned the responsibilities of school boards and libraries and the requirements they must follow..