Introduction

The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 11 (AODA), is to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities and to provide for their involvement in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers encountered in some areas throughout the Province.

To this end, the AODA mandates that each municipality prepare an accessibility plan and that it must be reviewed annually.

This plan was first developed in 2009 by the Township of Russell. Council is committed to the review of this plan on an annual basis to assess the measures taken and to identify steps to be taken in subsequent years to identify, remove and prevent barriers that could be encountered by persons with disabilities using the facilities and services of the Township of Russell, whether they be members of the personnel, volunteers, elected or groups and members of the community at large.

Corporate Vision

The Corporation of the Township of Russell supports the right of all persons with disabilities as much as possible, an independent lifestyle, the principle of equal opportunity and the right to fully participate in all aspects of community life.

As Council members, we are all aware of the importance of the realization of this vision. Persons with disabilities make a significant contribution toward the wellbeing of their neighbours, their community and their province.

Therefore, the Council of the Township of Russell states its commitment to work with its citizens on a continuing basis to eliminate existing barriers for persons with disabilities and prevent the erection of any new ones.

Commitment to Accessibility Planning

Council is committed to:

  • Improving accessibility to buildings, facilities and services for persons with a functional limitation;
  • Ensuring fair accessibility to employment opportunities with the Township;
  • Ensuring quality services to all members of the community who live with disabilities;
  • Prepare an Action Plan to enable the Township to meet its commitments to persons with disabilities insofar as the planning for improvements or renovations of its buildings and municipal installations as well as employment policies.

Process

  • Review past efforts made to remove and prevent barriers to accessibility for persons with disabilities;
  • Produce a list of facilities, policies, programs, methods and services to be examined;
  • Outline measures to be initiated by the Township over the next two years to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility for persons with disabilities;

Living Together in our Community

Anyone can experience a temporary or permanent reduction in mobility due to disease, accident, pregnancy or age. An accessible environment brings more security and comfort to everyone and is beneficial to all.

A welcome greeting and a few modifications to facilities will enable the delivery of quality services to most persons with disabilities, such as mobility restriction, hearing loss or visual impairment.

We cannot consider only the needs of resident voters within our community, but also to those of visitors, volunteers, employees, inspectors, consultants, etc. who may visit our facilities. We must eradicate patronizing attitudes, prejudice, neglect, contempt and incomprehension from our approach to serving persons with disabilities.

Ontario’s Employment Equity Act, 1993 requires not only identical treatment of all persons but also special measures and accommodation suited to their disabilities.

The Human Rights Code of Ontario provides the right to equal treatment with regard to services, goods, housing and facilities for persons with disabilities. The Ontario Human Rights Commission rules on complaints concerning refusal to give access to a specific service or facility due to disabilities.

Accessibility

Accessibility is global. It is not a simple question of equipment but covers all aspects of life including services, programs, information, documents, communication, employment, recreation, travelling, culture, professional opportunities, education, housing, health and welfare. It is important that we demonstrate our commitment to live and work together.

Accessibility means:

  • When someone uses a wheelchair or other mobility aid, he/she may use the main entrance like anyone else;
  • Allowing a person with a functional limitation to use our facilities without having to personally take measures to be granted the permission to use them;
  • Not being dependent on the good will of others to take part in the said activity;
  • Access for a service animal to all municipal facilities, except where prohibited by law, and with adequate facilities for said animal;

Being able to go to places where one wishes to go, to be greeted with respect, with no patronizing attitude or misconstruction, to have the opportunity to communicate and to benefit from a professional attitude on the part of interested listeners who deliver information and services in an effective way:

  • The Municipality will post notices on the Township’s Website and at the entrance to any location where a temporary interruption of accessibility features has occurred, along with the reason and expected duration of the interruption.
  • Rest areas for the person having a physical limitation such as seats placed in strategic positions;
  • Railings, larger openings and hallways, counters, bulletin boards and facilities such as a telephone in a lower position, larger characters on signs;
  • Clear indication of emergency exits and notification procedures that meet the needs of persons with disabilities.

Expectations of Persons with Disabilities

The disabled person needs to be informed on the accessibility of places and equipment they will meet. This information must be clear, precise and trustworthy to allow them to decide whether or not they need help to use a structure or a service.

They know better than anyone else their capacities and their limitations. They will tell you what they require.

Accessibility Working Group

Council has mandated the following persons as members of this committee: the Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer / Clerk-Treasurer, every department head and any other party that they may deem necessary to consult with.

Coordination

The Council of the Township of Russell named the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), as the Coordinator for this plan.

Accessibility Initiatives

The Township has taken the following initiatives:

  • Identification of initiatives undertaken by the Corporation in previous years to remove and prevent barriers;
  • Review of complaints, officially deposited or not, concerning barriers;
  • Assessing municipal facilities for barriers to accessibility;
  • Consultation of groups of persons with disabilities;
  • Consultation of work teams from various departments;
  • Set time lines for the implementation of measures to remove identified barriers;
  • All sidewalks built or repaired since 1998, in the villages of Vankleek Hill and L’Orignal, have had “boats” included in the design at all street corners to provide an access to the sidewalks for persons with disabilities; - Identification of improvements achieved in matters of removal and prevention of barriers.

Planned Improvements

Improved accessibility to the Town Hall.

Methodology of Identification of Barriers

The Township uses several methods for identifying barriers. Regular audits of our facilities are conducted for health and safety issues and these audits are used to ensure no barriers are inadvertently created. The Township will consider any complaints or comments from the public or staff and review any new practices or tools as they become known to see how they could possibly enhance accessibility.

Feedback

Any person may comment on or complain about the Township of Russell’s accessibility program or provision of services to the disabled by contacting the Chief Administrative Officer -CAO of the Township, in writing, by telephone or in person. The

CAO will provide an answer to the requestor within 30 days.

Training

All employees or other person who deals with the public or other third parties on behalf of the Township of Russell will receive any training mandated by the Act, as soon as possible after their hiring and from then on in a timely fashion.

Updates and revisions to this training will be made available to them. As part of the ongoing training, all of these persons will be made aware of any changes to this plan and any related policies.

Action Plan

On a regular basis, the Council of the Township of Russell shall review the following:

A. Study the municipal services assessment chart to identify the priority of physical barriers to be removed, develop the strategies to remove them and determine their schedule targets on a three-year period.

B. Apply the Building Code accessibility standards and implement measures to ensure accessibility to all municipal buildings.

C. Consider any study done as to the percentage of our population living with a disability, their specific needs and respective functional limitations, the rate of participation of this sector of the population and the socio- economic impact of their full participation in the Township of Russell.

D. Promote a policy to ensure a proper level of service to all, by conducting training of staff on the realities encountered by persons with disabilities.

E. Ensure all public meetings and consultations are accessible.

F. Develop a municipal policy for job equity:

  • i) Shall ensure equal job access;
  • ii) Shall meet the needs of persons with disabilities concerning accessibility, pursuant to the Human Rights Code of Ontario, where said needs relate to their job, provided they do not generate excessive costs or genuine health and safety hazards.
  • The employer may not refuse to adapt the job for reasons of cost without taking into consideration outside sources of financing available, where such exist;
  • iii) Require the Township to take all necessary steps to meet the particular needs of persons with disabilities as far as the site where the interviews are to be held and the special accommodations to fill the offered position are concerned;
  • iv) Ensure municipal employees working in management or supervisory positions are aware of the Human Resource Policy and abide by its requirements aimed at creating equal opportunity with regard to hiring and job maintenance of persons with disabilities;
  • v) Should the Municipality exclude a person with disabilities from its employment benefits plan, from its pension plan or fund or from a group insurance contract signed with an insurance company because, in the opinion of the insurer, the person with disabilities represents a higher risk than the average person, the Township of Russell must provide payment of an indemnity equal to the contributions the Township provides for an employee with no disability, pursuant to the Human Rights Code of Ontario.