OntarioMD Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

INTRODUCTION

In 2005, the Ontario government passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), with the goal of making Ontario fully accessible by 2025.  The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR), under the AODA, requires OntarioMD to develop and maintain a multi-year accessibility plan which outlines the organization's strategy for improving opportunities and accessibility for people with disabilities, while removing and preventing barriers, as required under the IASR.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT

OntarioMD always strives to respect the dignity and independence of all people with disabilities. We are committed to providing a barrier-free environment for our members, employees, visitors, stakeholders and all other members of the public who enter our premises, access our information, or use any of our services.  

As an organization, we respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005), the existing Customer Service Standard Regulation, and other standards governed by the IASR - Information and Communications, Employment, Transportation and eventually, the Built Environment.  OntarioMD is committed to ensuring that new and existing OntarioMD policies and procedures will be developed, implemented and maintained, as required, to ensure we have achieved accessibility by meeting our obligations under the IASR and in meeting the needs of all people with disabilities, in a timely and effective manner.

MULTI-YEAR ACCESSIBILITY PLAN

The following multi-year accessibility plan outlines the organization's commitment and strategy for improving opportunities for people with disabilities, while removing and preventing accessibility barriers and meeting Ontario's accessibility laws.

OntarioMD multi-year accessibility plan provides a mechanism for planning, reviewing and evaluating the implementation of the Integrated Accessibility Standards under the AODA.

In accordance with the requirements, OntarioMD will:

• Post a copy of this plan on the corporate website (www.ontariomd.com);
• Provide all information relating to the plan in alternative formats, upon request;
• Review and update the plan at least once every five years.
  

STANDARD FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE

Since 2012, OntarioMD has been in compliance with the Customer Service Standard Regulation under the AODA, and will continue to improve on, maintain and report on this standard, as required under the legislation.

OntarioMD met compliance with the requirements set out in the Customer Service Standard Regulation and has taken additional measures for barrier-free access by:

• Establishing policies, procedures and practices for providing goods and services to people with disabilities, as per the OntarioMD policy, "Providing Goods and Services to Ontarians with Disabilities", and posting the policy on the corporate website;
• Providing accessibility awareness, AODA and customer service standard training to all OntarioMD employees, volunteers, contractors and any other persons engaging with members, and/or other people with disabilities on behalf of OntarioMD;
• Communicating the customer service policy to staff and training staff so that (among other legislated requirements), employees understand how to:
• Interact and communicate with members/people with various types of disabilities;
• Interact with members/people with disabilities who use assistive devices; or require the assistance of a guide dog, service animal, or service dog; or require the use of a support person;
• Use equipment or devices that may be available on the premises or that may assist customers with disabilities, if any;
• Assist members/people with disabilities that may have difficulty accessing any of the goods or services provided by OntarioMD;

• When giving documents required under the Customer Service Standard to a person with a disability, OntarioMD provides the information in a format that considers the person's disability.
• Reporting compliance with the Customer Service Standard via the Accessibility Compliance Reporting tool at Service Ontario's ONE-Source for Business website;
  
• Tracking attendance for accessibility training courses.
  

Required legislative compliance: January 1, 2012
Completion Date: December 24, 2014

EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND EVACUATION PLANS

OntarioMD has joined and collaborated with OMA to incorporate accessibility considerations into its emergency response and evacuation plan and procedures, as required under the IASR, such that:

• The emergency response plan, OMA Safety and Securities Plan & procedures, will be provided in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, upon request;
• Individualized workplace emergency response plans are available to employees who disclose a disability, and such employees will be accommodated according to their disability, if requested, when and if an emergency or disaster occurs;
• Individualized emergency response information is reviewed when:
• An employee moves to a different location in the organization;
• An employee's overall needs or plans are reviewed; and
• When reviewing general emergency response policies.
  

Required legislative compliance: January 1, 2012
Completion Date: January 1, 2012

Part 1:  GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTEGRATED REGULATION

Accessibility Policies and Statement of Commitment to IASR

OntarioMD is committed to ensuring that new and existing OntarioMD policies and procedures will be developed, implemented and maintained as required to ensure we have achieved accessibility by meeting our obligations under the IASR and in meeting the needs of all people with disabilities.

OntarioMD will:

• Develop a policy that addresses how OntarioMD will achieve or has achieved accessibility through meeting the IASR's requirements – see OntarioMD Integrated Accessibility Policy;
• Develop a statement of organizational commitment to meet the accessibility needs of people with disabilities;
• Make policy documents available to the public, in an accessible format, upon request.
  

OntarioMD will establish, implement and maintain a multi-year accessibility plan, which outlines the organization's strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet current and future requirements of the AODA.

OntarioMD will:

• Post the accessibility plan on the organization's website and provide the plan in accessible format, upon request.
• Review and update the accessibility plan at least once every five years.
  

Procurement or Acquisition of Goods, Services, or Facilities

At this time, the requirement to incorporate accessibility in the procurement or acquisition of goods, services or facilities applies only to designated public sector organizations; however, if this requirement becomes applicable to OntarioMD, OntarioMD will:

• Incorporate accessibility criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities, except where it is not practical to do so;

• Upon request, provide an explanation when it is not practical to do so.
  

Self-Service Kiosks

At this time, OntarioMD does not employ self-service kiosks.  

If, however, at any time, OntarioMD employs self-service kiosks, it will have regard to accessibility criteria features when designing, purchasing and/or obtaining these kiosks.

OntarioMD will:

• Consider accessibility criteria and features when acquiring and using self-service kiosks, except where it is not practical to do so;
• Upon request, provide an explanation when it is not practical to do so.
  

Training

OntarioMD will ensure that all employees, volunteers, contractors, and any other persons engaging with members and/or other people with disabilities on behalf of OntarioMD, will receive the appropriate training that meets the requirements under the Integrated Regulation.

OntarioMD will:

• Provide training on the requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to people with disabilities - to all employees, volunteers, contractors, and/or other third parties who interact with members/people with disabilities on behalf of OntarioMD;
• Keep and maintain a record of the dates when training is provided and the number of individuals to whom it was provided;
• Ensure training is provided on the requirements of the accessibility standards, as soon as practicable;
• Ensure training remains ongoing and all are continually updated and trained as required, and/or when there are any relevant changes to the organization's policies.
  

Part 2:  STANDARD FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS  

OntarioMD is committed to making information and communications accessible to all people with disabilities. The information we provide and the ways we communicate with others is key to delivering our goods, programs and services to our members and/or people with disabilities.

Access to information involves matters relating to format and availability of content, including the means of access and technologies associated with it. While access to publications and information is usually the responsibility of the Information Management department, there are also related responsibilities in all departments and units that produce publications and websites, such as promotions, marketing and communications.

OntarioMD will incorporate new accessibility requirements under the Information and Communications Standard to ensure that its information and communications systems and platforms are accessible and provided in accessible formats that meet the needs of people with disabilities. OntarioMD will take into account a person's disability when communicating or providing information to the person with a disability and will provide the necessary information in a timely manner and at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to any other person (if applicable).

Feedback Processes

OntarioMD will:

• Ensure that feedback processes are accessible via alternate formats and/or communication supports, upon request;
• All feedback should be directed to OntarioMD Customer Service (support@ontariomd.com), responses can be expected to be received within 10 business days;
• Notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports by posting a statement on the company website.
  

Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

OntarioMD will:

• Provide accessible formats and communication supports in a timely manner that takes into account the person's accessibility needs due to disability;
  
• Consult the person making the request to determine suitability of format;
• Post a statement on the website about accessibility and the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.
  

Emergency Procedure Plans and Public Safety Information

OntarioMD does not typically prepare emergency procedures, plans or public safety information that is available to the public.  In the event that it does, it will be provided in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, as soon as practicable, upon request.

Required legislative compliance:  January 1, 2012
Completion Date:  January 1, 2012 

Accessible Web Sites and Web Content

OntarioMD will ensure that OntarioMD internet and intranet websites and web content conform to the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, such that:

• New websites and any new web content conform with WCAG 2.0 Level A by January 1, 2014;
• All websites and web content conform to WCAG Level AA by January 1, 2021 (other than live captions and audio descriptions).
  

• Educational and training resources or materials produced by educational or training institutions
  
• Training to educators
  
• Producers of educational or training material
• Libraries of educational and training institutions
  
• Public Libraries
  
  

Part 3:  STANDARD FOR EMPLOYMENT

OntarioMD is committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees with disabilities.

Recruitment

OntarioMD will incorporate new accessibility requirements under the Employment Standard to ensure that barriers in recruitment are eliminated and corporate policies are followed, where applicable.

OntarioMD will:

• Specify that accommodation is available for job applicants with disabilities in job advertisements and on the OntarioMD website where jobs are posted;
• Notify employees and the public about the availability of accommodation in its recruitment processes for applicants with disabilities;
• Inform candidates about the availability of accommodations:
  -when called for an interview;
  -during the selection process;
  -at the time of job offer;
  -at orientation;
• Consult with the applicant and arrange for the provision of a suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant's accessibility needs, if the selected applicant requests an accommodation;
• Notify the successful applicant of policies for accommodating employees with disabilities when making an offer of employment.
  

Support Information for Employees

OntarioMD will incorporate new accessibility requirements under the Employment Standard to ensure that barriers in information that supports employees are eliminated and corporate policies are followed, where applicable.

OntarioMD will:

• Inform current employees and new hires soon after they begin employment of OntarioMD's policies supporting employees with disabilities, including, but not limited to, policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee's accessibility needs due to disability;
• Provide information under this section to new employees as soon as practicable after they begin their employment;
• Keep employees up to date on changes to policies and provide retraining where a change in policy has been made;
• Provide accessible formats and communication supports to any employee(s) who requests them. If requested, the employer will consult with the employee to provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for:
  -information that is needed in order to perform the employee's job;
  -information that is generally available to employees in the workplace;
  

• Take into account the accessibility needs of new hires/employees with disabilities, including review and, if necessary, modification of employee (new hire) checklists.
  

Documented Individualized Plans (i.e. workplace emergency response information, return to work plan, accommodation plan)

OntarioMD will incorporate new accessibility requirements under the Employment Standard to ensure that barriers in accommodation and any other plans that support employees are eliminated and corporate policies are followed, where applicable.

Workplace Emergency Response Information

Where OntarioMD has been made aware that an employee has a disability and is in need of accommodation in an emergency, OntarioMD will provide individualized workplace emergency response information to the employee as soon as practicable, after becoming aware of the need.

OntarioMD will:

• Coordinate with OMA to develop a process for documenting workplace individualized emergency response information for any employee who has a disability and requires the accommodation;
• Consult with the employee to determine their needs and provide the plan as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the need;
• Provide the information only to the person that has been designated to provide assistance to the employee with the disability, upon the employee's consent;
• Review individualized workplace information when:
  
• the employee moves location(s);
  
• individual plans are reviewed;
• general emergency policies are reviewed.
  

• Include in the process the manner in which the employee can participate in the development of the plan;
  
• Include in the process the means by which the employee is assessed on an individual basis;
• Include in the process the means by which OntarioMD can request an evaluation by an outside medical or other expert, at OntarioMD' s expense, to assist OntarioMD in determining how accommodation can be achieved;
  
• Include in the process the manner in which the employee can request union representation (if applicable);
• Take steps to protect the privacy of the employee's personal information;
  
• Outline the frequency in which individual accommodation plans will be reviewed and updated and the manner in which it will be done;
• Provide the employee with the reasons for the denial if the individual accommodation plan is denied;
• Include in the process the means of providing the individual accommodation plan in a format that takes into account the employee's accessibility needs.
  

• Individualized workplace emergency response information that is required;
• Any information regarding accessible formats and communication supports that have been provided for or arranged, in order to provide the employee with information that is needed in order to perform the employee's job, and/or information that is generally available to employees in the workplace;
• Any other accommodation that is to be provided to the employee.
  

Performance Assessment, Career Development and Advancement, and Redeployment

OntarioMD will incorporate new accessibility requirements under the Employment Standard to ensure that barriers in performance assessment, career development and advancement, and redeployment are eliminated and corporate policies are followed, where applicable.

OntarioMD will:

• Ensure the needs of the employees with disabilities are taken into account for the purposes of performance management, career development, advancement and redeployment;
• Include accessibility considerations in performance management processes;
• Include accessibility considerations and individual accommodation plans in career development and advancement, including additional responsibilities within current position;
  
• Take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities when redeploying employees, including review and, if necessary, modification of employee (transfer) checklists.
  

Part 5:  STANDARD FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

OntarioMD is committed to greater accessibility in, out of, and around the buildings we use. OntarioMD will ensure that our office facilities incorporate the standards for barrier-free design as existing spaces are renovated and/or new spaces are obtained.