Integrated Regulation Projects

AODA Compliance Planning, Ontario Library Service (OLS) – North

AccessAbility Advantage was hired by Ontario Library Service – North, to evaluate the small agency, based in Sudbury, for compliance with the AODA. The focus of the evaluation was compliance with the Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation. As part of the project, A+ provided in-person Accessible Customer Service training, audited the agency office for physical accessibility and the website for digital accessibility, interviewed staff, evaluated policy and procedure documentation, and provided a report of recommendations to comply with the AODA. The compliance report detailed the AODA standards requirements as they apply to OLS-North and a compliance plan.

In addition, AccessAbility Advantage was hired to develop communications to describe AODA responsibilities of public libraries in Ontario, develop tools to identify gaps, develop a recommended action plan and sample documents to support compliance, and provide training through in-person train-the-trainer and webinars. These tools are in the final stages of development and the train-the-trainer program is complete for both the North and South Ontario Library Services.

Website Accessibility Audits

AccessAbility Advantage has audited website accessibility for organizations such as Rexdale Community Health Centre, the Town of East Gwillimbury, MediResource and Student Vote.

Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities, YMCA

AccessAbility Advantage is supporting YMCA in complying with the AODA Emergency preparedness requirements for January 1, 2012. We are providing YMCA with an accessibility checklist for facility General Managers to use in reviewing their generic emergency plans in the context of people with disabilities. In addition, we are supporting their team with the development of individualized workplace emergency response plan for employees with disabilities.

Increasing Employment in the Grocery Industry for People with Disabilities, Canadian Food Industry Council (CFIC)

March of Dimes, in partnership with the CFIC, applied for and received short-term funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) to successfully increase employment for people with disabilities within Ontario’s retail grocery sector. The partners conducted a far-reaching needs analysis with employers, developed training material to improve candidates’ skills specific to the industry, coached the grocery industry on how to meet MCSS contract requirements, and fostered relationships with corporate decision-makers and grocery store managers to facilitate staff placement and retention.