Overview
Legal/Policy Framework
Draft Standard
AMCTO's Submission on the Draft Accessible Information and Communications Standard
Examples of What Ontario Municipalities are Doing in Advance of the Release of the Accessible Information and Communications Standard
Emergency and Evacuation Planning

Overview

The Ontario Government is issuing five sets of standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) to achieve the vision of a barrier-free Ontario by 2025. 

The final proposed Accessible Information and Communications Standard has now been submitted to the Minister of Community and Social Services for consideration as law.

• Status Update as of March 9, 2010 as Presented to: Ontario General Contractors Association

From the Ontario government's Backgrounder, "Ontario's Accessibility Plan" released on May 21, 2010, "In response to public feedback from the standards review process, Ontario will integrate these next three standards into one streamlined regulation." 

The harmonized standard is expected to be released for public review this fall or winter.

Legal/Policy Framework

Final Accessibility Standards for Information and Communications have not yet been brought forward in a regulation. The standard is expected in 2010. A draft of the standard is found below.

Draft Standard

• Information & Communications Draft Standard

AMCTO's Submission on the Draft Standard

• January 2009 Submission on Proposed Accessible Information & Communications Standard

Examples of What Ontario Municipalities are Doing in Advance of the Release of the Accessible Information & Communications Standard

• OPS Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (2008-2013) - Information & Communications
• Access to Information for Persons with Disabilities - City of Mississauga
• Documentation Standards Policy - City of Mississauga
• Multiple Format Policy Statement - Region of York
• City of Ottawa Multiple Formats Policy 

       Accessible Information

• Making Information Accessible, Ministry of Community and Social Services, AccessON
• CNIB Clear Print Design Standard
• What is Clear Print, RNIB, UK
• Accessible Information, RNIB, UK
• Accessible Formats, RNIB, UK
• A Way with Words and Images
• "Listening to Learn: Digital Reading Solutions" See how technology and document conversion are helping students read and learn

        Website Accessibility and Testing

• "Introduction to Web Accessibility" An excellent article with good, basic information on web accessibility
• W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
• Accessibility (from W3C WAI)
• How People with Disabilities Use the Web
• Web Accessibility for People with Specific Disabilities
• Web Accessibility for Screen Magnifier Users
• Improving Accessibility for Screen Reader Users
• Improving Accessibility for Motor Impaired Users
• Involving Users in Web Projects for Better, Easier Accessibility
• Web Site Testing Tips - RNIB, UK
• Evaluating Web Sites for Accessibility: Overview
• Accessibility Audit vs Accessibility Testing
• Ten Quick Tests to Check your Website for Accessibility
• 10 Common Errors when Implementing Accessibility

        Accessible Communications

• Communication Accessibility Checklist - DAWN Ontario
• Communication Access for People who Have Communication Disabilities
• Model Policy for Law Enforcement Officers on Communicating with People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing - USA

        Planning Accessible Meetings

• Link to HRSDC’s Inclusive Meeting Guide
• Invite, Welcome and Respect: Planning Accessible Meetings and Events, Washington State Arts Commission
• Planning an Accessible Meeting, MCSS
• Tips for Successful Meetings When Some Participants Have Vision Loss, CNIB
• Accessible Meetings Practices - City of Mississauga
• Accessible Meeting Policy - Region of York

       Please alert us to new examples

        
Emergency and Evacuation Planning

• A Shared Responsibility: the need for an inclusive approach to emergency planning for people with disabilities, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities, 2009
• Emergency and Evacuation Planning Video on Responding to Emergencies Involving People who are Deaf, Deafened or Hard of Hearing, U.S. 
• Emergency Preparedness, Halton Region
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Guide on Making Community Emergency Preparedness & Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities, U.S.
• ADA Checklist for Emergency Shelters, U.S.
• ADA 9-1-1 & Emergency Communication Services Checklist, U.S.
• National Organization on Disability, U.S. - Emergency Preparedness Materials
• Telephone Emergency Services - USA