Accessibility

Image of types of disabilities

Information and Communication Standard

The Counties is committed to meeting the communication needs of persons with disabilities, and will notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communications supports as required.

Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

Except as otherwise provided by legislation, the Counties shall, upon request and in consultation with the person making the request, provide or make arrangements to provide accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities. Accessible formats and communication supports shall be provided in a timely manner, taking into account the person's accessibility needs and at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons.

This shall not apply to products and product labels, unconvertible information or communications and information that the Counties does not control directly or indirectly through a contractual relationship. If it is determined that information or communications are unconvertible, the department shall provide the person requesting the information or communications with an explanation as to why the information or communications are unconvertible, and a summary of the unconvertible information or communications.

Disruption of Service

In the event there is a temporary service disruption in availability of facilities, services or programs used by persons with disabilities (e.g. elevator, door opener), the Counties shall give notice to the public of the reason for the disruption, the dates of the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative facilities, services or programs available. Such notice may be provided by a variety of methods, depending on the circumstances, and may include posting in a conspicuous place(s) at the affected facility, or the Counties' website, or by such other method as is reasonable in circumstances.

Notice of Disruption Form

Use of Assistive Devices

Counties employees, elected officials, volunteers and third parties shall accommodate the use of personal assistive devices including but not limited to wheelchairs, canes, walkers, and scooters. Any assistive listening devices that are available for access to specific services and programs, as well as other assistive devices such as automatic door openers, ramps, and elevators shall be kept in good working order and the public shall be informed of their availability.

Service Animals

The Counties shall accommodate the use of service animals by people with disabilities to ensure accessibility to Counties' services and programs, unless the animal is otherwise excluded by law, such as in food preparation areas.

If a service animal cannot be easily identified as a service animal, individuals representing the Counties may ask the person to provide documentation from a regulated health professional, which must confirm the person needs the service animal for reasons related to their disability.

Training

All Counties' employees, elected officials, volunteers and third parties providing services and programs to the public on the Counties' behalf, as well as those who develop policies, practices and procedures governing the provision of services and programs to the public will receive accessibility training.

The training provided shall be appropriate to the duties of the employee, elected official, volunteer or third party. Training shall take place as soon as practicable and upon completion, the Counties shall keep a record of the training provided including dates on which accessibility training took place.

Training shall be provided one an ongoing basis as policies, procedures and legislation change.

Procurement

When procuring goods, services, facilities, self-service kiosks, the Counties shall incorporate accessibility criteria and features, unless it is not feasible or practicable. If not practicable, the Counties shall provide an explanation upon request.

Emergency Procedure, Plan or Public Safety Information

The Counties shall provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary and the Counties is aware of the need for accommodation. The Counties shall provide the information as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the need for accommodation.

If an employee who receives individualized workplace emergency response information requires assistance, and with the employee's consent, the Counties shall provide the workplace emergency response information to a person designated by the Counties to provide assistance to the employee.

The Counties shall review the individualized workplace emergency response information where the employee moves to a different location in the organization, when circumstance change with the employer, with the employee, or the workplace when overall accommodation needs or plans are reviewed, and when the employee reviews it general emergency response plans and policies.

Website Accessibility

Internet websites and web content controlled directly by the Counties or through a contractual relationship that allows for modification of the product shall conform to the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 at level AA in accordance with the Integrated Accessibility Standards.

Employment Standard

The Counties is committed to fair, equitable and accessible employment practices. Though the Employment Standard applies in respect to the employees only, the Counties shall extend this, wherever practicable, to elected officials and volunteers.

Employment Recruitment

All employment postings shall provide information about the availability of accommodations for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment process. Job applicants who are individually selected for an interview and/or testing shall be notified that accommodations for material to be used in the process are available upon request.

The Counties shall consult with any application who requests such an accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant's disability. Successful applicants shall be notified about the Counties' polices for accommodating employees with disabilities as part of their offer of employment.

Employment Supports

The Counties will inform employees of the policies used to support employees with disabilities, including policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee's accessibility needs due to disability. The Counties shall provide this information to new employees as soon as practicable after they begin their employment and provide updated information to all employees whenever there is a change to existing policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee's accessibility needs due to disability.

When an employee is absent from work due to a disability and requires disability related accommodations in order to return, the Counties shall provide such accommodations and supports whenever practicable. Such return-to-work process shall be documented and about the steps the Counties will take to facilitate the return to work.

The Counties shall document any individual accommodation plan for employees with disabilities.

Feedback

Feedback on how services and programs were delivered to persons with disabilities shall be invited, forwarded to the County Clerk, responded to, documented and tracked. Feedback shall be collected by phone, email, website comments, in person, or by mail. Feedback in person shall be accepted at any of the Counties' public facilities. Feedback shall be accepted in accessible formats and with other communication support as required.

The Counties will ensure its feedback process is accessible by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports on request.

Accessibility Feedback Form

Accessibility Advisory Committee

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville believes everyone should be treated equally. Removing barriers is the sole function of the Leeds Grenville Accessibility Advisory Committee. This Committee ensures relationships are fostered and focus is directed to ensure awareness that the removal of barriers is both necessary and needed.

Current Leeds Grenville Accessibility Advisory Committee Members:

Brandon Aiello
John Conley
Dana Farasiu
James Hutchinson
Evelyn Pott
Claire Smith
Bill Steenkamer
Calvin Turner
Rob Wright
Pat Sayeau (Warden)
Nancy Peckford (Council Representative)
Corinna Smith-Gatcke (Council Representative)

Terms of Reference

Raising Awareness

Accessibility is everyone's responsibility. Raising awareness is an important part of an Ontario by 2026. For more information on accessibility and various resources, please choose from the following website links