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Accessibility - Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy
Company Name: Toronto Montessori School (TMS) Approver: Andrew Cross, Head of School Policy Title: Accessibility – Integrated Accessibility Standards Version: 1 Policy Owner: Vince Haines, CAO Last Review: September 30th 2021
Policy Statement
TMS is committed to treating people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Purpose
This 2014-21 accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that TMS will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act, 2005. These standards are developed to break down barriers and increase accessibility for people with disabilities in the areas of information and communication and employment.
Application
This Policy applies to all employees, volunteers and agents of the School who interact with our school community, including current and prospective students, employees, volunteers, families, alumni, donors, and any other users of TMS’ goods and services.
Accessibility Plan
TMS will develop, maintain and document an Accessibility Plan that will be reviewed and updated at least once every five years and will be posted on the school’s website. Upon request TMS will provide a copy of the Accessibility plan in an accessible format.
Training
TMS will provide training to employees, volunteers, persons who participate in the development of TMS policies and all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the School on Ontario’s Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities.
Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees, volunteers and other persons. TMS will ensure all employees are provided with the training needed to meet Ontario’s accessible laws now and and as changes are made to accessibility policies. New employees will be trained upon hire and training records will be kept for all training.
Information and Communications Standard
TMS is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. We will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.
Accessible Emergency Information
TMS is committed to providing customers and clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request as soon as practicable after the School becomes of aware of the request. We will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary (see Employment Section below).
Kiosks
Where possible, TMS will incorporate accessibility criteria and features when procuring self-service kiosks. If it is not practicable to do so, staff will provide an explanation and have alternatives to the self-serve kiosks for services, upon request.
Feedback Processes
TMS will continue to ensure feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities upon request.
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
TMS will take the following steps to make sure all publicly available information is made accessible upon request.
● Methods of communicating with the public are constantly under revision to maximize their effectiveness. ● Employees dealing with this information will be informed of the need to comply with this standard, and provided the resources to do so. ● Any publicly available information found not to be accessible will be rendered in a different method as required upon request.
TMS will take the following steps to make all websites and content conform with WCAG 2.0, Level AA.
● Closer to the target date, as a requirement of receiving a website development contract, (for new websites or extensive alterations to existing ones) developers will have to confirm that the end product website will meet the required higher technical standard. ● A review of existing websites will be done in 2020 to measure compliance with this standard.
Educational and Training Resources and Materials
TMS will provide education and training resources and materials, student records and course and program information in accessible formats, upon request, taking into account the accessibility needs due to disability.
Training to Educators
TMS will provide educators with accessibility awareness training related to accessible program or course delivery and instruction and will document this training.
Libraries
Libraries will provide, procure, or acquire accessible or conversion ready format of print, digital or multimedia resources or materials upon request for print based resources and for digital and multimedia resources.
Employment Standard
TMS is committed to fair and accessible employment practices.
Recruitment
TMS will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes through job posting notifications and when contacted directly during the recruitment process.
When making offers of employment, TMS will notify successful applicants of its policies for accommodating employees with disabilities.
All staff will be notified of this process as part of AODA training.
Individual Accommodation Plans (IAP)
TMS will continue to develop individual accommodation plans and return-to-work plans for employees who have a disability. These plans will include individualized workplace emergency response information when required. Where the employee requires assistance, TMS will provide the information to the person designated by TMS to provide assistance to the employee. The plans will be reviewed if the employee moves to a different location.
Performance Management, Career Development and Advancement and Redeployment
Performance management processes related to assessing and improving employee performance, productivity and effectiveness will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans.
TMS will take into account the accessibility needs of its employees with disabilities as well as any individual accommodation plans when providing career development and advancement to its employees. Career development and advancement includes providing additional responsibilities within an employee’s current position, the movement of an employee from one job to another which may provide greater responsibility and/or compensation, and/or which places the employee at a higher level in the School, or any combination of these.
If TMS needs to reassign employees to other departments or jobs within the School as a result of job elimination, the School will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities as well as individual accommodation plans.
Workplace Emergency Response Information
TMS shall provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability in accordance with the following elements: (i) If the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary and the employer is aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee’s disability; (ii) If the employee who receives an individual workplace emergency response information requires assistance and with the employee’s consent, TMS shall provide the workplace emergency information to the person designated by TMS to provide assistance to the employee; (iii) As soon as practicable after becoming aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee’s disability; (iv) Review the individualized workplace emergency response information when the employee moves to a different location in the organization, when overall accommodations needs or plans are reviewed and when TMS reviews its general emergency response policies.
TMS will take the following steps to prevent and remove other accessibility barriers identified by employees with disabilities:
● Potential or actual barriers will be addressed if/when identified and TMS will consult with the employee when determining what accommodations, if any, are necessary
Design of Public Spaces
TMS will meet the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building or making major modifications to public spaces. Public spaces include:
● Outdoor paths of travel, like sidewalks, ramps, stairs, and curb ramps ● Accessible off street parking ● Service-related elements like service counters, fixed queuing lines and waiting areas
TMS will put the following procedures in place to prevent service disruptions to accessible parts of its public spaces.
● Preventive maintenance will be conducted on accessible parts of TMS public places, as is done throughout the facilities. Planned down-time, if necessary, will be coordinated to minimize the adverse impacts on facilities users.
In the event of a service disruption, we will notify the public of the service disruption and alternatives available.
For more information
For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact Vince Haines, Chief Administrative Officer at:
● Phone: 905-889-6882 x233 ● Email: vhaines@tmsschool.ca
Accessible formats of this document are available. Formats include:
● Large Print (18 pt font or larger) ● Computer Files and Accessible Web Content (software programs that read aloud text on screen that comply with WCAG 2.0 guidelines)
