POLICY:                     

AODA Integrated Multi-Year Plan 2013-21

ISSUING DEPARTMENT:

HUMAN RESOURCES

ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:

REVSION DATE:

NEXT REVISION DATE:

December 9, 2013

NEW

December 1, 2014

 

Table of Contents

OVERVIEW

INTEGRATED MULTI-YEAR PLAN 2013-2021

1.  INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

    A. Print Documents

    B. CHS Websites

    C. Emergencies

    D. Training

    E. Feedback

    F. Communication Devices

2.   EMPLOYMENT

    A. Recruitment

    B. Prevention and Removal of Barriers

3.   BUILT ENVIRONMENT

    A. Service disruptions to public spaces

    B. Design of Public Spaces

    C. Kiosks

4.   TRANSPORTATION

5.   PROCUREMENT

OVERVIEW

In compliance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA), this 2013-21 accessibility plan outlines the actions that the Canadian Hearing Society has put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.  By law this multi-year plan must be available to the public beginning January 1, 2014. 

  • CHS values the spirit of the Act and while we may be legally exempt from specific regulations from time to time, we will strive to incorporate those standards into our plans where it makes sense to do so. 
  • CHS further acknowledges and values that accessibility not only benefits people with disabilities, it also benefits the greater public e.g. seniors, families traveling with young children and people who make deliveries to our premises, etc.

INTEGRATED MULTI-YEAR PLAN 2013-2021

The Integrated Multi-Year Plan covers an eight year period and is subject to updates and will be revised at least once every 5 years. 

The plan addresses 5 areas as follows and outlines action items, deadlines, who is responsible to oversee each and status updates.

  1. Information and Communications
  2. Employment
  3. Transportation
  4. Built Environment
  5. Procurement

1. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS:

Deadline

A.    Print Documents 

Who is Responsible

STATUS

January 1, 2014
  1. Develop new guidelines for writing in plain language and formatting documents for reader accessibility.
Human Resources COMPLETED 

2. New Public Documents: content administrators are responsible to ensure that new materials are written in plain language and that document layouts follow formatting guidelines.

Marketing and Communications ONGOING
January 1, 2014

3.  The following AODA Policies and Multi-Year Plan will be available on www.chs.ca

a) AODA Accessible Customer Service Policy (updated)

b) AODA Integrated Policy (new)

c) Multi-Year Plan (new)

Human Resources COMPLETED
January 1, 2014

4.  The Complaint Policy will be available on www.chs.ca in four languages (English, French, ASL, and LSQ).  They may also be available to the public via CHS TV.

Vice President, Programs and Services COMPLETED
June 1, 2014

5.  The English, ASL and French version of our Privacy Statement are currently available on www.chs.ca. The revised statement will include LSQ.  They may also be available to the public via CHS TV.

Privacy Officer  

January 1, 2014

 

6. When existing public documents are up for review, content administrators are responsible to ensure that materials are re-written in plain language and that document layouts follow formatting guidelines.    

 

Marketing and Communications

 

ONGOING

January 1, 2015

 

7. The AODA Policies and Multi-Year Plan will also be made available on www.chs.ca in ASL and LSQ/French. They may also be available to the public via CHS TV.

 

  1. AODA Accessible Customer Service Policy
  2. AODA Integrated Policy
  3. Multi-Year Plan

 

Human Resources

 

January 1, 2015

January 1, 2015

 

8. Priority Public Documents:  will be made available on our website in 4 languages (English, French, ASL, and LSQ).

 

 

Content Administrators

ONGOING

Deadline B. CHS Websites Who is Responsible STATUS
January 1, 2014

1. www.chs.ca renovations will be WCAG 2.0 Level AA compatible.

Marketing and Communications COMPLETED

2. MyCHS will be WCAG 2.0 Level AA compatible. 

Information Techonology  
Deadline C. Emergencies Who is Responsible STATUS
January 1 Annually 

1. Individualized emergency response information and evacuation plans for employees with disabilities will be updated annually and maintained by Human Resources.

Human Resources

2012 COMPLETED

2013 COMPLETED 

January 1 Annually

2. Emergency information for the public will be maintained and communicated in ways that are accessible. Alternative formats will be provided upon request. 

Human Resources

2012 COMPLETED

2013 COMPLETED 

Deadline  D. Training  Who is Responsible STATUS 
January 1, 2012

1. AODA Accessible Customer Service - mandatory online training module provided to all employees and volunteers on an ongoing basis. 

Human Resources COMPLETED 
January 1, 2015

2. Establish ongoing annual agency wide training plan for all CHS employees related to diversity and HR policies. 

Human Resources  
January 1, 2015

3. CHS Online Orientation program will train all employees and volunteers with respects to a wide range of issues related diversity, attitude, respect and accessibility.

Human Resources IN PROGRESS 
January 1, 2015

4. Mandatory AODA IASR online training will be provided to all employees and volunteers and must be completed by the deadline. This includes anyone who provides goods or services on contract. 

Human Resources IN PROGRESS 
January 1, 2015

5. Mandatory OHRC online training will be provided to all employees and volunteers and must be completed by the deadline. This includes anyone who provides goods or services on contract

Human Resources IN PROGRESS 
Deadline E. Feedback Who is Responsible STATUS 
January 1, 2013

1. Permanent feedback processes are live on the CHS website and sigange is in place. Alternative formats available up on request. 

Human Resources; Marketing and Communications COMPLETED
January 1, 2014 2. Review and update feedback processes and signage (from #1, above) Human Resources; Marketing and Communications COMPLETED
January 1, 2015 3. Public questionnaires or comment cards must include notice that, upon request, CHS provide this information in accessible formats and/or with communication supports.

Heads of Programs/Services;Regional Directors

IN PROGRESS
Deadline F. Communication Devices Who is Responsible STATUS
January 1, 2014

1. 80% of product descriptions will be provided in alternative format. 

Communication Devices Program  COMPLETED 
January 1, 2015

2. 10% of products will include alternative format; visual how-to video guides.

Communication Devices Program  
January 1, 2016

3. 20% of products will include alternative format: visual how-to video guides in alternative format. 

Communication Devices Program  
January 1, 2017

4. 30% of products will include alternative formats: visual how-to video guides.

Communication Devices Program  
January 1, 2018

5. 40% of products will include alternative format: visual how-to video guides.

Communication Devices Program  
January 1, 2019

6. 50% of products will include alternative format: visual how-to video guides. 

Communication Devices Program   
January 1, 2020

7.60% of products will include alternative format: visual how-to guides. 

Communication Devices Program   

2. EMPLOYMENT 

Deadline A. Recruitment  Who is Responsible STATUS 
January 1, 2013

We will take the following steps to notify

the public and staff that. when requested, 

CHS will accommodate people with disabilities

during the recruitment and assessment

processes and when people are hired. 

1. All job postings will inform applicants: "In

accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians

with Disabilities Act (AODA), CHS will provide 

accommodation, accessible formats, and 

communication supports for the interview upon 

request.

2. All job postings will inform applicants that CHS 

is an Affirmative Action employer.

 

Human Resources COMPLETED 
January 1, 2014

We will make all employees aware of how CHS will 

support them if they have a disability or should they

acquire a disability in their career.

  1. E- Memo to all employees
  2. New hires and employees who transfer into 

another position will be informed in their Letter of

offer. 

Human Resources

COMPLETED

COMPLETED

January 1, 2014

1.  CHS will take the following steps to develop and 

put in place a process for developing individual 

accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for 

employees that have been absent due to a disability:

a) CHS' existing policies that address access and 

accommodations will be reviewed and updated 

annually.

b) CHS will develop and implement a Return to Work 

policy by December 31, 2013

Human Resources

 

 

 

COMPLETED

 

 

COMPLETED

Deadline B. Prevention and Removal of Barriers Who is Responsible STATUS
January 1, 2015

The following Human Resources policies will be reviewed 

and updated annually. Managers will be trained on policies

on a regular basis. Issues and complaints will be dealt with

in a timely and respectful manner. 

  1. Access and Accommodation
  2. Anti-Audism
  3. Anti-Racism
  4. Career Investment Planning
  5. Designated Devices
  6. Discrimination & Harassment
  7. Diversity
  8. Harassment and Violence in the Workplace
  9. Health and Safety
  10. Meeting Accessibility Protocol
  11. Performance Appraisal
  12. Recruitment and Selection
  13. Return to Work
  14. Scent Free
  15. Self-Identification
  16. Service Animals
  17. Sexual Harassment
  18. Sign Language
  19. Succession Planning
  20. Training and Development
Human Resources REVIEW IN PROGRESS

 

3. BUILT ENVIRONMENT

 
Deadline A. Service disruptions to public spaces Who is Responsible STATUS 
January 1, 2014

All new builds, renovations and space reorganizations must

not block pathways to accessible public areas unless 

absolutely necessary. When a service disruption is

unavoidable, we will notify the public of service disruptions

and alternatives available. 

1. Signage will be placed in strategic areas well with as 

much notice as possible and as applicable, give alternatives

and contact information. Signage will be strategically placed 

BEFORE consumers arrive in the area.

2. CHS will endeavour to contact consumers directly if there

is insufficient time to post notice of blockage or interruptions.

3. Notices will be posted on the CHS website.

4. Establish a voluntary e-alert system

Managers and Human

Resources

ONGOING
Deadline B. Design of Public Spaces Who is Responsible STATUS 
January 1, 2014

1. All major changes to public spaces in CHS facilities must

conform to Accessibility Standards. 

Regional Directors in

consultation with 

Human Resources

COMPLETED
January 1, 2014

2. CHS will advocate with landlords and the immediate vicinity of

our offices for proper design of public spaces according to the 

Accessibility Standards.

Regional Directords COMPLETED
January 1, 2021

3. Electronic signage will be available in all CHS offices. Users

can select from a menu of mandatory public documents in their

language of preference (English, French, ASL or LSQ)

Marketing and Communications;

Information Techonology

 
Deadline C. Kiosks Who is Responsible STATUS
January 1, 2014

CHS will undertake the following steps to ensure employees consider

the needs of people with disabilities when designing, procuring or

acquiring self-service kiosks.

1. As applicable, all lease agreements must include assessing 

kiosks in the facilities and parking areass to ensure that they are 

accessible to the general public and to our consumers and 

employees e.g. sound, vision, height, location, etc. When a 

landlord installs new kiosks, CHS will advocate that new 

installations be accessible. 

Managers and CFO COMPLETED
January 1, 2014

2. As applicable, event venues will be sourced with a preference for

those with accessible kiosks.

All Event Planners COMPLETED

4. TRANSPORTATION 

Deadline A. General Who is Responsible STATUS 
N/A

CHS is exempt from this requirement 

because we do not transport clients and 

because our employees are covered 

above under Section 2 Employment, C, 1

N/A  
January 1, 2014

1. CHS will advocate AODA transportation

requirements where it makes sense to do 

so. 

Managers

ONGOING

 

5. PROCUREMENT

Deadline A. General Who is Responsible STATUS
January 1, 2014

1. CHS will incorporate accessibility design,

criteria and features when procuring or acquiring

goods, services or facilities, except where it is not

practical to do so. When it is impractical, we will

advocate for accessibility. 

 

All Managers ONGOING 

 

APPROVED BY: DATE:
Senior Management Team                                    December 9, 2013