AODA Integrated Multi-Year Plan 2013-21

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

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

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.

Information and Communications
Employment
Transportation
Built Environment
Procurement

1. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS:

Deadline	A. Print Documents	Who is Responsible	STATUS
January 1, 2014	Develop new guidelines for writing in plain language and formatting documents for reader accessibility.	Human Resources	COMPLETED
January 1, 2014	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. AODA Accessible Customer Service Policy AODA Integrated Policy 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
January 1, 2014	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. E- Memo to all employees 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. Access and Accommodation Anti-Audism Anti-Racism Career Investment Planning Designated Devices Discrimination & Harassment Diversity Harassment and Violence in the Workplace Health and Safety Meeting Accessibility Protocol Performance Appraisal Recruitment and Selection Return to Work Scent Free Self-Identification Service Animals Sexual Harassment Sign Language Succession Planning 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