MTO 2008-2009 Accessibility Plan

Report on Other Accessibility Commitments

Accessibility improvement initiatives to identify, remove or prevent barriers in preparation for the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) standards currently under development.

In the near future, the ministry will be obligated to comply with four new standards in the areas of employment, information and communications, built environment and transportation. This ministry is very supportive of the accessibility agenda and strives to continuously identify, prevent and remove barriers to support an inclusive society. During this reporting period, MTO made significant progress towards improving accessibility for both employees and members of the public. This section identifies new initiatives and provides a status report on completed or multi-year initiatives for the four accessibility standards currently under development.

Focus area: Employment

Focus area:

Employment

Impact:

Practice / Service

Commitment:

Completed

Enhance managers' knowledge level of accessibility issues related to the competitive hiring process.

Implementation Timeframe:

April 2008

Results Achieved:

Tip sheets and tools for managers developed under the Fair Hiring Practice Initiative include information on accommodation requirements, references to tools and relevant accessibility links. These tip sheets and tools were formatted in an accessible format and distributed/posted on the intranet web site. Information sessions delivered to management groups throughout the province promoted fair hiring practices during all phases of the recruitment process. Additionally, considerable time was spent educating management groups on employee accommodation during the interview process.

Focus area:

Employment

Impact:

Practice / Service

Commitment:

New / Ongoing

Create, in partnership with various stakeholders, an interview centre at the St. Catharines location that is universally accessible to candidates with various disabilities. This Universal Interview Centre will include a testing room, an interview room and a waiting area. Once completed, the "blue print" will be offered to other public organizations to assist with the design and construction of a similar facility.

Planned Action(s):

In collaboration with various parties:

• Design/construct an interview room, a testing room and a waiting area applying the principles of universal design to create an accessible environment in which, to the greatest extent possible, people can fully participate in the recruitment process.
• Select appropriate furniture (adaptable / adjustable) for the three areas as well as suitable equipment and assistive devices for the testing and interview rooms (including appropriate acoustic and lighting systems).
• Additional accessibility attributes such as appropriate signage will be considered.
• A report will be prepared and offered to other organizations as a model to create similar centres.

Implementation Timeframe:

March 2009

Results Achieved:

• Project submission developed and submitted to the Innovation Fund for consideration in January 2008.
• Project plan developed and approved in May 2008.
• Potential locations to house the centre assessed and preferable site selected in June 2008.
• Partnership with Western Regional Recruitment Centre, Human Resources Branch, Facilities Management Branch and building management established in July 2008.
• Acquisition of an accessibility consultant secured in the fall of 2008. The successful candidate has expert knowledge on universal design principles and the various barriers potential candidates with disabilities may be facing during the recruitment process.