MTO 2008-2009 Accessibility Plan

Report on Other Accessibility Commitments

Focus area: Information and Communications

Focus area:

Information and Communications

Impact:

Practice / Service

Commitment:

Ongoing

The Corporate Services Division (CSD) of MTO developed a new intranet site where accessibility requirements were taken into consideration during the various development stages. The CSD Web Committee will continue to assess and improve accessibility of this site.

Planned Action(s):

The CSD Web Committee is committed to continuously improve the accessibility of its site by addressing accessibility issues raised at regular meetings. Pilot training on content development will be reviewed and revised as appropriate and offered to other divisions in the ministry.

Implementation Timeframe:

October 2007 to November 2008 reporting period

Results Achieved:

CSD Web Committee membership was extended to MTO Accessibility Unit staff and accessibility became a standing agenda item discussed at regular meetings. As a result, current and potential accessibility issues are tabled and addressed in a timely fashion. Additionally, knowledge level of committee members on various accessible features increased significantly. A checklist for document development for authors has been developed and affected staff have been identified and trained. The CSD intranet site has served as model for the Provincial Highways Management intranet site currently under development.

Focus area:

Information and Communications

Impact:

Practice / Service

Commitment:

Completed

Assess knowledge level of staff responsible for creating and maintaining intranet sites.

Implementation Timeframe:

October 2007 to November 2008 reporting period

Results Achieved:

The MTO web editors were identified across the organization. In collaboration with the MTO web master, who deals regularly with the MTO web editors, it was found that employees in those functions have limited knowledge of accessibility requirements. Given this finding, and as a first step, activities during this year focused on increasing the knowledge level of staff involved with the intranet in the CSD. As stated earlier, there is a plan once the pilot project is completed, to deploy this initiative across other divisions.

Focus area:

Information and Communications

Impact:

Program / Service

Commitment:

New / Ongoing

MTO's CSD management team is committed to providing an accessible version of any new e-learning modules posted on the e-Learning Portal for Managers.

Planned Action(s):

New modules will include a version certified as being accessible.

Implementation Timeframe:

October 2007 to November 2008 reporting period

Results Achieved:

Accessibility requirements were included as a selection criterion under the procurement process documentation. The Accessibility Unit participated as an active member on the evaluation and selection committee. The successful vendor committed to include as many accessibility features as permitted by the current technology on the regular version as well as making available a text only version which would be certified by a reputable organization.

Focus area:

Information and Communications / Customer Service

Impact:

Program / Policy / Practice / Service

Commitment:

Ongoing

Seek and welcome public ODA input and recommendations through various channels.

We will continue to provide advice and consultation to program areas on ODA and AODA requirements.

Planned Action(s):

Continue to seek feedback and provide advice from/to both internal and external customers. Integrate and harmonize current corporate initiatives and practices including requirements under the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulation, the OPS Service Directive and French Language Service provisions.

Implementation Timeframe:

October 2007 to November 2008 reporting period

Results Achieved:

• Requests and inquiries regarding accessibility requirements significantly increased during this reporting period. Queries often generated the need to develop new tools and training for internal staff such as a checklist for document authors for the CSD intranet site content.
• Eight information sessions were delivered to various management committees across the province.
• The committee that organized the Take our Kids to Work Day in St. Catharines was committed to making this event accessible. Additionally, an interactive presentation was delivered to 46 grade 9 students where they learned about barriers faced by people with various disabilities.
• Numerous consultations on a variety of topics were conducted. This is a good measure validating that accessibility is increasingly being considered and is becoming part of conducting regular business.

Focus area:

Information and Communications

Impact:

Service / Program / Practices

Commitment:

Ongoing

Continue to sustain / improve the overall accessibility of the MTO Internet public site.

Planned Action(s):

While continuing to sustain and improve the accessibility of the MTO Internet, increase accessibility of the various intranets by providing support and assistance as required.

Implementation Timeframe:

October 2007 to November 2008 reporting period

Results Achieved:

• Followed World Wide Web Consortium Accessibility Guidelines, Priorities I & II
• Provided advice and guidance to MTO web developers on accessibility requirements
• Attended on an ongoing basis the inter-ministerial GO web committee meetings and workshops
• MTO upgraded its public Web site to have a new look and feel. Accessibility improvements include, but are not limited to, text size selectors and easier / intuitive navigation

Focus area:

Information and Communications

Impact:

Service

Commitment:

New / Ongoing

Planned Action(s):

In preparation for the Information and Communications Accessibility Standard currently under development, compile an inventory of MTO-specific information and technology business applications and identify users. Once completed, assess effects on business and staff and identify degree of impact. Accessibility improvements will be prioritized based on findings.

Implementation Timeframe:

December 2009

Results Achieved:

Inventory of current applications completed November 2008

Focus area:

Information and Communications

Impact:

Practice / Service

Commitment:

New / Completed

Increase the accessibility of current Portable Document Format (PDF) memorandums originating from the CSD.

Implementation Timeframe:

Fall 2008

Results Achieved:

An information session was delivered to the administrative staff in the CSD where guidelines on preparing accessible PDF memorandum were distributed. Regular CSD communication distributed through electronic PDF memorandums is now formatted to be accessible. This practice is a step above current direction where accessible PDF memorandum was required only for OPS and MTO-wide communication products.

Focus area:

Information and Communications

Impact:

Program / Service

Commitment:

New / Ongoing

Accessibility requirements are considered under the modernization of the province-wide Driver Examination Booking System application (Ontario DEBS Project).

Planned Action(s):

Accessibility requirements will be considered for the implementation of the Ontario driver examination booking system modernization project.

Implementation Timeframe:

Multi-year, inter-ministry project with an anticipated end date of 2011 for all phases of the project based on funding approvals.

Results Achieved:

Accessibility Unit members were engaged in discussions during the planning phase of the project and the project considered accessibility provisions and guidelines as a priority.