Accessibility Information
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Plan
The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 is to benefit all Ontarians by achieving accessibility for people with disabilities. This will be done by developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards concerning goods, services, accommodation, facilities, buildings and employment. Improvements will be phased in, in stages of 5 years or less, moving towards an accessible Ontario in 20 years. Standards will address the full range of disabilities including physical, sensory, hearing, mental health, developmental and learning. That is, both visible and invisible disabilities will be included. This legislation covers both the public and private sectors.
This plan is now the seventh annual plan (2009 - 2010) for the Avon Maitland District School Board. The theme which the Accessibility Working Group has chosen to continue for this year is communication and outreach, bringing more of the stakeholders into the process. The rationale for this theme, based on feedback from members of the Working Group, is that, despite annual distribution of the plan to various stakeholders with requests for feedback, little feedback has been readily forthcoming. Therefore, the Working Group is revising the meeting format for the year, extending specific invitations to stakeholders, including presentations at the meetings and making follow-up contact with the various groups after the plan has been shared, to ensure feedback is captured.
What is the Purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act?
The purpose of the Act is to benefit all Ontarians by developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards. The Act aims to achieve an accessible Ontario no later than January1, 2025. The scope of the Act includes goods, services, facilities, accommodations, employment, building, structures and premises. Accessibility standards will be developed cooperatively by people with disabilities, the Government of Ontario and representatives of various sectors of the economy.
What disabilities are covered by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act?
- Vision Loss
- Hearing Loss
- Deaf-Blind
- Physical Disabilities
- Mental Health Disabilities
- Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
- Learning Disabilities
- Speech or Language Impairments
What is Accessible Customer Service?
Customer service that is provided in a manner that is capable of being easily understood or appreciated, easy to get at, enter or obtain meets the definition of accessible customer service.
Select this link for the Provincial Guide to Accessibility Standards for Customer Service
What is the Customer Service Standard?
- Approved in July 2007, the Accessible Customer Service Standard requires all public sector organizations to:
- Document accessible customer service policies, procedures and practices
- Provide staff training
- Provide a feedback method
- Facilitate alternative communication methods
- Provide notification of service disruptions
All policies and/or procedures must be consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.
Is the Avon Maitland District School Board in compliance with the Accessible Customer Service Standard as required by the Act?
Yes, our Compliance Report was submitted to the Ministry of Community and Social Services in March 2010 in accordance with the Act and the standard.
What procedures does the Avon Maitland District School Board have in place?
- Use of Assistive Devices by the General Public
- Use of Service Animals by the General Public
- Use of Support Persons by the General Public
- Notification of Disruption of Service
- Monitoring and Feedback on Accessible Customer Service
Select this link for the "How to" manual that offers compliance assistance information.
What is included in the staff training provided to Avon Maitland District School Board employees?
All employees that interact with the public or has input into policy related to service delivery, including volunteers, contractors and agents have received training in:
- The purposes of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
- How to interact with people with various disabilities
- How to interact with people who use the assistance of a service animal or support person
- How to use assistive devices available on their premises
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing service
- Training is provided to all new employees as part of their orientation after hiring.
Does the Avon Maitland District School Board have an accessibility planning committee?
Yes, the AODA Committee as it is called, meets four times a year to develop the Annual Accessibility Plan for the upcoming year. This group involves membership from all Board departments, contractors, parents, students and community agencies and members of the public with disabilities. Each year this working group monitors progress with addressing identified barriers to accessibility as well as identifying new barriers and setting priorities to address them in the coming year. There five working groups that make of this committee are:
- Architectural
- Physical/Environment
- Policies, Procedures and Practices
- Technological
- Transportation
Meeting Times
The schedule of Accessibility Working Group meetings for the 2010 - 2011 year is as follows. All meetings will be held in the Maitland Room at the Education Centre,
All meetings are open to the public. Please notify Debbie Gingerich (519-527-0111 OR 1-800-592-5437 at ext. 142) if you are planning to attend.
- December 7, 2011 4:00 p.m.
- February 2, 2012 4:00 p.m.
- April 19, 2012 4:00 p.m.
The Working Group reminds staff about roles in implementing the plan. Information shared at meetings is located on the AODA conference.
How do I learn about accessibility features in Avon Maitland schools and buildings?
You can access information about accessibility in the Avon Maitland District School Board by visiting this website. The Accessibility icon will provide access to our Annual Accessibility Plan, Administrative Procedures for Accessible Customer Service and a link to online staff training. Each school website has an accessibility icon that outlines the accessibility features of that building. All documentation can be made available in alternative formats on request either by contacting the school directly or through the feedback form at the bottom of this page.
How do I obtain a copy of the Annual Accessibility Plan for the Avon Maitland District School Board?
This plan represents the ninth annual plan (2011/2012) for the Avon Maitland District School Board.
Select this link to download and view the 2011-2012 AMDSB AODA Plan
If you would like a printed copy, please call 519-527-0111 ext 114. A copy in large format printing can also be provided.
What is the process for giving feedback on accessible customer service to the Avon Maitland District School Board?
Feedback can be provided through any of a variety of methods including telephone, e-mail and written submissions. Regardless of the method, the feedback should include the name of the person making the feedback as well as their contact information.
Feedback regarding the way the Avon Maitland district School Board provides services to people with disabilities can be made by:
1. e-mail: info@amdsb.ca
2. fax 519-527-0222
3. telephone 519-527-0111 or toll-free at 1-800-592-5437
A response to your feedback will be provided either by directed response to you or as a summary report on the Board’s website.
For specific school information on facility accessibility please visit the school websites.