Accessibility

Accessibility in the Municipality of Red Lake

To meet the needs of our growing and changing community the Municipality of Red Lake has committed itself to the continual improvement of access to Municipal facilities and services by identifying, removing, and preventing barriers. Accessibility is about providing access and services to meet diverse needs that is flexible to individuals whenever possible, and makes a satisfying experience our primary focus.

The Municipality of Red Lake 2021-2026 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, as amended, describes the measures the Municipality of Red Lake has taken in the past, and the measures the Municipality of Red Lake will take in the future to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities, who use the facilities and services of the Municipality of Red Lake, including staff and members of the community at large.

The Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is reviewed on an annual basis:

• • • 2020 Accessibility Annual Report
    • 2021 Accessibility Annual Report
    • 2022 Accessibility Annual Report

 

---

Accessibility Policies

The Municipality of Red Lake adopted an Accessible Customer Service Policy, and Integrated Accessibility Policy. These policies demonstrate the Municipality’s commitment to inclusion and understanding and meeting the needs of all those we serve, in a way that is free from discrimination, protects the dignity and independence of all people, and provides equal opportunity and integrated services for people with disabilities.

Barriers to people with disabilities were identified through a survey in 2003. In 2008 the Municipality of Red Lake hired a consultant to train employees on accessibility and accessibility audits. Accessibility audits have been completed on the Municipal Office, Cochenour Arena, Cochenour Hall, Red Lake Community Centre and Rahill Beach. An advertisement is placed annually in the Municipal Newsletter and social media allowing the public to provide feedback on barriers regarding Municipal facilities, properties, programs or services.

---

Accessibility Improvement Plan

To create an accessible and inclusive community, we are committed to meeting the AODA standards and to identifying, removing, and preventing barriers for people with disabilities. With these priorities in mind, over the next five years the Municipality of Red Lake will implement the AODA standards in Customer Service, Information and Communication, Employment, Transportation, Design of Public Spaces, and the Built Environment.

Every plan and deliverable will contribute to key outcomes, all of which works toward our common vision of an accessible and inclusive community.

1. Customer Service

1.1 Our commitment

The Municipality of Red Lake is committed to inclusion and understanding and meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a manner that is free from discrimination, and protects dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.

1.2 How we will achieve accessible customer service

Polices, Guidelines, and Standards

• • • • Review and update policies to ensure high quality customer service.

Tasks

• • • • Embed accessibility requirements into staff training and orientation materials.

Public Awareness

• • • • Consult with the public on emerging and changing requirements.
      • Review customer feedback and take appropriate action.

1.3 Our progress

The Municipality of Red Lake developed and implemented an Accessible Customer Service Policy, outlining how staff is to work with customers that have a disability.

The Municipality of Red Lake developed and implemented a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlining the Municipality’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet the requirements under the AODA.

Staff and volunteers were trained on accessible customer service and completed a pamphlet on accessible customer service.

1.4 Outcomes

The Municipality of Red Lake customers will receive services appropriate to their needs.

People with disabilities are engaged for feedback and advice on Municipal programs, services, and facilities.

Staff can identify, prevent, and remove barriers for people with disabilities.

2. PROCUREMENT

2.1 Our Commitment

The Municipality of Red Lake is committed to integrating accessibility into procurement policies and procedures.

2.2 How we will achieve accessible procurement

Polices, Guidelines, and Standards

• • • • Develop and implement accessible procurement practices and procedures.

Tasks

• • • • Include accessible procurement practices in training material. Technology
      • Incorporate website accessibility guidelines into accessible procurement procedures.

2.3 Our Progress

The Municipality of Red Lake developed and implemented an Integrated Accessibility Plan which states accessibility criteria and features are incorporated when it procures or acquires goods, services or facilities, except where it is not practical to do so.

The Municipality of Red Lake developed and implemented Procurement Policies, to incorporate accessibility features and criteria when procuring or acquiring goods, services, and facilities.

2.4 Outcomes

The Municipality of Red Lake customers will receive services appropriate to their needs.

Staff can identify, prevent, and remove barriers for people with disabilities.

3. INFORMATION and COMMUNICATION

3.1 Our Commitment

The Municipality of Red Lake is committed to ensuring information and communications are available and accessible to people with disabilities.

3.2 How we will achieve accessible information and communication

Policies, Guidelines, and Standards

• • • • Develop guidelines and best practices for creating accessible documents.
      • Ensure website accessibility guidelines are incorporated into website style guides.

Tasks

• • • • Develop and implement training on accessible electronic documents.
      • Develop tools and resources to create accessible material for Municipal Staff.
      • Develop a series of instructional resources on ensuring Microsoft Office applications and PDF documents are accessible to most screen readers.
      • Develop and implement training on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to disabilities.
      • Post information on availability of accessible materials to the website. Public Awareness
      • Update website and information in Municipal Newsletters notifying customers of the availability of accessible materials.

Technology

• • • • Achieve compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to ensure that websites and web content are accessible to people with disabilities.
      • Continue to expand knowledge and use of accessible devices such as text-to-audio and video captioning.

3.3 Our Progress

The Municipality of Red Lake has an Integrated Accessibility Plan and Policy in place which outlines how the Municipality of Red Lake will ensure that its process for receiving and responding to feedback is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Emergency information, procedures, plans, and public safety information is available in alternate formats when requested.

Agendas and minutes are completed in an accessible format.

Some forms placed on the Municipal website are in an accessible format.

3.4 Outcomes

The Municipality of Red Lake customers will receive services appropriate to their needs.

People with disabilities are engaged for feedback and advice on Municipal programs, services, and facilities.

Staff can identify, prevent and remove barriers for people with disabilities.

4. DUTIES OF MUNICIPALITIES AND TAXICABS

4.1 Our Commitment

The Municipality of Red Lake is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities will have access to accessible transportation if required.

4.2 How we will achieve accessible transportation

Policies, Guidelines, and Standards

• • • • The Municipality of Red Lake will follow the standards outlined in Sections 78 to 80 of Regulation 191/11 (Integrated Accessibility Standards)

Tasks

• • • • Annually inspect and provide taxi companies with rates and information to be posted in their taxicabs.
      • Respond to any feedback received from the public.

Public Awareness

• • • • Rates and information posted in taxicabs and made available in accessible formats if required.

Technology

• • • • Provide accessible formats and communication to the public.
      • Taxi By-Law and rates posted on the Municipal website.

4.3 Our Progress

The Municipality of Red Lake held public meetings in regards to the demand of accessible taxicabs.

The Municipality of Red Lake reviewed and made the appropriate changes to the Taxi By-Law to ensure compliance with Regulation 191/11.

4.4 Outcomes

Taxicab information is available in an accessible format.

Feedback provides the Municipality of Red Lake with the needs of the community.

5. EMPLOYMENT

5.1 Our Commitment

The Municipality of Red Lake is committed to inclusive employment practices that ensure the processes of recruiting, hiring, communicating, and retaining employees with disabilities fulfills the intent of the Ontario Human Rights Code.

5.2 How we will achieve accessible employment

Policies, Guidelines, and Standards

• • • • Create a process for developing individual accommodation plans.
      • Update documented return to work procedures to take into account employees with disabilities.
      • Review and revise processes for performance management, career development, and redeployment.
      • Review interview questions ensuring inclusivity and use of plain language.
      • Ensure that any policy, procedures, or practice at the Municipality of Red Lake respects and promotes the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.

Tasks

• • • • Train recruitment staff and managers to support the intent and goals of the AODA.
      • Train staff and volunteers on accessibility and the Ontario Human Rights Code.
      • Promote understanding of employer obligations to provide employee accommodations.
      • Identify and remove barriers in the workplace.

Public Awareness

• • • • Notify successful applicants, new and existing employees of policies supporting people with disabilities.

Technology

• • • • Provide accessible formats and communication supports for employees with disabilities.

5.3 Our Progress

The Municipality of Red Lake created an individual emergency workplace response plan policy and form for staff with a disability.

The Municipality of Red Lake revised employment advertisements to include a statement regarding providing accommodations under the Ontario Human Rights Code in all aspects of the hiring process.

The Municipality of Red Lake adopted an Integrated Accessibility Policy which includes accessible procedures during the hiring process.

5.4 Outcomes

Employees with disabilities are supported throughout the employment cycle. Staff can identify, prevent, and remove barriers for people with disabilities.

6. DESIGN OF PUBLIC SPACES

6.1 Our Commitment

The Municipality of Red Lake is committed to identifying, removing, and preventing barriers in accessibility in all Municipal public spaces.

6.2 How we will achieve accessible design of public spaces

Policies, Guidelines, and Standards

• • • • Create compliance guidelines and standards to address the Design of Public Spaces standards.

Tasks

• • • • Respond to feedback from staff and public on the accessibility of
        facilities.

Public Awareness

• • • • Seek feedback and advice from the public and consultants on site plans and other physical spaces.

Infrastructure

• • • • Incorporate the Design of Public Spaces standards in the design of Municipal spaces and service counters.

6.3 Our Progress

Infrastructure Development Coordinator, Recreation and Facilities Supervisor, and Accessibility Coordinator actively reviews site plans for municipal plans.

6.4 Outcomes

People with disabilities are engaged for feedback and advice on Municipal programs, services and facilities.

New projects and renovations take into account the needs of people with disabilities.

7. BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The following accessibility actions to address barriers in the built environment are based on a preliminary review of a draft copy of the Built Environment Standards to be place in the Ontario Building Code Act.

7.1 Our Commitment

The Municipality of Red Lake is committed to identifying, removing, and preventing barriers in accessibility in all Municipal built environments.

7.2 How we will achieve accessible Built Environment

Policies, Guidelines, and Standards

• • • • Comply with the Built Environment Standards when they are in place.
      • Create a policy to address the Built Environment Standards.

Tasks

• • • • Identify and remove barriers in built environments.
      • Respond to feedback from staff and public on the accessibility of facilities.

Public Awareness

• • • • Seek feedback and advice from the public and consultants on built environments.

Infrastructure

• • • • Once the Built Environment standards are passed, incorporate the standards into the development of built environments.

7.3 Our Progress

The Chief Building Official and the Planning Department actively review site plans for all municipal plans.

7.4 Outcomes

People with disabilities are engaged for feedback and advice on Municipal built environments.

New buildings and renovations take into account the needs of people with disabilities.