The Lung Association – Ontario (TLA) 2015 to 2020 Accessibility Plan outlines the policies and actions that TLA will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities and create a barrier free environment in accordance with the requirements communicated under the Integrated Accessibility Standards, Ontario Regulation 191/11 and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005). This plan has been developed in accordance with the Regulation and the Act.

This plan will cover the following items:

• Establishment, implementation, maintenance and documentation of a multi-year accessibility plan, which outlines how TLA will meet the requirements under the Regulation to remove and prevent barriers.
• Incorporation of accessibility criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services, or facilities.
• Training of TLA employees on AODA and Accessibility Standards
• Specific requirements of the Regulation regarding Information and Communications, Employment Standards, Transportation and Public Spaces.

Statement of Commitment

TLA believes in equal opportunity and is committed to providing a barrier-free environment that allows all people to maintain their independence and dignity.

As an organization, we respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) and its associated Regulations and strive to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in a timely and effective manner.

Accessibility Policy

TLA created an accessible customer service policy, setting out practices and procedures with respect to accessible customer service, addressing various matters including communication with individuals with disabilities, assistive devices, support persons and service animals

Required Compliance Date: January 1, 2012

Current Status: Updated 2017 and posted online

Accessibility Plan

This Accessibility Plan – Multi-Year summarizes TLA’s implementation strategy to prevent and remove barriers and addresses current and future requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”).  TLA will review the progress and implementation of this plan annually.  TLA will formally review and update the plan at least once every five years.

Required Compliance Date: January 1, 2014

Current Status: Updated 2017 and posted online

Training

TLA will ensure that all employees, volunteers, third party contractors who provide goods and services on our behalf, and those that develop TLA’s policies receive training on accessibility standards requirements referred to in the Regulation and on the Human Rights Code as it pertain to persons with disabilities.

If any changes are made to this policy or the requirements, training will be provided. TLA will maintain a record of the dates when training is provided and the number of individuals whom it was provided to.

Required Compliance Date: January 1, 2015

Current Status: In progress 2017 – new employees to complete training as part of an onboarding process; and all employees to participating in training every 2 years.

Information and Communications Standard

TLA will create, provide and receive information and communications in ways that are accessible to people with disabilities. If TLA concludes that it is not technically feasible to convert the information or communication, or that the technology to convert the information or communications is not readily available; TLA is obligated to provide the person that requires the information with an explanation as to why the information or communications are unconvertible; and a summary of the unconvertible information or communications.

Feedback, Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

TLA has a process in place for receiving and responding to feedback and will ensure that those processes are provided in accessible formats and with communication supports upon request.

Furthermore, TLA will provide or arrange for accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities.

Required Compliance Date: January 1, 2015

Current Status: In progress 2017 – statement to be included on website; and ensure all employees are aware of the need to accommodate requests through standard AODA training.

Website Accessibility

TLA shall take the following steps to ensure that its internet websites and web content controlled either directly by The Lung Association – Ontario or through a contractual relationship that allows us to sufficiently modify the product, will conform to the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, at Level A and increasing to Level AA:

• Ensures any web content developed internally or externally meets the Information and Communication Standard and that content developers have the necessary expertise to develop such content,
• Ensure that by January 1, 2021 all internet website and web content backdated to 2012 conforms to WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

Required Compliance Date:

New Content (WCAG 2.0 Level A): January 1, 2014

Status: In progress 2017 – with development of new website.  Content developers and contributors to receive additional training to ensure websites continue to remain accessible.

All Content (WCAG 2.0 Level AA), January 1, 2021
Status: In progress 2017

Employment Standards

TLA is committed to having barrier free and inclusive recruitment practices. As part of this commitment, TLA will take the following steps to notify TLA employees and the public about the availability of accommodations for applicants with disabilities as follows:

• During the recruitment process when candidates are individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process.
• If a candidate requests an accommodation, TLA will consult with the candidate and provide or arrange how best TLA can provide an accommodation that best takes into account the candidate’s disability.
• All successful candidates will be notified of TLA’s policies for accommodating team members with disabilities.

Required Compliance Date:  January 1, 2016

Current Status: In progress 2017 – information will now be posted on website, will feature in updated employee hand and will be included on all applicable documents through the recruitment process.

Notification to Employees

TLA shall inform its employees of its policies used to support its employees with disabilities, including but not limited to, policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee’s accessibility needs due to a disability as follows:

• TLA will provide this information to new employees as soon as practicable after they begin their employment;
• Whenever there is a change to existing policies on job accommodations that take into account an employee’s accessibility needs due to a disability.

Required Compliance Date: January 1, 2016

Current Status: In progress 2017 – information will now be posted on website, will feature in updated employee hand and will be included on all applicable documents through the recruitment process.

Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

Upon request, TLA will consult with an employee with a disability to provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports as outlined below:

• Information that the employee needs in order to perform their job;
• Information that is generally available to all TLA staff; and
• TLA will consult with the employee making the request in determining the best means of providing an accessible format or communication support

Required Compliance Date: January 1, 2016

Current Status: In progress 2017 – transfer ownership of accountability to Human Resources Dept., re-affirm process and provide on request, information will now feature in updated employee handbook.

Individual Accommodation Plan (IAP) and Return to Work

TLA will take the following steps to develop and put in place a process for developing documented Individual Accommodation Plans and return to work plans and processes for team members that have been absent due to a disability.

Required Compliance Date: January 1, 2016

Current Status: In progress 2017 – reaffirm process with Human Resources Dept. working with disability management provider, line management, and employee to determine and document appropriate return to work and accommodation requirements.

 Performance Management, Career Development and Advancement, and Redeployment

TLA will take into account the accommodation needs and/or Individual Accommodation Plans of employees when:

• Using performance management processes;
• Providing career development and advancement information;
• Using redeployment procedures.

Required Compliance Date: January 1, 2016

Current Status: In progress 2017 – ongoing

 Workplace Emergency Response Information

TLA shall provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability; and as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the need for accommodation due to the employees’ disability.

Required Compliance Date: January 1, 2012

Current Status: Completed – January 1, 2012.

Public Spaces

TLA shall incorporate accessibility standards into public spaces on its premises that are newly constructed or redeveloped on and after January 1, 2017 as follows:

• TLA will ensure it follows the existing requirements stated under the Design of Public Spaces

Standards (Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment) for outdoor public use eating areas, outdoor play spaces, exterior paths of travel, accessible parking, and service related elements.

• We shall provide maintenance and restoration of public spaces by ensuring procedures are in place for dealing with temporary disruptions when accessible elements required under this section are not in working order.

Required Compliance Date: January 1, 2017

Current Status: In progress – ongoing

For more information on this accessibility plan or to request this plan in an alternate format please contact:

Human Resources Department

The Lung Association – Ontario (TLA)

18 Wynford Dr., Suite 401

Toronto, Ontario

M3C 0K8

(416) 864-9911

1 – 888 – 344 – LUNG (5864)

info@lungontario.ca.