The Hospital for Sick Children Accessibility Plan. Last Revised: December, 2012

Transcription

1 The Hospital for Sick Children Accessibility Plan Last Revised: December,

2 SickKids Accessibility Plan Table of Contents 1. The Hospital for Sick Children 2. Aim and Objectives of Accessibility Plan 3. SickKids Commitment to Accessibility Planning 4. The Accessibility Committee Accessibility Initiatives 6. Review and Monitoring Process 7. Communication of the Plan 2

3 The Hospital for Sick Children The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is a 375 bed paediatric academic health sciences centre that provides tertiary and quaternary care to children from across Ontario, Canada, and the world. The main site is located at 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON. Additional sites are located at: 1) 525 University Avenue, Toronto 2) 123 Edward Street, Toronto 3) 180 Dundas Street, Toronto 4) 77 Elm Street, Toronto 5) 101 College Street, Toronto 6) 686 Bay Street, Toronto under construction Additional information about the hospital and its activities can be found in the annual report on the website: Aim and Objectives This multi-year accessibility plan will help SickKids make advancements in meeting the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The plan outlines the specific requirements of the AODA and how SickKids will actively work on removing barriers for people with disabilities who come to SickKids. Specifically, SickKids will provide the opportunity for all patients and their families, staff, volunteers and members of the community to identify needs related to their disabilities and ensure that these needs are accommodated in a manner that supports the dignity of the individual. This will be reflected in the 3

4 hospital through the implementation of training and specific policies and procedures that incorporate measures to identify and remove barriers for people with disabilities. Initial training has already been provided to staff and volunteers to raise awareness about the AODA, the issues and barriers encountered by people with disabilities, and the responsibility of everyone at the hospital in removing those barriers. SickKids Commitment to Accessibility Planning Championing an accessible, comprehensive and sustainable child health-care system is a key element of the SickKids Mission. SickKids is committed to accessibility planning to ensure ongoing improvements to access to its facilities and services for patients and their families, staff, volunteers, and members of the community. It will invite the participation of people with disabilities in the development and review of its accessibility plan and ensure that policies and procedures are consistent with the principles of the AODA. The Accessibility Committee The SickKids Accessibility Committee s mandate is to provide overall strategic direction to enhance accessibility at the Hospital. It will ensure that all requirements of the AODA are fulfilled. The Committee is responsible for establishing an accessibility plan with specific deliverables, timelines and leads for each deliverable. 4

5 The Committee will: 1. Provide leadership in steering the Accessibility Program at SickKids 2. Establish policy related to Accessibility 3. Review and endorse key documents related to Accessibility(e.g. policies, education materials) 4. Raise awareness of accessibility legislative requirements, initiatives, and issues. 5. Review reported accessibility related issues and provide recommendations to the appropriate areas/owners 6. Identify barriers to services and facilities and develop plans to remove these barriers 7. Review accessibility related leading practices and implement as appropriate 8. Ensure accountability for legislated requirements by assigning responsibility for deliverables, monitoring progress and evaluating outcomes. The Committee is chaired by Karima Karmali, Director of Centre for Innovation & Excellence in Child and Family Centred Care. Committee membership includes: Alex Varela Argentina, Patient/Family Advisor Alison Lord, Manager, Occupational Health Bonnie Fleming- Carroll, Associate Chief of Nursing and Interprofessional Education Floyd Roberts, Manager, IT Services Janice Campbell, Risk Manager and Privacy Officer John Paul Rosendall, Senior Project Manager, AboutKidsHealth Karen Sappleton, Manager, Child & Family Centred Care and Health Equity Kim Koehn, Director, Talent Michele Durrant, Nurse Educator Nolan Reeds, Director, Communications and Public Relations 5

6 Richard Zajac, Director, Facilities Development Ron Lowe, Director, Facilities Operations Sean Morgan, Director, Supply and Chain. The committee meets monthly. 6

7 Workplan for Accessibility Initiatives Integrated Accessibility Standards (Ontario Regulation 191/11) Requirement of the Accessibility Standards General 1. Establishment of accessibility policies a. Develop, implement and maintain policies governing how SickKids achieves or will achieve accessibility through meeting its requirements of the Regulation b. Include a statement of organizational commitment to meet the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner Director, Centre for Innovation & Excellence, Child- and Family-Centred Care January 1, 2013 Completed c. Prepare one or more written documents describing the policies and make them publicly available and in an accessible format upon request 2. Accessibility Plans a. Establish, implement, maintain and document a multi-year accessibility plan, which outlines SickKids strategy to prevent and remove barriers and meet its requirements under this Regulation b. Post the accessibility plan on the website and provide the plan in an accessible format upon request Director, Centre for Innovation & Excellence, Child- and Family-Centred Care January 1, 2013 Completed Completed c. Review and update the accessibility plan at least once every five years Ongoing d. Establish, review and update the accessibility plans in consultation with persons with disabilities and consult with the accessibility advisory committee Ongoing e. Prepare annual status report on the progress of measures taken to implement the strategy in the multi-year accessibility plan and post the report on the website and provide report in an accessible format upon request Ongoing 7

8 Requirement of the Accessibility Standards 3. Procuring or acquiring goods, services of facilities a. Incorporate accessibility criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities, except where it is not practicable to do so If SickKids determines that it is not practicable to incorporate accessibility criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities, it shall provide, upon request, an explanation Director, Supply Chain January 1, Self Service Kiosk a. Incorporate accessibility features when designing, procuring or acquiring self-service kiosks. Director, Supply Chain January 1, Training a. Ensure that training is provided on the requirements of the accessibility standards referred to in the Regulation and on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities to, all employees, and volunteers; all persons who participate in developing SickKids policies; and all other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of SickKids b. training on the accessibility requirements shall be appropriate to the duties of the employees, volunteers and other persons Manager, Child & Family Centred & Health Equity Associate Chief, Nursing Education and Interprofessional Education c. provide training as soon as practicable d. provide training in respect of any changes to the Accessibility Policies on an ongoing basis e. keep record of the training provided including dates training is provided and number of individuals to whom it is provided 8

9 Requirement of the Accessibility Standards Information and Communication Standards 6. Feedback a. Ensure that feedback processes are accessible to persons with disabilities by providing or arranging for the provision of accessible formats and communications supports, upon request b. Notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communications supports 7. Accessible formats and communication reports a. Upon request, provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities in a timely manner that takes into account the person's accessibility needs due to disability; and Director, Centre for Innovation & Excellence, Child- and Family-Centred Care Manager, Child and Family Relations Director, Communications & Public Affairs January 1, 2015 at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons b. Consult with person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication report c. Notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication reports 8. Emergency procedure, plans or public safety information a. If SickKids prepares emergency procedures, plans or public safety information and makes the information available to the public, SickKids shall provide the information in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, as soon as practicable, upon request 9. Accessible websites and web content a. Ensure internet and intranet websites and web content conform to WCAG 2.0 guidelines (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) to level A by Jan 1, 2014 b. Ensure internet and intranet websites and web content conform to WCAG 2.0 guidelines (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) to level AA by Jan 1, 2021 (except for ((i) success criteria Captions Director, Communications & Public Affairs Director, Communications & Public Affairs Manager, Development Services January 1, 2012 January 1, 2021 Complete 9

10 Requirement of the Accessibility Standards (Live); and (ii) success criteria Audio Descriptions (Prerecorded) Except where meeting the requirement is not practicable, this requirement applies to: (a) to websites and web content, including web-based applications, that SickKids controls directly or through a contractual relationship that allows for modification of the product; and (b) to web content published on a website after January 1, 2012 In determining whether meeting the requirements of this section is not practicable, SickKids may consider, among other things, (a) the availability of commercial software or tools or both; and (b) significant impact on an implementation timeline that is planned or initiated before January 1, Employment Standards (applies to employees but not volunteers or other non-paid individuals) 10. General Recruitment a. Notify its employees and the public about the availability of accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes 11. Recruitment, assessment or selection process a. During a recruitment process, SickKids shall notify job applicants, when they are individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process, that accommodations are available upon request in relation to the materials or processes to be used b. If a selected applicant requests an accommodation, SickKids shall consult with the applicant and provide or arrange for the provision of a suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant's accessibility needs due to disability. 12. Notice to successful applicants a. When making offers of employment, notify the successful candidates of SickKids policies for accommodating employees with disabilities Director, Talent Director, Talent Director, Talent Complete Complete Complete 10

11 Requirement of the Accessibility Standards 13. Informing employees of supports a. Inform employees of SickKids 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 disability Director, Talent In progress b. Provide the information required under this section to new employees as soon as practicable after they begin their employment c. Provide updated information to employees whenever there is a change to existing policies on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee's accessibility needs due to disability 14. Accessible formats and communication supports for employees a. In addition to the obligations to provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports, where an employee with a disability so requests it, SickKids shall consult with the employee to provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for, (a) information that is needed in order to perform the employee's job; and (b) information that is generally available to employees in the workplace b. SickKids shall consult with the employee making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support. TBD 11

12 Requirement of the Accessibility Standards 15. Workplace emergency response information a. Provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability, if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary and SickKids is aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee's disability Manager, Occupational Health January 1, 2012 Complete b. If an employee who receives individualized workplace emergency response information requires assistance and with the employee's consent, SickKids shall provide the workplace emergency response information to the person designated by SickKids to provide assistance to the employee c. Provide the information required under this section as soon as practicable after SickKids becomes aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee's disability d. Review the individualized workplace emergency response information, (a) when the employee moves to a different location in the organization; (b) when the employee's overall accommodations needs or plans are reviewed; and (c) when SickKids reviews its general emergency response policies 16. Documented individual accommodation plans a. Develop and have in place a written process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities. The process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans shall include the following elements: Manager, Occupational Health The manner in which an employee requesting accommodation can participate in the development of the individual accommodation plan. The means by which the employee is assessed on an individual 12

13 Requirement of the Accessibility Standards basis. The manner in which SickKids can request an evaluation by an outside medical or other expert, at SickKids expense, to assist SickKids in determining if accommodation can be achieved and, if so, how accommodation can be achieved. The manner in which the employee can request the participation of a representative from their bargaining agent, where the employee is represented by a bargaining agent, or other representative from the workplace, where the employee is not represented by a bargaining agent, in the development of the accommodation plan. The steps taken to protect the privacy of the employee's personal information. The frequency with which the individual accommodation plan will be reviewed and updated and the manner in which it will be done. If an individual accommodation plan is denied, the manner in which the reasons for the denial will be provided to the employee. The means of providing the individual accommodation plan in a format that takes into account the employee's accessibility needs due to disability b. Individual accommodation plans shall, if requested, include any information regarding accessible formats and communications supports provided if required, include individualized workplace emergency response information, and identify any other accommodation that is to be provided. 17. Return to work process a. Develop and have in place a return to work process for its employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and require disability-related accommodations in order to return to work; and shall Manager, Occupational 13

14 Requirement of the Accessibility Standards document the process b. The return to work process shall, Health outline the steps SickKids will take to facilitate the return to work of employees who were absent because their disability required them to be away from work; and use documented individual accommodation plans. 18. Performance management a. SickKids shall take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans, when using its performance management process in respect of employees with disabilities 19. Career development and advancement a. SickKids shall take into account the accessibility needs of its employees with disabilities as well as any individual accommodation plans, when providing career development and advancement to its employees with disabilities Director, Talent Director, Talent 20. Redeployment a. SickKids shall take into account the accessibility needs of its employees with disabilities, as well as individual accommodation plans, when redeploying employees with disabilities Director, Talent 14

15 Review and Monitoring Process The Accessibility Committee meets monthly and will use a portion of each meeting to review progress on all requirements on the workplan. Each lead responsible for deliverables will be asked to provide regular reports on these deliverables. Quarterly updates will be provided to the executive sponsor. Communication of the Plan The SickKids Multi-Year Accessibility will be posted on the internal and external website and hard copies will be made available on request. Copies of the plan in an accessible format will be made available on request. 15