ISSN # 1708-3672

Introduction

Ontario is making progress toward building an accessible province by 2025. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) has laid the foundation to meet this goal. Under the Act, Ontario is developing standards that will remove the barriers faced by people with disabilities.

On January 1, 2008, the first accessibility standard under the act came into force. Through the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, people of all abilities will be able to get the service they need. Public sector organizations, including the Ontario government, will need to comply with this standard by 2010. Private sector and non-profit organizations will need to comply by 2012.

Next year, more standards will be released in other important areas, including:

• Information and Communications
• Transportation
• Employment
• The Built Environment

The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration sixth annual accessibility plan highlights 2007-2008’s achievements to break down barriers for people with disabilities. It also outlines this ministry’s commitments in the coming year to make programs, policies and services more accessible for all Ontarians.

Over the past several years, the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration has undertaken numerous initiatives to promote accessibility awareness among its staff and across its workplaces to ensure the needs of people with disabilities are met. This past year, the ministry took steps to raise awareness of accessibility issues among its community partners by encouraging its transfer payment recipients to use the Planning for Accessible Events 101 tool when planning local events. The ministry continued to ensure its worksites are barrier free, working with the landlord at the 400 University Ave., Toronto worksite to renovate elevators to emit a tone at each floor and to improve signage.

This year, the ministry will focus on furthering its efforts to meet the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service as mandated in the AODA. The ministry plans to undertake a review of its current policies, procedures and practices and, where appropriate, build on current initiatives to ensure compliance with the new customer service standards. The ministry is committed to furthering its current initiatives to promote accessibility awareness within its workplaces and in its relations with stakeholders, clients and the public.

This accessibility plan is unique, because it reflects our transition between the AODA and the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA). The ODA applies to the Ontario government and all broader public sector organizations. Under this act, the ministry develops annual accessibility plans to make its policies, programs, services and buildings more accessible to people with disabilities.

Through the ODA, accessibility planning has laid a strong foundation for the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration to build on. This ministry will continue to help make Ontario more accessible for people with disabilities and a more inclusive society for all Ontarians.

An executive summary of all Government of Ontario Ministry Accessibility Plans is available at http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/pillars/accessibilityOntario/planning/ministries_accplans09.htm

• Report on Status of Customer Service Requirements