ETFO Helps Set Standards (Disability Issues)

Members who self-identify as living and working with a disability – whether it is visible or nonvisible – are becoming more active in ETFO, and it is therefore important that our organization continues to raise awareness about issues of accessibility and inclusion. One way in which we are doing so is through our involvement in developing standards for the Accessibility for  Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

The  first  legislation  of  its  kind  in  Canada, AODA was passed into law in 2005. Its purpose is to develop, implement, and enforce accessibility standards with respect to goods, services, facilities,  accommodation,  employment,  buildings, structures,  and  premises.  Standards  Development Committees (SDCs) will set a series of pro- posed targets for what needs to happen to reach this goal. The length of  time to reach a specific target must be no more than five years. The Act will be fully implemented by January 1, 2025.

The Minister of Community and Social Services  has  identified  five  industries  for  which standards are to be developed: customer service, transportation,  information  and   communications, employment, and the built environment. Once  the  public  has  had  the  opportunity  to review the proposed standards, they are submit- ted  to  the  minister for  approval  before  being passed into law.

At this time, the proposed standard for customer service has been completed and the standard  for  transportation  is  in  its  final  stages. The  Information  and  Communication   Standards Development Committee (ICSDC)  is to begin writing its first draft over the next 12 to18 months.

This standard, which will directly affect ETFO and its  members, will address barriers in how information is developed and disseminated and the methods by which messages are communicated. For example, the new ETFO website will play a key role in how information is distributed throughout our organization.

Among  other  things,  the  Information  and Communications standard will identify specific features  that  will  allow  for  increased  website accessibility. Committee  members  will  consult the  W3C  International  Standards  on  Website Accessibility for guidance and support.

As ETFO’s representative on the ICDSC, it is my responsibility to report on the committee’s actions  and  the  progress  of  the  standard.  In return, members have the opportunity to provide me with any concerns or questions they may have regarding the legislation or the standard.

Our involvement in the development of this standard is not the only disability initiative the provincial office is working on. Currently, Equity and Women’s Services staff is in the process of developing teacher resources on inclusive education. A new equity workshop on disability issues to be launched in September will focus on visible and nonvisible disabilities and offer strategies for combatting physical, informational, and attitudi- nal barriers. In addition, the working group on accessible meeting spaces will release its report at the upcoming annual meeting.  This document will outline strategies for creating inclusive and accessible meeting spaces at both the local and provincial levels.

For  more  information  on  the  Accessibility Directorate of Ontario and the Accessibility for Ontarians with  Disabilities Act, please visit the Ministry  of  Community  and  Social  Services website at mcss.gov.on.ca

To access the W3C International Standards on Website Accessibility, visit w3.org/WAI.

For further details on ETFO’s disability initiatives, contact me at dcooper@etfo.org.