12 SCHEDULE “A” To ByLaw 17/18 The

- 12 - schedule “a” to by-law #17/18 the corporation of the ====================== township of alberton acces

- 12 -
SCHEDULE “A”
to By-Law #17/18
The Corporation of the
======================
Township of Alberton

Accessibility Plan
2018 - 2022
Adopted: May 9, 2018
--------------------
Submitted to:
Reeve and Council
of the
Township of Alberton
Submitted by:
Dawn Hayes
CAO/Clerk-Treasurer
CONTENTS OF PLAN
Introduction 2
Definitions 3
Aim 4
Objectives 4
Council Commitment to Accessibility Planning 4
Description of the Township of Alberton 5
Township Services 5
Informal Site Audit of Municipally-Owned Buildings 6
Barrier Identification Methodologies 6
Barrier Removal Initiatives and Measures Undertaken in Prior Years. 6
Barrier Removal Initiatives and Measures Undertaken during 2013 - 2017
8
Barriers Identified 8
Barriers to be addressed in 2018 - 2022 10
Facilities, Policies, Programs, Practices and Services to be Reviewed
in 2018 - 2022 10
Review and Monitoring of the Process 11
Revisions during Term of Plan 11
Communication of the Plan 11
INTRODUCTION
There are approximately 1.9 million people in Ontario who have
disabilities and this number is expected to increase as the population
ages due to the increased incidence of disability associated with
aging. People with disabilities face unnecessary barriers almost
everywhere: at home, work and school as well as in parks, recreational
facilities, streets, theatres, stores and restaurants – and even in
municipal premises.
The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 was implemented to improve
access and opportunities for people with disabilities and to permit
them to become involved in the identification, removal and prevention
of barriers which prevent their full participation in the life and
society of the Province. To this end, the Ontarians with Disabilities
Act, 2001 mandates that each municipality annually prepare an
accessibility plan.
It is the goal of this plan to:
*
describe measures which have been taken in the past to address
accessibility issues for people with disabilities who use
municipal premises or facilities
*
set out the steps which the Township intends to take during the
term of this plan to identify and remove current barriers to
people with disabilities which exist in municipal premises
*
prevent the creation of further barriers to people with
disabilities in municipal premises
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply for the purposes of the Township of
Alberton Accessibility Plan:
Any reference to “people with disabilities” shall be deemed to include
elected officers, staff and members of the community at large.
A “barrier” is defined as anything which prevents a person with a
disability from fully taking part in society because of that
disability. Barriers include:
*
physical barriers (steps at entranceways which prevent wheelchair
access)
*
architectural barriers (no elevators in buildings of more than one
floor)
*
information or communications barriers (publications not available
in large print)
*
attitudinal barriers (discouraging people with disabilities from
participating in programs or activities)
*
technological barriers (traffic lights that change too quickly for
a person with a disability to get through the intersection)
*
barriers created by policies or practices (providing important
information solely by verbal means – ie. radio – which people with
hearing impairment cannot hear clearly)
A “disability” is defined as:
*
any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or
disfigurement caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness
*
a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability
*
a learning disability or dysfunction in one or more of the
processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken
language
*
a mental disorder
*
an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or
received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace
Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
AIM
===
This plan describes the measures that The Corporation of the Township
of Alberton will take during the five-year period from 2018 to 2022 to
identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities who
utilize the facilities and services of the Township, including staff
and elected officials.
OBJECTIVES
----------
This plan:
1.
Describes the method by which The Corporation of the Township of
Alberton will identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with
disabilities.
2.
Reviews efforts undertaken by The Corporation of the Township of
Alberton during the preceding year(s) to remove and prevent
barriers to people with disabilities.
3.
Lists barriers to people with disabilities which were identified
in the most recent assessment of municipal premises owned by The
Corporation of the Township of Alberton.
4.
Describes possible solutions or remedies to identified barriers
and specify the measures The Corporation of the Township of
Alberton will take in the coming year to identify, remove and
prevent barriers to people with disabilities.
5.
Lists the facilities, policies, programs, practices and services
The Corporation of the Township of Alberton will review in the
coming year to identify barriers to people with disabilities.
6.
Describes how this accessibility plan will be made available to
the public.
COUNCIL COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY PLANNING
--------------------------------------------
Council for the Township of Alberton is committed to the ongoing
improvement of access to all its municipally-owned facilities,
premises and services, as well as the accessible provision of its
municipal services, to and for all persons including those with
disabilities.
To this end, Council has authorized the CAO/Clerk-Treasurer to prepare
an accessibility plan that will enable the Council to meet these
commitments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ALBERTON
---------------------------------------
The Township of Alberton is a small rural township located in the
center of the southern boundary of the Rainy River District in
Northwestern Ontario. Alberton has an approximate area of 115.30
square kilometres and is comprised of two geographical townships,
namely Crozier and Roddick.
The Township of Alberton is bordered to the north by the unorganized
Township of Miscampbell, to the west by the municipal Township of
LaVallee, to the east by the Town of Fort Frances and to the south by
the Rainy River, which serves as an international waterway and
boundary between Canada and the United States.
The Township of Alberton has a population of approximately 969 people,
according to the 2016 Census conducted by Statistics Canada. The
Township has no local school or community center.
The Alberton Municipal Office is situated at the southwest corner of
the intersection of Kings Highway 11-71 and secondary Highway 611
South. Located immediately south of the Municipal Office is the
Alberton Volunteer Fire Department Fire Hall. The Municipal Roads
Department grader garage building and shed are located north of the
Municipal Office on a separate parcel of land at the end of Church
Road. A second garage located at 128 Hill Road is used for both Roads
Department and Millennium Park grounds maintenance and operations. The
Alberton Millennium Park and Skating Rink site is located east of the
intersection of Hill and Hall Roads.
TOWNSHIP SERVICES
Services provided by The Corporation of the Township of Alberton are
minimal. Services available to the public at the Alberton Municipal
Office include functions such as Council meetings, administrative,
clerical and finance/taxation services, Chief Building Official
services including the issuance of building permits, issuance of fire
permits and dog licenses, and land use planning matters including
processing of consent applications as well as applications for
amendment of the Township’s Official Plan and Zoning By-Law.
The municipality employs a small staff to conduct the day-to-day
business of the Township. The CAO/Clerk-Treasurer and one part-time
administrative assistant are employed to address concerns of the
public and provide assistance and information, provide support to
Council and municipal officers, handle clerical and finance matters
including processing and collection of taxes, perform office duties
and process land use planning applications. The municipality shares a
Chief Building Official joint employee with three other area
municipalities. Fire-fighting services are provided by the Alberton
Volunteer Fire Department, with the Fire Chief providing part-time
services under a joint contract to the Township and three other
municipalities. Roads are overseen by a casual Road Supervisor
employee. Road maintenance services are provided primarily through the
use of contractors.
The Millennium Park and Skating Rink Facility is available year-round
for various forms of public recreational use although no regularly
scheduled recreation programs are operated by the municipality.
INFORMAL SITE AUDIT OF MUNICIPALLY-OWNED BUILDINGS
--------------------------------------------------
During 2017, municipal staff completed a survey of all municipally
owned buildings and structures to assess any barriers that may exist
and to identify potential solutions to removing those barriers in
order to ensure that the Township is in compliance with current
legislation under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001. Barriers
which were identified in municipal buildings are discussed further in
this document under the section entitled “Barriers Identified”.
BARRIER IDENTIFICATION METHODS
In order to identify barriers, the following methodology was used in
2017:

Methodology Description Status
------------------------------

Survey by Staff A survey to be conducted each year The 2017 informal
evaluation
to help identify any barriers which was completed.
may exist at any municipal premises
including electronic premises
BARRIER REMOVAL INITIATIVES AND MEASURES UNDERTAKEN IN PRIOR YEARS
------------------------------------------------------------------
*
The Municipal Office parking lot has a designated space for
handicapped parking and a concrete sidewalk from the parking space
to the building.
*
The Municipal Office, including Council Chambers, is accessible
via a ramp which permits wheelchair and other access so people
with disabilities are able to enter the premises to conduct
business with staff, to attend Council and other meetings or to
attend events held at the premises. Both the ramp and the step
accesses are equipped with railings for balance, stability and
safety purposes.
*
The main floor of the Municipal Office is equipped with one
wheelchair accessible washroom for municipal use, which is
available to the public on request. Easy-grip handles were
installed on the door to the wheelchair accessible washroom on the
main floor instead of regular doorknobs to permit ease of use for
persons with disabilities.
*
The public is able to communicate with the Municipal Office via
e-mail as well as by telephone, fax or personal communication.
*
The main area of the VFD Fire Hall is wheelchair accessible.
*
A ramp with a railing was constructed at the Millennium Skating
Rink to provide safe access to and from the rink shack building.
*
A website for The Corporation of the Township of Alberton, namely
www.alberton.ca, was launched to enhance and improve accessibility
to Township information remotely. The website is maintained by
staff and is updated at least monthly. A copy of the current
Municipal Accessibility Plan is available to the public on the
website as well as in paper form on request.
*
A ramp was constructed and installed to the Millennium Rink
surface to permit access to the sports surface during the spring,
summer and fall seasons.
*
The size of the fonts used in the Township Community Newsletter
have been increased to make the newsletter easier for all
residents to read.
*
Municipal by-laws and policies passed or adopted since the year
2000 were reviewed and it was determined that none have created or
perpetuated barriers to people with disabilities.
*
The Township's Procurement Policy includes a provision that the
municipality will have regard to accessibility matters when
procuring goods, services or works.
*
Council adopted a Customer Service Policy under the Accessibility
for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and staff and Council of
the day undertook training in that regard.
*
Various roads within the Township have been hard-surfaced, which
allows for easier use of same by personal motorized and
non-motorized modes of transportation.
*
The method of voting used in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 municipal
elections was vote-by-mail in order to improve accessibility and
ease of voting. The use of the method resulted in an approximately
30% greater voter turn-out than did the traditional polls method
used in 2003 and earlier.
*
Accessible design was incorporated into plans for approved
projects, including completion of renovations of the Alberton
Volunteer Fire Department Fire Hall and of the Millennium Rink and
Park rink shack.
*
The municipal office and fire hall parking lot was paved to
provide consistent condition and ease of access.
*
Municipal by-laws and policies passed or adopted in 2012 were
reviewed and it was determined that none have created or
perpetuated barriers to people with disabilities.
*
Office staff undertook accessibility training in December 2012 to
remain up to date on accessibility requirements legislated by the
Province.
BARRIER REMOVAL INITIATIVES AND MEASURES
----------------------------------------
UNDERTAKEN DURING 2013 – 2017
-----------------------------

*
Capital projects had consideration to accessibility. For example,
the use of 7/8ths granular for road resurfacing was changed to
5/8ths in part to ensure a smoother road surface for pedestrians,
cyclists and other personal modes of transportation.
*
The Township will provide to employees updated information about
its policies to support employees with disabilities on request.
*
The Township will provide information in an accessible format or
with communication supports to employees with disabilities on
request.
*
As required, the Township will prepare individualized workplace
emergency response information for employees with disabilities.
*
The Township will give consideration to accessibility when
planning or constructing new recreational trails that it intends
to maintain, including installation of access ramps. The Township
has no existing recreational trails or beach access routes.
*
The Township will give consideration to accessibility in
constructing or redeveloping existing outdoor public use eating
areas and play spaces that it intends to maintain such that same
will comply with the requirements of Sections 80(17), 80(19),
80(20a) and 80(20b) of the Integrated Accessibility Standards
Regulation (IASR) made under the Accessibility for Ontarians with
Disabilities Act.
*
The Township public spaces will have accessible elements in place
as required under the Design of Public Spaces Standard of the IASR.
*
A sidewalk to access the side door entrance to the Municipal
Office from the existing main office entrance was installed.
*
Microsoft Office 10 was purchased and is used for the text
portions of the Township’s website.
*
The majority of the components of community events held by the
Recreation Committee were accessible to all people.
BARRIERS IDENTIFIED
No new barriers were identified in the 2017 survey of municipal
premises.
An almost complete turnover in staff over the past three years as well
as the forthcoming 2018 municipal election will necessitate Council,
staff and volunteers to undertake accessibility training. Staff has
already commenced this process. Council members who are elected in the
fall of 2018 will take office in December, 2018 and will undertake
training in 2019.
Previously identified barriers are listed below. Over time as repairs
and replacement of assets is required, Council will have to decide
which barriers will be addressed and when, subject to consideration of
budget constraints and feasibility.

Barrier Type of Barrier Strategy for removal or
Prevention of Barrier

Municipal Office basement is Architectural Elevator or lift could be
in stalled
not accessible to persons with if and when building renovations
mobility-related disabilities. are undertaken

Exterior doors and the interior Architectural Install automatic door
openers
door to the Municipal Office and doors that are compliant with
basement are heavy and may the Fire Code
pose difficulty for some.

Locked entrance door to the Architectural No change proposed as garage
is
grader garage not wheelchair not open to the public
accessible

Tax bills may have print that Communication Province has taken no
action to
is too small for a sight-impaired revise format, not within municipal
person to read control

Training room and washroom Architectural Could be widened if and when
in the VFD Fire Hall are not renovations are done to the building
wheelchair accessible

Lack of funding Financial No Provincial grants available to
offset high cost of renovations.
Municipal budget already severely
strained due to provincial down-
loading and provincially mandated
requirements.

Step into use side entrance to Architectural Height issue should be
mitigated
basement is high from the through installation of an additional
outside step or platform.
BARRIERS TO BE ADDRESSED
The following barriers will be addressed during the 2018 - 2022
calendar years, budget permitting:
*
Accessibility issues shall be taken into consideration during the
planning stages of new municipal projects and of renovation of
existing structures.
*
Accessibility issues shall be taken into consideration in the
development of new municipal by-laws, practices and procedures.
*
Initiatives and measures previously undertaken during the 2013 -
2017 period will continue.
*
The Township will provide public written notice of the
availability of accommodations during future employee recruitment
processes.
*
Conversion of information on the Township’s website to accessible
format(s) will continue.
*
Consideration will be given to making the Township’s new or
redeveloped public spaces accessible, including any recreational
trails and access routes that may be created, outdoor public use
eating areas, exterior paths of travel, on and off-street parking
lots, service counters, fixed queuing guides and waiting areas
with fixed seating, and maintenance of the Township’s public
spaces.
*
The Township’s will make publicly available information, including
forms, accessible upon request, in a format which does not create
cost impact to the Township and within a reasonable period of
time.
*
The method of voting to be used in the 2018 municipal election
will be vote-by-mail in order to improve accessibility and ease of
voting, and to facilitate voter participation.
FACILITIES, POLICIES, PROGRAMS, PRACTICES
AND SERVICES TO BE REVIEWED IN 2018 – 2022
All physical and electronic municipal premises and facilities and all
participatory or recreational programs provided by the Township or any
of its committees will be reviewed annually to identify whether
barriers to people with disabilities exist with regard to same and to
identify means of eliminating or reducing such barriers.
Input from residents will be considered in identifying barriers in
municipal premises and identifying possible solutions to reduce or
eliminate same.
REVIEW AND MONITORING OF THE PROCESS
------------------------------------
Council has committed The Corporation of the Township of Alberton to
following through with the initiatives outlined in this plan.
It is Council’s direction that municipal facilities shall continue to
be reviewed annually and that this plan be recreated every five years
as contemplated by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
Act, 2001, thus allowing Council, staff and the public to monitor the
barriers identified from year to year, to have a clear understanding
of the steps which the Township proposes to take to remove or address
identified barriers, and to monitor the progress the Township makes in
barrier identification, removal and prevention.
REVISIONS DURING TERM OF PLAN
In order to ensure that the Councils in office during the term to
which this Accessibility Plan applies have direct input into what
steps will be taken to address identified barriers, it shall be the
policy of the Township that, following a municipal election, a newly
elected Council shall:
*
review the current plan during its first six months in office;
*
identify the steps which shall be taken during the balance of the
term of this plan following its election to office;
*
amend the plan accordingly; and
*
adopt the revised plan.
In addition, at the direction of Council, this plan may be updated at
a time before the regular five-year update where Council deems same to
be expedient due to changing circumstances or impacts in the Township.
COMMUNICATION OF THE PLAN TO THE PUBLIC
---------------------------------------
This plan will be available in paper form for public review at the
Alberton Municipal Office as well as electronically on the Township's
website, www.alberton.ca. The Township will make every reasonable
effort to ensure that the plan is made available for the perusal and
review of all persons.