| MULTI-YEAR ACCESSIBILITY PLAN | ||
| (Working Document) | ||
| Submitted to | ||
| NIAGARA CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD | ||
| December 2012 to December 2017† | ||
| Prepared by | ||
| Accessibility Planning Committee | ||
| In accordance with | ||
| Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act | ||
| Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation | ||
| April 2015 |
| TABLE OF CONTENTS |
Page
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| Cover Page | 1
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| Plan Availability | 1
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| Table of Contents | 2
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| Section 1. Aim | 3 |
| 2. Objectives | 3
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3. Commitment to Accessibility Planning | 3
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4. Description of Niagara Catholic District School Board | 4
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5. Members of “Accessibility Planning Committee” | 5
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6. Strategy for prevention and removal of barriers | 6
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7. Barrier-Identification Methodologies | 6
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8. Recent Barrier Removal Achievements | 7
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9. Barriers to be addressed in 2012-2017 Multi-Year Plan | 9
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10. Review and Monitoring Process | 16
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11. Communication of the Plan | 16
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| Appendices: | 17-18 |
1.6 Describes how the Niagara Catholic District School Board will make this accessibility plan available to the public.
2.0 Commitment to Accessibility Planning
This document has been written with the intent that the recommendations prepared by the Accessibility Planning Committee will be presented to Administrative Council and to the Board of Trustees.
The Niagara Catholic District School Board is committed to:
2.1 Maintaining an Accessibility Planning Committee;
2.2 Continuing the process of consulting with the Special Education Advisory Committee and with persons with disabilities;
2.3 Ensuring, wherever practicable, that Board policies, procedures and practices are consistent with the principles of accessibility and inclusive/universal design. The Accessibility Planning Committee will provide input re: accessibility issues, where appropriate, with regard to new policies and procedures and to those under review;
2.4 Improving access to facilities, policies, programs, practices and services for students, staff, parents/guardians, volunteers and members of the community. Consideration of ongoing identification of barriers will be the responsibility of the Accessibility Planning Committee and will, wherever practicable, be incorporated in the multi-year plan.
The Director of Education has authorized the Accessibility Planning Committee to review and update the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan that will enable the Niagara Catholic District School Board to meet these commitments.
3.0 Description of the Niagara Catholic District School Board
Following government legislation entitled the “Fewer School Boards Act,” the total number of school boards in Ontario was reduced to 72. The aforementioned legislation also impacted the Niagara Catholic District School Board. The Niagara Catholic District School Board was established on January 1, 1998, as a result of the amalgamation of the former Lincoln County Roman Catholic Separate School Board and Welland County Roman Catholic Separate School Board, in compliance with government legislation.
The Niagara Catholic District School Board, consisting of eight secondary schools and forty-nine elementary schools, currently serves 22,213 students and 3,133 employees. The philosophy of the Niagara Catholic District School Board is that learners are called by God to fulfill their potential; all learners are gifted by God and can learn; learning is an interactive process; learning is an enriching experience; and learning is for eternity. Furthermore, students, regardless of special talents or challenging needs can grow and they can grow best by attending schools, which offer accessible programs, in accessible settings, through accessible services.
The Niagara Catholic District School Board, through the charisms of faith, social justice, support and leadership, nurtures an enriching Catholic learning community for all to reach their full potential and become living witnesses of Christ.
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4.0 Members of Accessibility Planning Committee
5.0 Strategy for prevention and removal of barriers
The principles of inclusionary practice, freedom from barriers and accessible environments informs all Niagara Catholic District School Board policies, programs, procedures and services. Through the Annual Accessibility Plan implemented under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 , the Niagara Catholic District School Board’s programming, policies and practices have been assessed to ensure continuous improvement in accessibility. This process will continue through the establishment of a multi-year accessibility plan which places particular emphasis on the provisions of the regulations made under the AODA with regard to customer service, information and communications, employment, school transportation and the design of public spaces.
6.0 Barrier Identification Methodologies
The Accessibility Planning Committee uses the following barrier-identification methods:
Information received through Feedback – Accessibility link on Board website. Accessibility Planning Committee regular meetings Potential actions re: identified accessibility issues discussed within multi-year strategy Accessibility Planning Committee also considers Facilities report re: physical environment Surveys of buildings considered and identification of criteria for action within multi-year strategy Communication steps: Board, SEAC, Employee Groups, Public Opportunity for input or feedback prior to approval and posting on website
Type of Barrier
| Location
| Action Taken
|
Physical/Architectural
| Identified schools as needed
|
· Equipment recommended through certified professionals |
Physical/Architectural
| See Appendix A
Accessibility Projects Completed 2013-2014 | |
| Information and Communication | All School Board Sites
|
· The front doors at all elementary schools are complete – both doors open with a single card reader. Secondary schools and the Catholic Education Centre are on a schedule where front doors are unlocked during the day. |
| Information and communication | Niagara Catholic Board Website |
· Update of JavaScript file that supports keyboard accessible menu dropdowns (navigation). |
| Information and Communication | Identified schools/students as needed |
· Installation of electrical receptacles for the use of identified communication devices |
| Information and Communication | Board-wide |
· Emergency Workplace Response Plan |
Attitudinal
| Board-wide
|
· Ongoing training in Accessible Customer Service |
Technology
| Identified schools/students as needed |
· Technology to support individual needs. (hardware, software) |
Systemic
| Board-wide |
· Board policies, guidelines, protocols and procedures that reflect accessibility needs (e.g. Accessibility Customer Service; revised Feb. 2015, Guidelines for Certified Service Animals) |
Type of Barrier
| Location
| Action
| Effective Date
|
Systemic
| Board-wide
| Develop Accessibility Policy Statement
| January 1, 2013
Completed |
| Attitudinal – Information and Communications | Board-wide
| Develop Administrative Guidelines re: Accessible Information and Communications
| January 1, 2013
Completed |
| Attitudinal – Employment | Board-wide
| Develop Administrative Guidelines re: Accessible Employment
| January 1, 2013
Completed |
Systemic
| Board-wide
| Review procurement practices to incorporate accessibility criteria for goods, services, facilities
| January 1, 2013
Ongoing |
| Information and Communication | Board-wide
| Provide accessibility awareness training for all
educators/ classroom-based staff on accessible instruction and program delivery | Ongoing 2012-2013
|
| Information and Communication | Board-wide
| Review practices to ensure readiness to provide educational resources or materials, student records and information on program requirements in accessible formats upon request
| January 1, 2013
Completed |
Physical
| See Appendix B
Accessibility Projects Completed 2013-2014 (as of February 11, 2014) | Ongoing 2013-2014
| |
Type of Barrier
| Location | Action
| |
| Information and Communication | Identified schools/students as needed
|
· Installation of electrical receptacles for the use of identified communication devices | |
| Information and Communication | All School Board Sites
|
· The front doors at all elementary schools are complete – both doors open with a single card reader. Secondary schools and the CEC are on a schedule where front doors are unlocked during the day. | |
| Information and communication | All School Board Sites |
· Update of JavaScript file that supports keyboard accessible menu dropdowns (navigation). | |
Type of Barrier
| Location
| Action
| Effective Date
|
Systemic - attitudinal
| Board-wide
| Provide training to all staff, volunteers on accessibility standards requirements and on Human Rights Code provisions re: disabilities and ensure third-party providers have similar training. On-line training program completed Feb. 2015. | Ongoing 2013-2014
Ongoing |
| Information and Communication | Board Offices
| Review process for receiving/responding to feedback to ensure accessibility to persons with disabilities and readiness to provide accessible formats and communication supports upon request.
Notify the public re: above. | January 1, 2014
Completed |
| Information and Communication | Board-wide
| Review Board and school websites to assess level of accessibility. Ensure that new sites and web content published after Jan 1, 2012 meet WCAG 2.0, Level A standards. | January 1, 2014
Completed |
| Systemic - Employment | Board-wide
| Review and update Human Resources procedures and practices with regard to recruitment, job accommodations, alternative accessible formats and communication supports, individual accommodation plans, return to work, performance appraisal, career or professional development, redeployment | January 1, 2014
Ongoing |
| Information and Communication – Student Transportation | Board-wide
(Niagara Student Transportation Services and Special Education Department and Elementary and Secondary Schools) | Consult with parents and develop individual school transportation plans for students with disabilities, clarifying roles and responsibilities. NSTS receives daily student updates from Maplewood. Changes are flagged by NSTS to inform the need for student update | January 1, 2014
Ongoing |
| Information and Communication | School Libraries
| Review the readiness of school libraries to provide accessible or conversion-ready formats of print resources upon request | 2015
Completed |
Physical
| See Appendix C
Future Accessibility Projects for Consideration | Ongoing 2015-2016
| |
Type of Barrier
| Location
| Action
| Effective Date
|
| Information and Communication | Board-wide
| Identify and have ready access to resources that enable the Board to provide information and communication supports upon request and in a timely manner to persons with disabilities. (Consider access to board meetings/school events) | January 1, 2015
Completed |
| Information and Communication | School Libraries
| Ensure readiness of school libraries to provide accessible or conversion-ready formats of print resources upon request.
Catholic Resource Centre (CRC) purchase of large print materials, electronic books and digital books which are available to all students through classroom teacher. Sourcing alternative formats throughout school board, public libraries and other community agencies to meet student need. Access Learning Video Streaming - Ontario Curriculum content available to all staff and students. Further inquiry to determine if closed captioning and described video available. | January 1, 2015
Completed |
| Information and Communication | Board-wide
| Review accessibility features of all updates and purchases related to board and school websites in anticipation of WCAG, 2.0, Level AA standards. Exploring increased methods of providing accessible ready formats, i.e. verbal descriptions of photos with captioning. All public facing websites are in compliance. Ongoing exploration of school board intranet as it relates to accessibility. | Ongoing preparation for 2021 deadline |
Physical
| See Appendix C
Future Accessibility Projects for Consideration | Ongoing 2015-2016 | |
Type of Barrier
| Location
| Action
| Effective Date
|
Systemic
| Board-wide
| Accessibility Awareness Training for Educators will be converted to on-line training and will become part of Human Resources New Hire package.
Accessibility Awareness Training as it pertains to the Human Rights Code is now available as an on-line training program and is completed by all employees both new and existing. | Ongoing |
| Information and Communication | School Libraries
| Review status of capacity of school libraries to provide accessible or conversion-ready formats of digital or multimedia resources upon request in anticipation of 2020 deadline | Ongoing preparation for 2020 deadline |
| Information and Communication | Board-wide
| Review accessibility features of all updates and purchases related to board and school websites in anticipation of WCAG, 2.0, Level AA standards | Ongoing preparation for 2021 deadline |
Physical
| See Appendix C
Future Accessibility Projects for Consideration | Ongoing 2016-2017 | |
Type of Barrier
| Location
| Action
| Effective Date
|
Systemic
| Board-wide
| Continue to ensure all new staff; teaching and non-teaching, complete Customer Service Training, Accessibility Awareness Training For Educators (where appropriate) and Accessibility Awareness Training as it pertains to the Human Rights Code Training. | Ongoing 2016-2017 |
| Systemic | Board-wide
| Review status of Board accessibility policies and procedures and update as required | Ongoing 2016-2017 |
Type of Barrier
| Location
| Action
| Effective Date
|
| Information and Communication | School Libraries
| Review status of capacity of school libraries to provide accessible or conversion-ready formats of all resources upon request | Ongoing preparation for 2020 deadline |
| Information and Communication | Board-wide
| Review accessibility features of all updates and purchases related to board and school websites in anticipation of WCAG, 2.0, Level AA standards
| Ongoing preparation for 2021 deadline |
| Physical | See Appendix C
Future Accessibility Projects for Consideration | Ongoing | |
· Catholic Education Centre, 427 Rice Road, Welland, Ontario
Accessible formats available upon request. Contact the Communications Department.
Niagara Catholic District School Board will post an annual status report on the progress of the Multi-year Accessibility Plan on the Board’s website.
We welcome your comments and feedback about accessibility issues at Niagara Catholic. If you have comments or suggestions, please write to us at accessibility.compliance@ncdsb.com or by contacting: the Communications Department at the Catholic Education Centre.
Appendix A
SN# Facility Description 148 St. Kevin sensory room/main entrance automatic door operator 120 Mary Ward side entrance accessibility 127 St. Mary (NF) automatic door operators - main & playground entrance 133 St. John Bosco automatic door operators - main & playground entrance 132 St. Ann (F) ramp to portables 127 St. Mary (NF) renovated accessible washroom 195 St. John (B) ramp & operator to main entrance 145 St. Andrew automatic door operators - main & playground entrance 280 Saint Francis sensory room/accessible washroom/spec. ed. renovation
Appendix B
SN# Facility Description 115 St. Philomena accessible washroom renovation 115 St. Philomena ramp and operator to main entrance 116 St. Joseph sensory room 118 Our Lady of Mount Carmel ramp to gym 145 St. Augustine sensory room 180 St. James automatic door operator to side entrances 180 St. James build accessible washroom
Appendix C
SN# Facility Description 116 St. Joseph (Stevensville) provide lift to stage 116 St. Joseph (Stevensville) revise interior ramp for minimum 1:12 slope 128 St. Patrick (NF) provide elevator 129 Loretto Catholic retrofit to allow barrier free emergency evacuation from second floor 139 Monsignor Clancy retrofit to allow barrier free emergency evacuation from second floor 148 St. Kevin provide barrier free access to second floor 171 Assumption provide barrier-free lift for stage 175 St. Alfred retrofit to allow barrier free emergency evacuation from second floor 176 St. Ann (SC) retrofit to allow barrier free emergency evacuation from second floor 179 St. Denis retrofit to allow barrier free emergency evacuation from second floor 181 St. Nicholas provide barrier free access to second floor 182 St. Peter retrofit to allow barrier free emergency evacuation from second floor 183 St. Theresa provide lift to stage 184 Mother Teresa provide sensory room 197 St. Mark install 2 sets of magnetic hold-open devices 197 St. Mark retrofit to allow barrier free emergency evacuation from second floor 220 Saint Michael retrofit to allow barrier free emergency evacuation from second floor 230 Saint Paul retrofit to allow barrier free emergency evacuation from second floor 250 Notre Dame College retrofit to allow barrier free emergency evacuation from second floor 250 Notre Dame College provide barrier free access to second floor 260 Denis Morris install automatic door openers at main office and attendance office 260 Denis Morris retrofit to allow barrier free emergency evacuation from second floor 270 Holy Cross retrofit to allow barrier free emergency evacuation from second floor 280 Saint Francis retrofit to allow barrier free emergency evacuation from second floor