September 30, 2003
The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 was passed into legislation by the Government of Ontario on December 31, 2001. The Act ensures that persons with disabilities have improved opportunities and provides for their involvement in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to their full participation in life. The lieutenant Governor proclaimed in September 2002 that all municipalities must have a municipal accessibility plan adopted and published by no later than September 30, 2003. The following are the requirements for municipalities as legislated by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (current to July 30, 2003):
(a) a report on the measures the municipality has taken to identify, remove and prevent barriers to persons with disabilities;
(b) the measures in place to ensure that the municipality assesses it proposals for by-laws, policies, programs, practices and services to determine their effect on accessibility for persons with disabilities;
(c) a list of the by-laws, policies, programs, practices and services that the municipality will review in the coming year in order to identify barriers to persons with disabilities;
(d) the measures that the municipality intends to take in the coming year to identify, remove and prevent barriers to persons with disabilities; and
(e) all other information that the regulations prescribe for the purpose of the plan. 2001,c.32, s. 11(3).
Availability to the public
(4) A municipality shall make its accessibility plan available to the public. 2001, c.32, s 11 (4).
Accessibility advisory committees
12. (1) the council of every municipality having a population of not less than 10,000 shall establish or continue an accessibility advisory committee and the council of every municipality having a population of less than 10,000 may establish or continue an accessibility advisory committee. 2001, c32, s 12(1).
The council of the Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich did not establish an advisory committee since the population is below 10,000.
Municipal goods and services.
13. In deciding to purchase goods or services through the procurement process for the use of itself, its employees or the public, the council of every municipality shall have regard to the accessibility for persons with disabilities to the goods or services. 2001,c.32, s. 13.
DEFINITION OF BARRIERS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 defines a “barrier” as anything that stops a person with a disability from fully taking part in society because of that disability. Some barriers include: § physical barriers, e.g. a stop at the entrance to a store;
§ architectural barriers, e.g. no elevators in a building of more than one floor;
§ information or communications barriers, e.g. a publication that is not available in large print;
§ attitudinal barriers, e.g. assuming people with a disability can't perform a certain task when in fact they can;
§ technological barriers such as traffic lights that change too quickly before a person with a disability has time to get through the intersection; and
§ barriers created by policies or practices, for instance not offering different ways to complete a test as part of job hiring.
DEFINITION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 defines persons with disabilities in the following, which is the same definition as used in the Ontario Human Rights Code.
A “disability” is:
a) Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement cased by bodily injury, birth defect of illness and includes, but is not limited to:
§ diabetes mellitus;
§ epilepsy;
§ a brain injury
§ any degree of paralysis;
§ amputation;
§ lack of physical co-ordination;
§ blindness or visual impediment;
§ deafness or hearing impediment;
§ muteness or speech impediment; or
§ physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal, or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device;
b) A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability;
c) A learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language;
d) A mental disorder; or
e) An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
MISSION STATEMENT
“To identify, remove and prevent barriers t persons with disabilities who use the facilities and services of the Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich including employees, volunteers and all members of our Community.
OBJECTIVES
This Plan
1. Describes the recommended process by which the Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich would identify, remove and prevent barriers to persons with disabilities.
2. Reviews earlier efforts to remove and prevent barriers to persons with disabilities.
3. Lists the facilities, policies, programs, practices and services that the Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich would review to identify barriers to persons with disabilities.
4. Describes the recommended measures the Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich would take to identify, remove and prevent barriers to persons with disabilities.
5. Describes the recommended process by which the Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich would make this accessibility plan available to the public.
6. Assists with development of a criteria list to be distributed with applicable building applications.
PLAN
This Plan was prepared by the Municipal Staff, after inspecting each facility owned or operated by the Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich.
The Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich is an urban and rural mixed Municipality located between the Thames River on the North and the shore of Lake Erie on the South. The Township of Southwold is located on our eastern boundary and the Municipality of West Elgin is located to the West. The Municipality is one of seven lower tier municipalities located within the Upper Tier Municipality of the of County of Elgin.
The municipality was formed on January 1998 as a result of a restructuring order, which combined the former Village of Dutton and the former Township of Dunwich. The municipality is approximately 100 square miles in area and is comprised of a population of approximately 4,000.
Administrative Building, 199 Main Street, Dutton
This building has undergone considerable renovations since January 1, 1997. As part of these renovations, the following improvements were included to enhance the Building Accessibility.
1) Handicapped public washrooms were installed on the lower level.
2) A second entrance ramp was installed to access the front door. A new door system with electronic openers were also installed.
3) A handicapped lift was installed to enhance access to the second floor of the building.
Dutton Reference Library
This building was constructed approximately 10 years ago and compiled with the regulations existing at the time. Earlier this year, electronic door openers were installed on the main entrance to the building. Two handicapped parking areas were also established this year.
Dutton Medical Centre (156 Main Street) In 2000 the municipality reconstructed a former municipal office into a medical centre. As part of this construction project, the municipality attempted to make this building completely accessible.
Community Centre, Park and Pool
The Community Centre was constructed in 1969. Since January 1, 1998 electronic door openers, an entrance ramp and handicapped parking have been added to the facility. A unisex handicapped washroom is being installed later this year.
Dentist Building 231A Main Street
This building is owned by the Municipality and space is leased to a Dentist and Chiropractor on the main floor. The lower floor is leased a temporary office space and storage.
In 2002, a major renovation was undertaken on the upper floor of the building including the following:
1) A handicapped lift was re-commissioned to provide better access to the facility.
2) A larger handicapped sized treatment room was constructed.
3) Handicapped Washroom facilities were installed.
| REVIEW AND IDENTIFICATION OF BARRIERS TO DISABLED PERSONS | |
|---|---|
| Administrative Building 199 Main Street | |
| Interior office doors narrow and door knobs are wrong type | Widen doorway to 3 feet where possible when renovating and install lever type openers |
| Telephone system not accessible to all | Provide access to TTY devise if need arises |
| Receptionist counter too high | Consider lowering a portion when renovating. |
| Office equipment located too high | Consider lowering equipment when required |
| Employee washroom not designed for handicapped | Difficult to make the required renovations do to space construction. Handicapped facility available else where in the building |
| Employee kitchen area – not designed for handicapped | Renovate if required. |
| Storage Area | |
| Shelves too high Difficult to rectify due to lack of storage space. | Ensure lesser-used items on higher shelves. |
| W.E.D.S Theater – Second Floor | |
| No handicapped access to actors' lounge, lighting room, sound room, actors' washroom or storage area | Very expensive to rectify do to design of facility. |
| Doors too narrow and wrong style of knobs | Replace when possible when renovating |
| Works Garage 136 Main Street | |
| No handicapped access to second floor lunch room and storage area | Consider access when required |
| Door handles – wrong type | Install lever type doorknob when required. |
| Oil storage room – has step down | Difficult to rectify since lower level is designed to contain spills. Small ramp could be installed if required |
| Storage: items stored too high | Difficult to rectify due to space restrictions – lesser used items moved to higher shelves |
| Utility Garage Shackleton Street | |
| Doors too narrow | This building was constructed approximately 30 years ago and was not designed to meet today's standards. It is impractical to make the required improvements due to size and cost constraints. It would be more advisable to completely build a new facility or to move this operation to a different building.. |
| Doctors Office, Medical Building 156 Main Street | |
| Counter too high | Consider lower counter when renovating |
| Office work station not adjustable | Consider making necessary improvement when required |
| Kitchen area not designed for handicapped | Consider making changing when renovating or required |
| Record storage too high | Place high demand files on lower levels |
| Dentist Building 231A Main Street | |
| Doors too narrow and wrong knobs | Widen door where possible and install lever type door knobs when renovating |
| Staff kitchen area – not handicapped designed | Consider when making renovations or when required. |
| Parks and Recreation – Community Centre 1 Erie Street | |
| Kitchen area not designed for handicapped persons | Make improvements when renovating |
| Doors too narrow and wrong type of handles | Widen doors and install new lever door knobs when renovating |
| Second floor storage area not accessible for handicapped | Not economical to rectify this situation |
| Dutton Pool | |
| The pool and pool house facility were constructed in the 1960's and would not meet today's design requirements. It would be economically impossible to renovate this facility to make it to today's standards. When the pool is re-built, the new requirements would be taken into account. | |
| South Dunwich Community Hall Wallacetown | |
| This is also an older facility, which does not meet today's accessibility requirements. Since we have other facilities that provide the same service and are accessible, it would be impractical to make the necessary changes in this facility | |
| Playgrounds and Sports Fields | |
| Paths need to be provided to improve access | Consider as part of Park improvements |
| Playground equipment not barrier free | Consider when purchase new equipment |
| Fire Hall Currie / John Streets | |
| Doors too narrow and wrong door knobs | Widen doors to 36"and install lever type doorknobs when renovating. |
| No handicapped access to second floor | To be considered if required |
| Washroom on lower floor | Not handicapped designed. Should be improved when renovating or if required |
| Kitchen area not designed for handicapped | Consider changes when renovating. |
| Ambulance Station Currie Street | |
| Washroom not handicapped design | Consider changes as part of renovations |
| Kitchen area not handicapped design | Consider changes as part of renovations |
| Doors not wide enough and wrong type of handles | Install 36" doors and lever type doorknobs when renovating |
TARGETS AND ACTIONS
The Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich should consider this plan as part of their annual budget process in an attempt to correct the list of deficiencies as finances would permit.
ANNUAL REVIEW An annual review of this plan should be undertaken in August of each year to identify if any of these barriers are being addressed.
PROMOTION OF THE PLAN The plan will be available at the Municipal office.
Recommendations
That the following identifiable barriers to persons with disabilities and the resolution measures be adopted. The recommendation detailed below have been rated according to the following categories:
#1 High Importance – measure should be taken as soon as possible
#2 Medium Importance – measures to be undertaken within the next five years.
#3 Measures to be undertaken to address the barrier when renovations occur.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES BARRIERS
| CATEGORY | BARRIER AND RESOLUTION |
| Hiring policies to be codified in writing, not just an understanding – e.g. hiring is by equal opportunity based on non-discrimination of the Human Rights Code | |
| All policies, warnings and notices to be available in multi-formats | |
| All interior exit door require panic bars | |
| Disabled parking space(s) to be identified, signed and promoted for all municipal buildings | |
| All access ramps to be a minimum unobstructed width of 36"inside railings | |
| All access ramps to have a minimum turnaround radius of 5' | |
| All door widths to be a minimum of 36" | |
| All turn-type knobs to be replaced with lever style | |
| Lower section of counter for concessions | |
| Paths to be constructed to provide access to playgrounds and sports fields | |
| Curb cuts and sidewalk ramps to be included in new constructions and others to be retrofitted | |
| Water coolers to be barrier free | |
| Lifts and/or elevators to be installed if necessary | |
| Playground equipment to be barrier free or add on barrier free section | |
| All light switches to be lowered to no higher than 48" from the floor | |
| Power control panels to be lowered (access to fuses/breakers) | |
| Kitchens | |
|---|---|
| Lower section of counter, provide accessible sink area and sufficient space for wheelchair access | |
| Microwaves to be at an accessible height and placement | |
| Office Ergonomics | |
| Office furniture to be repositioned to allow clear access | |
| Equipment stands (fax, printers, etc.) to be accessible height or be adjustable | |
| Reception desks to have lower section or be adjustable | |
| Mailing machines to be accessible height or adjustable | |
| Replacement desks to be adjustable and with rounded corners | |
| Computer terminals – desks and chairs to be adjustable | |
| Photocopiers to have controls at accessible height | |
| Filing cabinets to be no higher than 4 drawers or purchase revolving side file cabinets | |
| Lower bookshelves and informational material | |
| Grates in floor to be level with flooring material | |
| Lower control buttons for garage doors and wash bay | |
| Washrooms | |
| All washrooms to be in accordance with the provisions in the Ontario Building Code. Grab bars to be well anchored. Accessible sinks and paper products. Soap and towel dispenser within reach. Lever controls for fixtures. Toilet height and mirror height to be standardized. Signage to be in Braille and raised lettering at a standardized height. | |
| Showers require a bench, well-anchored grab bars and handheld showerheads. All controls to be within easy reach | |
| |
|
| Purchase headset for visually impaired computer access | |
| Install rotational lighting on fire alarm systems | |
| |
Outfit telephones with volume control/rotational light and large keypad |
| |
Relocate or lower heat thermostats no higher than 48" from the floor |
Approved by a resolution of the Council of the Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich this 1st day of October, 2003.
Ken Loveland
Clerk treasurer Administrator
Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich