Accessibility resources

What is accessibility?

• Online workshop Accessibility Standards for Customer Service
• Online workshop Working Together: The Code and the AODA

Understanding the accessibility law and the Duty to Accommodate

• To help you better understand the accessibility standards and the requirements that apply to uOttawa, we have created guidelines for each of the standards.

Overview

The general requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation establish the regulatory standards for accessibility that apply to information and communication, employment, transportation and the design of public spaces.

The requirements apply to the following:

• Develop Accessibility Policies
• Establish, implement, maintain and document an accessibility plan
• Purchase or create accessible goods, services, facilities and self-service kiosks
• Provide Training

General Requirements Training Module

The Access Forward General Requirements training module provides an introduction to the accessibility requirements, and covers requirements that cut across all the standards.

What are my legal obligations?

To help you better understand the accessibility standards and the requirements that apply to uOttawa and your role and responsibilities, we have created the Policy 119 - Accessibility and the guideline Understanding the Law - General Requirements.

Understand the legal requirements

Read accessibility requirements for social media, Internet and Intranet website and web content, multimedia messages and other types of communications in the guidelines Understanding the law: Information and communications.

Create accessible documents

• Learn how to create accessible documents on the Web at uOttawa (VirtuO) website.
• Make your prints as clear and readable as possible with the Clear Print Accessibility Guidelines.
• Automatic validation software:
  • Adobe Acrobat XI Pro (for .PDF)
  • MadeToTag (InDesign extension module)

Electronic messages

• Learn how to integration accessibility in email campaigns (external link)
• Learn how to create accessible emails using MS Outlook.
• Watch video tutorial to Improve email accessibility (external link).

Drupal websites at uOttawa

• Understand how to make your website content accessible on the Web at uOttawa website.

Intranet and extranet websites

• Learn how to create accessible content using Brightspace.

Non-Drupal Internet websites

• Learn how to create accessible content using LibGuides (external link).
• Web page accessibility Checker.

Social media and multimedia productions

• The accessibility requirements for a multimedia productions depends on the format (audio-only, video-only or audio-video) and the medium (in class, on a giant screen, on YouTube or online for example). The guidelines Understanding the law: Information and communications and Customer services will help you find the accessibility requirements specific to your project. If you have any question, please contact Accessibility at [email protected].
• Learn how to improve accessibility of your information posted on social media on the Web at uOttawa website.
• Automatic French voice to text converter

Mobile applications

• Learn about legal mobile accessibility legal requirements (external link).
• Learn how to create accessible content on mobile applications (external link).

Tools

• Screen reader NVDA
• Screen reader JAWS
• Accessibility verification tools.

Universal Symbols of Accessibility

• List of common symbols often used to provide information about the accessibility features of places, programs and activities.

Accessible Event, meetings & Conference

• Learn accessibility requirements for special events and meetings in the guidelines Understanding the law: Customer services and  the requirement Accessible format and communications support under the Employment standards.
• Making Meetings Accessible (external link): Learn how to ensure that all have equal access to information at the office, in the classroom, in a seminar or a in meeting.

• Facilitating Accessible Meetings and tip sheet Hosting Accessible Meetings
• Selecting Accessible Venues
• Tips for Speakers and Presenters
• A Planning Guide for Accessible Conferences
• A Checklist for Planning Accessible Events

Interacting with Persons with Disabilities

Tip sheets on interacting with persons with disabilities

• Persons with Visual Disabilities
• Persons who are Deaf-Blind
• Persons who are Deaf, Deafened or Hard of Hearing
• Persons with Physical Disabilities
• Persons with Speech-Related Disabilities
• Persons with Mental Health Disabilities
• Persons with Learning Disabilities

Service Animal Guide

A Service Animal Guide to provide helpful information on the law, who uses service animals, and what to expect when a service animal is on your campus.

Wheelchair rental

Care Médical Inc.

Wheelchair ramp rental

• Conval-aid
• AccessRamps & Mobility Systems inc.

Overview

Under section 1 of the Code, people with disabilities are protected from discrimination in “services.” This protection includes education services.

Education providers have obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), and its Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulations. The AODA is an important piece of legislation for improving accessibility in the lives of people with disabilities. It complements the Ontario Human Rights Code, which has primacy over the AODA. The development and implementation of standards under the AODA must have regard for the Code, related human rights principles, and case law. Compliance with the AODA does not necessarily mean compliance with the Code. Education providers must follow both. For example, even where an education provider meets all of its obligations under the AODA, it will still be responsible for making sure that discrimination and harassment based on disability do not take place in its operations, that it responds to individual accommodation requests, etc.

What are my legal obligations?

To help you better understand the requirements applicable to you and your role and your responsibilities at the University of Ottawa, we have created the Policy 119 - Accessibility, the Academic Regulation I-16 - Academic Accommodations and the guideline Understand the Law - Customer Service and Information and Communications (section Training to Educators).

Training and Toolkit

The Council of Ontario Universities provides an Interactive online training and a Tool Kit designed to help Professors create an accessible learning environment for students with disabilities and meet their legal obligations.

Resources and Support on Campus

Please visit the webpage Teaching and Training to find additional resources and support for you.

Overview

Since January 1, 2014, The Ontario Human Rights Code requires all employers to meet the accommodation needs of employees with disabilities to the point of undue hardship.

The Employment Standard builds on this requirement. It requires employers to have processes in place to determine an employee’s accommodation needs.

The Employment Standard cover the following:

• Recruitment, assessment and selection processes
• Informing employees of supports
• Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
• Documented Individual Accommodation Plans
• Workplace emergency response information
• Return to work process
• Performance management, career development and advancement and redeployment

Employment Standard Training Module

The Access Forward Employment Standard training module covers the requirements for making your employment practices accessible.

What are my legal obligations?

To help you better understand the accessibility standards and the requirements that apply to uOttawa and your role and responsibilities, we have created the Policy 119 - Accessibility and the guideline Understanding the Law - Employment.

Overview

As of 2011, uOttawa transportation services must be equally available to persons with disabilities. If the transportation is not accessible, an equivalent service must be provided to persons with disabilities upon request.

An equivalent transportation service is service that is similar to transportation the University provides or makes available to other users, including similar fares, schedules and routes.

Out of scope

• Retrofit or modification of transportation vehicles not accessible to persons with disabilities.

Transportation Standard Training Module

The Access Forward Transportation Standard training module covers the requirements for public transportation providers so that everyone can more easily travel in Ontario

What are my legal obligations?

To help you better understand the accessibility standards and the requirements that apply to uOttawa and your role and responsibilities, we have created the Policy 119 - Accessibility and the guideline Understanding the Law - Transportation.

Overview

Under the Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment, the University must incorporate accessibility when building new public spaces or redeveloping existing public spaces through planned alterations.

Examples of accessibility elements in the built environment:

• Wide sidewalks free of barriers
• Both audible and visual cues at pedestrian crosswalks
• Gently sloping ramps
• Wider parking spaces
• Seating-level service counters
• Accessible recreational elements such as trails, outdoor eating areas and play spaces

Out of scope

• Retrofits of public spaces to meet the requirements of the built environment standards
• Incorporating accessibility into building elements, such as building entrances, washrooms and barrier-free paths of travel (addressed in Ontario’s Building Code)

Design of Public Spaces Standard Training Module

The Access Forward Design of Public Spaces Standard training module covers the requirements for specific features of our public spaces that will make it easier for people with disabilities to move through, use and enjoy what our communities have to offer.

What are my legal obligations?

To help you better understand the accessibility standards and the requirements that apply to uOttawa and your role and responsibilities, we have created the Policy 119 - Accessibility and the guideline Understanding the Law - Design of Public Spaces.