Report to: General Committee Report
Date:
SUBJECT: Accessible
Customer Service Training,
PREPARED BY: Warren Rupnarain, Accessibility Coordinator ext. 3542
RECOMMENDATION:
- That the report dated
2. And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to implement
the actions set out in this report.
PURPOSE:
To provide an update to council on the mandatory training requirements arising from Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, Ontario Regulation 429/07, Accessibility Standards for Customer Service.
BACKGROUND:
In a report to General
Committee on
The first of these
regulations, Ontario Reg. 429/07 came into force on
An external vendor (“HORN”) was awarded the contract through a competitive bidding process in 2008 to design, facilitate workshops and a webinar in order to meet the requirements of the legislation.
The Accessibility Coordinator will ensure that training is implemented. This initiative has been developed in a manner that aligns with the Town’s overall Diversity initiative.
Training will consist of half day sessions, which “HORN” will facilitate. The sessions
will be available on the following dates: April 27, 28 and
Most importantly, there will be a test at the end of the session. Everyone in attendance at the sessions will be required to take the test to prove he or she has been trained. Anyone who does not take the test will be considered as not trained and be in violation of Ontario Regulation 429/07.
The webinar is being developed for members of Council, staff and
Board or advisory committee members that are unable to attend any of the three
half day “facilitated” sessions. The webinar will also be used to train staff
hired on or after
Training is a mandatory requirement of Ontario Regulation 429/07, under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
Failure to train members of Council, staff, volunteers, Board and advisory committee members will result in non compliance with the regulation.
If an individual is found guilty of an offence, a fine of up to $50,000 per day may occur for each day or part of a day that the offence occurs or continues to occur.
A corporation may be liable for a fine of up $100,000 per day for each day or part of a day that the offence occurs or continues to occur.
Effective communication on this significant initiative is vital and a communications schedule is provided in Attachment 2. Responsibility will rest with performance managers to ensure the training is applied to all staff on a go forward basis.
Attachment 2 includes the need to determine lists of volunteers, Board and advisory committee members that will require training.
FINANCIAL TEMPLATE
|
The following
table is a summary of the financial considerations for this report: |
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|
|
|
|
|
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Original Budget and Account # |
|
$60,000 |
|
200-10156 999
002 Legislative Mandated Accessibility Training |
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Current Budget Available (unspent) |
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$60,000 |
|
|
|
Less Cost |
|
($32,846) |
|
Awarded
to HORN on |
|
Less Contingency |
|
|
|
|
|
Budget Remaining |
|
$27,154 |
|
** |
*The Town released a quotation in 2008 and awarded the contract to the lowest priced bidder (“HORN”) for the accessibility customer service training, which included the facilitate workshops and a webinar outlined in this report.
* * The remaining balance of $27,154.00 will be returned to the original funding source after completion of this project.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
Accessibility Standards for Customer
Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07 aligns directly with the Town of
DEPARTMENTS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
Strategic Initiatives
Human Resources
Finance
Communications & Community Relations
RECOMMENDED
BY: ________________________ ________________________
Don Taylor, Sharon Laing,
Manager, Executive Operations Director, Human Resources
_________________________
John Livey, CAO
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 –
Attachment 2 - Communications Schedule