Our Mission 

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION 

The Toronto Catholic District School Board is an educational community that values the dignity and worth of every individual in its care.  In this context plans are developed to support the well-being of all its members. To this end, the Annual Accessibility Plan has been developed to address the needs of its members who have disabilities. 

Our Board currently demonstrates leadership in working with people with disabilities through its special education programs and services to students with special needs, through its accommodations for employees who are disabled and by ensuring that buildings and facilities become accessible to all.   

It is our hope that all parents, students and employee groups become familiar with accessibility issues and work together to fulfill our mission of providing a community that is safe and welcoming and an example of a Christian community that is accessible to all. 

Director of Education

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                           Page

1.    Introduction  ………………………………………………………    5  

2.    Definitions ………………………………………………………….    7

3.    Goal of the Plan …………………………………………………   10

4.    Objectives of the Plan ……………………………………….   11

5.    Commitment to Accessibility Planning ……………..  12

6.    Accessibility Working Group Members  …………….  13

7.    Barrier Removal Initiatives ……………………………….  14

8.    Preventing New Barriers ……………………………………  18

9.    Barrier Identification Methodologies …………………  19

10.  Barriers Identified ……………………………………………..  22

11.  Accomplishments for 2003- 2004 ………………….…  27  

12.  Barriers to be Addressed in 2004-2005…………….  29

13.  Review and Monitoring Process ………………………..  31

14.  Communication of the Plan ……………………………….  31

15.  Appendix …………………………………………………………….    33    

1.  INTRODUCTION 

The purpose of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) is to improve opportunities for people with disabilities and to provide for their involvement in the identifications, removal and prevention of barriers to their full participation in the life of the province.  To this end the ODA requires TCDSB and all school boards to prepare an annual accessibility plan; to consult with people with disabilities in the preparation of this plan; and to make the plan public. 

People with disabilities represent a portion of the TCDSB population. To that end, enhancing the ability of these members of our community whether they be students, teachers, support staff, parents, volunteers or other community members will have only positive effects for our Board and the quality of their life. 

This annual plan is prepared by the Accessibility Working Group of TCDSB to address accessibility throughout the Board.  The plan describes:  

(1)  the measures that TCDSB has taken prior to the year (2003 – 2004). 

(2)        the measures that TCDSB has taken during the year (2003-2004) to identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities who use the facilities and services of the Board including staff, students, volunteers, parents and community members of TCDSB. 

(3)        the measure that TCDSB will take during the year (2004 – 2005) to move forward with its plan. 

 The plan will be accomplished within the financial resources of the Board and its ability to fund the projects. 

2.    DEFINITIONS 

A number of terms used throughout the Plan are clarified by the following definitions. 

BARRIER:

anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of his or her disability, including:

·       Physical barrier:- Objects added to the environment: doors, windows, elevators, furniture ,workstations,
        recreational facilities, playgrounds, bathroom hardware, etc.      

·       Architectural barrier:- Building design, area adjacent to the building, shape of room, size of doorways,
        etc.

·       Information barrier:-inadequate or incomprehensible signage; difficulties reading brochures, forms,
        manuals, web sites, fax transmissions, equipment labels, computer screens, etc.

·       Communication barrier:- Difficulties receiving information in person or by telephone; difficulties
        interacting with receptionists or other staff; difficulties receiving training.

·       Attitudinal barrier:- Staff who do not know how to communicate with people with disabilities; staff who
        refuse to provide service; discriminatory behaviors.   

·       Technological barrier:- Computers, photocopiers, fax machines, telephones and switches; inadequate
        or inappropriate assistive technologies. 

·        Policy or a practice:- Rules, regulations and protocols that prevent one performing their job
         satisfactorily; or from serving the public; or that restrict public participation.
 

DISABILITY: 

(a)  any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes 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

(f)           established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997; (“handicap”) 

ACCESSIBILITY: 

Ability to be reached; easy to approach, enter, speak with or use. 

3.    GOAL OF THE PLAN 

Our goal is to make TCDSB accessible to all members of its community which will allow people with disabilities to participate fully in the life of the community.   

While at the local level needs are often met on an ongoing basis, it is a long term goal at the system level to develop optimal standards of accessibility.

4.    OBJECTIVES OF THE PLAN             

To make TCDSB accessible to its various stakeholder groups, students, staff, parents and other members of the community, this Plan: 

1.    Describes the process by which TCDSB will identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities. 

2.    Reviews efforts at the TCDSB to remove and prevent barriers during past years. 

3.    Lists the practices and services that TCDSB will review and prioritize in the coming year to identify barriers and thus address issues of accessibility. 

4.    Describe the measures TCDSB will take in the coming year to identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities.  These measures will take into account the Board’s financial commitments and resources and its ability to fund the projects 

5.    Describes how TCDSB will make this accessibility plan available to the public. 

5.    COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY PLANNING 

The Toronto Catholic District School Board is committed to taking a pro-active approach to accessibility planning. The Board is committed to working with its community to build on what has already been accomplished locally and board- wide in its efforts to remove and prevent barriers.  This will be done by:  

§ Ensuring the school board policies and procedures are        consistent with the principles of accessibility. 

§ Improving access to facilities, policies, programs, practices and services for students, staff, parents/guardians, volunteers and members of the community. 

§ Establishing an Accessibility Working Group which will include staff with disabilities. 

§ Consulting with people with disabilities in the development and review of its annual accessibility plans. 

6.    ACCESSIBILITY WORKING GROUP MEMBERS 

The Accessibility Working Group members consist of a core group of advisors. Other members will join the group depending on the area of the plan being addressed. 

The members represent the following groups:

·       Senior staff: Superintendent of Human Resources, Superintendent of Special Services, Superintendent
        of Planning and Facilities, School Superintendent

·       Trustee

·       Employee groups: teaching and support staff representing staff with disabilities

·       Student Trustee

·       Information Technology

·       Health and Safety

·       Research

·       Human Resources

·       Communications                              

7.    BARRIER  REMOVAL INITIATIVES 

During the past few years, there has been a recognition and a heightened awareness of the need to address concerns regarding accessibility.  There have been a number of initiatives both formal and   informal at the local level and system wide to address accessibility issues and hence identify remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities. The complexities of a large diverse urban Board present challenges that need to be addressed in TCDSB’s accessibility planning process 

Accessibility initiatives have begun to be addressed through the various departments mainly Planning and Facilities, Special Services and Human Resources. 

Planning & Facilities

During the last few years, there have been a number of initiatives at TCDSB to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities. 

The TCDSB is currently in the process of replacing and/or providing major new additions to 20 school facilities.  Three new secondary schools are in the planning stage.  All designs of new schools and additions have building features that incorporate principles of universal and barrier-free design to meet the requirements of the Ontario Building Code and in many cases to address additional exceptional program needs. 

Accessibility alterations and provisions of specialized facilities within existing schools continue where identified.  Accessibility is addressed with the provision of power door operators at major interior and exterior doors, unisex barrier-free accessible washrooms, ramps at level changes, enhanced ventilation requirements, appropriate signage and audio or visual emergency alarm systems. 

In the annual budget presentation through PA6 specific projects are identified, prioritized and completed in a coordinated effort between the Planning & Facilities Department, Special Services Department and local school Superintendent.

Special Services 

Student accessibility projects and initiatives are reported to the Ministry of Education through TCDSB’s Special Education plan as per regulation.  This plan is posted in the Board’s website, www.tcdsb.org. 

Through the Intensive Support Amount (ISA), the Board has been able to provide assistive technology and many more accommodations at the individual school for students in need. 

The ISA process allows for individualized equipment such as walker, standers, sensory materials, hoyer lifts, computers and assistive software to be purchased on behalf of individual students, if it is  

deemed essential for them to have the equipment in order to access the curriculum. 

Projects which were completed within the TCDSB from the one time accessibility grant the Board received in 2000/2001 school year within the Facilities Department focused on: 

·       Washroom modifications

·       Ramps

·       Wheelchair stairlifts

·       Automatic door openers

·       Elevator repairs

·       Lifting devices

·       Structural wall modifications 

Human Resources
 

TCDSB is an equal opportunity employer.  In this regard  the Board recruits qualified staff. A number of these staff are those with disabilities. Processes are in place to find placement of staff in facilities that accommodate their disability. The challenge remains to refine the process in order to better serve the needs of the disabled. 

TCDSB has begun to accommodate present staff with disabilities by providing necessary equipment that allows staff members to perform their duties in a barrier free workplace. TCDSB is expanding its processes to ensure the needs are met in a timely fashion. 

8.    PREVENTING NEW BARRIERS 

TCDSB will strive to create an environment that is accessible to all people regardless of disability.  Through the annual accessibility planning process, TCDSB’s programming, policies and practices will be assessed to ensure continuous improvement in accessibility through the elimination of existing and future barriers.  

Once the plan is in place, all school board programs, policies, practices and services will be subject to the guiding principles of inclusionary practice. As development takes place the plan and its implementation will continue to evolve and improve over the next few years.  

9.    BARRIER  IDENTIFICATION METHODOLIGIES 

The Accessibility Working Group will use the following barrier identification methodologies. Staff with disabilities will be consulted throughout this process. 

1)             Presentation to senior staff.

This will provide input and feedback as the plan evolves. The consultation will be ongoing.

2)             Presentation to employee groups.

This will provide information regarding the plan and help the working group to prioritize the removal of
barriers. 

3)             Presentation to Trustees. 

This will provide information regarding the plan and will be done prior to posting of the plan.

4)             Data Gathering

Information will be gathered from all TCDSB stakeholders to identify barriers and measures that would make the Toronto Catholic District School Board more accessible to people with disabilities. 

Data will be gathered using interviews, focus groups and surveys from three sources: the Board and central office, schools and individuals.  In addition, data will also be gathered through the document analysis ( e.g. review of policies).  The ODA Toolkit for School Boards will be used to guide the development of interview schedules, surveys and other data-gathering instruments and all areas will be addressed( i.e., physical, architectural, communication, information, attitudinal, technological, policy and practice). 

Board and Central Office:     Department heads and other key staff will be interviewed. 

Schools: Principals will be asked to form a representative committee which would include parents that would collectively respond to questions pertaining to their particular school and school community. 

Individuals:   Individual students, parents and staff will be invited to respond and to contribute their suggestions in the area of accessibility.  Information will be gathered from individuals   using surveys and focus groups.  A variety of focus groups may be held to address specific concerns in greater depth. 

While the primary purpose of the surveys, focus groups and interviews is to gather data for informed decision-making, it is expected that they will also serve to raise the awareness of respondents regarding the question of accessibility and accessibility planning within the TCDSB community. 

In gathering the data, every effort will be made to encourage participation from people with disabilities.  This will include extensive communication of the plan and widespread invitations for input and feedback. 

10.  BARRIERS IDENTIFIED 

       In its review, the Accessibility Working Group is identifying many barriers.  Over the next several years, the Accessibility Working Group will be focusing on these barriers identified and strategies for prevention and removal of barriers.  Under ODA, boards are allowed the flexibility to determine which barriers it will work on to remove or prevent each year. 

The attitudinal barrier has been identified as a major obstacle to total accessibility.  Members of the Catholic community including staff, students and parents are often unaware or lack knowledge of physical and non-physical disabilities of members of its community.   

The committee will review the results of the data gathering and prioritize barriers to be addressed. 

Budget considerations will be a factor as the Board strives to meet its many obligations. 

The committee will be examining the gaps between what presently is in place at TCDSB for total accessibility and where the board should be over the next five to ten years.  From this gap analysis the Board will be able to develop short term (annual) and long-term plans to address barrier removal throughout its policies and practices. 

Attitude 

The attitudinal barrier is being addressed to provide knowledge and awareness.  The objective of the 2003-2004 plan is to ensure that all staff will better understand how to accommodate students and staff with various types of disabilities.  Disability awareness workshops and materials will be presented to staff.  

Human Resources will enhance its process and procedures to deliver necessary services to staff with disabilities.  Hiring practices will be reviewed to ensure that employment is based on qualifications and does not discriminate against those with disabilities. 

Architectural & Physical Barriers 
 

The TCDSB is currently in the process of replacing and/or providing major new additions to 20 school facilities.  The new school and/or new additions to existing schools are St. Robert Catholic School, All Saints Catholic School, St. Jane Frances Catholic School, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, Loretto College School, Brebeuf College School, St. Nicholas of Bari Catholic School, St. Timothy Catholic School, Canadian Martyrs Catholic School, Holy Cross Catholic School, Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, Bishop Allen Catholic School, Dante Alighieri Catholic High School, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Immaculate Conception Catholic School, St. Anthony Catholic School, Senator O’Connor Catholic Secondary School, Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School, Francis Libermann Catholic High School and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School.  Three new secondary schools are in the planning stage.  All designs of new schools and additions have building features that incorporate principals of universal and barrier-free design to meet the requirements of the Ontario Building Code and in many cases to address additional exceptional program needs. 

Accessibility alterations and provisions of specialized facilities within existing schools continue where identified.  Accessibility is addressed with the provision of power door operators at major interior and exterior doors, unisex barrier-free accessible washrooms, ramps at level changes, enhanced ventilation requirements, appropriate signage and audio or visual emergency alarm systems. 

Policies 
 

Relevant Board policies will be reviewed to ensure that they are inclusive and address accessibility issues. 

Year two of the plan will build on the previous year’s identification of barriers. This process will continue over the next years with the ultimate goal of making TCDSB totally accessible. 

The current legislation (ODA) does not establish timelines for the removal barriers and the plans of the Board must be funded from existing revenue sources. 

       The Provincial government has introduced Bill 118 (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act).  The purpose of this Bill is to establish reasonable timelines for the removal of all barriers. 

       To accomplish the above, Bill 118 sets out the legal framework to develop, approve and enforce standards.  Inspectors will be hired to ensure compliance with the standards. 

       The TCDSB’s current Accessibility Plan will need to be amended to meet the standards after they have been established.  The source of the funding to meet the established standards for public building such as schools has not been identified. 

11.  ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2003 –2004      
 

The TCDSB considered the first year as a “transition” year and the first plan as the beginning of a longer term process. 

A subcommittee of the working committee designed a comprehensive survey to determine all physical barriers that limit access to TCDSB buildings. The survey was designed to begin with the entrance to a building and proceeds to reach all rooms in the building. Principals were directed to obtain input from staff and members of the Catholic School Advisory Council. The results of the survey are now being validated by the Facilities Department.   

Although TCDSB operates a modified work program and provides accommodation for employees requiring job modification due to disability, this process was identified as a barrier due to a lack of centralization in providing this service and a lack of employee awareness of existing processes and procedures.
 

TCDSB has expanded the function of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Unit to coordinate all workplace accommodations and will be re-naming the unit to reflect this change in function. 

A protocol and procedures to manage accommodations have been developed. 

The Board continues to raise the awareness of accessibility through sensitivity training and preparation of materials for all its community. 

12.  Barriers to be addressed in 2004 –2005 
 

The survey results need to be turned into a practical plan to remove the existing physical barriers.  The Facilities Department will be asked to validate the results of the survey. 

The sub-committee will meet to establish standards to classify the accessibility of each building.  

Capital Development will use the results of the survey to classify each building. Using a color code, the results will be plotted on a map. 

Capital Development will begin the process to develop a plan with the financial costing (over a period of years) to address the removal of barriers. 

Capital Development will identify those physical barriers that can be addressed in the 2005/06 budget. 

Human Resources reported that all workplace accommodations have been centralized to the Accommodation Management Unit.  A protocol and procedures to manage accommodations have been developed.  Presentation of Workplace Accommodation Protocol and Procedures to employee groups and TCDSB management will be made during this school year.   

Changing employee attitudes remains an issue.  The committee was of the opinion that the presentation of the protocol regarding employee accommodation will be a big first step.  As with Special Education programs for students, the presence of disable employees and the education of all employees will begin to change attitudes and lead to acceptance.  The Communications Department will be contacted for further suggestions to develop a communication strategy. 

       The Province has introduced Bill 118 which is designed to make all public buildings barrier free within a fixed timeline.  The Committee will respond to the legislation and will prepare amendments to this plan that meet the requirements of Bill 118 when it is passed into law.  

13. REVIEW AND MONITORING PROCESS 
 

The Accessibility Working Group will be meeting to review progress and to respond to the requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Bill 118. Evaluation of the effectiveness in implementing the barrier, removal and prevention strategies will be ongoing.  

The Working Group will assist staff regarding roles in the implementation of the plan.

Minutes of meetings will be available. 

14. COMMUNICATION OF THE PLAN 
 

The TCDSB’s accessibility plan will be posted on Board website at www.tcdsb.org.  Hard copies will be made available to all departments schools, Catholic School Advisory Councils.  Accessible formats of the plan will include large print, audio cassette, standard word processing files. These will be available upon contact with the Communications Department.

TRUSTEES 2004 

Wards 

 1.  Joseph Martino

 2.  Ann Andrachuk

 3.  Sal Piccininni

 4.  Mary Cicogna

 5.  Maria Rizzo

 6.  Christine Nunziata

 7.  John Del Grande

 8.   Oliver Carroll

 9.   Catherine LeBlanc-Miller

10. Barbara Poplawski

11. Angela Kennedy

12.    Paul John Crawford

13. Danylo Korbabicz, Student Trustee 

Published 2004 (11.22)

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