Accessibility Plan 2021-2025

Purpose

This document is Idea Exchange’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.

2012

Comply with Accessibility Standards for Customer Service

Standard

AODA, Accessibility Standards for Customer Service

Commitment

Idea Exchange is committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities and has established policies, practices and procedures in accordance with the AODA Accessibility Standard for Customer Service.

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Created and updated training for staff and volunteers
Added the training to new hire orientation for staff
Trained all staff on updated Accessible Customer Service
Updated Accessibility Policy and Accessible Customer Service Policy
Trained all Board members
Added Accessibility and Accessible Customer Service Policy to website
Trained volunteers on AODA - Customer Service

Next Steps

n/a

Provide Individualized Emergency Information and Support to Employees with Disabilities

Standard

IASR Section 27

Commitment

Idea Exchange is committed to a safe working environment for all employees. Employees with disabilities will receive individualized emergency information and support.

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Created a Work Limitations Form for employees to use when returning to work after an illness or injury
Created individualized emergency information for employees and volunteers with disabilities and the Documented Individual Accommodation Plan Policy and trained staff
Created a Rehabilitation and Return to Work policy
Added Emergency Evacuation Guidelines for People Requiring Assistance to the website
Added Emergency Evacuation Guidelines for People Requiring Assistance to the Fire Safety Plan at each location.

Next Steps

n/a

Make Library Emergency Procedures, Plans and Public Safety Information Accessible Upon Request

Standard

IASR Section 13

Commitment

Idea Exchange is committed to public safety and will make our emergency procedures, plans and public safety information accessible upon request, as soon as practicable, in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports.

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Created an Emergency Evacuation Guideline for people requiring assistance and trained staff on the requirement and how to provide existing public emergency information in an accessible format or with communication supports
Trained volunteers on the requirement and how to provide existing public emergency information in an accessible format or with communication supports.

Next Steps

n/a

2013

Adopt and Implement Accessibility Plan and Policies

Standard

IASR, Section 4

Commitment

Idea Exchange is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive environment to employees and visitors with disabilities. Idea Exchange will adopt and maintain an Accessibility Plan and Procedure to ensure goals related to accessibility are met.

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Added to calendar mechanism to review and report on the plan
Added to a Board meeting annually to review Plan
Added plan to website
Shared plan with staff

Next Steps

n/a

Document Policies and Procedures for Provision of Access to Accessible Materials

Standard

IASR Section 19, Public Libraries

Commitment

Idea Exchange is committed to providing access to accessible materials and will make information about the availability of accessible materials publicly available in accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, upon request. Where possible, Idea Exchange may provide accessible formats for archival materials, special collections, rare books and donations.

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Added accessible formats to the Accessibility Policy
Added to website our available accessible materials by format

Next Steps

n/a

Add Diversity & Accommodation Statement to Job Postings and Job Offers

Standard

IASR Sections 22, 23, 24
Commitment: Idea Exchange welcomes candidates with disabilities and will add a Diversity and Accommodation statement to job postings such that the public and those interested in employment with Idea Exchange will know of our commitment. When making offers of employment, Idea Exchange will notify applicants of its policies for accommodating employees with disabilities.

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Diversity and Accommodation statements have been added to all job postings internal and external
Diversity and Accommodation statements have been added to all new offers of employment

Next Steps

n/a

2014

Conduct a Web Accessibility Audit and Plan Remediation

Standard

IASR Section 14

Commitment

Idea Exchange is committed to providing accessible service to people with disabilities. In support of this commitment, Idea Exchange will conduct an assessment of the accessibility of our website and online catalogues in order to identify gaps and plan for any required remediation. New website and web content created from 2014 onward and including content from 2012 onward will be accessible.

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Performed an audit on current website

Next Steps

n/a

Update Procurement Procedure to Include Accessibility Criteria

Standard

IASR Section 5, 6

Commitment

Idea Exchange will include accessibility criteria and features when facilitating procurement of goods, services (including kiosks) or facilities in accordance with AODA requirements.

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Added accessibility to Contractor’s Manual
Added to current Procurement Policy
Installed mechanism to ensure accessibility will be considered (Added to current Procurement Policy)

Next Steps

n/a

Self-service Kiosks

Standard

IASR General requirements

Commitment

Idea Exchange will consider accessibility for persons with disabilities when designing, purchasing and/or acquiring self-service kiosks.

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Consideration for Accessibility when purchasing self-service kiosks will be added to RFP instructions and Vendors will be notified
Staff have read and signed the agreement

Next Steps

n/a

2015

Provide Training for all Staff on IASR and Human Rights

Standard

IASR, Section 7

Commitment

Training will be provided on the requirements of the IASR accessibility standards and on the Human Rights Code, as it pertains to people with disabilities, to all employees, volunteers, policy makers and third parties providing goods, services or facilities on the organization’s behalf. Training provided will be applicable to the duties of the role and be provided as soon as practicable or whenever policies change.

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Trained all current staff, volunteers on IASR and OHRC; Added IASR and OHRC to the new hire orientation process
Added requirement to Contractor’s Manual.

Next Steps

n/a

2016

Review all Feedback Processes for Accessibility

Standard

IASR Section 11

Commitment

Idea Exchange is committed to ensuring library feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities and will provide accessible formats or communication supports upon request, and will notify the public that accessible formats and communication supports are available.

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Identified feedback mechanisms
Updated a feedback form
Added to website alternative formats available
Added feedback form to website

Next Steps

n/a

Update Existing Employment Policies to Include Requirements under IASR

Standard

IASR Sections 25, 26 and 30-32

Commitment

Idea Exchange is committed to disability inclusive hiring and employment practices and will implement accessible Employment Standards according to AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Created a Recruitment Assessment and Selection AODA Policy
Trained staff on policy and practices

Next Steps

n/a

Prepare Accessible Formats and Communication Supports

Standard

IASR Section 12

Commitment

Idea Exchange will provide or arrange for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports upon request, at no additional cost, in a timely manner, and in consultation with the person making the request and will provide notice to the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports.

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Created an accessible formats and communication supports policy and created a request form for alternate formats
Added accessible formats and communication supports policy and alternate formats form to website

Next Steps

n/a

2017

Built Environment: Design of Public Spaces Standard

Standard

IASR Section 11 and 12

Commitment

Idea Exchange will comply with the design of public spaces standard during new construction and planned significant alterations to public spaces. The requirements under the Design of Public Spaces Standard apply to new construction and the redevelopment of elements in public spaces. Unplanned changes to existing public spaces to meet the standard (retrofits) are not required. Unplanned changes can include emergency repairs or forced changes that were not anticipated or planned for in advance.

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Completed an Accessibility audit of the Old Post Office
Ensured that the Accessibility Office at the City of Cambridge will be the point person for all significant alterations of a public space
Added to guidelines for staff on process for building outages
Installed mechanism so we consider the Procurement Policy before built environment changes

Next Steps

n/a

2021

Remediate Existing Internet Websites and Web Content to Meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA

Standard

IASR Section 14

Commitment

Ensure that all web content meets WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards

Status

COMPLETED

Achievements

Redesigned website so it meets WCAG 2.0

Next Steps

N/A