Accessible Planning Consultation

Resource by FASD Canada

Languages: English

FASDCanada is a federally registered charity, run by a Board of Directors. The organization aims to help support, inform and educate people about the harmful effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. FASDCanada sustains their work through donations and fundraising. Keep an eye on this collection as we add their resources to the Accessibility Exchange (TAE)!

You can also keep up with FASDCanada by following them on Instagram: @fasdcanada

The FASD Canada website offers information about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): what it is, what causes it, its symptoms, and how common it is in Canada. The website also offers resources for advocating to your Member of Parliament and/or Senate, as well as a curated list of links to other websites, videos, books, and podcasts to help you deepen your understanding of FASD as well as the supports available across the country.

Guidelines and best practices by Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance

Languages: English, French

This document is a summary of the Accessible Canada Act using plain language. The Parliament of Canada approved the Act in 2019. It is now the law.

The word "accessibility" can mean many things. It can mean that everyone can get the information they need and use it. It means everybody can get to spaces and places and use them. People with disabilities often face barriers when trying to get to or use things other people have no problems accessing.

The Act will help all people in Canada because getting to places will not be so hard. Finding and understanding information will get easier. The Act will make the country free of barriers by 2040.

The federal government will find and stop barriers in these areas:

• Employment
• Buildings and public places and spaces
• Information and communication technologies
• Communication (This includes some sign languages. This does not include broadcasting and telecommunications.)
• Buying goods, services and facilities
• Design and delivery of programs and services
• Transportation

The government may add other areas to work on in the future.

Templates and forms by Employment and Social Development Canada

Languages: English, French

This PDF document created by Employment and Social Development Canada would be useful to anyone involved in creating an accessibility plan. Although it is not a template in the sense that a user would just fill in the sections, it does provide:

• all the headings required
• suggested sub-headings
• the optional headings
• advice on how to complete each section.

Additionally, for regulated organizations in the communications, transportation or broadcasting sectors, the template provides information on the additional sections that are required.

Large print, Braille, MP3 (audio), e-text and DAISY formats are available on demand by ordering online or by calling 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232). If you use a teletypewriter (TTY), you can call 1-800-926-9105.

Guidelines and best practices by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Languages: English, French

As a not-for-profit or charity, your organization may be considering offering services through The Accessibility Exchange or in other ways. Although not necessary, your organization might want to research the benefits and drawbacks of a social enterprise.

This resource, created by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, outlines:

• what is a social enterprise
• the spectrum of social enterprises in Canada
• what skills and resources are needed to run a social enterprise
• corporate forms
• ownership structure considerations

Case studies by Statistics Canada

Languages: English, French, ASL, LSQ

This article published by Statistics Canada details study findings about people in Canada with disabilities and the accessibility barriers they face. It reports statistics on the kinds of barriers experienced by Canadians who participated in a survey conducted in 2021.

For example, one of the study's findings is that among older Canadians, men are more likely than women to report an accessibility barrier.

The information is available in American Sign Language and there is also a transcript.

Resource by Employment and Social Development Canada

Languages: English, French

This infographic is offered in alternate formats (text, PDF and webpage). It offers an overview of what is a federally regulated entity or organization. The different kinds are listed.

The infographic also shows how many employees work in each industry.

The resource is provided by Employment and Social Development Canada. The source of information is Statistics Canada, Federal Jurisdiction Workplace Survey, 2015.

Case studies by Doris Rajan for Justice Canada

Languages: English, French

This document provides stories of barriers experienced by Indigenous, racialized, Black, 2SLGBTQI+ people.

This report was written by IRIS’ Doris Rajan for Justice Canada during the onset of the pandemic in 2020. The report focuses on experiences in Western Canada, including British Colombia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Information is provided about the kinds of serious problems diverse people with disabilities experience. There are also details about the ways that people try to address these problems. In addition, the report looks at the impacts of these difficulties on the lives of diverse people with disabilities.

Thirty people with disabilities took part in the study which was conducted using interviews and through one focus group. A wide range of people with disabilities is represented in the group with a range of ages, and household income as well.

Of particular relevance to The Accessibility Exchange users are the focus on problems related to access to health, social and education services, problems with insurance companies, and employers.

This resource contains the discussion guide for the focus group.

Learn more by clicking on the following link

Case studies by Web Accessibility Initiative

Languages: English, French

As federally regulated organizations prepare their accessibility plans, another consideration is that the plan itself is accessible.

Web Accessibility Initiative WAI has a website that provides information on a variety of disabilities. The site also details the sorts of barriers that people with these disabilities encounter when they are using websites. For each disability type, there are also stories about people’s experiences using websites. The following disabilities are discussed:

• Auditory

• Cognitive, learning, and neurological

• Physical

• Speech

• Visual

Learn more by clicking on the following link

Guidelines and best practices by McCarthy Tétreault Law Firm

Languages: English, French

This 2019 article by the law firm McCarthy Tetrault provides an overview of the Accessible Canada Act.

This article also covers the major things federally regulated entities should know about this legislation. For example, there are potential fines of up to $250,000 per day if the Act is not followed. Four other pertinent aspects of the Act are highlighted.

Learn more by clicking on the following link

Practical guides and how tos by Government of Ontario

Languages: English, French

As the first province in Canada to have the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Ontario has already given considerable thought to creating Accessibility Plans and policies. This webpage is worth reviewing before developing your own accessibility plans.

This provincial government resource gives the following step process:

Step 1: Create your accessibility policies

Step 2: Create your multi-year plan

Step 3: Review and update your policies and plans

There is also a section on common barriers and solutions.

Learn more by clicking on the following link

Guidelines and best practices by The Canadian Association of the Deaf

Languages: English, French

The Canadian Association of the Deaf provides this overview of terminology. There are many terms and understanding the differences is important. These terms include:

deaf

Deaf (with capital D)

deafened (Also known as late-deafened)

hard of hearing

hearing impaired

person who is deaf

manual deaf, Signing deaf

oral deaf

deaf-mute

Deaf-plus

Check out this resource to ensure you are using the right terminology.

Guidelines and best practices by ARCH Disability Law Centre

Languages: English, French, ASL, LSQ

Resource by ARCH Disability Law Centre

Languages: English, French, ASL, LSQ