2008_environmental

Table of Content

Message from Regional Council

Message from the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee

Acknowledgements

Let us know what you think

Comment Form

Regional Overview

Introduction

Accessibility Planning in York Region

York Region's 2008 Accessibility Plan Summary

Summary

1.	Helping People Live Independently
2.	Making it Easier to Move Around the Region
3.	Making Regional Services More Accessible
4.	Making it Easier to Participate in Regional Gouvernment
5.	Changing Attitudes and Raising Awareness
Conclusion

2008 Departmental Accessibility Plans

Community and Health Services

Corporate Communications Services

Corporate Services

Environmental Services

Finance

Planning and Development Services

Transportation Services

York Regional Police

2008 Departmental Accessibility Plans
Environmental Services

Environmental Scan

In the fall of 2007, the Environmental Services Department was created from the existing Solid Waste Administration and Water and Wastewater Branches of the Transportation and Works Department. The Environmental Services Department provides its customers with waste diversion and disposal services and water and wastewater systems. The long-term vision of the Department is to provide environmentally sustainable services to an ever-growing population by pursuing new technologies in running its programs and continuously improving its existing systems and infrastructure.

Our Customers

The Environmental Services Department includes a customer base of regional residents, businesses, area municipalities, and visitors affected by waste management and water and wastewater service needs.

Accessibility Statement

To plan and provide accessible, safe, quality, cost-effective waste management and water and wastewater services that grants universal access for pedestrians at the Department's public depots, public events, and through its communication efforts.

Environmental Services
Barrier Identification for 2008

By-laws, policies and practices to be reviewed	Methods to be used to identify the barrier	Timing (When will this be completed? The timing for addressing a barrier does not necessarily have to be set within 2008. The nature of the action may be phased in over a number of months or years depending on the resources and priorities of the Department)
Making Regional Services More Accessible
Waste Management Promotional and educational printed material.	Review font and colour contrast of printed materials to ensure it is accessible for persons who have low vision.	2008
Water and Wastewater Water for Tomorrow promotional material.	Review font and colour contrast used in Water for Tomorrow promotional material to ensure it is accessible for persons who have low vision.	2008
Waste Management Communication materials.	Review communication materials for plain language use.	2008
Waste Management Waste Management web pages.	Review web pages to identify any barriers to accessibility.	2008
Water and Wastewater Water and Wastewater web pages.	Review web pages to identify any barriers to accessibility.	2008
Waste Management Emergency Plan.	Review Emergency Plans at all facilities to ensure they address the needs of persons with disabilities.	2008
Water and Wastewater Emergency Plan.	Review Emergency Plans at all facilities to ensure they address the needs of persons with disabilities.	2008
Making it Easier to Participate in Regional Government
Waste Management Public consultation facilities.	Accessibility audit of public consultation facilities will be conducted.	2008
Water and Wastewater Public seminar locations.	Accessibility audit of public seminar locations will be conducted.	2008

Environmental Services - 2008
Barrier That Will Be Addressed for 2008

Barrier Identified (1)	Barrier Type (2)	Disability Type (3)	What will be gained by removing or preventing the barrier (4)	Means to prevent/remove the barrier (5)	Indicators of success (6)	Timing (7)
Making Regional Services More Accessible
Architectural plans for the proposed Community Environmental Centre in Vaughan.	Physical, Architectural	All	Improved access to solid waste management services.	Engineering design for the proposed facility will include review and incorporation of accessibility measures.	Increased community participation in solid waste management programs. Success to be evaluated based on customer feedback.	2008
Making Regional Services More Accessible
Increase awareness of staff to the needs of persons with disabilities through staff participation in inclusivity training.	Attitudinal	All	Will provide staff with an introduction to the information to effectively and respectfully serve persons with disabilities.	Two members of the Corporate Communications staff will participate in the inclusivity and accessibility training course being offered corporately.	Staff awareness is raised and staff report having a better understanding of the needs of people with disabilities.	2008
Changing Attitudes and Raising Awareness
Increase awareness of staff to the needs of persons with disabilities through staff participation in inclusivity training.	Attitudinal	All	Will provide staff with an introduction to the information to effectively and respectfully serve persons with disabilities.	10 employees in Environmental Services will participate in the inclusivity and accessibility training course being offered corporately.	Staff awareness is raised and staff report having a better understanding of the needs of people with disabilities.	2008 - Ongoing

(1) Indicate where the barrier was found
(2) Indicate the type of barrier - physical, architectural, Informational, communicational, attitudinal, technological, policy/practice
(3) Indicate the type of disability affected by the barrier - physical, sensory, cognitive, mental illness or other
(4) Indicate how accessibility will be enhanced by removing or preventing this barrier
(5) Describe what action will be taken to remove and/or prevent the barrier
(6) Indicate how customer service will be improved by removing or preventing this barrier. Also indicate any other measure(s) that will be used to determine whether or not the Department was successful in removing and/or barrier
(7) The timing for addressing a barrier does not necessarily have to be set in 2008; the nature of the action may be phased in over a number of months or years depending on the resources and priorities of the Department