Information and Communications Standard Policy

Policy
Purpose
Scope
Responsibility
Definitions
Procedure
1. Feedback Process
References and Related Statements of Policy and Procedure

1. Policy

1.01 Tyndale is committed to the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity described in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and to meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities in a timely manner.

1.02 As required by the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, Tyndale will:

Provide, upon request, course and training materials in formats that take into account the accessibility needs of students with disabilities.
Provide or make arrangements to provide information in accessible formats when a person with a disability requests them.
Ensure all new websites and web content on those sites conform to WCAG 2.0 Level A by January 1, 2014.
Ensure all websites and web content conform to WCAG 2.0 Level AA by January 1, 2021, other than success criteria 1.2.4 Captions (Live) and success criteria 1.2.5 Audio Descriptions (Pre-recorded).
Train faculty on accessibility awareness related to providing accessible program and course delivery and instruction.
Upon request, provide, procure or acquire by other means an accessible or conversion-ready format of print resources/materials (by January 1, 2015) and digital or multimedia resources/ materials (by January 1, 2020). (Special collections, archival materials, rare books and donations are exempt from this requirement.)

1.03 Tyndale is committed to meeting the requirements set out by the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and, where possible, will strive to exceed these standards.

2. Purpose

Provide a framework within which accessibility plans and initiatives are to be created in order to achieve the goal of improved accessibility for persons with disabilities, specifically with regard to the information and communications standard in the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.

3. Scope

This policy applies to all Tyndale employees (see definition of employee in Section 5.05).

4. Responsibility

4.01 Responsibility of employees: Adhere to the commitments set out in this policy.

4.02 Responsibility of supervisors: Ensure all employees follow the guidelines set out in this policy and receive required training.

4.03 Responsibility of Accessibility Committee: Create and update this policy in compliance with the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.

5. Definitions

5.01 “Accessible” means capable of being entered or reached, approachable; easy to get at; capable of being influenced, obtainable; able to be understood or appreciated.

5.02 “Accessibility Committee” is a committee set up to create policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.

5.03 “Accessible formats” may include, but are not limited to, large print, recorded audio and electronic formats, Braille and other formats usable by persons with disabilities.

5.04 “Disability” means:

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;
a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability;
a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language;
a mental disorder, or
an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997;

5.05 “Employee” includes part-time and full-time faculty and staff, secondees, volunteers, and consultants for the purposes of this policy.

5.06 “The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation” is a set of regulations enacted under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) establishing accessibility standards to be complied with in the areas of information and communication, employment, and transportation.

5.07 “WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)” are the recommendations of the World Wide Web Consortium (the international standards organization for the World Wide Web).

6. Procedure

6.01 Multi-year Accessibility Plan

Tyndale will develop a multi-year accessibility plan by January 1, 2014 to improve accessibility in information and communication systems and review and update it at least once every five years
The plan will be posted on Tyndale general bulletin boards and on the Tyndale website.
The plan will be provided in alternative formats upon request.

6.02 Training

All employees will be provided training on the requirements of the accessibility standards for information and communications referred to in the Integrated Accessibility Standards, on the policy, practices and procedures, and on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities.
Training records will be maintained of all employees who have been trained and the dates on which they were trained.

6.03 Emergency response procedures, plans and public safety information

Emergency response procedures and plans required by law will consider the needs of persons with disabilities and be made available in an accessible format as required by the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations.

6.04 Accessible websites and web content

All new Internet and intranet websites and the web content on those sites will conform to Level A of Version 2 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines by January 1, 2014.
The internet and intranet websites and the web content on those sites will conform to Level AA of version 2 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines other than success criteria 1.2.4 Captions (Live) and success criteria 1.2.5 Audio Descriptions (Pre-recorded), by January 1, 2021.

6.05 Accessible formats and communication supports

Upon request, arrangements will be made for the provision of accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities.

6.06 Accessible feedback process

Employee feedback should be directed to the HR Manager

Address:
Tyndale University
3377 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M2M 3S4

Telephone: (416) 226-6620 – Ext. 2234
E-mail: hrmanager [at] tyndale [dot] ca

Student feedback should be directed to the Accessibility Specialist

Address:
Tyndale University
3377 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M2M 3S4

All feedback received and action taken will be centrally recorded and tracked.

7. References and Related Statements of Policy and Procedure

Customer Service Standards Policy

Multi-year accessibility Plan
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)