About the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation

About the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation

Businesses in Ontario, including the City of Kingston, must follow the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. The Multi-Year Accessibility Plan for the City of Kingston addresses the five standards specific to the services and facilities provided by the municipality. These five standards are:

1. Information/Communication

• Create, provide and receive information and communications that are accessible for persons with disabilities
• Examples: hard copy documents made available in large-print, websites/documents readable by screen reader programs, providing multiple formats for which to receive feedback (i.e. telephone, email, written), notification regarding accessible parking space movement/creation

2. Employment

• Requirements to make workplace and employment practices accessible to potential or current employees with disabilities
• Examples: providing accommodations for interviews, reviewing job descriptions for only necessary requirements, policy for creating individual accommodation and return to work plans

3. Transportation

• Requirements for transportation services providers (i.e. Kingston Transit), such as vehicle features and equipment, routes, and services offered to persons with disabilities.
• Examples: priority seating policy on Kingston Transit buses, allowing service animals to board, creation of accessible shelters for persons using mobility devices.

4. Design of Public Spaces

• Outline need for newly constructed or redeveloped public spaces to be accessible for people with disabilities.
• Public spaces included in this standard: recreational trails, beach access routes, outdoor public eating areas, play spaces/playgrounds, exterior paths of travel (i.e. sidewalks/walkways that are not for recreational purpose), accessible parking.
• Examples: accessible playground equipment, width and slope standards for sidewalks, use of tactile warning strips on sidewalks,

5. Customer Service

• Removing barriers for people with disabilities so they can access goods, services and/or facilities.
• Establishing policies on customer service standards (i.e. service animals and support persons), training staff, providing multiple formats for receiving feedback.