Accessibility

The University of Ottawa is committed to recognizing the dignity and independence of all employees, students, faculty and visitors, and it seeks to ensure that persons with disabilities have genuine, open and unhindered access to University goods, services, facilities, accommodations and employment.

The University complies with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal legislation on accessibility and with the standards specified under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA, 2005).

Procurement must comply with these laws and ensure that all conditions are met.

The Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation requires that all University employees responsible for procuring or acquiring goods, services or facilities incorporate accessibility criteria and features when procuring goods, services, facilities, self-service kiosks they design or buy unless it is not feasible (practicable). If not practicable, the employee responsible for the purchase shall be able to provide an explanation, upon request.

To learn more on how to purchase or create accessible goods, services, facilities and self-service kiosks and understand the standards and the requirements that apply to uOttawa, please read the guidelines:

1- Purchase or create accessible goods, services, facilities and self-service kiosks

2- Accessibility rules for Procurement

 

All employees who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the University of Ottawa must be trained and get certified in the following trainings. They must complete the assessment test and provide a copy of the certification for training record keeping.

• Accessible Customer Service Online Training.:http://hr.uottawa.ca/online-training/oda
• Working Together: The Code and the AODA(This course will be mandatory until an online training on accessible purchasing is offered):http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/learning/working-together-code-and-aoda

 

Subject Matter Experts

• Technical features
  • Software, learning management systems and content management systems: Christopher Hall

 

• Structural features
  • Building, furnishings, washrooms, interior and exterior renovations and repairs, outdoor renovations, eating area and walking paths, Interior design, indoor material, furniture repair, self-service kiosk: Charles Albert Azar
  • Ergonomic offfice furniture: Pauline Borris

 

• Hardware:
  • IT equipment, interact machines, self-serving parking payment kiosks: Richard Madja
  • Computers, Photocopiers : Alex Dipetro
  • Audio-visual: Alain Erdmer

 

• Service contracts
  • Waiters, caterers, event coordinators: Michel Gilbeault

See the following link for information on how to train your employees for accessibility. 

http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/learning/working-together-code-and-aoda

 

 

Goods

• Can the product be used by someone:
  • In a seated position?
  • Using one hand, with limited upper body strength?
  • With limited fine motor skills?
  • With hearing loss?
  • Does the product meet ergonomic standards?
  • Can the product be customized to meet different needs?
  • Are instructions for using the product clear and easy to follow?
  • Are support materials (e.g., manuals or training materials) available in accessible formats at no extra charge?

 

Service

• Does the firm provide accessible customer service?
• Can the service provider accommodate the needs of people of all abilities?

For example, if you’re hiring someone to do research for you, do their survey and interview accommodate people with different types of disabilities?

• Will the company use accessible signage, audio and/or print materials?

For example, if you’re hiring an event coordinator, will they use high contrast signs for the event?

 

Facilities

• Can someone using a mobility aid (e.g., wheelchair or walker) move around the facility?
• Are signs placed at an accessible height?
• Does the facility have emergency procedures to assist people with disabilities?

If you cannot find or use and accessible product, service or facility, you must be prepared to:

• Explain why
• Provide your explanation in an accessible format or with communication supports, when requested.

• University of Ottawa Accessibility Hub from the Human’s Rights Office
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0)
• Georgia Tech Research Institute Accessibility Assistant
• AccessForward from the Government of Ontario
• A Guide to the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (PDF)