ODA Action TIP ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMMITTEE ACTION TIP dd October 29 , 2002

Give the Ontario Government Your input on Guidelines for Accessible Government Buildings October 29, 2002 SUMMARY The Ontario Government is consulting with the public on guidelines for accessibility of provincial government buildings. This consultation is being conducted by the Ontario Realty Corporation. We encourage one and all to participate. Below we set out the announcement of this consultation from the Government's website, including details on how to participate. Please spread the word. Give them your feedback. Encourage others to do the same, including organizations that you work for or are connected with. Below also please find the text of the Government's questionnaire. You may wish to fill it out, or just compose your own feedback and send it in to them. We encourage the Government to more widely publicize this consultation, to hold open public forums on it, and to share with the public the detailed results of the consultation. If you send the Government a submission, please send the ODA Committee a copy of it. Send it to us at: oda@odacommittee.net ***** Ontario Government On-Line Announcement The Ontario Realty Corporation in accordance with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act is seeking the opinions of stakeholders to help establish barrier-free design guidelines for government buildings, structures and premises. There is a short online survey regarding barrier free access to Ontario government facilities. To access the questionnaire, alternate formats and background info please click on the following: http://www.orc.on.ca/english/barrier_free.htm Please take a moment to complete the questionnaire and/or forward this email to all interested parties. ***** (From the Government's Website) Welcome to the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC) questionnaire regarding barrier-free access to Ontario government facilities. In accordance with Section 4 of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001, the Ontario government is seeking the opinions of stakeholders to help establish barrier-free design guidelines for government buildings, structures and premises. This consultation process provides a meaningful opportunity for stakeholders to contribute their knowledge and experience to the planning of enhanced accessibility to government facilities. We encourage you to take this opportunity to share your ideas and thoughts on this important topic. Once responses have been collected, a focus group may be formed to discuss the responses and identified priorities to be considered in the development of the guidelines. Questionnaire Instructions The following questionnaire has been designed to solicit your input and specific knowledge respecting accessibility needs of persons with disabilities. We therefore request that you: - Read all questions carefully; - Mark your answer in the spaces provided; - Where more than one answer is appropriate, please identify all that apply. Please provide any additional comments you may have at the end of the questionnaire. All questionnaires should be submitted on-line or returned to the attention of the Ontario Realty Corporation by mail to: Public Consultation on Barrier-Free Access Guidelines for Government Buildings, Structures and Premises Ontario Realty Corporation, Facility Support Services 10th Floor, Ferguson Block 77 Wellesley Street West Toronto, ON M7A 1N3; Or by fax to: (416) 327-2785. For inquiries regarding this questionnaire or to obtain an alternate format of the questionnaire you can call: Voice: toll-free 1(877) 863-9672; or TTY/TTD: toll-free 1(888) 335-6611 or in the Toronto area (416) 326-0148. The deadline for completing this questionnaire is November 30th 2002. Confidentiality Statement The ORC will not be collecting personal information without your consent. You have the option to provide your contact information on the last page of the questionnaire. If you choose to do so the ORC will use this personal information only for the purpose of asking you follow-up questions to your responses. The ORC will disclose your personal information to an independent consultant for the same purpose and no other. This information will not be disclosed to anyone else. Thank you for assisting us by completing this on-line questionnaire. Q1A Are you interested in this topic because you personally have a disability? Yes No GO TO Q2A Q1B Which category of disability applies to you? (Check all that apply) Mobility Limitations (mobility aid users) Visual Limitations (blind, low vision, colour blind) Hearing Limitations (deaf, deafened or hard of hearing) Comprehension Limitations (developmental) Other Limitations, please specify: GO TO Q3A Q2A Are you interested in this topic because your organization/agency represents a disability group? Yes No GO TO Q3A Q2B What disability groups do you or your organization/agency typically represent? (Check all that apply) Mobility Limitations (mobility aid users) Visual Limitations (blind, low vision, colour blind) Hearing Limitations (deaf, deafened or hard of hearing) Comprehension Limitations (developmental) Other Limitations, please specify: Q2C Approximately what size population does your agency organization or association serve or represent? Less than 100 people 100 to 499 people 500 to 999 people 1000 or more people Don't Know GO TO Q3B Q3A Do you or your group/organization/agency directly represent any of the following sectors? Construction Development Regulatory (inspection, administration) Planning Architecture Design (interior design, landscape design etc.) Finance Accessibility Consultant Other sector , please specify: If none of the above please specify why you are interested in this topic: IF RESPONDENT ANSWERS NONE TO Q3A THEN GO TO Q4A Q3B What are the main activities of your organization/ group/ agency? DISABILITY GROUPS AFFECTED Q4A Which disability groups do you think are most likely and which are least likely to have difficulty accessing public buildings/facilities and their exterior spaces? Mobility Limitations Wheelchair Users Scooter Users Walker, cane and crutch users Visual Limitations: Blind Low Vision Colour Blind Deaf-blind Hearing Limitations: Deaf (e.g., no hearing) Deafened (e.g., loss of hearing later in life) Hard of hearing (e.g., limited hearing) Comprehension Limitations: Developmental Psychiatric / Mental Health Memory Loss Other Limitations: Other, please specify: Q4B Which disability groups do you think are most likely and which are least likely to have difficulty accessing rooms or spaces in the building? Mobility Limitations Wheelchair Users Scooter Users Walker, cane and crutch users Visual Limitations: Blind Low Vision Colour Blind Deaf-blind Hearing Limitations: Deaf (e.g., no hearing) Deafened (e.g., loss of hearing later in life) Hard of hearing (e.g., limited hearing) Comprehension Limitations: Developmental Psychiatric / Mental Health Memory Loss Other Limitations: Other, please specify: EXTERIOR SPACE BARRIERS Q5A Due to their ABSENCE, which of the following are most likely and which are least likely to present a barrier to building access for disabled persons? Exterior Routes Crosswalks Curb Ramps/Curb cuts Guards and Handrails Lay-Bys for Vehicles Unexpected Level Changes Paths and Sidewalks Ramps Stairs and steps Arrival and Departure Areas Bus/Public Transit Shelters Emergency Routes Parking (above or underground) Passenger Loading Zones Other, please specify: Q5B Due to their PRESENCE, which of the following are most likely and which are least likely to present a barrier to building access for disabled persons? Exterior Routes Unexpected Level Changes Stairs and steps Traffic Islands Other, please specify: Q5C Due to their DESIGN, which of the following are most likely and which are least likely to present a barrier to building access for disabled persons? Exterior Routes Crosswalks Curb Ramps/Curb cuts Guards and Handrails Lay-Bys for Vehicles Unexpected Level Changes Paths and Sidewalks Ramps Stairs and steps Traffic Islands Arrival and Departure Areas Bus/Public Transit Shelters Emergency Routes Parking (above or underground) Passenger Loading Zones Special Areas and Features Balconies and Porches Boardwalks Campgrounds Grandstands and Viewing Areas Outdoor Pools Parks and Parkettes Picnic Areas Sports Fields and Spectator Areas Terraces and Patios Viewing Areas Waterfront Areas Outdoor Amenities Benches and Seats Drinking Fountains Pay Booths Public Showers Public Telephones Public Washrooms (family washrooms) Street Furniture (e.g., mailboxes) Vending Machines Waste Receptacles Other Construction Site Protection Freestanding Objects (eg. bicycle racks, light standards, A-frame/stand-up signs) Garbage Handling Gates and Openings Landscape Materials and Planting Maintenance Snow Removal/Clearance Other, please specify: Q5D: Please add any further comments/explanations with respect to absence, presence or design of exterior space barriers that will clarify your concerns. INTERIOR SPACE BARRIERS Q6A: Due to their ABSENCE, which of the following are most likely and which are least likely to present a barrier to access for disabled persons while in a building? Entrances Automatic Door Openers Canopies Entrance Doors Door Markings (e.g., decals and signage) Door Hardware, Locks and Closers Glazed Screens and Sidelights Mats and Mat Sinkages Pedestrian routes Elevators and Lifts Escalators Ramps Detail Designs Public Family Washrooms Other, please specify: Q6B: Due to their DESIGN, which of the following are most likely and which are least likely to present a barrier to access for disabled persons while in a building? Entrances Automatic Door Openers Canopies Entrance Doors Door Markings (e.g., decals and signage) Door Hardware, Locks and Closers Glazed Screens and Sidelights Mats and Mat Sinkages Thresholds Vestibules Pedestrian routes Aisles and Passages Corridors and Hallways Interior Doors Elevators and Lifts Escalators Exit Doors and Routes Ramps Stairs and Steps Turnstiles and Control Gates Detail Designs Coat Closets and Coat Racks Cupboard Hardware Drinking Fountains Information & Service Counters Kitchen Areas Lockers and Storage Cupboards Mail Boxes Mirrors Photocopy/Fax Areas or Rooms Platforms and Stages Public Showers and Changing Rooms Public Family Washrooms Public Washroom Accessories Vanities and Work Surfaces Vending Machines Water Taps and Flushing Mechanisms Windows and Window Hardware Interior Design: Acoustic Quality Floor Surfaces (e.g. texture, pattern, colour, tone) Wall surfaces (e.g. colour, tone, pattern, texture) Furniture & Equipment Glazed Screen Marking Office Partitions Other, please specify: Q6C Please add any further comments/explanations with respect to absence or design of interior space barriers that will clarify your concerns. BUILDING COMPONENTS Q7A Which of the following building components present a challenge to disability groups due to design, placement (i.e. in the wrong place) or absence? Communications: Audible Signals (Internal/External) Government Information/Service Kiosks Intercoms Listening Devices Signage and Way-finding (Interior and Exterior) Telephones Video Display Terminals HVAC: Air Conditioning Heating Ventilation Life Safety: Fire alarms Public address systems Pull Stations Lifts: Elevators Escalators Lighting and Electrical: Emergency Power Systems required for breathing equipment Lighting Exit Lighting Security: Automatic Door Openers Card Access Security Lighting Q7B Please add any further comments/explanations with respect to design, placement or absence of building components that will clarify your concerns. TYPES OF FACILITIES Q8A What priority would you place on improving access to the following buildings, structures or premises? Amphitheatres Assembly Areas Arenas Cafeterias, Restaurants, Dining Areas and Bars Civic Offices & Council Chambers Clinics Community Centres Day Care Centres Courthouses Detention Areas and Jails Displays, Exhibition Areas, Galleries, and Museums Government Offices Gymnasia Ice-Rinks Homes for the Aged Hospitals and Health Care Facilities Laboratories Libraries Meeting Rooms Police Stations and O.P.P Detachments Post Offices Rehabilitation Centres Recreation Facilities Schools and Continuing Education Centres Seniors Housing Service Delivery Centres Storage Buildings/Warehouses Swimming Pools Theatres, Cinemas and Concert Halls Transit Settings Q9 Please add any additional comments you consider relevant to this consultation: Additional Comments If we have any follow-up questions, may we contact you? If so, please provide the following contact information: Person To be Contacted: Person Completing Survey: Name: Organization: Address: Phone: E-mail: Thank you for your participation in this important part of the consultation process.

 

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Last updated July 24, 2002