Accessibility

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005, S.O. 2005, c.11, was passed for the purpose of:

  1. Developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards in order to achieve accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises on or before January 1, 2025;  and
  2. Providing for the involvement of persons with disabilities, of the Government of Ontario and of representatives of industries and of various sectors of the economy in the development of the accessibility standards.

The Innisfil ideaLAB & Library Board is committed to providing persons with disabilities, consistent opportunity and access to the Library’s goods, services, and facilities. The Library will ensure that policies, procedures, and practices are provided in a manner that is timely and guided by the principles of integration, independence, dignity, and equal opportunity.

Accessibility Standards

Businesses and organizations that provide goods and services to people in Ontario will have to meet certain accessibility standards in five (5) key areas:

  • Customer Service;
  • Employment;
  • Information and Communication;
  • Transportation; and
  • Built Environment Standards.

The Customer Service Standard (Regulation #429/07) was the first to be passed into law on January 1, 2008.  Public sector organizations were required to comply by January 1, 2010, while other providers of goods and services had until January 1, 2012 to meet the requirements.

The Integrated Accessibility Standards (Regulation #191/11) was passed into law on July 1, 2011 and integrated three standards – Employment, Information & Communication, and Transportation into one.

Effective July 1, 2016, Regulation #429/07 was revoked and a new version of the Integrated Accessibility Standards (Regulation #191/11) was passed into law.  The recently revised Regulation #191/11 includes:

  • Part II – Information & Communications Standards;
  • Part III – Employment Standards;
  • Part IV – Transportation Standards;
  • Part IV.1 – Design of Public Spaces (Accessibility for the Built Environment);
  • Part IV.2 – Customer Service Standards.

Accessible Library Facilities

All branches of the Library meet accreditation standards with respect to width of passageways and shelving of materials for optimum accessibility.  Our facilities have been audited by the Innisfil Accessibility Advisory Committee (IAAC) and Independent Living Services of Simcoe County & Area.

Cookstown Branch

Features three accessible parking spots, marked curb cuts, and automatic assist front and rear doors. All public washrooms are accessible.

Lakeshore Branch

Features five accessible parking spots, curbs which merge into the parking lot near the accessible parking spots, and an automatic assist main entrance. All public washrooms are accessible.

Stroud Branch

Features three accessible parking spots across from the main entrance and an automatic assist front door.  All public washrooms are accessible.

Accessible Library Services and Collections

Our borrowing collection includes large print books, audiobooks, and described video for anyone who holds a valid Innisfil Public Library card.  We also offer online eBooks and eAudiobooks, for download.

Home Library Service is available to people in Innisfil who are unable to come to the Library to check out materials.  Anyone who is confined to their home or an institution for care, due to chronic or temporary disability or who lacks a source of transportation is encouraged to use this service.

The Innisfil ideaLAB & Library partners with the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) to further increase our accessible collection and provide accessible materials to patrons with print disabilities and professionals who work with people with print disabilities. For more information visit www.innisfilidealab.ca/cela.

The Innisfil Public Library’s Accessibility – Integrated Accessibility Standards – Regulation 191/11 (AODA 2005) Policy

As required under The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the Library has created, reviewed and revised accessibility policies as appropriate.

The Library has created a multi-year Accessibility Plan which has been reviewed annually as required.

Accessibility criteria and features are incorporated into all procurement processes, except when it is not practicable to do so.

Accessibility was an important consideration before The Library Express self-serve kiosk was acquired.

Training on the requirements of accessibility standards, the purpose of the Act and on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities will be provided to all Staff, volunteers and Board members and all those who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of the Library.  The training will include:

  • How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities;
  • How to interact with a person with a disability/disabilities, who uses an assistive device or requires the assistance of a guide dog or other service animal, or the assistance of a support person;
  • How to use equipment or devices available on the service provider’s premises or otherwise provided by the service provider that may help with the provision of goods, services or facilities to a person with a disability;
  • What to do if a person with a particular type of disability is having difficulty accessing the provider’s goods, services or facilities.

Upon request, the Library will provide, or arrange for the provision of, accessible formats or communication supports for persons with disabilities, both for the public and all employees.

The Library shall notify the public that the documents required by the Integrated Accessibility Standards (Ontario Regulation 191/11) and the Library’s Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation Policy, procedures, notices of temporary disruptions, and training records, are available upon request, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

The Library will, upon request, provide emergency procedures, plans and public safety information in an accessible format or with communication support, as soon as is practicable.

The Library will ensure that its external Internet websites and web content conform with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 initially at Level A and increasing to Level AA. By January 1, 2014, any new web content will conform with WCAG 2.0 Level A. By January 1, 2021, all Internet website and web content will conform with WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

The Library is committed to equal consideration of candidates during the recruitment, assessment, and selection process. All job applicants will be notified of the availability of accommodations for persons with disabilities at all phases of employment process from application to job offer.

The Library is committed to ensuring the safety of its employees. Individualized workplace emergency response information will be provided to employees who have a disability, if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary and the employer is aware of the employee’s need. This information will be provided as soon as practicable after the Library becomes aware of the need for accommodation.

The Library will develop a written process for the development of documented individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities.

The Library will maintain a documented return to work process for employees with a disability and who require disability-related accommodation in order to return to work.

The Library will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities and any individual accommodation plans when providing any performance management, career development, and advancement, or in the event of redeployment.

Persons with disabilities may enter premises owned and/or operated by the Library Board accompanied by their service animal or their support person, as required.

In the event of a planned service disruption to goods, services, facilities, or systems, the Library will provide notice of the service disruption in advance.  In the event of an unexpected disruption, the Library shall provide notice as soon as possible.

View the Library’s Notice of Temporary Disruptions of Service Process.

In Section 19 of the Integrated Accessibility Standard, Ontario Regulation 191/11, there are requirements that relate specifically to public libraries.

Innisfil Public Library Board:

  • Shall provide access to or arrange for the provision of access to accessible materials where they exist;
  • Shall make information about the availability of accessible materials publicly available and shall provide the information in an accessible format or with appropriate communication supports, upon request;
  • May provide accessible formats for archival materials, special collections, rare books, and donations.

Feedback

The Library welcomes public input and comments on the provision of goods or services to persons with disabilities. Feedback helps identify areas where changes need to be considered and ways in which we can improve the delivery of accessible goods and services. Feedback may be provided by telephone, in person, in writing or by email.

Feedback may be directed to:

Address: Innisfil Public Library, 967 Innisfil Beach Road, Innisfil, Ontario, L9S 1V3

Phone: 705-431-7410

Email: accessibility@innisfil.library.on.ca or:

Additional Information

Download a printable version of the Library’s Request for Innisfil Public Library Documentation in an Alternate Format .

Visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/accessibility-laws;  or

Call:  1-866-515-2025;  or

Call:  TTY/Teletypewriter – 1-800-268-7095;  or

Fax:  1-416-325-9620.