Public Health’s 2026–2030 Accessibility Plan

Background

Public Health Sudbury & Districts (Public Health) strives to achieve and maintain an accessible organization. We work to remove all barriers that make it hard for people with disabilities to access our services.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (the Act) aims to ensure people with disabilities do not face barriers to goods and services. The Act includes the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations which set specific requirements that organizations must follow.

Five of the six standards apply to Public Health:

• general accessibility
• customer service
• information and communication
• employment
• design of public spaces (built environment)

Our 2026–2030 accessibility plan outlines how we will

• identify barriers in our programs, services, culture, and facilities
• remove barriers that prevent equal participation by people with disabilities

You can ask for this accessibility plan in a different format. If you would like to give us feedback, please contact us.

Strategies and actions to advance accessibility

Since March 2010, Public Health has implemented many activities to remove or reduce barriers faced by its employees and clients with disabilities. Foundational activities included establishing an accessibility task group, reviewing our policies and service delivery processes, and providing accessibility training for all staff.

Our 2026–2030 Accessibility Plan builds on the activities that Public Health has already implemented. The plan meets, or in some cases, exceeds the Acts’ requirements. It also includes new activities and actions planned for the 2026–2030 period.

Focus area 1: General accessibility

The goal of the general accessibility standard is to make sure that Public Health supports accessibility. We will do this by

• setting clear policies
• planning how to identify and remove barriers
• educating staff, volunteers, and anyone providing services on our behalf

Clients can expect

• To access goods and services in a way that is accessible and in spaces that are accessible.
• To receive equitable and respectful services from a well-trained Public Health workforce.
• To feel safe, welcomed, and included in all Public Health spaces. Read more about our Positive Space initiative.
• To receive a copy of this accessibility plan in an accessible format upon request.
• To receive any of our accessibility-related policies in an accessible format upon request.
• The opportunity to give feedback or express concern about the accessibility of Public Health’s services or spaces.
  • Share your feedback in one of six ways.
  • Our senior leadership will review all feedback.

Public Health’s 2026–2030 action plan

Accessibility policies

To meet this requirement, Public Health will

• Review its existing accessibility-related policies and procedures, including but not limited to
  • Positive Space initiative
  • Respectful workplaces
  • Workplace violence and harassment
  • Health and safety including psychological health and wellness
  • Inclusive environment and human rights
  • Position Statement: People with disabilities person-centred language
  • Legislated requirements and statement of commitment
  • Customer service
• Consult with people with disabilities and community partners who support people with disabilities to identify gaps or opportunities for improvement in our accessibility-related policies and procedures. Develop new policies and procedures to support accessibility.
• Conduct internal consultations to update the next iteration of our Accessibility Plan.
• Identify barriers to accessibility by engaging with people with disabilities and community partners.

Procuring goods, services, or facilities

While Public Health is not required to address this requirement, we do. We have created processes that incorporate accessibility considerations into our procurement activities.

To meet this requirement, Public Health will

• Post all procurement requests (for example, Requests for Proposals, Quotes, Tenders, and Information) on publicly accessible websites.
• Review all procurement policies and directives to ensure alignment with the Act legislation, including when engaging third-party vendors or service providers.

Training processes

To meet this requirement, Public Health will

• Provide accessibility-related training to all workers. Training is also provided to those who provide services on our behalf. Training content will include, but is not limited to
  • Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
  • Ontario Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities
• Tailor its accessibility-related training to the duties performed.
• Continue to record and keep track of employee and Board of Health member learning and development activities.
• Integrate equity, diversity, and inclusiveness into accessibility-related training.

Focus area 2: Customer service and delivery of accessible programs and services

The goal of the customer service standard is to ensure that services are accessible. This includes having policies and procedures to support accessible programs and services. Public Health is committed to a high level of performance in all programs and services.

Clients can expect

• To receive goods and services in accessible formats upon request and at no extra cost.
• To access goods and services that are barrier-free. This includes people who need a support person or use a guide dog or other service animals.
• Public Health’s support when using an assistive device to access goods or services.
• Access to a manual wheelchair at our 1300 Paris Street and Elm Place locations. Please ask a staff member for help.
• Notification of service disruptions in accessible formats and locations. This includes elevators, accessible washrooms and clinic rooms, ramps, and mechanical doors. Notices may be posted
  • in writing near the disrupted facility or service location
  • on Public Health’s website
  • on social media
• Opportunities to provide feedback about their experience. Public Health’s senior leadership will review all feedback.

Public Health’s 2026–2030 action plan

To meet this standard, Public Health will

• Establish an internal community of practice. This group will discuss and update, when needed, internal policies, procedures, and practices. Focus areas will include, but are not limited to
  • how to provide services to people that need a service animal or support person.
  • how to communicate with people in an accessible manner.
  • how to provide services to people with invisible disabilities.
• Develop accessible resources and materials to support staff.
• Continue to provide training to staff about worker responsibilities.
• Review and enhance all training, resources, and supports for all workers.
• Ensure staff training on new innovations and technologies available to support accessibility.
• Promote the availability of accessible documents upon request.
• Continue to review feedback received from clients and staff. Feedback will inform improvements to our programs and services.

Focus area 3: Information and communication

The goal of this standard is to ensure accessible information and communication. Information includes data and facts. It can be produced in any format whether it’s hardcopy, digital texts, figures, and audio files. Communication occurs between two or more people.

Clients and staff can expect

• Information communicated using clear language and designed in a way that is accessible. If requested, information will be provided in alternate formats to support accessibility.
• Public Health staff to provide you with a summary of any material that is not accessible or cannot be converted into an accessible format. For example, hardcopy pamphlets produced by another agency. The summary will be made available in an accessible manner upon request.
• Emergency plans, procedures, and public safety information in accessible formats.
• Respectful and clear communication and interactions delivered in a manner that is accessible.

Public Health’s 2026–2030 action plan

To meet this standard, Public Health will

• Incorporate best practices into formal training requirements.
• Educate workers about creating accessible information.
• Continue to provide alternate formats of documents upon request and in a timely way.
• Ensure we meet accessibility requirements for websites.
• Include website accessibility features in any procurement processes for new websites.

Focus area 4: Employment at Public Health

This standard supports organizations with hiring people with disabilities. Public Health is focused on building a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve, including people with disabilities. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment that supports a person with a disability to be successful without having to ask for support.

Current or potential employees can expect

• Clear information about available accommodations during recruitment, onboarding, and while employed.
• To create a personal accommodation plan with you. Your privacy matters, and we aim to provide the right support.
• An accessible workplace offering hybrid work options.
• Adjustable sit/stand workstations at our 1300 Paris Street and Elm Place locations.
• Individual workplace emergency response plans to keep you safe in any situation.
• Support when returning to work after a disability-related absence.
• Accessible formats and communication support provided upon request in a timely manner.
• Career growth opportunities, and an employer that aims to ensure that accommodation needs are considered in performance reviews, promotions, and redeployments.

Public Health works to remove barriers, respect individual needs, and help every employee succeed. Check out our Why work for us webpage to learn more.

Public Health’s 2026–2030 action plan

To meet this standard, Public Health will

Recruitment, hiring, and onboarding

• Continue fair hiring practices including opportunities for accommodations.
• Explore outreach to people with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and other equity-denied groups.
• Post job opportunities on inclusive employment platforms and with organizations supporting diverse employment.
• Communicate about accommodations available during recruitment, selection, onboarding, and while working.

Accommodation and workplace emergency response

• Strengthen processes for creating, keeping, and protecting individual accommodation plans for employees.
• Regularly review and update emergency response plans for employees with disabilities.
• Continue to share emergency response information with designated support persons, with employee consent.
• Continue to update emergency response plans when work locations or accommodations need change.

Return-to-work process

• Make sure return-to-work plans include accommodation needs. Plans will include clear steps for a smooth transition.

Employee support

• Inform all employees, including new hires, about policies that support people with disabilities.
• Offer accessible formats and communication supports when asked. Work with employees to find the best choice.

Performance management, career development and advancement, and redeployment

• Focus on employees’ accessibility and accommodation needs when
  • Assessing performance
  • Providing career growth opportunities
  • Considering promotions, redeployments, and reassignments

Focus area 5: Design of public spaces and the built environment

The goal of this standard is to ensure that spaces are accessible and barrier-free. Requirements apply to new construction or redevelopments.

Clients and staff can expect

• Enhanced accessibility in Public Health’s 1300 Paris Street and Elm Place locations. This includes
  • Barrier-free pathways
  • Barrier-free washrooms
  • Accessible counters at intake
  • Accessible waiting areas with seating to accommodate larger body sizes
  • Exterior ramps, automatic doors, and elevators
• Accessible parking spaces in all Public Health parking lots.
• Access to sensory friendly clinic rooms at our 1300 Paris Street location.
• A scent-free environment in Public Health facilities.

Public Health’s 2026–2030 action plan

To meet this standard, Public Health will

• Continue to review improvements needed to Public Health spaces. Improvements will include, but are not limited to
  • Exterior paths of travel at the 1300 Paris Street location.
  • Sensory friendly clinic rooms in our district office locations.
  • Complete accessibility assessment of district office locations.
• Review and update information provided to those hired to enhance Public Health spaces.
• Continue to meet with vendors to talk about accessibility requirements.
• Ensure maintenance of all accessibility elements. Public Health will notify clients of any temporary disruptions.

Looking forward and monitoring compliance

Public Health is compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Relevant staff will monitor best practices, and the Community of Practice will discuss recommendations to enhance accessibility.

To stay informed by evolving standards, Public Health will reference recognized global accessibility frameworks that provide benchmarks for inclusive policies, programs, and environments:

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – International standards for digital accessibility, ensuring online content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
• Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification – A Canadian and global framework for assessing physical accessibility in built environments.
• Disability Equality Index – A global benchmark for organizational accessibility and inclusion practices.
• Global Diversity & Inclusion Benchmarks – Incorporates accessibility as a core component of inclusive organizational culture.

Metrics and scores from these frameworks will guide continuous improvement and measure success.

Review and Continuous Improvement

Public Health will review its accessibility plan at least every five years, with many activities occurring more frequently to ensure ongoing progress. As part of this process, we will:

• Maintain a log of accessibility-related feedback and resulting actions to inform updates to policies, training, service delivery, and built environment improvements.
• Engage stakeholders, including people with disabilities and community partners, to validate priorities and ensure feedback is meaningfully incorporated.
• Submit accessibility compliance reports every three years to the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility.

This approach ensures accessibility is actively supported and improved throughout the life of the plan, shaping a more inclusive organization.

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This item was last modified on December 23, 2025