Accessibility at the OSC

The OSC has developed an Accessibility Policy that sets out our obligations in providing goods and services to persons with disabilities in an accessible manner. The OSC has also developed policies to address the Information and Communications, Employment, and the Design of Public Spaces Standards, in accordance with the Integrated Accessibility Standard.

The OSC monitors and updates all of its accessibility policies on an ongoing basis to promote compliance with our AODA obligations. Finally, the OSC maintains a multi-year accessibility plan designed to remove and prevent barriers and promote accessibility for persons with disabilities.

As an employer of choice, the OSC strives to meet and exceed the requirements of the AODA by ensuring an inclusive, barrier-free, accessible workplace that enables each employee to contribute and perform to their full potential on a day to day basis. We develop our employment policies and practices through an accessibility lens with an objective of achieving a maximum level of engagement and contribution from each OSC employee.

The OSC is committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free, accessible recruitment process so that all persons with disabilities who are interested in pursuing and who apply for employment with the OSC are made aware of the accommodation measures available to them throughout the recruitment and hiring process, as well as during employment.

The OSC trains all applicable staff on their obligations under the Customer Service Standard, generally, and the Integrated Services Standard in respect of information and communications, employment, and the built environment. Employees will be trained on ongoing basis, upon policy changes.

The OSC will communicate on an ongoing basis, both internally and externally, our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.

We will solicit and respond to feedback with respect to the OSC’s accessibility policies, practices, and procedures.

The OSC has reported, as required, on its compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and with the Customer Service Standard. We will continue to report, as required, on our compliance with the Act and the specific accessibility standards.

For more details with respect to our specific commitments, please see the following documents:

• OSC Accessibility Policy
• Accessible recruitment
• Accessible communications (including Web Accessibility Policy)
• Multi-Year Plan as of December 22, 2023
• 2019 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Other policies are available upon request and will be provided in a format that takes into account the individual’s accessibility needs due to disability.

The Tribunal has introduced assistive resources on the 17th floor near the hearing rooms to enhance accessibility, including a stand-alone gender-neutral accessible washroom and two Hearings Breakout Rooms. Individuals can also be accompanied by a service animal and/or a support person in the hearing rooms. If an individual who is participating in a Tribunal hearing has any accessibility needs that would affect their ability to participate in the hearing, the individual should notify the Governance & Tribunal Secretariat by e-mailing the Registrar at [email protected] in advance so that reasonable accommodations can be arranged.

The OSC has endeavoured to remove barriers to accessibility within its leased premises (20 Queen Street West, 20th Floor, Toronto) and has encouraged its Landlord to address building common areas.

Within the OSC’s premises:

• Automated door operators have been installed at public access points and within floor interiors of the OSC.
• Stand-alone gender neutral accessible washrooms are located on the 12th, 14th, 17th, 20th, and 21st floors.
• The computer located at the public records window on the 22nd floor has been equipped with a large print keyboard and Zoom Text software.
• A swing arm magnifier/light is available at the public records window on the 22nd floor.
• Counsel tables for both parties and general seating in the Hearing Rooms are wheelchair accessible.
• Hearing room sound systems allow headsets to be connected to assist those with hearing impairments.
• Kitchen counters on renovated floors are designed to provide wheelchair access.
• The OSC can be contacted by TTY at 1-866-827-1295.

In building common areas:

• Automatic door openers have been installed at both the street and the mall entrances to our building.
• The lobby also has wheelchair elevators/lifts at both the street and the mall entrances to our building. Assistance in using these devices is immediately available by pressing the contact button located at the lifts.
• Elevator surrounds have raised lettering and Braille signage to indicate floor numbers.
• Elevator interiors have raised numeric pads for floor selections.
• Audio notification is provided at each elevator lobby to indicate elevator direction (one ring tone for up, two ring tones for down).

The OSC will comply with the requirements of the Design of Public Spaces Standard and will incorporate any changes to the built environment required under the Building Code Act, 1992.