Section 6. Resources And Support
In this section we will:
- present and share ideas on some of the resources that are available to
assist in the accommodation process;
- identify the key people to go to in departments, agencies and units in
order to begin the search for information, resources and support for
accommodation.
I. Easy To Access Resources
There are numerous publications, audio-visual products, agencies, tools, and
web sites available on disabilities and accommodation issues. We will focus on:
- readily accessible resources available through the internet (key web sites
and downloadable publications);
- free of charge resources to Federal Public Servants (especially those
resources that have been developed by the Canadian Federal Public Service);
- key contact people whom one can phone or e-mail to get started on the
journey of accommodating persons with disabilities.
The format is intended to provide people with quick, easy access to the
specific concern or question for which they are looking for answers and ideas.
Many of these have already been provided throughout the manual. This section
will summarize the previously recommended resources and add a few more.
Some Key Resources
A. Policy On The Duty To Accommodate Persons With Disabilities In The Federal
Public Service
B. Inclusive Work Environments: Accommodation In The Workplace and In
Selection Processes
- Public Service Commission's Personnel Psychology Centre has new Guidelines
for Assessing Persons with Disabilities that outline:
- the general principles - the nature of the disability, the qualifications
being assessed and the type of assessment method being used (see Chapter II);
- the roles of various parties involved in determining accommodations (see
Chapter III);
- the standards for documentation; and ð recommended procedures for
applying accommodations to ensure a fair assessment process (see Chapter IV). www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/ppc/disability/chap_1_e.htm
- The Employment Equity Division of the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS)
strives to facilitate the implementation of Employment Equity in departments and
agencies for which Treasury Board is the employer by providing policy advice and
guidance, as well as monitoring and reporting on progress made. Included with
this site are Job Accommodation services. www.hrma-agrh.gc.ca/ee/index_e.asp
- "Just Ask Me": Discussing Workplace Accommodation - Human
Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA)
have developed this interactive workshop and 15 minute video in order to build a
better understanding of accommodation issues in the workplace. Versions of the
workshop: one-day, half-day, and 1.5 hours. A CD of the half-day content is also
available. Contact the Office For Disability Issues (ODI) of HRDC http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/hrib/sdd-dds/odi
- Also find at the ODI, "A Way With Words and Images": - Learn
appropriate terminology for the portrayal of persons with disabilities.
- A Place For All: A Guide to Creating an Inclusive Workplace: Helps
employers understand their legal obligations regarding the duty to accommodate,
and create their own workplace accommodation policies and procedures. French
version published separately.Downloadable .pdf document at the Canadian Human
Rights Commission site (CHRC): "Publications" http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/discrimination/place_for_all-en.asp
- Barrier-Free Employers: Practical guide for job accommodation for people
with disabilities. Intended primarily for employers, company managers and
human resources officers, its objective is to promote the integration of
people with disabilities into the workplace, and to explain the steps that
should be taken in order to facilitate the smooth integration of this
productive sector into the labour force. Downloadable .pdf document at the
Canadian Human Rights Commission site: "Publications" http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/discrimination/barrier_free-en.asp
- A Guide to Screening and Selection in Employment, see CHRC
"Publications" www.chrc-ccdp.ca
- The Job Accommodation Service (JAS) provides Canadians with information
and support regarding job accommodations to advance the employment of people
with disabilities. JAS provides a toll-free number: 1-800-664-0925. Email: jasinfo@ccrw.org
- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free consulting service that
provides information about job accommodations, the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), and the employability of people with disabilities. http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu
C. Barrier-Free Facilities, Equipment and Technology
- Adaptive Computer Technology (ACT): Assistive devices and software tools
that make the computer accessible and friendly to people with disabilities
and injuries.
- Assistive Devices Industry Office, Industry Canada: Information and tools
for both businesses and consumers concerning the research, development,
production, and marketing of assistive devices and technology for people
with disabilities. Includes:
- Accessible News bulletins and a list of Canadian research and
development groups and referral centres. http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_mangb/asstdev/burst.html;
- The Assessment Procurement Toolkit: This site will generate a listing of
requirements you can use to ensure that the technology or service being
purchased is accessible. www.apt.gc.ca.
- Environment Canada Adaptive Computer Technology (ACT) Program's mandate is to
assist in the integration into the workplace of EC employees with disabilities
who require computer access. Gives ideas on modifications and available
training. http://www.ec.gc.ca/act-tia/
- The Office for Disability Issues of HRDC has an adaptive computer technology
(ACT) Web site that is designed primarily to help federal government employees
with disabilities and injuries find the appropriate adaptive computer technology
solutions for a more productive workplace. http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/hrib/sdd-dds/odi
- Employment Equity Positive Measures Program (EEPMP) Workplace Adjustment
for Persons With Disabilities: International Best Practice Study of
Barrier-free Designs and Accessibility Policies - by Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada (AAFC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca
- Web Accessibility: The Treasury Board Secretariat has several sites of
interest to those designing web pages:
- The Neil Squire Foundation: "Education, Technology and Career
Development for People with Physical Disabilities"
- Employment Access Skills Employment (E.A.S.E.) training program.
- Consultation
and Assessment - recommends appropriate computer; and office assistive
technology, and provides the training to use it;
- Research and
Development develops and tests technology to benefit people with
physical disabilities;
- Community Access Program Accessibility
Workshop - Learn how to transform an inaccessible workstation into one
suitable for access by people with a wide range of disabilities. http://www.neilsquire.ca/
- Adaptive Environments (USA) promotes inclusion, accessibility and
universal design through education programs, technical assistance, training,
consulting, publications and design advocacy. http://www.adaptenv.org/
D. Legal Developments
- The Charter Of Rights And Freedoms: See the web site for the Department of
Justice Canada http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/index.html
- The Canadian Human Rights Act, and The Employment Equity Act can be
located at at the Canadian Human Rights Commission site, "Legislation
and Policies" http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca
- Also, in "Publications", see "Bona fide occupational
requirements and bona fide justifications under the Canadian Human Rights
Act": The Implications of Meiorin and Grismer. Downloadable .pdf http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca
- The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal gives its decisions on cases by
complainant and by year. For example, click on "Decisions", then
go to the bottom of the page and select "G" for Green to see the
case Green vs. PSC, TB, and HRDC www.chrt-tcdp.gc.ca
- The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work: WORKink has a web site of
legal precedents regarding The Duty To Accommodate, compiled by Michael Lynk.
See relevant cases that illustrate "Boundaries", "Undue
Hardship", "Modified Duties" and "BFOR". www.workink.com
- B.C. Human Rights Commission: Human Rights Law in B.C. gives more
information on Meiorin and Grismer cases and their implications. http://www.bchrt.bc.ca/popt/related_links.htm
E. Disabilities And Disability Issues
- This page lists all of the organizations who contribute to the People with
Disabilities Section of the Canadian Health Network (CHN). All of these
organizations are Canadian, non-profit, organizations specializing in the
field for people with disabilities. www.nbeastersealmarchofdimes.ca/chn/Network_Contributors.htm
- The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work is a Canada-wide
network of organizations and individuals. Our mission is to promote and
support meaningful and equitable employment of people with disabilities.
WORKink promotes and supports the employment of persons with disabilities,
providing labour market and career information, access to resources, and
online experts' assistance. http://www.workink.com
- Persons with Disabilities Online, where you can access a broad range of
disability related information. http://www.pwd-online.ca/pwdhome.jsp?lang=en
- Disability WebLinks offers you a single-window access to federal,
provincial and territorial government programs and related services for
persons with disabilities. www.disabilityweblinks.ca/
- The Parliamentary Sub-Committee on the Status of Persons with
Disabilities' mandate is: The proposing, promoting, monitoring and assessing
of initiatives aimed at the integration and equality of disabled persons in
all sectors of Canadian society. www.parl.gc.ca/disability/about/welcome_e.asp
II. Who To Go To For Accommodation Help
Where do you start when you have an accommodation issue that you are not sure
how to handle? Who do you first go to in your Department or Agency?
- As a person who needs accommodating
- As a person who has been asked for accommodation
- As the local person usually consulted on accommodation
- What if the first attempts are not successful?
Policy: Enquiries
Enquiries should be directed to human resource or employment equity personnel
in your department or agency. They may review questions of policy interpretation
or clarification with the Employment Equity Division of the Treasury Board of
Canada Secretariat or with the Public Service Commission.
Information may also be obtained from the Treasury Board Secretariat
Employment Equity Division's Web site at the following address:
http://www.hrma-agrh.gc.ca/ee
or from the PSC Web site at http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca
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