OMAFRA's Commitment to Accessible Services

Introduction

The Government of Ontario supports the full inclusion of persons with disabilities as set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Ontario Human Rights Code, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA), and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). It is the goal of the Ontario government to make Ontario barrier-free by 2025. As we move closer to that date, it is expected that government goods, services and facilities will become progressively more accessible and responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is committed to providing barrier-free and accessible services where every stakeholder and customer is treated fairly, equitably and with dignity. Accessibility is important so that every stakeholders and customer is able to access the Ministry services that they require.

The AODA was enacted in 2005 in order to set accessibility standards in Ontario for the public and private sector. Ontario Regulation 429/07 (the "customer service standards") is the first standard to be introduced under AODA. It requires all Ontario government ministries, some agencies, boards and commissions, and the broader public sector, including universities, to be in compliance by January 2010. Other organizations and private sector businesses in the province with at least one employee must be compliant two years later. A number of other standards are expected to be introduced in phases, and the public and private sector will be working towards full compliance with those by 2025. The ODA remains in effect, and requires ministries to file annual accessibility plans.

This page outlines OMAFRA's commitment to providing accessible services. It provides a helpful series of links for accessing services, along with links to services provided by other government ministries. This page also includes content as required by the AODA customer service standards and ODA, including links to OMAFRA's accessibility plans.

Accessible Customer Service Policy

OMAFRA has adopted the government-wide policy for accessible services as created by the Ministry of Government Services. This policy has been prepared to outline what the government must do to comply with the regulation and what our customers may expect from us. This policy also supports the service vision, principles and mandatory requirements of the OPS Service Directive, which is intended to guide ministries in their efforts to meet or exceed customer needs and expectations.

The policy is intended to benefit the full range of persons with disabilities, as defined in the Ontario Human Rights Code. Whether a person's disability is apparent or not, everyone should be treated with courtesy, made to feel welcome, and have their need for accommodation respected whenever they interact with a government service.

The Accessible Customer Service Policy adopted by OMAFRA is available here, including in alternate user-friendly formats.

Providing Feedback About OMAFRA's Accessible Services

OMAFRA welcomes feedback about its services for people with disabilities. The ministry is using existing, well-established feedback channels and methods to enable people with disabilities to provide feedback by telephone, in writing (via letter or fax), via e-mail, online, on disk, or by another method including in person at a ministry office that is open to the public.

Telephone

Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
Local: 519-826-4047
TTY: 519-826-7402

In Writing

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Correspondence Unit
1 Stone Road West,
Guelph, ON N1G 4Y2

Via Fax

519-826-3442

E-mail

ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca

On Disk

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Agricultural Information Contact Centre
1 Stone Road West,
Guelph, ON N1G 4Y2

OMAFRA's Accessibility Plan

As required under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA), ministries must develop an annual accessibility plan to ensure accessibility issues are identified and removed. The plan outlines the Ministry's commitment to build upon its past achievements through prevention of new barriers and elimination of existing barriers.