Manitoba Government Accessibility Plan: 2023 and 2024
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To request alternate formats or provide feedback about this plan, please contact the Public Service Commission by email at accessibility@gov.mb.ca, by phone at 204-945-2332 (in Winnipeg) or toll-free at 1-800-282-8069 ext. 2332
We acknowledge that Manitoba's Public Service works throughout the Treaty Territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk Nations and the Homeland of the Red River Métis Nation. Additionally, our work extends throughout Treaties 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit.
Greetings from the Accessibility Champion
The Manitoba government recognizes that accessibility is a human
right. In maintaining the dignity and independence of all Manitobans,
when seeking programs and services, every Manitoban should have
equal opportunity to full participation in our society, and the right to
barrier-free and accessible workplaces and communities.
Manitoba's Public Service (MPS) has a responsibility to continue to work together to
help remove barriers and enhance accessibility across all facets of its work. As the
Acting Public Service Commissioner and Manitoba Government's Accessibility
Champion, I am pleased to share the 2023 and 2024 Manitoba Government
Accessibility Plan (MGAP) that will serve as a roadmap to advance accessibility over
the next two years.
The MGAP reflects our ongoing commitment to Manitobans by making our workplace,
products and services more inclusive and accessible for everyone. Our intention is to
continue to raise awareness on the government's accessibility agenda. This includes
full implementation of regulated accessibility standard requirements across all
departments and continued education of our staff to ensure they understand how to
address accessibility issues in their work.
In 2023 and 2024, the Manitoba government is also launching the second and third
intakes of the $20 million Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF) to provide annual,
sustainable grants to assist Manitoba organizations to remove barriers and comply
with accessibility standards. In 2022, the Manitoba government awarded MAF grants
to 30 organizations totaling $756,000, which supported initiatives to improve
accessibility, thereby enhancing the lives of all Manitobans and allowing everyone to
participate more fully in their communities.
I am proud of our achievements to date and our ongoing commitment to show
leadership as an accessible and respectful employer and service provider. As the
Manitoba Government Accessibility Champion, I will continue to encourage Deputy
Ministers of departments to continue to take responsibility for the implementation of
this plan. By enhancing accessibility, we are strengthening government performance
and service delivery in all areas of our work, for the benefit of every Manitoban.
Sincerely,
Jocelyn Baker Accessibility Champion
Acting Public Service Commissioner
1. Statement of Commitment
Manitoba's Public Service (MPS) appreciates the diversity of backgrounds,
abilities, identities and experiences of Manitobans, and is committed to
inclusion to ensure that all Manitobans are able to fully and effectively
participate in society. This means being a champion of inclusion and
accessibility, and meeting the needs of people who face barriers in ways that
maintain dignity and independence.
As a public body, the Manitoba government aims to fully implement The Accessibility for
Manitobans Act (AMA) requirements, including existing standards supporting accessible
customer service, employment, and information and communications.
The Manitoba government also commits to following standardized procedures when
developing and enacting new requirements related to accessible transportation and
accessible design of public spaces. Accessible mechanisms to solicit and obtain public
feedback will continue to be an essential part of the regulatory development process for
the new accessibility standards.
The MGAP is grounded in the principles of access, equality, equity, universal
design and systemic responsibility. These principles guide the policies,
programs, practices, services and actions identified for 2023 and 2024.
2. What is the Manitoba Government Accessibility Plan (MGAP)?
The AMA, enacted in 2013, calls upon the Manitoba government and other public
sector organizations to create and update an accessibility plan every two years. The
plan must describe the measures the organization will take to identify, prevent and
remove barriers that exist.
Consultation efforts
Manitoba's Public Service values the engagement and input of Manitobans, including
organizations and individuals with expertise in lived experience and accessibility.
Internal consultations with public servants who are Department Accessibility
Coordinators (DACs) and members of the Civil Servants with Abilities Network
(CSWAN) were held to understand the employee perspective.
In addition, several disability-serving organizations that support individuals with vision,
hearing, mental health, physical, and intellectual disabilities provided valuable input to
inform this plan.
3. How is MGAP Governed?
The Minister of Families is responsible for overseeing the administration of the AMA,
which applies to the private, public, and non-profit sectors. This includes developing
accessibility standards through regulations, raising awareness about accessibility and
promoting and encouraging the prevention and removal of barriers throughout the
province.
Jocelyn Baker, the Acting Public Service Commissioner, and the Manitoba
government's Accessibility Champion, provides leadership and support to executive
and senior managers in understanding and achieving accessibility. This includes
increasing awareness to all public servants about providing accessible services.
The Manitoba Government Accessibility Steering Committee provides overall
government direction on accessibility for the public service. Members for 2022 and
2023 include:
Donald Leitch, clerk of the executive council and cabinet secretary, office of the
clerk of executive council
Michelle Dubik, director under the AMA, deputy minister of families
Jocelyn Baker, accessibility champion, acting public service commissioner of
public service commission
Under the AMA, accessibility standards are developed and are building blocks for
making real, measurable and effective changes to accessibility. Each standard focuses
on a key area of daily living and outlines specific requirements and timelines for
eliminating barriers in organizations, including the Manitoba government. Under the
AMA, there are five accessibility standards. Three have been enacted to date and two
are in progress.
MPS has been working diligently to advance accessibility to meet the needs of
all Manitobans. Through the MGAP, MPS will continue to collectively raise
awareness and understanding of accessibility standards and the responsibility
of departments to implement these standards throughout all public and internalfacing processes, services and environments. The MGAP will build upon and
strengthen efforts underway through the following six priority areas.
5.1 Accessible Customer Service
The Accessible Customer Service Standard addresses organizational practices
and training requirements to provide better customer service to persons with
disabilities. By introducing policies, measures and practices addressing
training, communication, the presence of services animals and the handling of
assistive devices, the goal is to achieve respectful, barrier-free customer
service in Manitoba organizations with at least one employee.
Implement outstanding recommendations identified in the Manitoba Accessibility
Advisory Council's Customer Service Standard Review, with regular updates
publicly available on AccessibilityMB.ca
Develop a procedure guide related to service animals, accessible to all
employees.
Develop policy to ensure all communications meet accessibility requirements,
including materials and services from vendors.
Develop policy to inform the use of American Sign Language (ASL) in public
communications, with the goal of expanding the use of ASL and real time
captioning in public communications, particularly in public service
announcements
Create a user guide for the use of ASL interpreters for use by all employees, and
review the option of a centralized booking system to book interpreters.
Highlight the need for departments to consider Manitoba's accessibility standards
in their procurement requirements, in Manitoba's procurement manual for
administration
5.2 Accessible Employment
The Accessible Employment Standard calls on all employers to consider reasonable
accommodation at various stages of employment as it applies to their organization. This
includes recruitment, offer of employment, on the job, return to work, and in training.
Enhance efforts to achieve the 9% benchmark of persons with disabilities (PWD)
in MPS by:
perform outreach and consultation with community stakeholders on ways
to attract PWD into MPS
increase communication to departments about the opportunities and
benefits to employing more PWD in MPS
leverage our existing diversity recruitment programs to recruit PWD
Promote the use of the Career Options Program as a means to hire students with
disabilities and the Career Gateway Program to hire employees with disabilities.
Continue the partnership with SCE LifeWorks and Project SEARCH program to
provide work and life experience to students with cognitive disabilities
Increase ongoing communication and implementation of the Accessible
Employment Standard by:
finalize the policy and education framework required to ensure all
management, supervisors, human resource professionals, those who
coordinate employees, those who develop and implement policies, trainers
and facilitators complete training on accessible employment and related
legislation
ensure employees in these roles have a better understanding of how to
remove barriers at all stages of the employment process as part of
learning outcomes and objectives of the trainings
support the onboarding processes and the development of individualized
accommodation plans that describe workplace accommodations and ways
to keep employees with disabilities safe during emergencies in the
workplace, provide educational materials to support accessibility and
maintain accessible workplaces
5.3 Accessible Information and Communications
The Accessible Information and Communications Standard focuses on removing and
preventing barriers that exist digitally, in-print or through interaction with technology or
people. Organizations need to consider the ways in which Manitobans interact with or
access information they provide, including on websites, to develop measures, policies
and practices providing barrier-free information and communication.
Develop a communication plan to inform MPS about the government's
responsibilities under the Accessible Information and Communications Standard.
Implement a process to receive and respond to feedback about accessible
information and communication.
Develop guidelines to support departments to update and develop electronic
forms that are fully accessible
Continue to explore all communication platforms used in MPS with the goal of
advancing accessibility and eliminating engagement barriers, including training
on the use of the accessibility features
Promote the development of a Community of Practice to share knowledge and
promote accessibility best practices.
Enhance the profile and content of AccessibilityMB.ca to meet the international
standard Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 AA level, to make it easier to
access tools and resources and test regularly with those with lived experience to
support further enhancements to the website
Require trainers and facilitators to have an understanding of accessibility and
create training materials and presentations that are inclusive and accessible.
Implement an integrated case management solution within the Department of
Justice to provide a public portal to facilitate online services, such as access to
court documents.
5.4 Enhanced Training and Education
Continue to update the mandatory AMA course for MPS with information on new
standards as they are introduced, and ensure that staff are completing the
updated course. This will include continuing to support centralized tracking and
reporting of course completion with senior leaders to support follow-up with
employees who have not completed the course updates.
Provide training on creating accessible documents.
Collaborate with the Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABC) Office to
advance accessibility by making updates to the ABC recruitment process and
inviting prospective applicants to voluntarily self-declare disability status, as well
as request accommodations to participate in ABCs.
Inform all newly appointed members of ABCs about required training on
accessible customer service, as part of their welcome letter and orientation package.
Promote awareness of accessibility in government newsletter such as training
reminders, updates on standards, facts, promotion of course completion and tips.
Continue to promote learning events to employees in celebration of Manitoba
Access Awareness Week, Disability Employment Awareness Month, Indigenous
Disability Awareness Month and International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Create a centralized accessibility webpage for all staff that includes links to
AccessibilityMB.ca, internal resources, trainings and learning events, DAC Terms
of Reference (TOR) and updates on accessibility standards.
Improve education, outreach and awareness of the Manitoba Accessibility Office
in communities outside of Winnipeg by identifying and exploring potential private
sector advertising opportunities
Complete the development and launch of a renewed, bilingual AccessibilityMB.ca
website.
5.5 Enhanced Accessibility of the Built Environment
Adhere to the requirements of the Manitoba Building Code, providing access in a
manner that does not establish or perpetuate differences based on a person's disability
Integrate barrier-free Universal Design principles and work environment
accessibility when undertaking government projects for current and new
buildings, leased spaces, upgrades and refreshes
Explore the addition of Beacon technology, a form of digital accessibility, to
public areas to assist individuals with vision impairments.
Provide reminders to all building managers that they need to provide notice when
an environmental or accessibility feature will be available in a reduced capacity
or entirely unavailable (includes parking, elevators, entrances, road or sidewalk construction).
Continue to implement accessibility in out-of-door public spaces, including Provincial parks.
5.6 Leadership in Advancing Accessibility
Reinforce the obligations under the AMA to over 52,000 businesses through paid
advertising, social media and direct mail campaigns, including reminders about
the opportunity to apply to the Manitoba Accessibility Fund
Deliver the second Manitoba Accessibility Awards Program in 2023 (which takes
place every two years) to celebrate leadership and innovation in meeting the
needs of the one in four Manitobans affected by a disability.
Conduct a review of all departments every two years, to ensure the Manitoba
government is consistently meeting or exceeding standard requirements and
acting as a leader and champion for accessibility legislation. Develop an action
plan to address results of the review.
Create a position that leads the advancement and coordination of accessibility
initiatives across the MPS.
Continue the role of the Manitoba Government Accessibility Steering Committee
to provide leadership across departments of the MGAP implementation.
Continue the role of Accessibility Champion to provide ongoing leadership and
support to executive and senior managers in understanding and achieving
accessibility
Enhance the roles of Diversity Inclusion (DI) Champions and DACs within
departments to advance accessibility initiatives.
Review the role of DACs as an important strategy for revitalizing accessibility
awareness and communication commitments within departments, including an
enhanced onboarding process for new DACs.
Develop a forum for DI Champions in collaboration with DACs to discuss
accessibility issues and support the advancement of accessibility within
departments
Provide additional corporate support to and communication with the Employee
Network Group, CSWAN, to identify and address accessibility issues as they
arise
Ensure that the principles of inclusive leadership are embedded into the content
of all leadership programs.
Recommend the addition of an inclusion statement on all call-outs for
secondment opportunities, committees, and project teams to encourage diverse
participation including employees with disabilities.
APPENDIX: 2021 AND 2022 MGAP ACHIEVEMENTS
The following outlines notable actions the Manitoba government undertook in
2021 and 2022 to advance accessibility across Manitoba's Public Service:
Developed an interdepartmental working group to implement all recommendations in
the Manitoba Accessibility Council's Customer Service Standard Review
Created an Accessibility Toolkit as a reference guide to support all employees to
enhance accessible customer service
Implemented a new Diversity and Inclusion policy in support of The Public Service
Act, proclaimed in February 2022, which is committed to achieving an inclusive
public service at all levels in the organization. This includes ensuring public service
policy, programs, and initiatives are inclusive, accessible, and equitable
Continued to make investments in improvements to enhance the visitor experience
in provincial parks by increasing the number of mobility mats at 11 provincial parks,
which provide wheelchair access to designated beach areas
Added accessible features to playgrounds in six campgrounds/provincial parks
Continued improvements of accessibility at Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park in the
vacation cabins, boardwalk and several picnic shelters, and historic schoolhouse
building
Developed reference guides in Manitoba Justice to assist victims and witnesses as
they navigate the legal process such as information related to wheelchair accessible
transportation, captioning and real-time transcription (CART), note-takers and
communication intermediary services
Conducted assessments of courthouses in Winnipeg, Dauphin, Thompson, Selkirk
and Portage la Prairie to identify accessibility barriers, with renovations to begin in 2023
Amended The Jury Act in 2021 to ensure that persons with disabilities may be
reasonably accommodated to serve on juries
Completed renovations of the Winnipeg Law Courts building to support barrier-free
access including a new entrance vestibule, upgraded public and staff receiving
areas, new main universal washroom and the addition of new scooter-sized lift
Loaned 5,813 Alternate Format Books (braille, large print, touch books, etc.), and
3,023 Alternate Format Online Downloads (audio & e-text titles downloaded through
the online system) to teachers and students in Manitoba who require alternate formats
Produced 31 audiobooks, 37 e-text books, 415 large print books, 224 braille books,
and 198 units of handouts for teachers/students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 who
required alternate formats for learning
Produced 1,219 titles for Post-Secondary students who require alternate formats for
their studies
Participated in a loan agreement with agencies in other provinces to provide
alternate format materials to support Kindergarten to Grade twelve students and
post-secondary students across Canada
Developed a consistent and transparent approach to formalizing flexible work
arrangements, ensuring all parties have a full understanding of their obligations and
responsibilities, including safety and health in the remote workplace, information
security and records management.
Hosted awareness events in celebration of Manitoba Access Awareness Week,
International Day for Persons with Disabilities, Disability Employment Awareness
Month and Indigenous Disability Awareness Month
Provided ASL interpretation at all COVID-19 briefings
Enhanced the internal reporting mechanism to track compliance with the AMA
across MPS
Re-launched the Career Gateway Program, an employment equity recruitment
program designated for Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, and PWD
Achieved an 86 per cent completion rate across MPS, with over 11,000 public
servants having taken the AMA training