Rolling River School Division Accessibility Plan
REVISED: OCTOBER 2019 Rolling River School Division Accessibility Plan Part 1: Baseline Report
Provide an analysis of the types of barriers Manitobans may face in accessing your programs, facilities, and services. Highlight those that are most significant to your organizational mandate and to the public.
Overview of Programs and Services Provide a general description of your organization’s programs and services, emphasizing those targeting the public. Rolling River School Division includes four high schools, eight elementary schools, five colony schools and an Adult Learning Centre. The 17 schools provide service to the communities of Douglas, Forrest, Rivers, Rapid City, Minnedosa, Oak River, Rolling River First Nation, Erickson, Sandy Lake, and Onanole. The Division Office is located in Minnedosa, Manitoba.
The public accesses our schools for concerts, open houses, teacher/parent conferences, workshops, and extra-curricular activities. The Board works toward ongoing improvements in accessibility for students, staff, volunteers, parents and members of the public who may use our facilities. The Board is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities and meeting the obligations under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act.
Accessibility Achievements
Summarize the steps already taken by the organization to achieve accessibility. What, if any policies, promote accessibility of your organization by the public and by staff affected by accessibility barriers?
Connection to RRSD Strategic Plan Priorities: The Rolling River Strategic Plan incorporates the Philosophy of Inclusion and our conduct will be in accordance with the following Belief statements: • All students have the ability to learn and achieve success. • All students are unique and learn in different ways. • All students are valued for their individual gifts, talents and diversity. • All students can conduct themselves in an ethical manner. • All students can positively influence their world.
RRSD has had a long-standing practice of: • ensuring that students have equitable access to assistive technology within the school curriculum and providing support to staff in the integration of that technology into their instructional plans to accelerate learning for our diverse population. (1:1 devices, voice amplification systems, ergonomic aids)) • Developing and nurturing community and regional partnerships (both formal and informal) that support a wide range of student needs (e.g. Children’s Therapy Initiative, Unified Referral and Intake System, Regional Child Welfare agencies, Mental Health, Public Health, service clubs, Parent-Child Connection, day care and nursery schools, Addictions Foundations of Manitoba, Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre Neurodevelopmental Outreach Program, Child and Adolescent Treatment Centre, apprenticeship and work placements)
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Rolling River School Division Accessibility Plan
• Utilizing the Student Specific Planning process to ensure that learning and accessibility needs are addressed for individual students. (for example, creating a grooming room in one of our Elementary Schools to support a student’s physical needs) • Focusing on teaching for diversity to include instructional strategies, materials and assessment.
The Board has been and will continue to support transportation plans for students with disabilities.
Routine collaboration between Director of Student Services, Director of Instruction Curriculum and Technology, Secretary Treasurer and Superintendent to identify needs and supports required for program accessibility.
Construction projects have been completed to address accessibility issues such as ramps, handrails, automatic door openers, washroom improvements etc.
RRSD Policies to Support Accessibility: • Student Transportation for Program Not Offered - EEAAB/P • Harassment Prevention - GBCB/P • Leave of Absence - GCBD/P (for staff) • Student Services – Appropriate Education - IGB/P • Student Services – Clinical Services - IGBA/P • Student Services – Dispute Resolution - IGBC/P • Students with Anaphylaxis - JHCA/P • Administering Medication to Students - JHCD/P • Reporting a Child in Need of Protection - JHF/P • Student Grade Level Placement: Kindergarten to Grade 8 - IKE/P • Student Assessment and Communication of Student Achievement - IKAA/P • Code of Conduct – JFA/P • Safe and Caring Schools – JG/P
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Rolling River School Division Accessibility Plan
Barriers to Accessibility List barriers Manitobans may face in accessing your programs, facilities and services. Highlight those that are most significant to your organizational mandate and to the public.
What organizational policies may inadvertently create barriers? Are there any temporary barriers which may be created by renovations or computer software upgrades that could create accessibility barriers? Barrier Type Example Architectural and Physical Round door knobs, doorways that are too narrow for a person in a wheelchair or scooter. Information and Document print that is too small for persons with visual disabilities to Communication read. Using complex terminology when speaking to the public. Documents not accessible in alternate formats (eg. Braille) Awareness/Attitudinal Underestimating the abilities of persons with disabilities. Forgetting to apply universal design principles in planning. Policies and Procedures Policies and Procedures will be updated in a timely manner with universal design and accessibility principles in mind. Financial /Resource Costly to upgrade and retrofit aging buildings for accessibility.
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Rolling River School Division Accessibility Plan Part 2. Accessibility Plan Statement of Commitment The Rolling River School Division Board is committed to meeting the requirements of the Accessibility for Manitobans Act and improving environment and program access in all its schools/facilities to promote independence, dignity and respect for students, parents/guardians, staff and public. Rolling River School Division planning and programming is guided by the Manitoba Philosophy of Inclusion: Manitoba Education is committed to fostering inclusion for all people. Inclusion is a way of thinking and acting that allows every individual to feel accepted, valued, and safe. An inclusive community consciously evolves to meet the changing needs of its members. Through recognition and support, an inclusive community provides meaningful involvement and equal access to the benefits of citizenship. In Manitoba, we embrace inclusion as a means of enhancing the well-being of every member of the community. By working together, we strengthen our capacity to provide the foundation for a richer future for all of us.
Policies: • Community Engagement in Education Decision Making ABA/P • Respect for Human Diversity AC/P • Code of Conduct JFA
Actions Action 1 Initiatives/Actions Expected Outcomes Status
Policies and Procedures: • Rolling River School Division • Policies developed and approved Ongoing planning and programming for Governance. will be guided by the Manitoba Philosophy of • Revise existing policies with Ongoing Inclusion and follow the principles of universal design and principle of the Accessibility equality of opportunity. for Manitobans Act. • Existing Policies and • Develop a policy for Use of Service To be Procedures to be updated in Animals Developed a timely manner with principles of universal design • Build staff awareness of policies. Ongoing and accessibility in mind. • Develop a process for allocation of Low Incidence / Block Funding resources • Low Incidence Block Funding Complete provided by Manitoba process developed and Education. implemented in all schools.
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Rolling River School Division Accessibility Plan Action 2 Initiatives/Actions Expected Outcomes Status Architectural and Physical • Environmental Standards for Ongoing Environments accessibility will be incorporated into new construction and renovations. • Capital plan/projects approved by Ongoing the Ministry will include accessibility improvements. Action 3 Initiatives/Actions Expected Outcomes Status Awareness/Attitudinal • Increase awareness by Ongoing incorporating accessibility and equality information into curriculum to support the inclusion of people living with disabilities. • Continue to communicate Ongoing responsibilities to transportation providers, students, staff and parents on health care plans. • Provide access to alternative Ongoing formats and communication supports when required. • When planning workshops, ensure Complete venue accessibility and communication supports are considered and available if required. • Continuously observe and strive to Ongoing remove/address accessibility barriers. • Implement recommendations for Complete information and communication that meets accessibility standards (eg. Accessibility for Manitobans: Everyone Benefits – Accessible Customer Service Training video; Taglines – see attached)
Action 4 Initiatives/Actions Expected Outcomes Information and Communication • Develop a meeting/event planning In process checklist to ensure special requirements can be identified and provided when required
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Rolling River School Division Accessibility Plan
(dietary considerations, alternative formats, communication supports). Refer to Disability Accommodations Checklist provided by Manitoba Disabilities Issues office. • Using the Disability To be Accommodations Checklists completed provided by Disabilities Issues office, Accessibility Coordinator will complete with schools to establish baseline information/status for accessibility. (Appendix B) • Schedule annual Accessibility Completed Team meetings to monitor yearly progress.
Contact Person (accessibility coordinator): Lisa Martin
Phone: 204-867-2754
Email: [email protected]
Senior Manager’s signature: Mary-Anne Ploshynsky
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Rolling River School Division Accessibility Plan “Appendix A”
Accessibility Taglines for Events:
For Inclusion on Program Announcements and Registration Materials: If you need an accommodation to attend this (meeting/event) please contact (name, event host/coordinator) at (phone number/email). All accommodation requests should be made no less than 2 weeks before the event. We will attempt to meet requests made after this date but cannot guarantee all will be met.
For Inclusion on Registration materials if the Event Includes a Meal: If you have special dietary needs, please contact (name/host department) at (phone number/email).
Statement to Include for All Publications or Handouts Related to the Event: This document is available in alternative formats upon request by contacting (name/host department) at (phone number/email).
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Rolling River School Division Accessibility Plan “Appendix B”
THE ACCESSIBILITY FOR MANITOBANS ACT Disability Accommodations Checklists a. Communications Checklist
Budget Yes Comments Consideration Impact Write in plain language, which is easier for all readers to understand.
Produce a master document in a text template (Example: WORD document, not
a PDF) as the basis for all other formats.
Include a text description of visuals or charts. Keep a master document for future large print or text format requests. The resources section of this manual also has website links to suppliers. Include the “active offer” on all publications (Example: “Available in alternate formats upon request.”). Consult accessibility coordinator to learn about alternate formats and local suppliers for other formats requested. Ensure staff who interact with the public have information and training in how to communicate with people who have speech and language disabilities in face-to face and telephone interactions.
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Rolling River School Division Accessibility Plan Disability Accommodations Checklists Continued b. Meeting and Event Planning Checklist
Consideration Yes Budget Comments Impact Facility Factors
Consult disability organizations about what to consider when selecting accessible venues Facility entrance equipped with automatic
door
Accessible path to meeting room
Public elevators with accessible control
panel buttons and audio floor indicators
Water fountain at accessible height
Accessible eating facilities
Braille or large print menus
Public telephones at accessible height
Dietary requirements can be met
Meeting Rooms
Space for note–takers, captioning
equipment, ASL, interpreters
Seating for hearing impaired people near the interpreters/captioners/computerized note–takers
Low noise level in meeting rooms
Infrared or looping system
Visual alarm system
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Rolling River School Division Accessibility Plan Disability Accommodations Checklists Continued b. Meeting and Event Planning Checklist Continued
Consideration Yes Budget Comments Impact Getting to the Event
Accessible parking
Accessible public transportation
Funds to reimburse Handi–transit
Alternate Formats Available
Documents written in plain language
Printed material available in Braille, large print, audiotape, DVD or CD (on request)
Description of visual presentations
Display the communication access symbol
Event Promotion
Printed publicity material includes disability icons
Ask participants to identify specific accommodation and dietary needs
Send out agenda ahead of time
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Rolling River School Division Accessibility Plan Disability Accommodations Checklists Continued b. Meeting and Event Planning Checklist Continued
Consideration Yes Budget Comments Impact Accommodations (available on request)
People to greet and help participants with disabilities at the event Signs to direct participants to meeting room
Infrared or looping system
Computerized note-taking services
Real-time captioning
Attendant services (for personal needs, hygiene) Sign language interpretation
Audio systems
Assistive listening devices
Intervener services
Dietary Requirements
Beverages served with bendable straws, lightweight cups Non-sugar beverages, juices, and ice water
Vegetarian meals or snacks available
Printed publicity material includes disability icons Ask participants to identify specific accommodation and dietary needs
Send out agenda ahead of time
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