The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation 191/11 filed in June, 2011 pursuant to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 identified specific requirements to achieve accessibility in the areas of:
These requirements build on the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service which came into force in 2007. St. Clair Catholic District School Board intends, through this Multi-year Accessibility Plan for the period 2026-2030, to take action to address barriers to accessibility related to the Standards areas of current Regulations. This is in addition to ongoing work the Board is undertaking with regard to identification and removal of barriers in the Board’s physical environment.
Customer Service
St. Clair Catholic District School Board will continue to strengthen its commitment to accessible customer service by ensuring that all interactions with students, families, staff, and the broader community are inclusive, respectful, and responsive to diverse needs. The Board will review and refine customer service practices, policies, and training to align with current accessibility standards and best practices, with a focus on building staff capacity to effectively support individuals with disabilities. Efforts will include enhancing awareness of accessible communication methods, supports, and feedback processes; increasing the availability and usability of accessible formats and communication supports; and ensuring that physical and digital service environments are barrier-free. The Board will also continue to gather and respond to feedback, identify and address systemic barriers, and collaborate with key interest-holders to promote a culture of accessibility, dignity, and equitable access to all services.
Information and Communication
The SCCDSB website has recently been updated and is compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, and this is an ongoing commitment. All school websites have added an Accessibility Section at the bottom of the page. The Information Technology Services (ITS) department continues to investigate intranet features.
The ITS is committed to ensuring that computer systems are easily accessible for all students and staff. The Board’s wireless network in schools has been augmented to ensure reliable and consistent access for an increased number of devices.
In order to provide a continuity of support for all students, particularly exceptional learners, Read & Write for Google Chrome is available for use at school and home. This program is accessed through the student’s SCCDSB account. Exceptional learners are also supported through the use of assistive and adaptive equipment and programs. Every student who receives a Special Equipment Amount (SEA) device receives training from school personnel. The Program Resource Teachers as well as the Itinerant Assistive Technology Support Teacher continue to provide additional training to Classroom Teachers and students, specifically with Read and Write for Google Chrome. Many training sessions were offered, and professional development modules were delivered and made available to all staff to build capacity.
SCCDSB will continue to enhance its digital and information environments by ensuring that all communication platforms and educational resources are inclusive for all users. The Board will prioritize the ongoing refinement of web accessibility standards, the investigation of inclusive intranet features, and the expansion of assistive technology integration to support equitable learning outcomes. Efforts will focus on building staff capacity through targeted professional development, streamlining the delivery of accessible formats and communication supports, and leveraging innovative technologies to eliminate barriers to information for students, staff, and the broader community.
Employment
St. Clair Catholic District School Board is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have the same opportunity of access to services and employment. The Board will continue to support the accommodation of candidates throughout the recruitment process and employees across the full employment cycle. This commitment will be advanced through the ongoing review and updating of Human Resources policies and procedures to align with current accessibility legislation and best practices. The Board will enhance training for administrators and supervisors on accommodation, inclusive hiring, and supporting employees with disabilities, while strengthening processes for documenting and tracking accommodations and return-to-work programs to ensure consistency and compliance. Accessibility considerations will be further embedded into digital HR systems, recruitment platforms, and onboarding processes. In addition, the Board will improve communication and awareness of available support, conduct periodic reviews to identify and remove systemic barriers, and continue to collaborate with unions, and employees to foster an inclusive and accessible workplace.
Transportation
CLASS (Chatham-Kent Lambton Administrative School Services) is responsible for the provision of safe, accessible, and efficient transportation services to eligible students at the St. Clair Catholic District School Board. The Board is fully supportive of integrated accessible student transportation services for all students where it is safe and practical to do so. Where feasible,
students with identified special education needs are transported on school buses alongside their peers to promote inclusion.
To ensure the safety and dignity of all riders, the Board and CLASS maintain the following supports:
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In collaboration with parents, guardians, and school staff, individualized school transportation plans are developed for students with disabilities, detailing specific assistance requirements and equipment needs.
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Specialized emergency evacuation procedures are established for students with disabilities to ensure their safety, should evacuation be required during transit.
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Transportation providers receive ongoing training regarding disability awareness, the safe operation of accessible equipment (such as ramps and securement systems), and appropriate boarding assistance.
SCCDSB, in partnership with CLASS, will continue to enhance the accessibility of student transportation by ensuring that individual needs are proactively identified and supported through inclusive and safe transit solutions. The Board will regularly review and refine transportation policies and individualized plans to align with evolving accessibility standards, focusing on the seamless integration of students with disabilities into regular transit whenever possible. Future efforts will include strengthening communication between families, schools, and transportation providers to ensure that specialized equipment, boarding assistance, and emergency protocols are consistently implemented, while also ensuring that all transportation-related information and schedules are available in accessible formats upon request.
Architectural
The 2024 Ontario Building Code, which came into effect on January 1, 2025, updates Section
3.8 “Barrier-Free Design” to enhance alignment with AODA Design of Public Spaces Standards for new construction and renovations. The Facility Services Department is committed to continually addressing barriers in Board buildings, and ensuring that new facilities and renovations are designed to comply with or exceed the Ontario Building Code requirements for accessibility. For this reporting period, the Board will focus on accessibility projects such as installation of tracking systems, introduction of automated door openers, widening of narrow interior and doors, upgrade of universal washroom facilities, and improvements for accessible outdoor play. Projects completed annually will be reported in the Annual Accessibility Status Report.
The St. Clair Catholic District School Board will continue to prioritize the creation of barrier-free physical environments by integrating universal design principles into all new construction, facility renewals, and maintenance projects. The Board will systematically identify and remove physical barriers within its schools and administrative buildings, ensuring that interior spaces, outdoor play areas, and path of travel requirements meet or exceed current provincial
accessibility standards. Future efforts will focus on enhancing the functionality of specialized facilities, such as universal washrooms, while collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that our built environments foster independence, safety, and a sense of belonging for all students, staff, and visitors.
