Section #16: Training to Educators
What the standard says
(1) In addition to the requirements under section 7, obligated organizations that are school boards or educational or training institutions shall provide educators with accessibility awareness training related to accessible program or course delivery and instruction. O. Reg. 191/11, s. 16 (1).
(2) Obligated organizations that are school boards or educational or training institutions shall keep a record of the training provided under this section, including the dates on which the training is provided and the number of individuals to whom it is provided. O. Reg. 191/11, s. 16 (2).
Suggested approach
Many institutions have support centres that focus on faculty teaching and provide courses on accessible pedagogy. Administrators should ensure that such centres are aware of the institution’s accessibility obligations as stated in Section #16. These centres should develop a practice for maintaining attendance for related training courses, and either keep these records at the centre or submit them to the institution’s AODA Administrator.
Suggested best practices
COU, in partnership with the University of Guelph, the University of Toronto, York University and the Government of Ontario, has created the Educator’s Accessibility Toolkit that responds directly to the requirements of Section 16: Training to Educators. This section of the website provides a series of resources, developed under the EAR Kit project, to support universities to meet their obligations under this section of the IASR and more broadly to help educators in creating accessible learning environments for students. Additional resources will be added in winter 2013 that will include tools to assist educators in managing mental health challenges that may present in the classroom.
Compliance schedule for Section #16, as stated in the IASR
- For large designated public sector organizations, January 1, 2013.
- For large organizations, January 1, 2013.
Definitions related to Section #16, as defined in the IASR
- “Educators” means employees who are involved in program or course design, delivery and instruction, including staff of school boards.
- “School board” means a “board” as defined in subsection 1 (1) of the Education Act.
- “Large designated public sector organization” means a designated public sector organization with 50 or more employees.
- “Large organization” means an obligated organization with 50 or more employees in Ontario, other than the Government of Ontario, the Legislative Assembly or a designated public sector organization.
How does the IASR relate to the Ontario Human Rights Code?
In Section 1 (2), the IASR states that, “the requirements in the standards set out in this Regulation are not a replacement or a substitution for the requirements established under the Human Rights Code nor do the standards limit any obligations owed to persons with disabilities under any other legislation.”