Ontario has an important law called the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005.  It is the first of its kind in Canada.  People with disabilities should have the same kind of opportunities as everyone else.  They should be able to do the things that most of us take for granted like going to work or school, shopping, taking in a movie or eating at a restaurant.

That is the goal of Ontario’s Legislation.  Businesses and organizations who provide goods and services to people in Ontario will be required to meet certain accessibility standards in five important areas of our lives.  These include:

1. Customer Service;
2. Information and Communications;
3. Employment;
4. Transportation; and
5. Built Environment.

This Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlines the policies and actions that the District of Rainy River Services Board (DRRSB) will implement to improve opportunities for people with disabilities. The DRRSB is committed and guided by the four core principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.

We are committed to meeting the needs of people disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The intent of this Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is to assist in recording requirements under the AODA’s key areas: Customer Service, Information and Communication, Employment, Design of Public Spaces and Transportation.

The Accessible Customer Service Standard, Ontario Regulation 429/07, is the first accessibility standard to be adopted under the authority of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.  Accessible customer service can mean many things. Mostly, it is the understanding that each individual may need a different type of accommodation.  For more information download our Customer Service Brochure.
For more information view our Customer Service policy:

• Accessibility Standards for Customer Service HR-7.4 (pdf)
• Accessibility Standards for Customer Service HR-7.4 (MSWord)

The DRRSB will provide notice of a temporary disruption in services, including information about the reason for the disruption, the anticipated duration, a description of any available, alternative service, and a contact name and number. 

Scheduled Service Disruptions

A notice for a scheduled (i.e. planned) disruption in service will be posted at the affected facility and on the DRRSB website at least five (5) days in advance, if possible. 

Unexpected Service Disruptions

A notice for unexpected (i.e. unplanned) disruption in service is posted at the affected facility as soon as possible and on the DRRSB website, if possible.

Check under Announcements for any disruptions in DRRSB, by clicking here.

On July 1, 2011 the Government of Ontario passed the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, Ontario Regulation 191/11, under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation sets out specific requirements for the four remaining accessibility standards, and also includes a section of general requirements that apply to all four standards, as follows:

1. Information and Communications;
2. Employment;
3. Transportation;
4. Built Environment (Design of Public Spaces); and
5. General Requirements (applies to all four standards).

For more information view our Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy and Multi-year Accessibility Plan:

• Integrated Accessibility Standards policy (pdf)
• Integrated Accessibility Standards policy (MSWord)

The DRRSB is committed to making its web site accessible to the largest possible audience, including individuals with disabilities.  
The documents available on this website are available in the following formats:

1. PDF, requires Adobe Reader
2. Microsoft Office Word, requires Word Viewer

Adobe Reader and the Microsoft Word Viewer are available free of charge at the following links:

• Adobe Reader
• Microsoft Word Viewer

Adobe also provides online conversion tools to assist in the conversion of PDF files to either text or HTML.  These conversion tools can be accessed at the following link:

• Adobe Conversion Tools

If you have difficulty accessing documents on our web site, please complete a customer service feedback form, indicating the nature of your accessibility issue or suggested changes, the web address (URL), the preferred format in which to receive any information you could not access, and your contact information.  The DRRSB will work towards making the web page or feature accessible or to provide the information to you in an alternative accessible format.

The DRRSB recognizes that people with disabilities often use methods other than standard print to access information.  The DRRSB is committed to providing accessible information and communications to all of our customers.  Upon request, we will provide documents available to the public in an alternative format, such as:

• Large Print;
• Hard copy or email;
• Simplified summaries; and
• Other formats may be available upon request.

If none of the above formats meet an individual’s needs, further discussion can take place to determine a format that will be acceptable for all parties by contacting the Accessibility Coordinator.

Requesting an Alternative Format Document

An alternative format can be requested by completing an Alternative Format Request Form available at all offices, by contacting the Accessibility Coordinator or by downloading the form from the link below.  All requests will be forwarded to the department responsible for creating the original document.  The alternative format will take into account the individual’s communication needs and a format that is mutually agreed upon will be provided within ten (10) business days.  

Click here to download the form for requesting an alternative format:

• Alternative Format Request Form (pdf)
• Alternative Format Request Form (MSWord)