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Ontario Land Tribunal 655 Bay Street, Suite 1500, Toronto, ON M5G 1E5 Tel: 416-212-6349 | 1-866-448-2248 Web Site: olt.gov.on.ca |
The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) supports the full inclusion of persons with disabilities as set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Ontario Human Rights Code, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA), 2001 and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005. The OLT is committed to providing its services in accordance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service made under the AODA. In keeping with this commitment, this policy is available online at the OLT’s website and upon request is available in various accessible formats.
The OLT is committed to providing accommodation for needs related to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status and disability (Code-related needs), unless to do so would cause undue hardship. Disability includes physical disabilities, sensory disabilities, mental health disabilities, and “invisible” disabilities such as learning disabilities or environmental sensitivities.
The OLT is committed to providing the highest quality of service to the public. This includes a commitment to providing an inclusive and accessible environment in which all members of the public have equal access to its services and are treated with dignity and respect.
The following principles will guide the OLT in making its processes accessible:
- Services will be provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of members of the public. The OLT will conduct adjudicative processes in a timely manner, with fairness, integrity and respect.
- The OLT will provide services in a manner that fosters physical and functional access to the OLT processes and promotes the inclusion, and full participation of members of the public.
- All persons will be given equal opportunity to obtain, use and benefit from the OLT’s services. Where required, individualized accommodation will be provided, short of undue hardship. The OLT will provide clear, accurate, helpful and consistent information. The OLT will also communicate with a person with a disability in a manner that takes into account their disability.
This policy applies to the OLT’s public offices, staff and Members. The policy promotes equal access for all individuals, including parties, witnesses and representatives, to fully participate in all OLT processes, short of undue hardship. The term “Member” is used to designate all adjudicative positions at the OLT and includes the Chair, Associate chairs, Vice-chairs and Members.
The OLT has identified a number of measures to promote an accessible environment. These are in addition to specific accommodations that may be requested on a case-by-case basis.
The OLT recognizes that some individuals may require the use of an assistive device. The Accessibility Coordinator should be contacted in advance of the proceedings if any special arrangements are required for the device.
The OLT recognizes that some individuals require the use of devices to assist with daily needs including communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs. The OLT will work to accommodate such services, but will not generally arrange for them.
The OLT further recognizes that some individuals may require the use of a service animal to participate in OLT proceedings. The Accessibility Coordinator should be contacted in advance of the proceedings if any special arrangements are required for the animal.
The OLT recognizes that some individuals may require the use of a support person to participate in OLT proceedings. The OLT will ensure that both persons are permitted to enter the premises together and that the person with a disability is not prevented from having access to the support person.
The OLT offices are located at 655 Bay Street, 15th floor in Toronto. Hearings and mediations are sometimes held in the building on the, 15th and 16th floors. The building is located between Elm Street and Gerrard Street on the east side of Bay Street. Drop offs are best done on side streets such as either Walton Street to the north of 655 Bay Street or Elm Street to the south. Public parking, including accessible parking spots, is available in the underground below 655 Bay Street and in nearby facilities. The building is located close to College and Dundas TTC subway stops. The Dundas subway stop is wheelchair-accessible.
The building’s front doors and elevators are accessible to wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility devices, as are the OLT public offices. There is sound amplification and assistive hearing devices in three hearing rooms
The OLT holds hearings in municipal offices throughout the province. We will continue to work with municipalities to schedule locations that are both suitable and accessible. Each municipality must provide its services in accordance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service made under the AODA. The Accessibility Coordinator should be contacted in advance of the proceedings if any special arrangements are required.
Where an accessibility or accommodation measure provided by the OLT becomes unavailable, the OLT will provide notice as soon as practicable. Notices relating to the 655 Bay Street location will be posted on the OLT website and at the Public Inquiry desk on the 15th floor. If the disruption impacts a hearing being held at 655 Bay Street, notice will also be posted on the floor where the hearing is to take place. For hearings held in municipal locations, please consult their website or municipal clerk.
The OLT will communicate with persons with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. This means both staff and Members of the OLT will communicate in a means that enable persons with disabilities to communicate effectively for purposes of using, receiving and requesting services.
The OLT, when requested, will provide services at hearings such as American Sign Language (ASL) and langue des signes quebecoise (LSQ).
The Accessibility Coordinator is fully informed of this policy and the requirements, and will receive and respond to inquiries and requests for accommodation. Persons requiring accommodation from the OLT are to contact the Accessibility Coordinator as soon as possible. The OLT recognizes that accommodation needs may arise during any aspect of the process. If an accommodation issue comes to the attention of OLT staff, efforts will be made to accommodate. During OLT proceedings, if a request not previously raised with the Accessibility Coordinator is brought forward, the Member will facilitate efforts to accommodate the request.
All of the OLT informational materials forms and notices to the public are available in print and on the OLT website which follows the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. All documents created by the OLT are also available, upon request, in alternate formats to accommodate disability-related needs. When requested, the OLT will advise the individual of the timeframe for providing the document in the requested format.
The OLT will provide training for OLT staff and Members. Training will ensure that they understand this policy, and understand how to undertake accessibility and accommodation measures in accordance with this policy and the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service.
The OLT will maintain and update a document describing the implemented accommodation/accessibility training, including the content of the training and details of when the training was provided and to whom.
Comments or feedback about the OLT’s services may be directed to the Accessibility Coordinator. Feedback may be made either in writing, phone, email or through the OLT web page as noted below.
The OLT will attempt to schedule hearings in suitable and accessible facilities. Please notify the OLT of any accessibility needs you have as soon as possible.
Attention: Accessibility Coordinator
655 Bay Street, Suite 1500
Toronto, ON
M5G 1E5
Tel: 416-212-6349
Toll free: 1-866-448-2248
TTY: 1-800-855-1155 via Bell TTY relay service
Email: OLT.COORDINATOR@ontario.ca
Web: OLT.gov.on.ca
Dated: June 1, 2021