Accessibility Specialist

The City of Markham is proud to be recognized for the 4th consecutive year as one of Canada's Best Employers by Forbes and Statista Inc. In 2024, the City of Markham is ranked the top city in Ontario and in the top 10 for Government Services. The recipient of multiple environmental awards, we are recognized for our innovative sustainability and urban planning initiatives as well as our fiscal accountability. More than 357,000 residents call Markham home and benefit from our rich heritage, culturally diverse environment, vibrant local economy and focus on quality of life.

Applications are now being accepted for the above position in the People Services Department, in the Office of the CAO. To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume online at by June 2, 2024.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for leading the development, implementation, communication, and execution of policies and initiatives to ensure City programs, services, and facilities do not create or sustain accessibility barriers and are compliant with applicable accessibility legislation, regulations, and policies. This includes delivery of the City's Multi-year Accessibility Plan (MYAP), which aims to ensure ongoing compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and related legislation as well as alignment with internal policies and the City of Markham Strategic Plan as it relates to access to goods, services, facilities, employment, accommodation, technology and buildings for persons with disabilities within the Corporation (including employees, service users, and visitors).

The Accessibility Specialist provides strategic and policy advice to City departments in implementing and complying with mandated federal and provincial accessibility standards; assists in efforts to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility; is responsible for the implementation of the MYAP strategies in order to engage and support the City's and the organization's diverse communities and stakeholders. The position also supports the Markham Accessibility Advisory Committee as the City's staff liaison.

The Accessibility Specialist will work closely with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team to integrate accessibility into all aspects of the organization's equity goals, fostering a culture of inclusion and ensuring that our services and workplaces are accessible to everyone.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Accessibility, AODA and IASR Compliance Subject Matter Expert:

• Serves as the City's subject matter expert in organizational compliance with accessibility legislation, regulations and policies, including the AODA, Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations (IASR) and the Ontario Human Rights Code (as it pertains to employment for persons with disabilities).
• Completes and files AODA Compliance Reports in accordance with Ministry submission requirements.
• Maintains awareness of legislation, regulations, and standards related to accessibility and accommodations for persons with disabilities.
• Maintains awareness of best practices and emerging issues related to accessibility and accommodations for persons with disabilities (including customer service, employment, transportation, design of public spaces, and information and communication) and advances in accessibility services, technologies, and resources.
• Leads the development, communication, and execution of the MYAP on a 5-year basis or as otherwise established in legislation, in collaboration with the various departments and portfolios within the City.
• Maintains an ongoing understanding of gaps identified between the current and desired state regarding accessibility of City programs, services, and facilities.
• Promotes, leads and/or supports, and tracks progress against projects/initiatives as defined in the MYAP.
• Promotes the MYAP and its projects/initiatives on an ongoing basis to ensure achievement and the ongoing promotion of a culture of inclusion and belonging.
• Leads the development and communication of annual MYAP progress reports.
• Acts as the primary contact and City liaison with organizations in the sector, including the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility regarding the City's implementation of legislation related to accessibility.
• Supports the City of Markham's Accessibility Advisory Committee (MAAC) to facilitate the fulfilment of their legislative obligations under the AODA and IASR; provide linkage between staff and the MAAC.
• Represents the City on accessibility-related working groups, committees, etc. with a view to gaining information that can be applied to advance the City's accessibility efforts and, where appropriate and as approved, influence positive developments in and for the community.

2. Enhance Corporate and Community Understanding of Accessibility, Accommodations, Inclusion and Belonging:

• Develops processes and practices collaboratively and oversee their understanding and adoption across the City through effective education, engagement, communication, and implementation strategies.
• Collaborates with the Corporate Communications Department to support the development and communication of the MYAP, policies and guidelines.
• Responsible for the content development and delivery of mandatory AODA training.
• Ensures the content of the mandatory AODA training is aligned with legislative requirements.
• Promotes training across the Corporation and participate in orientation and/or roundtable sessions.
• Monitors completion records and reports on results to the Executive Leadership Team and department leaders.
• Develops and delivers accessibility and accommodation information sessions for various target audiences within the City, including advisory committees as required to support specific initiatives or general interest.
• Works with City departments to integrate accessibility considerations into City programs, policies, and services, through a variety of ways including the work plans arising from the implementation of the MYAP, the City's Strategic Plan, the Diversity Action Plan, and the Eliminating Anti Black Racism Plan, among other initiatives.

3. Provide professional knowledge and consultation in the area of Human Rights, accessibility, inclusion, equity and accommodations as it relates to persons with disabilities:

• Supports the City in identifying systemic, infrastructure changes and modifications required to reduce barriers and meet its obligations in providing services, programs and employment accommodations for visitors, service users, and employees with disabilities, respectively.
• Collaborates with People Services and the Occupational Health and Safety staff to facilitate solutions to support employees with disabilities that restrict or limit their ability to fulfill their responsibilities.
• Provides advice and support to colleagues in People Services as required regarding accommodation requirements for employees with disabilities.

4. Policy Review and Development

• Coordinates and develops policies, procedures and compliance implementation plans for provincially mandated accessibility standards, in conjunction with City departments.
• Provides policy coordination and expertise to support the development and presentation of staff reports to Council.
• Uses equity and intersectional frameworks to provide advice, support, and recommendations to policy review and development.
• Uses a collaborative approach in policy development.

5. Research, Analysis and Reports

• Reviews, analyzes, and prepares reports to inform practices and initiatives to ensure alignment with the City's Strategic Plan and the City's MYAP.
• Provides advice based on research, analysis and evaluation of industry best practices, current legislation and case law, and other relevant data collected to inform and support the City's accessibility efforts, including implementation of the MYAP.
• Tracks progress against key deliverables and develop reports on initiatives.
• Prepares reports, presentations, briefings and background materials for Council, senior management teams, the Markham Accessibility Advisory Committee, and department staff as required.

6. Perform other related duties, as assigned, that are in accordance with job responsibilities or necessary department and corporate objectives as required.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline (Accessibility/Disability Studies, Education, Public Policy, Human Rights, Equity Studies, Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Science, Law) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of demonstrated experience leading and supporting the development and implementation of accessibility policies and programs.
• Public sector experience is an asset.
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience reviewing, interpreting, and advising on accessibility-related legislation, regulations, and policies.
• Strong knowledge of best practices in accessibility, diversity, equity, inclusion, intersectionality, and demonstrated experience in supporting transformational change.
• Experience with project management, project implementation, and strategic planning.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with an ability to write briefing notes, reports, organizational communication, deliver presentations and create learning materials to support programs.
• Skilled at engaging in matters that require sensitivity and empathy across a diverse community, excellent judgement and discretion.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining trusting relationships with all levels of staff from the front-line to executives.
• Demonstrates and supports a culture of open, collaborative, clear, inclusive, and timely communication.
• Lived or personal experience of disability is an asset.
• Ability to work outside normal business hours, as required.

Core Behaviours

• Service Excellence: Meets or exceeds service standards when interacting with customers in the community and in the organization.
• Change & Innovation: Responds positively and professionally to change and helps others through change.
• Teamwork & Relationship Building: Interacts with others in an inclusive, collaborative and respectful way that creates effective working relationships.
• Communication: Communicates in a clear, professional and respectful way; demonstrates active listening.
• Accountable & Results Oriented: Demonstrates ethical behaviour and accountability, aligns with City values, and abides by relevant policies and legislation.
• Management & Leadership: Demonstrates self-management, professionalism and engagement; leads by example.

The City of Markham is committed to inclusive, accessible, and barrier free employment practices and to creating a workplace that reflects and supports the diversity of the community we serve. Please let us know if you require an accommodation and we will work with you to ensure a barrier free hiring process.

We welcome and encourage applications from individuals who have personal or lived experience with disabilities (visible and invisible). Your personal or lived experience can bring unique perspectives and insights that enhance our team's ability to deliver inclusive and accessible solutions. If you have experience navigating accessibility barriers or advocating for yourself or others, we'd love to hear about it.

We thank all applicants who have applied. However, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please respect our scent free area by not wearing scented products when visiting the office.