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.

Please note the salary range is based on 2023 rates.

**Job Summary**

This position is responsible for leading the development, implementation, communication, and execution 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 provincially mandated 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 and provides community outreach and liaison activities.

The Accessibility specialist will work closely with the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-racism 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 without regard to ability or disability

**KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

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

- 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.
- Maintains an ongoing understanding of gaps identified between the current and desired state.
- Collaborates with the various departments, portfolios within the corporation, regional government, and community to validate gaps identified and explore options.
- Develops plans to address areas of concern to meet and/or exceed standards.
- 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 the government (i.e. Ministry) 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.
- Attends meetings and support work of the Advisory Committee to Council on accessibility and works closely with staff assigned to this Committee, including revision of Terms of Reference as needed.

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 communication and implementation strategies.
- Collaborates with the Corporate Communications Department to support the development and communication of policies and guidelines.
- Assist with the content and oversee the development 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 highlight results to department leaders.
- Develops and delivers accessibility and accommodation information sessions for various target audiences within the City, incl