The implementation of a law, policy or program is equally as important as its substantive provisions. Laws may be positive in their conception and on paper, but in practice may be cumbersome, difficult to access, or otherwise ineffective in achieving their goals. This section applies the principles to the implementation of the law, including considerations related to training and education, resources and provision of adequate accommodation for disability-related needs.
Applying the Principles to Step 5
Note: “Law” here refers to law, policy and practice as appropriate.
Well-intentioned laws may fail to achieve their purposes because of problems in implementation. Many laws are exceedingly complex, so that understanding and navigating them requires considerable effort and expertise, and persons with disabilities may be expected to do so on their own, without supports or the appropriate accommodations. Those operating such systems may have an imperfect understanding of the needs and circumstances of persons with disabilities, or may harbor ableist attitudes or assumptions. Often such systems are under-resourced and under strain.
Applying the principles to these processes requires that persons with disabilities be treated with dignity when seeking to access the law. Those implementing the law must have the skills, knowledge and resources to treat those accessing it with respect, accommodate their needs, and ensure they receive any supports or benefits to which they are entitled. Responding to diversity requires that systems are able to accommodate the actual needs of individuals, including needs arising from particular impairments, from the intersection of disability with other aspects of identity, or from the common overlap of disability with poverty. The principles of autonomy and independence, and of participation and inclusion require that the systems that serve persons with disabilities can be understood and navigated by them, which requires provision of appropriate information and supports.
QUESTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION IN APPLYING THIS STEP
1. Have sufficient human and financial resources been allocated to ensure that persons with disabilities can access their rights or responsibilities under the law, in a way that respects the principles?
a. Are there mechanisms in place for identifying significant unmet needs?
b. Where resources are limited, does the law include clear, transparent and principled criteria and priorities for how scarce resources should be allocated?
c. In the implementation of laws of general application, where resources are limited, have the needs of persons with disabilities been given equal consideration with those of other groups?
2. How have the processes under the law been designed to be as simple and transparent as possible for users?
3. Does the law include clear rights to services to be provided and accountability for providing those services in a timely, respectful, accessible and appropriate manner?
4. How have those charged with implementation of the law been provided with adequate ongoing training and education to enable them to implement the law in a way that respects the principles, including training and education on the following:
a. The substance of the law in question, as well as the Charter, the Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act?
b. Anti-ableism, including common negative stereotypes and assumptions about persons with disabilities in general and persons with particular disabilities, accessibility issues, and systemic barriers for persons with disabilities?
5. How have mechanisms been developed to ensure that persons with disabilities are informed about their rights and responsibilities under the law, and that they have access to the information necessary to seek access to their rights or fulfill their responsibilities? How do these mechanisms address common barriers? For example:
a. Has information been provided on where individuals can seek further information or supports for accessing their rights or exercising their responsibilities?
b. Have strategies been developed to disseminate information to organizations that represent, advocate for or support persons with disabilities?
c. Is information available in disability-accessible formats that comply with the provisions of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code?
d. Is information available in plain language?
e. Is information available in non-written formats (such as by telephone or video)?
f. Is information available to persons living in restrictive settings, such as long-term care homes or psychiatric institutions?
g. Is information available to persons living in rural or remote settings?
h. Is information available in multiple languages?
6. If the access mechanism is complicated or multi-stage, how have supports or advocacy services been provided to ensure that persons with disabilities are able to navigate the system, particularly for persons with disabilities who face additional barriers as a result of low-income, language barriers or other issues?
7. How have the processes been designed to include and accommodate the specific needs of persons with disabilities, including those who are facing additional barriers arising from low-income, or who have needs related to other aspects of their identities, or who are transitioning between programs or life-stages?
8. What mechanisms does the law provide to review or evaluate unique needs or requests for accommodation from affected individuals with disabilities?
APPLYING THE FRAMEWORK: EXAMPLES OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PRINCIPLES AND PROCESSES
Limited Resources and the Passport Program
There are a variety of programs for children with disabilities and their families, including those offered through