When it comes to making all government buildings accessible in Wellington County, there is more cost involved than just to the construction of the buildings.
Administration, finance, and personnel committee chairman John Green told council during his report recently that the “cost is becoming extreme.”
That was in answer to a question by councillor Mark MacKenzie, who wanted to know how the training will be done.
Green explained that every staff member in the county will have to be trained in various aspects of the new accessibility legislation.
Human Resources administrator Andrea Lawson said in her report that training will encompass “the principals of integration, independence, dignity and equal opportunity to ensure the highest level of inclusion.”
Green said the program will be a big one, and he is unsure how long staff would have to become familiar with the act.
Lawson said a county staff member has been working with the local municipalities, and those staff members will be trained by county staff, and then take the training back to the employees of the lower tier municipalities.
They can train themselves,” she said.
She added, though, that all the training must be completed by Dec. 31, and that it includes everyone. By everyone, she mean not only full time employees, but part timers and students, too.
All that training is a mandatory program laid down by the provincial government.
Wellington County has been a leader in accessibility programs in Ontario, and county staff have been asked to make a presentation on how the accessibility strategy was developed, policy development, and training initiatives at the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurer’s Association meeting later this month.
