Title:  Advisor, Accessibility & Inclusion-A9943

Summary of Duties:

• As an effective leader with an ability to engage others, the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor works to develop and strengthen the City’s relationship with individuals (and supporting organizations), who experience barriers or marginalization in City services or employment because of disabilities, whether they are physical, psychological, social or intellectual.  Calling upon a deep understanding and knowledge of the experience of people with disabilities, the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor recommends processes and initiatives to remove barriers and increase accessibility to align service delivery to the identified needs of people of all abilities.
• In keeping with the City’s commitment to dismantle racism and oppression experienced by persons with disabilities, Black and Indigenous people, and other racialized people,  members of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and women, the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor reports to the Director, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Unit, and works collaboratively with other members of the team to further develop systems, supports and accountabilities that will enable the Corporation to meet its strategic objectives and legislated requirements.  The Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor provides expertise and advice and assists senior leaders and managers to promote accountabilities for measurable outcomes and to foster attitudes in support of equity and inclusion in our workplace.  More specifically, the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor works to ensure that people with disabilities are afforded dignity, independence, and integration with all City services.
• The Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor has an in-depth knowledge of the history, institutions, policies, and culture that have shaped and impacted the lives and experiences of marginalized individuals and groups, and will support applying equity and anti-racism/anti-oppression lenses to policies, practices, programs and initiatives, after identifying systemic barriers and gaps related to equity and inclusion.  The Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor works collaboratively within the community and across the organization to establish shared understanding and values to combat/interrupt inequity, discrimination, racism and oppression, specific to marginalized individuals and communities, including persons with disabilities, Black, Indigenous people and other racialized people, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and women.

Work Performed:

Relationship Building

• Works to build trust and strengthen the City's relationship with persons with disabilities and their communities, and the agencies that provide supports to those individuals and communities, identifying enhanced opportunities for meaningful civic engagement.
• Employs leadership, consultation, and collaboration skills to work with organizations, community leaders, service providers, community agencies, City Council, City committees, City staff, and other community groups.
• Researches, develops, and supports the implementation of a plan and approach to enable relationship building and cooperation between the City of London and organizations, agencies and other key community partners that support the interests and concerns of persons with disabilities.
• Participates in events and activities of significance to persons with disabilities, and representative agencies and organizations to enhance relationships and further build community connections.

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Resource to the Corporation

• Partners with staff to develop policies to address current and emerging community issues and to build awareness within the Municipality of the unique relationship with and civic and legislated responsibility to persons with disabilities.
• Provides expertise to the Corporation regarding requirements under the Accessibilities for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and supports the Corporation in meeting legislated requirements.
• Coordinates and implements the Information and Communication Standard of the AODA, ensuring City websites and web content complies.
• Monitors provincial developments regarding the AODA and coordinates a municipal response to the ministry as further developments are announced.
• Researches and develops supports to the City’s efforts to combat/interrupt racism and oppression experienced by persons with disabilities, Black and Indigenous people, and other racialized people, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and women; provides advice regarding anti-oppression strategies and actions. 
• Contributes to the application of the Equity Lenses to all existing and future policies, programs, and services.
• Provides advice to Human Resources leaders regarding bias-free policies, programs, practices, and contracts, including collective agreements, with the intent of removing barriers to opportunities for persons with disabilities and other equity seeking groups.
• Provides advice on the development, implementation and analysis of the Workforce Census and other data sources.
• Develops initiatives and programs to ensure that Corporate employees and leaders have the skills, training, and resources necessary to comply with AODA legislation and further develop and enhance relationships with persons with disabilities by promoting respect and understanding of their unique experiences within the organization and the community. 
• As part of a team, monitors and advises on policy changes and research from national, provincial, and local government sources. Identifies opportunities arising from intergovernmental policy changes and program announcements.
• Contributes to the development of a culture of safety within the City of London by modelling behaviours that reflect understanding of related policies and procedures.  
• Provides strategic advice to internal working groups to help shape the work being done to identify and dismantle systemic racism and oppression within the City of London.
• Effectively and collaboratively facilitates meetings, presentations, consultations, and focus groups.
• Writes staff reports to Council and the Senior Management Team on issues and equity matters relating to persons with disabilities and legislated requirements and compliance under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).  
• Monitors and stays apprised of internal and external diversity trends, current and future policies, practices, technology, and information; including Acts, regulations, and directives as these apply to accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to engage with and facilitate meaningful, trust-based relationships with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated expertise in the intersectionality of various forms of power, privilege and oppression in the workplace and society is a requirement.
• Demonstrated understanding of cultural values and norms of various communities, particularly persons with disabilities, Black and Indigenous communities and people, women, 2SLGBTQ+ and marginalized religious communities. 
• Ability to be a trusted advisor in sensitive and/or emotionally charged situations.
• Ability to skillfully communicate complex issues clearly to a wide and varied audience including exceptional facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the various social and economic issues that impact the lived experience of citizens. 
• Demonstrated problem-solving capacity related to the complexities of working with multiple partners.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills.  Ability to develop and deliver reports and presentations on project status, milestones, achievements, risks and mitigation controls.
• Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office suite of programs including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 
• Must be proficient in Abode Pro and in remediating documents to meet WCAG 2.0 AA accessibility.  

Qualifications:

• University degree in a relevant area of study or equivalent combination of education and related professional and community experience.
• Deep knowledge and understanding, possibly through lived experience, as a person who can acknowledge and speak to the social, political, cultural, health and economic history, challenges, and opportunities relevant to persons with disabilities and the impact of systemic discrimination and oppression.
• Knowledge and expertise of the AODA and demonstrated ability to provide leadership to the Corporation in meeting compliance expectations.
• Experience in leading, influencing and implementing strategic anti-oppression initiatives, and programs for an organization in the public, private, or not for profit sector, including group process and meeting facilitation experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of the systemic barriers that prevent equitable participation in the workplace for persons with disabilities.
• Previous experience working to advance equity, diversity and inclusion within large organizations or work with representative agencies or communities.
• Experience in project management, policy analysis and program development, including proven research and program evaluation skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse partners, including the not-for-profit sector, social organizations, community groups, businesses, education, health care and other community partners.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of various related legislation including the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Ontario Health and Safety Act and the Employment Standards Act.

Compensation & Other Information:

$88,112 - $115,065

This posting is for 1 permanent full-time position.

Current hours of Work: Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Work Arrangement: Hybrid. Subject to change in accordance with business requirements.

These hours of work and work arrangements are subject to change in accordance with business requirements.

Police Record Check

The successful candidate will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check.