Online accessible employment training modules now available

Newly launched UM accessibility training will cover the requirements of the provincial Employment Standard of the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA). The standard came into effect on May 1, 2019 and must be fully implemented by May 1, 2021.

The training consists of four online modules in UM Learn and take about an hour in total to complete. Modules do not need to be watched all at once, and may be completed at one’s own pace, but all required faculty and staff members are required to complete the training by May 1, 2021.

Completion of the training will be tracked and monitored in compliance with the regulation. The modules include:

• Module 1 – An Introduction to the Regulation
• Module 2 – Overview of Applicable Legislation and University Regulations
• Module 3 – Responsibilities and Processes Relating to the Recruitment and Selection of New Employees
• Module 4 – Information Relating to Responsibilities when Leading, Coordinating or Monitoring Others

Employee requirements:

• Employees involved in hiring and selection activities: first three modules.
• Employees involved in supervising, managing or coordinating the work of others: all four modules.
• All employees are encouraged to complete the first two modules.
• Training only needs to be taken once; there is no need to re-train if you are on multiple search committees.
• Group sessions: Your HR Consultant can support setting up facilitated sessions within your faculty or unit, if group delivery is preferred.

Human Resources will be working closely with units to identify who needs to complete the full training based on the above activities.

If you have any questions or concerns about the standard and how it applies to your responsibilities, please reach out to your HR Consultant.

How to access training in UM Learn

1: Login to UM Learn.

2: Select ‘Self-Registration’ from the top menu.

3: In the course offerings list, select ‘Accessibility Training (Employment Standard)’ link.

4: Complete the registration steps and then click on ‘Go to course offering’.

Requirements for the Employment Standard

UM is on track to be compliant with the Employment Standard legislation by May 1, 2021. To date, UM has implemented the following activities as required by the Employment Standard:

• Creation of Individualized Emergency Response Plans for those employees who may face a barrier in an emergency situation
• Creation of an Accessibility Procedure which was approved by the Board of Governors on January 26, 2021
• Ongoing review of active offer language, recruitment supports, website and forms accessibility

The Employment Standard requires all employees (and potentially external vendors or volunteers) involved in the following activities at UM must complete training on accessible employment:

(a) recruiting, selecting or training employees (this would include participating in selection committees);

(b) supervising, managing or coordinating employees (this would include overseeing the work of grader/markers, research assistants, etc.);

(c) promoting, redeploying or terminating employees (this would include tenure and promotion committees); or

(d) developing and implementing the employer’s employment policies and practices.

About the AMA

On December 2013, the Government of Manitoba enacted the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) requiring compliance across all Manitoba public and private sector businesses, organizations, and institutions over a number of years.

The legislation aims to improve five areas: Customer Service, Accessible Employment, Information and Communication, Transportation, and the Design of Public Spaces.

The University of Manitoba fully supports the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) and has already satisfied the requirements of the Customer Service Standard, which came into effect November 2015 and was implemented across all campuses in 2016 and 2017.

HR STAFF