We will consult with a person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support. If the organization determines that information or communications are unconvertible, the organization shall provide the requestor with:
a) An explanation as to why the information or communications are unconvertible; and
b) A summary of the unconvertible information or communications.
We notify the public about the availability of accessible formats and communication supports by: email; [email protected]
We will also meet internationally-recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA website requirements in accordance with Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Policy
Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination. Further, Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth understands that obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.
Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth is committed to excellence in serving and providing services with all those accessing and participating in service, including people with disabilities. Our accessible client service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.
Procedures
Training
Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth is committed to training all staff and volunteers in accessible customer service, other Ontario accessibility standards and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities. Training will occur upon onboarding and annually thereafter.
Specifically, Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth will train:
a) all persons who participate in developing the organization’s policies; and
b) all other persons who provide services on behalf of the organization.
Training of our employees and volunteers on accessibility relates to their specific roles. Training includes:
• purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the Customer Service Standards
• our policies related to the Customer (Client) Service Standards
• how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities
• how to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person
• how to use the equipment or devices available on-site or otherwise that may help with providing services with people with disabilities.
Assistive Devices
People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing our services or facilities. In cases where the assistive device presents a significant and unavoidable health or safety concern or may not be permitted for other reasons, other measures will be used to ensure the person with a disability can access our services or facilities.
Communication
We communicate with people with disabilities in ways that consider their disability. These will be provided in ways that preserve the dignity and wellbeing of the person with disability. We will work with the person with disabilities to determine what method of communication works for them.
Service Animals
Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth welcomes people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public and third parties. When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask for documentation (template, letter or form) from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability. A service animal can be easily identified through visual indicators, such as when it wears a harness or a vest, or when it helps the person perform certain tasks.
Support Persons
A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises.
Feedback Process
Feedback on how we provide accessible service is welcomed by the public. Feedback from service participants is beneficial by helping to identify barriers and provides opportunity for Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth to respond to concerns. It is most helpful to direct feedback to the Executive Director. Feedback is welcomed through a variety of methods including: E-mail, v-mail, correspondence, telecommunication or face-to-face communication.
Notice of Availability of Documents
Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth will provide documents pertinent to service delivery in an accessible format or with communication support, on request. We will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of the format or communication support. We will provide the accessible format in a timely manner and, at no additional cost.
Information and Communications
Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth has a process for receiving and responding to feedback and the process is accessible to persons with disabilities upon request. We communicate with people with disabilities in ways that consider their disability. When asked, we will provide information about our organization and our services, including public safety information, in accessible formats or with communication supports:
a) in a timely manner, taking into account the person’s accessibility needs due to disability; and
b) at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons.
Employment
Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth notifies employees, job applicants and the public that accommodations can be made during recruitment and hiring. We notify job applicants when they are individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process that accommodation is available upon request. We consult with the applicants and provide or arrange suitable accommodation. We notify successful applicants of policies for accommodating employees with disabilities when making offers of employment.
Staff are notified that supports are available for those with disabilities as soon as practicable after they begin their employment. Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth provides updated information to employees whenever there is a change to existing policies on the provision of job accommodation that consider an employee’s accessibility needs due to a disability.
We will consult with employees when arranging for the provision of suitable accommodation in a manner that considers the accessibility needs due to disability. We will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication supports specifically for:
a) information that is needed to perform the employee’s job; and
b) information that is generally available to employees in the workplace
As applicable, Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth provides customized emergency information to help an employee with a disability during an emergency. With the employee’s consent, we will provide workplace emergency information to a designated person who is helping that employee during an emergency. We will provide the information as soon as practicable after we become aware of the need for accommodation due to the employee’s disability.
Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth will review the individualized workplace emergency response information:
a) when the employee moves to a different location in the organization;
b) when the employee’s overall accommodations needs or plans are reviewed; and
c) when the employer reviews its general emergency response policies.
Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth has a written process to develop individual accommodation plans for employees. Similarly, there is a written process for employees who have been absent from work due to a disability and require disability-related accommodations to return to work. Please see document entitled, Employee Request for Workplace Accommodation Form
Our performance management, career development and redeployment processes consider the accessibility needs of all employees.
Changes to Existing Policies
Any policies of this organization that do not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.