Accessibility Policy

PREAMBLE/PURPOSE: The following policy, practices and procedures have been established by Parents of Technologically Dependent Children of Ontario to govern the provision of its services in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and Regulation 429/07 “Accessibility Standards for Customer Service”. This policy applies to all employees and volunteers.

MISSION:
To provide extended relief for families of children described as Medically Fragile and/or Technologically Dependent by offering quality care in a home-like setting

VISION:
A place where all children described as Medically Fragile and/or Technologically Dependent receive the care and attention they need, and their families receive the long-term support they deserve.

VALUES:

  • Community: We are dedicated to fostering strong community relationships.

  • Inclusion: We embrace children for who they are and treat them with respect and compassion.

  • Personalized Care: We are family-directed and tailor our care to the needs and diversity of each individual child.

  • Fun: We strive to create an environment where children and caregivers enjoy each other’s company and have a great experience.

In fulfilling our mission, vision and values, Parents of Technologically Dependent Children of Ontario strives to ensure that our policies, practices, and procedures are consistent with the principles outlined in the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service,
specifically:

  • We seek to ensure that our programs and services are provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities

  • We are committed to making all reasonable efforts to ensure persons with disabilities are given the same opportunities provided to other members of the public to access our programs and services Persons with disabilities are encouraged to contact Parents of Technologically Dependent Children of Ontario by phone, in writing, or by e-mail to help identify and discuss whether our programs and services could be provided in ways that would better consider their disability.

SERVING THOSE WITH DISABILITIES

Parents of Technologically Dependent Children of Ontario is committed to excellence in serving all families those we minister to, including those with disabilities. We seek to serve people with disabilities with excellence in the following areas:

  • ·       COMMUNICATION:
    We will seek to communicate with persons with disabilities in ways that consider their disability. We will offer alternate methods of communication when necessary and available (e.g., we will offer to communicate in writing or by e-mail when communicating with an individual who is hearing impaired). We will help the appropriate staff receive training regarding how they can interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities (See online training tool under “Training for Staff” section).

  • ·       ASSISTIVE DEVICES:
    We are committed to serving persons with disabilities who use assistive devices to enter our facilities or attend our programs, events, and services. The appropriate staff will be made aware of the location and use of assistive devices available on our premises (e.g., elevator, washrooms, wheelchair, and crutches).

  • ·       USE OF SERVICE ANIMALS:
    We recognize that some individuals with disabilities may require the use of service animals to enter our facilities or attend our programs, events and services. We welcome persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal to access all areas of our facilities where doing so is appropriate and safe.  In situations where the presence of service animals may present a significant health or safety issue to others, we will make every effort to develop a solution that works for all involved. We will help the appropriate staff and volunteers receive training regarding how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal (See online training tool under “Training for Staff” section).

  • ·       USE OF SUPPORT PERSONS:
    We recognize that some individuals with disabilities may need to rely on a support person for assistance when entering our facilities and/or attending our programs, events, and services.A person with a disability and their support person will not be prevented from having access to each other while on the premises. Should we need to discuss anything of a confidential nature with an individual who has a disability, we will ask them if they wish their support person to remain present. In the normal course of events, additional fees will not be charged for support persons to be admitted to events at Parents of Technologically Dependent Children of Ontario. Should additional fees be necessary, we will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that persons who require a support worker are made aware of these fees prior to event registration. When a person with a disability who relies on a support worker register for a paid event hosted by PTDC, the support person will be required to pay the standard registration fee.

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY DISRUPTION:
All reasonable efforts will be made by Parents of Technologically Dependent Children of Ontario, to provide the public with notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to the facilities or services usually accessed by persons with disabilities. This notice will include the reason for the disruption, the expected duration, and a description of alternate access to facilities or services, if available. The notice of the disruption will normally be posted in writing at the appropriate public entrances to our premises. Depending on the nature of the disruption, notice may also be provided on our website.

TRAINING FOR STAFF:
Parents of Technologically Dependent Children of Ontario will provide training to the appropriate staff and management team regarding how they can serve persons with disabilities. As necessary, these individuals will be updated when changes are made to these policies, practices, and procedures. Training will be achieved through the use of the online training tool available at http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/serve-ability/splash.htmland will include the following:

  • A review of this policy and other practices and procedures relating to the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service

  • An explanation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of Accessibility Standards for Customer Service

  • How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities, including those who use assistive devices, service animals or support persons

  • How to use and where to find equipment or devices available on our premises that may assist in serving persons with disabilities.

  • What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing PTDC facilities, programs or services.

  • New employees, Volunteers and Management who interact with the public, or who are involved in developing our customer service policies, practices, and procedures, will be required to review this document and complete the online training within 30 days of accepting their position. Parents of Technologically Dependent Children of Ontario will keep a record of the training it provides. This record will include the date the training is offered and the people who are in attendance.

FEEDBACK PROCESS:
The goal of Parents of Technologically Dependent Children of Ontario is to create a community where not only the children have access to our homes but that all members of their families can access our homes and services, including those persons with disabilities. Comments regarding how well this goal is being achieved are welcomed and appreciated. Feedback can be given in person or by telephone during regular business hours at our homes. Feedback can also be given by mail (see address below), by e-mail (London@ptdc.on.ca), through our website (http://www.ptdc.on.ca/contact ),

Privacy will be respected, and all feedback will be reviewed for possible actions that can be taken to improve the level of excellence with which we serve those with disabilities. Feedback received, will be directed to Parents of Technologically Dependent Children of Ontario’s Executive Director, and will be addressed in a timely manner. When possible, concerns will be addressed within 48 hours.

MODIFICATIONS TO THIS OR OTHER POLICIES:
Parents of Technologically Dependent Children of Ontario is committed to ensuring that our public service policies, practices, and procedures respect and promote the dignity and independence of all persons, including those with disabilities. Changes to this or other policies will not be made without first considering the impact those changes would have on persons with disabilities.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS POLICY:
This policy exists to achieve service excellence to persons with disabilities. Please address any questions or concerns regarding this policy to:

Attn: Executive Director Parents of Technologically Dependent Children of Ontario
87 Chestnut Hill
London, ONN6K 4J7
Telephone: 519-473-1598
london@ptcd.on.ca

For helpful resources concerning the Accessibility Standard, including tips, tools and links, please visit:
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/documents/en/mcss/accessibility/Tools/AO_TrainingResource.pdf
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/serve-ability/index.aspx
(ii) Health and safety requirements

There may be rare circumstances where, for the reasons of health and safety of another person, allowing a person with a disability to enter a premises and be accompanied by their service animal needs to be considered. In the rare situation where another person's health and safety could be seriously impacted by the presence of a service animal on premises open to the public, a provider should fully analyse all options for safely allowing the service animal. In general, people with allergies to animals are affected if they touch the animal or are in very close proximity for a lengthy period of time. Some of the options to consider may be creating distance between two individuals, eliminating in-person contact, changing the time the two receive service, using air purifiers and any other measures that would allow the person to use their service animal on the premises. The organization must consider all relevant factors and options in trying to find a solution that meets the needs of both individuals.
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/customerService/guideToAccessibilityStandards/serviceAndSupport.aspx