In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) Fife house has adopted the following policies and plans to enable the organization to better serve the public
Accessibility Standards Policy
Introduction
Fife House shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that its policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the following principles:
Dignity and Independence – The programs and services must be provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. We will always be willing to assist a person with a disability but will not do so without the express permission of the person.
Integration – The provision of goods or services to persons with disabilities and others must be integrated unless an alternate measure is necessary, whether temporarily or on a permanent basis, to enable a person with a disability to obtain, use or benefit from goods and services.
Equality of Opportunity – Persons with disabilities must be given an opportunity equal to that given to others to obtain, use and benefit from goods or services.
Our commitment
In fulfilling our mission, Fife House strives at all times to ensure that our policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the principles outlined in the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, specifically:
- Our programs and services must be provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.
- Persons with disabilities must be given the same opportunity provided to other members of the public to access our programs and services
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to contact us to identify and discuss whether the provision of our programs and services could be provided in ways that would better take into account their disability.
Communication
We will communicate with persons with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
We will communicate with members of the public in person, in writing, by electronic mail, telephone, and through relay services.
We will strive to communicate with the public over the telephone in clear and plain language and to speak clearly and slowly.
We will train staff and volunteers who communicate with the public on how to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities.
Assistive devices
We are committed to serving persons with disabilities who use assistive devices to access our programs and services.
We will ensure our staff and appropriate volunteers are familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by persons with disabilities while accessing our programs and services.
Use of service animals
We recognize that some individuals with disabilities may require the use of service animals in order to access our programs and services. We welcome persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal to all parts of our premises and to keep the animal with them.
We will also ensure that all staff and volunteers dealing with the public are properly trained in how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal.
Use of support persons
We recognize that some individuals with disabilities rely on support persons for assistance while accessing our programs and services. A person with a disability and their support person will be allowed to enter our premises. They will not be prevented from having access to each other while on the premises. Support persons accompanying or assisting individuals with disabilities may be required to abide by our conflict of interest and confidentiality policies.
Notice of temporary disruption
Fife House will provide the public with notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to residential programming or services usually accessed by persons with disabilities. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. The notice of the disruption will normally be posted at all public entrances to our premises. Depending on the nature of the disruption, notice will also be provided on outgoing telephone messages and on our web-site.
Training for staff and volunteers
Fife House will provide training to its staff and appropriate volunteers who deal with the public, and all those who are involved in the development and approvals of public service policies, practices and procedures, about the provision of services to persons with disabilities.
Staff and volunteers will be trained on an ongoing basis when changes are made to these policies, practices and procedures. New staff will be trained as part of their orientation upon employment.
Training will include the following:
- A review of this policy and any other practices and procedures relating to the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service.
- The purposes 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 any equipment or devices available on our premises, or otherwise, that may assist with the provision of programs or services to persons with disabilities.
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Fife House programs and services.
Fife House will keep a record of the training it provides.
Feedback process
The ultimate goal of this policy is to meet program and service expectations while serving persons with disabilities. Comments on our programs and services regarding how well those expectations are being met are welcome and appreciated.
Fife House will let the public know what methods are available for giving feedback. If a method is not suitable, individuals may request another method. Privacy will be respected and all feedback will be reviewed for possible action that can be taken to improve access to our programs and services.
Feedback received will be directed to the Fife House Director of Community Programs c/o 490 Sherbourne Street, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON M4X 1K9, and will be addressed in accordance with our normal complaints administration procedures and timelines. Where possible, complaints will be addressed immediately. However, some complaints may require more time to address, and must be reviewed for action, possibly at a higher level.
Feedback responses will endeavour to be in a format that is accessible to the complainant.
Modifications to this or other policies
We are committed to ensuring that our public service policies, practices and procedures respect and promote the dignity and independence of all persons with disabilities.Therefore, no changes will be made to this policy before considering the impact on persons with disabilities.Any policy of Fife House affecting service to the public that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence, integration and equal opportunity of persons with disabilities will be modified or removed.
To read the full policy: Accessibility Policies, Standards and Guidelines
To read the Integrated Accessibility Policy and Multi-Year Plan: Integrated Accessibility Policy and Multi-Year Plan
