Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
ICSS is committed to providing equal access and participation for people with disabilities and are committed to treating people with a disability in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. ICSS believes in integration and is committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner and will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility. This policy applies to all people with disabilities whether they are seeking services, seeking employment, visiting, employed by, or volunteering with the agency.
ICSS will comply with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, AODA, the Ontario Human Rights Code and all other related legislative requirements respecting non-discrimination. ICSS understands that obligations under the OADA, and under its accessibility standards do not substitute or limits its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.
Any policies of this agency that do not respect or promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity for people with disabilities with be modified or removed.
Information and Communications
ICSS will provide services and communicate with people with disabilities in ways that considers their disability. This is inclusive of all buildings and properties owned by ICSS, an individual’s environment, transportation, and communication services as well as additional barriers.
Depending upon the need, this may include but is not restricted to the use of communication devices and media such as large print, TTY machines, telephone relay services, or email. ICSS is committed to assisting people with disabilities who use personal assistive devices to obtain, use or benefit from our supports and services.
Requesting information in an alternate format can be done by filling out an Accessibility Request for Documents in Alternate Format form (ARDAF01) (link form here). Forms are also available at each location. Completed hard copy forms should be provided to Human Resources or submitted via email to [email protected].
When information in an alternate format is requested, ICSS will provide information in a timely manner about the agency and its services, including safety information, in accessible formats or within communication supports. ICSS will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support. If ICSS determines that information or communications are unconvertible, ICSS will provide the requestor with:
• An explanation as to why the information or communications are unconvertible.
• A summary of the unconvertible information or communications
ICSS will meet internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA website requirements in accordance with Ontario’s accessibility laws.
ICSS will provide notice in the event of planned or unexpected disruption in facilities or services usually used by people 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 will be placed at all public entrances on ICSS premises.
Accommodation Needs of an Employee
Employees are encouraged to notify ICSS of any need for accommodations. ICSS will ensure that every reasonable effort is taken to accommodate employees in an individual basis due to an employee’s disability including:
• Developing an Employee Accommodation Plan in accordance with the documented restrictions/limitations of the employee.
• Requesting that the employee be evaluated by a regulated health care professional, at the employee’s expense, to assist in determining accommodation.
• Meeting with the employee to discuss and develop the plan.
• Providing the employee with the Employee Accommodation Plan in a format that considers the accessibility needs of the employee.
• Ensuring that all information collected during the development of the plan remains confidential unless written consent is obtained from the employee. This recognizes, however, that the employee’s direct supervisor and management must be aware of the contents of the Employee Accommodation Plan.
• Reviewing the Employee Accommodation Plan with the employee on an annual basis.
• Monitoring and evaluating the Employee Accommodation Plan once implemented.
Accommodation requests for a disability will be considered individually on a case-by-case basis when determining appropriate and reasonable accommodation measures. To ensure requests are effectively dealt with, there may be some variation in the extent to which each step is outlined in the procedure mentioned above.
Should an accommodation request be denied, the employee will be provided with written documentation detailing the reasons for denial. The reasons will also be applied to an alternate format upon request.
Assistive Devices
People with Disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing supports, 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 supports, services, or facilities.
Training
ICSS is committed to training employees and volunteers in accessible customer service, other Ontario’s accessibility standards and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities.
ICSS will train every employee as soon as practicable after being hired through Orientation and location specific training. Training includes:
• Purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act, 2005 and the requirements of Customer Service Standards.
• Review of Policy on Meeting Accessibility Needs.
• How to interact and communicate with people with various disabilities.
• How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require assistance of a service animal or support person.
• How to use the equipment or devices available on site or otherwise that may help with providing supports, services, or facilities to people with disabilities.
Service Animals
ICSS 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 ICSS cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, ICSS will ask for documentation from a regulated health care 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 vest, or when it helps the person perform certain tasks.
A regulated health care professional is defined as a member of one of the following colleges:
• College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario
• College of Chiropractors of Ontario
• College of Nurses of Ontario
• College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
• College of Optometrists of Ontario
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
• College of Psychologists of Ontario
• College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario
If service animals are prohibited by another law, ICSS will do the following to ensure people with disabilities can access our supports, services, or facilities:
• Explain why the service animal is prohibited.
• Discuss with the person another way of providing supports, services, or facilities.
Self-Service Kiosks
ICSS does not utilize any self-service kiosks. ICSS will incorporate accessibility features and consider accessibility for people with disabilities when designing, procuring, or acquiring self-service kiosk
Accessible Emergency Information
ICSS is committed to providing people with publicly available emergency information in available accessible formats upon request.
Procurement
ICSS will incorporate accessibility criteria and features when procuring or acquiring goods, services, or facilities, including self-service kiosks. If not possible and practical to do so, ICSS will provide an explanation upon request.
Support Persons
The role of a support person who accompanies a person with a disability is respected and the support person will be included based on the personal preferences and needs of the person. Fees will not be charged for a support person who is accompanying a person with a disability to any ICSS event or work locations.
In certain cases, ICSS might require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person for the health or safety reasons of the person with a disability and/or others who may be on the premises.
Before deciding that a person with a disability requires a support person, ICSS will consult with the person to understand their needs. ICSS will consider health or safety reasons based on available evidence. ICSS will determine if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health or safety of the person or other people who may be on the premises.
Design of Public Spaces
ICSS will meet accessibility laws when building or making changes to public spaces. ICSS public spaces include:
• Accessible on-site parking
• Outdoor eating areas
• Outdoor walkways and paths
• Accessible on-site entrances
• Service-related elements such as service counters, waiting areas, etc.
Feedback
Feedback regarding the way ICSS provides supports and services to people with disabilities can be made:
• On ICSS’s website using the Accessibility Standards for Services Feedback form (ASSF01) (link form here).
• In person at the main office
• In accordance with provisions of Policy # 104 Feedback and Complaints
ICSS’s Joint Health and Safety Committee will conduct an annual Accessibility Plan meeting to identify gaps and areas for improvement. This assessment will be inclusive of all ICSS locations, information, and policies as well as agency vehicles. The assessment will be provided to the executive director to review. The executive director will conduct necessary accessibility changes.
Distribution and Publication of the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
The Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is posted on the agency’s website, available in additional formats as requested, and accessible formats as determined with the person, within available agency resources.