Statement of Commitment
IFEX is committed to providing a respectful, accessible, and inclusive environment for all of our employees and stakeholders. Our goal is to meet the standards outlined in Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 (AODA) and to break down barriers to goods, services and employment opportunities provided by IFEX.
Background
The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 (AODA) is to remove barriers for people with disabilities and to work towards achieving a fully accessible Ontario by 2025. All organizations in Ontario with one or more employees must adhere to the following Accessibility Standards, as compliance dates come into effect:
Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) (Ontario Regulation 191/11)
- Customer Service
- Information and Communications
- Employment
- Transportation
- Design of Public Spaces (Built Environment)
What is considered a disability under the AODA and its standards?
The AODA uses the same definition of “disability” as the Ontario Human Rights Code, which includes both visible and invisible disabilities. [Refer to Glossary at end of this document for this and other definitions for terms used in this Policy.] All disabilities – whether temporary, short term, long-term, episodic, or permanent – are included in this definition. It is important to understand that the emphasis of the AODA is not on specific disabilities, but is on removing barriers to accessibility of goods and services.
Some examples of types of disabilities covered by the AODA include:
- Mobility
- Vision
- Hearing
- Speech or communication
- Mental health
- Developmental or intellectual
- Chronic diseases or conditions
Guiding principles
The principles of the AODA assist IFEX in taking reasonable efforts and making decisions to
ensure that goods and services are as accessible and inclusive as possible. The four guiding
principles of the AODA focus on recognizing that all people with disabilities are entitled to:
- Independence – Independence means creating an environment in which people with
disabilities are able to do things on their own, without unnecessary help or interference
from others. - Dignity – Treating people with dignity means not treating people with disabilities as an
afterthought or forcing them to accept lesser quality or convenience, but instead enabling
people with disabilities to maintain self-respect and the respect of others. - Integration – Integration allows people with disabilities to benefit from the same
interactions in the same place and in the same or similar ways as people without
disabilities. - Equal opportunity – Equal opportunity means ensuring that people with disabilities
have access to the same choices, benefits, and opportunities as people with disabilities.
Purpose of Policy
This Accessibility Policy is intended to fulfill the policy requirements of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) (Ontario Regulation 191/11).
Application of Policy
This Policy applies to all employees and all others who are working with IFEX and involved in delivering goods and services on behalf of IFEX, including every Council member, staff person, consultant and volunteer within IFEX.
Availability of Policy
This Policy is readily available to both members of the public as well as IFEX employees and
others working with IFEX.
All relevant documents required by the Customer Service Standard, including this Accessibility
Policy, will be made available upon request.
IFEX commits to informing all employees about policies to support people with disabilities. Our
Accessibility Policy will be reviewed with new employees when they are hired, and all current
employees will be informed via email if we modify our Accessibility Policy.
Requests for copies of this Policy can be made to the Head of Management Systems and
Operations at [email protected].
Accessibility Policy Procedures
Accessible information and communication
IFEX is committed to providing the public and our employees with accessible forms of written information and other forms of communication upon request. This includes all print documents and information provided to the public on web sites and handheld devices.
If a person with a disability requests accessible information or requires communication supports, IFEX is committed to working with them to determine how to address their request and meet their needs to provide information in a timely manner. There is no additional charge for providing information or documents in accessible formats.
IFEX will communicate with people with disabilities in a manner that takes into account their disability.
Emergency and public safety information
IFEX is committed to providing accessible emergency and public safety information to our stakeholders, employees, and those working with IFEX. Emergency and public safety information includes the following content, if developed or managed by IFEX:
- emergency plans and procedures
- maps, warning signs and evacuation routes
- information about alarms or other emergency alerts
Feedback process
Feedback regarding accessibility to goods and services and the manner in which IFEX employees interact with people with disabilities is welcome and appreciated. A feedback form and procedure have been established for people to provide feedback and for staff to monitor and respond to feedback.
Assistive devices
IFEX will provide and communicate reasonable measures so that employees and other stakeholders with disabilities may use their own personal assistive devices (for example, hearing aids, wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen tanks) as required to access IFEX facilities and services. Information and resources on how to provide and communicate reasonable measures will be provided as part of employee training.
Notice of disruption of services
In the event of temporary disruptions to the accessibility of IFEX facilities or services, all reasonable efforts will be made to provide advance notice. This will include communicating information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.
In some circumstances, such as in a situation of unplanned or emergency temporary disruptions, advance notice might not be possible, but notice will be provided as soon as possible.
When disruptions occur, notice will be provided by any method that may be reasonable under the circumstances. The Head of Management Systems and Operations and delegated IFEX staff will make every effort to provide notice by posting notices in conspicuous places including at the point of disruption, at the main entrance, at the nearest entrance to the service disruption, and/or on the IFEX website.
A procedure addressing the notice of disruption of services will include relevant information describing:
- under what circumstances notice will be provided about a temporary disruption,
- where notice will be posted,
- what steps will be taken when an unexpected disruption occurs,
- information that will be included in the notice of a temporary disruption, and
- what alternative facilities or services, if any, can be made available during the temporary disruption to continue to provide service to people with disabilities.
Training
IFEX recognizes the importance of understanding how to provide accessible customer service. All employees are required to receive training regarding how to provide accessible customer service.
IFEX will also ensure that the following persons receive AODA and accessibility training or confirm that they have received such training:
- contractors working in Ontario who act on behalf of IFEX
- individuals who participate in developing IFEX policies.
Training will be provided to each IFEX employee as soon as possible and reasonable based on assigned duties, typically within 30 days of start date of new hires.
At minimum, training will cover the following:
- the purpose and principles of the AODA
- the requirements of the customer service standard
- how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities
- how to interact with people with disabilities who use assistive devices or require the assistance of a guide dog, other service animal, or a support person
- how to use equipment or devices available at IFEX premises that are provided to help people with disabilities access IFEX facilities or services (for example, TTY telephones, elevators, lifts, accessible interactive kiosks or other technology), and
- what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing IFEX services.
Each employee has an employee file that documents the type and date of training received. The Head of Management Systems and Operations and delegated IFEX staff will maintain these records, which are recorded for training and administrative purposes, and are subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).
Guide dogs and service animals
IFEX allows people with disabilities to bring a guide dog or service animal with them to IFEX facilities open to the public or required for delivery of goods and services, unless otherwise prohibited by law.
Each individual who is accompanied by a guide dog or service animal is responsible for maintaining care and control of the animal at all times.
If a health or safety concern presents itself (for example, another client or staff member has a severe allergy to the guide dog or service animal), IFEX will make all reasonable efforts to meet the needs of all individuals involved.
Support persons
IFEX permits people with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person to bring that person with them, at no fee, to access facilities and services open to the public or required for delivery of goods and services.
Self-service kiosks
Although IFEX is not currently responsible for designing, purchasing, or acquiring self-service kiosks to provide our goods or services, we are committed to considering accessibility if we become responsible for any of these decisions in the future.
Employment
IFEX will notify the public and staff that, when requested, IFEX will accommodate disabilities during recruitment and assessment processes and when people are hired.
If using performance management, career development and redeployment processes, IFEX will take into account the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities.
The Head of Management Systems and Operations will consult with IFEX supervisors to confirm they are compliant with all accessibility guidelines documented in this Policy and the current IFEX Personnel Policy.
Hiring (for applicants)
IFEX is committed to being inclusive in our hiring policies. We commit to notifying the public
that we will accommodate the needs of people with disabilities in our hiring process.
During the hiring process, we will include the following paragraph in job postings:
IFEX encourages, promotes and supports diversity in all aspects of its work. We are committed to developing inclusive recruitment and hiring processes and work environments. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
When scheduling an interview, we will inform job applicants that every effort will be made to provide requested accommodations.
If an interview candidate requests an accommodation, we will discuss a candidate’s needs with them and make every effort to make adjustments to support them.
Workplace information (for employees)
IFEX will provide workplace information in an accessible format if an employee requests it. This includes:
- any information employees need to perform their jobs
- general information that is available to all employees at work
If a person with a disability requests accessible information or requires communication supports, IFEX will work with them to determine how to meet their needs.
While information in accessible formats required might not be readily available, we commit to providing the information in a timely manner.
IFEX commits to providing accessible emergency information to staff. If an employee indicates that they require accommodation during an emergency, IFEX will work with the individual to develop an individual emergency response plan for employees who require accommodation to emergency plans and procedures.
Design of Public Spaces
IFEX will meet required Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building or making major modifications to public spaces (for example, entrances or washrooms).
Modifications to this or other policies
Any IFEX policies that do not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.
Completion and submission of Accessibility Compliance Report
IFEX is committed to completing and submitting required accessibility compliance reports. The Head of Management Systems and Operations is responsible for ensuring these reports are completed and submitted when required by legislation.
Glossary
Assistive devices are devices intended to assist people with disabilities (for example, walking aids or hearing aids).
Disability is defined as follows:
- any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device
- a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability
- a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language
- a mental disorder, or
- an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
Guide dog describes a dog that has been trained at one of the facilities listed in Ontario Regulation 58 under the Blind Persons’ Rights Act to act as a guide dog for people who are visually impaired.
Service animal is an animal used by a person with a disability when:
- it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to his or her disability (e.g., the animal is wearing a harness, saddle bags, or a sign that identifies the animal as a service animal)
- the person provides a letter from a regulated health professional confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to a disability [see current list of regulated health professions at http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/hhrsd/about/regulated_professions.aspx (the letter does not need to identify a specific disability or specifically how the animal is needed or used)
- the person provides a certificate of training from a recognized guide dog or service animal training school; or
- the person provides a valid identification card signed by the Attorney General of Canada.
Support person describes an individual who accompanies a person with a disability in order to provide services or assistance with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs or access to goods or services. A support person could be a paid personal support worker, a volunteer, a friend or a family member and does not necessarily need to have special training or qualifications.