POLICY
While Pioneer Youth Services does not provide services to the general public, we do provide services to our referring agencies and have ongoing relationships to other organizations and thus it is important to ensure that we are meeting the accessibility standard for customer service.
Pioneer Youth Services is committed to eliminating barriers and improving access for persons with disabilities in a manner that respects dignity, independence, integration and equality of opportunity. Pioneer Youth Services permits persons with a disability to use their own assistive devices, service animal and support persons when accessing services at their facilities.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Statement of Policy and Procedure is to express the principles that must be observed by all employees with respect to ensuring compliance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service (Regulation 429/07) made under Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
SCOPE
This Statement of Policy and Procedure applies to all employees of Pioneer Youth Services.
RESPONSIBILITY
All employees have a responsibility for ensuring that this Statement of Policy and Procedure is adhered to throughout all business activities.
DEFINITIONS
Assistive Device is a technical aid, communication device, or medical aid modified or customized that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional abilities of people with disabilities.
Barrier is defined as meaning anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of his/her disability, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, information or communication barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a policy or practice.
Disability is
- 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 epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, a brain injury, and degree of paralysis, amputation, 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
Service Animals are animals as defined in Ontario Regulation 429/07. Examples include animals who have been individually trained to assist people with disabilities in the activities of daily living and include Guide dogs or animals that guide individuals who are legally blind. A service animal is also considered necessary if the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability.
Support Persons are defined in Ontario Regulation 429/07 as meaning another person who accompanies a person with a disability in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs or with access to goods or services.
REFERENCE AND RELATED STATEMENT OF POLICY and procedure
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
Accessibility Standards for Customer Service (Regulation 429/07) made under Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005