Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy
Purpose
The Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF) is committed to providing accessible customer service to all individuals (the public and the staff) and to treat them with respect and dignity in accordance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service (Ontario Regulation 429/07).
Goals
The objective of this policy is to reinforce LEF’s commitment to provide our services and conduct our programs for both the public and the staff in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. We are committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities have the same opportunities to access and benefit from our services in the same place and in a similar way as others and to the removal of any barriers that may impede full accessibility for people with disabilities. We seek customers comment and input about the accessibility of our services and programs.
Procedures
This policy is supported by procedures, which outline the detailed processes and accommodations pursuant to this policy. The supporting procedures include the following:
Communication:
When communicating with persons with disabilities, The Learning Enrichment Foundation will do so in a manner that takes into account their disability and in a manner that enables the person with disabilities to communicate effectively for purposes of requesting, using our facilities and receiving our services. This may mean an alternate format.
LEF is committed to providing fully accessible services to people with disabilities, and will train front-line staff to communicate with them in a clear and plain language and to speak clearly and slowly.
The Provision of Goods and Services:
The Learning Enrichment Foundation will use reasonable efforts to ensure that the provision of its goods and services are consistent with the following principles:
LEF’s goods and services are provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities;
The provisions of LEF’s goods and services to persons with disabilities are integrated with those provided to those who do not have disabilities wherever possible and practical given any situation;
Persons with disabilities are given an opportunity equal to that of those without disabilities to obtain, use or benefit from LEF’s goods and services wherever possible.
Assistive Devices:
A person with a disability may provide their own assistive device for the purpose of obtaining, using and benefiting from LEF’s goods and services. Exceptions may occur in situations where LEF has determined that the assistive device may pose a risk to the health and safety of a person with a disability or the health and safety of others. In which cases, LEF may offer other measures to assist him or her in obtaining, using and benefiting from LEF’s goods and services, were LEF has such other measures available.
We will establish comprehensive procedures for emergency preparedness for persons with disabilities. These procedures will include an evacuation assistance, self-identification protocol for staff and evacuation procedures for the public.
It is the responsibility of the person with a disability to ensure that his or her assistive device is operated in a safe and controlled manner at all times.
Service Animals:
LEF is committed to welcoming persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal when they access our services and facilities and may keep the service animal with them if the public has access to such premises and the service animal is not otherwise excluded by law. If the service animal is excluded by law, LEF will use reasonable efforts to ensure that alternate means are available to enable the person with a disability to obtain, use or benefit from LEF’s goods and services. We will ensure that all staff members are properly trained in how to interact with people who are accompanied by a service animal.
If it is not readily apparent that the animal is a service animal, LEF may ask the person with a disability for a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the customer requires the service animal for reasons relating to his or her disability.
It is the responsibility of the person with a disability to keep their service animal in control at all times.
Support Persons:
We are committed to welcoming persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person when they access our services and facilities and will ensure that a person with a disability have access to his or her support person while on the premises.
At times, LEF may require that a person with a disability be accompanied by a support person while on the premises, where it is deemed necessary to protect the health and safety of the person with a disability or the health and safety of others on the premises.
We will train the staff to interact with individuals who use the services of a support person.
Notice of Temporary Disruptions in Services and Facilities:
To the best of our ability LEF will provide staff, clients and visitors with notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in our facilities or services. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, how long the disruption is expected to last, and a description of any alternative facilities or services, if available. The notice will be placed at our reception area in accessible formats, and when feasible on our website. Depending on the nature of the disruption, notice will also be provided on outgoing telephone message.
Requesting Accessible Service:
A person with a disability who has a special need may request an accommodation with respect to our services. The request should be made as soon as possible at the beginning of a Commission process. We will assess the request on a case-by-case basis and make our best efforts to respond to it effectively and in accordance with the principles established under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Training for Staff:
The Learning Enrichment Foundation provides training on this Policy and the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, to all staff who deal with the public or other third parties on their behalf, or who are involved in the development and approval of customer service policies, practices and procedures. New staff and staff who commence new duties that involve interaction with the public or other third parties will undertake training as part of their orientation, if they haven’t already done so.
Customer service training will include the following:
A review of the purposes of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the requirements of the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, O. Reg. 429/07;
How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities;
How to interact with persons with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person;
How to use the equipment or devices available on the provider’s premises, or otherwise, that may assist with the provision of goods or services to persons with disabilities;
What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing LEF’s goods and services; and
LEF’s policies and practices and procedures relating to the provision of goods and services to persons with disabilities.
Staff will be trained on an ongoing basis when changes are made to these policies, practices and procedures.
Feedback Process:
Our goal is to meet the expectations of people with disabilities who use our services. Comments on our services regarding how well those expectations are being met are welcome and appreciated.
Feedback regarding the way we provide services to people with disabilities may be made in person, by telephone, in writing or by e-mail. If one of these methods is not suitable a customer may request another method. All feedback are to be directed to Human Resources Manager. We expect to respond to comments within 15 days of their receipt.
We may be contacted:
In person, at our office located at 116 Industry Street, Toronto, Ontario, M6M 4L8
By telephone, at 416-769-0830
By mail, addressed to The Learning Enrichment Foundation, 116 Industry Street, Toronto, Ontario, M6M 4L8
By e-mail, at info@lefca.org
Through our website, at www.lefca.org
Notice of the Availability of Documents:
Notice of the availability of all documents required by the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service will be posted on LEF’s website, and may be made available through other communication methods as necessary that takes the customer’s disability into account.
Roles and Responsibilities
This policy applies to all persons who deal with members of the public or other third parties on behalf of LEF, whether the person does so as an employee, agent, volunteer, contractor, consultant, or otherwise and all persons who participate in developing LEF’s policies, practices and procedures governing the provision of goods and services to members of the public or other third parties.
Policy Review
This policy and program will be reviewed at least annually to foster LEF’s commitment to providing a work environment in which individuals are treated with respect and promotes the dignity and independence of all people with disabilities. Therefore, any changes to how we deliver our services will be made.