This policy is intended to meet the requirements of Accessibility Standards for Customer Service,Ontario Regulation 429/07 under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and applies to the provision of services to the public.
All services provided by Toronto Waldorf School shall follow the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.
a) This policy applies to services at premises owned and operated by Toronto Waldorf School.
b) This policy applies to employees who act on behalf of Toronto Waldorf School, including when the provision of services occurs off the premises of Toronto Waldorf School such as on school trips.
c) The section of this policy that addresses the use of guide dogs, service animals and service dogs only applies to the provision of services that take place at premises owned and operated by Toronto Waldorf School.
d) This policy shall also apply to all persons who participate in the development of the Toronto Waldorf School’s policies, practices and procedures governing the provision of services to members of the public or third parties.
Assistive Device– is a technical aid, communication device or other instrument that is used to maintain or improve the functional abilities of people with disabilities. Personal assistive devices are typically devices that people bring with them such as a wheelchair, walker or a personal oxygen tank that might assist in hearing, seeing, communicating, moving, breathing, remembering and/or reading.
Disability – the term disability as defined by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Ontario Human Rights Code, refers to:
Guide Dog – is a highly-trained working dog that has been trained at one of the facilities listed in Ontario Regulation 58 under the Blind Persons’ Rights Act, to provide mobility, safety and increased independence for people who are blind.
Service Animal – as reflected in Ontario Regulation 429/07, an animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if:
Service Dog – as reflected in Health Protection and Promotion Act, Ontario Regulation 562 a dog other than a guide dog for the blind is a service dog if:
Support Person – as reflected in Ontario Regulation 429/07, a support person means, in relation to a person with a disability, another person who accompanies him or her in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs or access to goods and services.
In accordance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07, this policy addresses the following:
A. The Provision of Services to Persons with Disabilities
Toronto Waldorf School will make every reasonable effort to ensure that its policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity by:
B. Assistive Devices
Customer’s own assistive device(s):
Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when accessing goods or services provided by Toronto Waldorf School.
In cases where the assistive device presents a safety concern or where accessibility might be an issue, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure the access of goods and services. For example, open flames and oxygen tanks cannot be near one another. Therefore, the accommodation of a person with an oxygen tank may involve ensuring the person is in a location that would be considered safe for both the individual and business. Or, where elevators are not present and where an individual requires assistive devices for the purposes of mobility, service will be provided in a location that meets the needs of the person.
C. Guide Dogs, Service Animals and Service Dogs
A person with a disability that is accompanied by guide dog, service animal or service dog will be allowed access to premises that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by law. “No pet” policies do not apply to guide dogs, service animals and/or service dogs.
Food Service Areas:
A person with a disability that is accompanied by guide dog or service dog will be allowed access to food service areas that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by law.
Other types of service animals are not permitted into food service areas due to the Health Protection and Promotion Act, Ontario Regulation 562 Section 60.
Recognizing a Guide Dog, Service Dog and/or Service Animal:
If it is not readily apparent that the animal is being used by the person for reasons relating to his or her disability, Toronto Waldorf School may request verification from the person.
Verification may include:
· a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons related to the disability;
· a valid identification card signed by the Attorney General of Canada; or,
· a certificate of training from a recognized guide dog or service animal training school.
Care and Control of the Animal:
The person that is accompanied by a guide dog, service dog and/or service animal is responsible for maintaining care and control of the animal at all time.
Allergies:
If a health and safety concern presents itself for example in the form of a severe allergy to the animal, Toronto Waldorf School will make all reasonable efforts to meet the needs of all individuals.
D. Support Persons
If a person with a disability is accompanied by a support person, Toronto Waldorf School will ensure that both persons are allowed to enter the premises together and that the individual is not prevented from having access to the support person.
There may be times where seating and availability prevent the individual and support person from sitting beside each other. In these situations Toronto Waldorf School will make every reasonable attempt to resolve the issue.
In situations where confidential information might be discussed, consent will be obtained from the person, prior to any conversation where confidential information might be discussed.
E. Notice of Disruptions in Service
Service disruptions may occur due to reasons that may or may not be within the control or knowledge of Toronto Waldorf School. In the event of any temporary disruptions to facilities or services that people with disabilities rely on to access or use Toronto Waldorf School ‘s goods or services, reasonable efforts will be made to provide advance notice. In some circumstances such as in the situation of unplanned temporary disruptions, advance notice may not be possible.
Notifications will Include:
In the event that a notification needs to be posted the following information will be included unless it is not readily available or known:
· services that are disrupted or unavailable
· reason for the disruption
· anticipated duration
· a description of alternative services or options
Notifications Options:
When disruptions occur Toronto Waldorf School will provide notice by:
· posting notices in conspicuous places including at the point of disruption, at the main entrance and the nearest accessible entrance to the service disruption and/or on the Toronto Waldorf School website; or
· by any other method that may be reasonable under the circumstances.
F. Feedback Process
Toronto Waldorf School shall provide the opportunity to provide feedback on the service provided to anyone with disabilities. Information about the feedback process will be readily available, and notice of the process will be made available online at www.waldorftoronto.flywheelsites.com. Feedback forms along with alternate methods of providing feedback such as verbally (in person or by telephone) or written (hand written, delivered, website or email), will be available upon request at reception.
Submitting Feedback:
Feedback can be submitted to:
Anyone who wishes to provide feedback by completing an onsite feedback form or verbally can do so at the Toronto Waldorf School reception desk.
Individuals who provide formal feedback will receive acknowledgement of their feedback, along with any resulting actions based on concerns or complaints that were submitted.
G. Training
Training will be provided to:
a) all employees who deal with the public and act on behalf of Toronto Waldorf School.
b) those who are involved in the development and approval of service policies, practices and procedures.
Training Provisions:
As reflected in Ontario Regulation 429/07, regardless of the format, training will cover the following:
Training Schedule:
Toronto Waldorf School will provide on-line training as soon as practicable. Training will be provided to new employees upon hire who deal with the public or act on our behalf. Revised training will be provided in the event of changes to legislation, procedures and/or practices.
Record of Training:
Toronto Waldorf School will keep a record of training that includes the dates training was provided and the number of employees who attended the training.
H. Notice of Availability and Format of Documents
Toronto Waldorf School shall notify customers that the documents related to the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service are available upon request and in a format that takes into account the person’s disability. Notification will be given by posting the information in a conspicuous place owned and operated by Toronto Waldorf School, the Toronto Waldorf School’s website and/or any other reasonable method.
ADMINISTRATION
If you have any questions or concerns about this policy or its related procedures please contact:
This policy and its related procedures will be reviewed as required in the event of legislative changes.
REFERENCED DOCUMENTS:
Policy Updated January 2018