Accessibility Policy

 

POLICY

Accessibility Plan and Policies for Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services.

This accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.

 

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services shall strive to respect the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

 

ACCESSIBLE EMERGENCY INFORMATION:

Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services is committed to providing the customers and clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request. We will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.

 

TRAINING:

Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services will provide training to employees, volunteers and other staff members on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suites the duties of employees, volunteers and other staff members.

Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services will take the following steps to ensure employees are provided with training need to meet Ontario’s accessible laws by January 1, 2015.

  • Ensure existing employees are trained by agency trainer
  • Ensure volunteers, contractors, consultants are trained
  • Set up training sessions through employee orientation using web based training
  • Develop power point training for those who cannot access online training

 

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS:

Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. We will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.

Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services will take the following steps to make all new websites and content on those sites conform with WCAG 2.0, Level A by January 1, 2014.

  • Review sites and content to meet requirements. Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services will take the following steps to make ensure existing feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities upon request by January 1, 2015.
  • Making feedback processes such as surveys or comment cards accessible when asked
  • Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services will take the following steps to make sure all publicly available information is made accessible upon request by January 1, 2016.
  • Communicate on websites that we will provide accessible formats and supports upon request
  • Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services will make all websites and content conform with WCAG 2.0, Level AA by January 1, 2021.
  • Review sites and content to meet requirements

 

EMPLOYMENT

Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. We will take the following steps to notify the public and staff that, when requested, Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes and when people are hired.

  • Notify employees, potential hires and public that accommodations can be made during recruitment, assessment and selection processes for people with disabilities (due Jan.1, 2016)
  • Notify new hires and staff of policies for accommodating employees with disabilities (Jan.1, 2016)

Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services will take the following steps to develop and put in place a process for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for employees that have been absent due to a disability.

  • Develop a written policy
  • Have in place a written process to develop individual accommodation plans for employees with disability

We will take the following steps to ensure the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities are taken into account if Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services is using performance management, career development and redeployment processes.

  • Have a written return to work process in place for employees who have been absent due to disability

Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services will take the following steps to prevent and remove other accessibility barriers identified

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact:

Human Resources
50 Bay Road, Moosonee, ON P0L 1Y0
Phone: (705) 336-2229

Accessible formats of this document are available free upon request

 

Accessibility Customer Service Standard

 

POLICY:

Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services shall strive to respect the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. Services will be provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. The agency will strive to ensure that services to persons with disabilities, and others, will be integrated unless an alternate measure is necessary, whether temporarily or on a permanent basis to enable a person with a disability to obtain and use our services. Persons with disabilities will be given an opportunity equal to that given to others to obtain, use and benefit from our services and that persons with disabilities may use assistive devices and/or support persons in the access of services. Payukotayno employees when communicating with a person with a disability shall do so in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability.

 

DEFINITIONS:

ASSISTIVE DEVICES – Any auxiliary aid such as communication aids, cognition aids, personal mobility aids and medical aids (i.e. canes, crutches, wheelchairs or hearing aids)

DISABILITIES – The same as definition of disability found in the Ontario Human Rights Code

EMPLOYEES – Any person who deals with members of the public or other third parties on behalf of Payukotayno, whether the person does so as an employee, agent, volunteer or otherwise.

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES – Individuals that are afflicted with a disability as defined under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

SERVICE ANIMALS – Any animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.

SUPPORT PERSONS – Any person whether a paid professional, volunteer, family member or friend that accompanies a person with a disability in order to help with communications, personal care or medical needs or with access to goods or services.

 

PROCEDURE:

  • This policy shall apply to every person who deals with a member of the public or other third parties on behalf of Payukotayno, whether the person does so as an employee, agent, volunteer or otherwise.
  • Services will be provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of the individual in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability and will be given equal opportunity to obtain, use or benefit from any goods or service
  • Payukotayno, shall upon request, supply a copy of the policies, practices and procedures required under the Ontario Regulation 429/07 Accessibility Standards for Customer Service to any person.

 

Service Animals and Support Persons  

  • Payukotayno employees shall use reasonable efforts to allow persons with disabilities to use their own assistive devices to access services
  • Offer assistance and make worksite accommodations to ease the use of any assistive devices • Payukotayno employees shall allow persons with disabilities to be accompanied by their guide dog or service animal unless the animal is excluded by law
  • Where an animal is excluded by law from the premises, the reason why the animal is excluded shall be explained to the persons with the disabilities, and other reasonable arrangements to provide goods and services shall be explored with the assistance of the person with disability
  • When a service animal is unruly or disruptive (jumping on people, biting, or other harmful behavior) an employee may ask the persons with disability to remove the animal from the area or refuse access to services. In this event, other reasonable arrangements to provide goods or services shall be explored with the assistance of the person with disability
  • Do not distract or disrupt any service animal by touching, petting or talking to the animal
  • Persons with disabilities may be accompanied by their support person while accessing goods and/or services
  • If required, ask for confidentiality releases to be signed by the customer in regards to using the support person
  • Treat all parties with respect and dignity and direct customer service to the customer

 

Disruption Service Notice

  • It is possible that from time to time there will be disruptions in service, i.e. an entrance way that is under repair, renovations that limit access to an area, or technology that is temporarily unavailable
  • In the event that a disruption in service is planned, and expected, it is important to provide reasonable notice
  • People with disabilities may often go to a lot of trouble to access services by arranging a ride. By providing notice, you can save that person an unnecessary trip
  • Notice will be provided on the website, over the phone, or in writing

 

Unexpected Disruption in Service Notice

  • In the event of an unexpected disruption in service, notice may be provided in a variety of ways, and will be done as quickly as possible
  • In the event of a service disruption, alternative methods of service may be considered and those impacted by service interruption shall be informed of any alternative methods.

 

Training Requirements:

  • Every person who deals with the public on behalf of Payukotayno, including third parties, i.e. employees, agents, volunteers, management must complete training in relation to this Policy
  • Current employees, agents, volunteers, management, etc. shall receive training as soon as practicable, after being assigned
  • Current employees, agents, volunteers, management, etc. shall receive training by December 31, 2011
  • New employees, agents, volunteers, management, etc. shall receive training as soon as practicable after being assigned
  • Ongoing training on changes to policies, procedures, and new equipment shall be provided
  • The method and amount of training shall be geared to the trainee’s role in terms of accessibility
  • Training records shall be kept, including the dates when the training is provided, number of individuals to whom the training was provided

 

Customer Feedback:

  • Feedback from our customers provides Payukotayno with opportunities to learn and improve
  • Payukotayno recognizes the right of our customers to make a complaints, compliment or make suggestions on ways to improve our services
  • Employees are to assist with the feedback process and accommodate the feedback process to meet individual customer’s needs
  • Employees must forward and follow up on all feedback
  • To assist Payukotayno in ensuring that the delivery of goods and service to those with disabilities is provided in an effective and timely manner, the customer is invited to provide their feedback as follows:

In writing, in person, email, or telephone addressed to:

Director of Human Resources Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services
P.O. Box 189 Moosonee, ON P0L 1Y0
Fax: (705) 336-3063, Email: bernice.morrison@payukotayno.ca

The Director of Human Resources will respond either in writing, in person, email or telephone acknowledging receipt of feedback and will set out the action to be taken in response to any complaints.

 

Non-Compliance:

Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

 

GUIDELINES:

Ontario Regulation 429/07 (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act)

Best Practices and Procedures (Ministry of Community and Social Services
www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/how/howto_choose.htm