Accessibility Policies and Plans
Geneva Centre for Autism (Geneva Centre) has developed an Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy to address how Geneva Centre achieves accessibility through meeting the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and the regulation under the AODA. A Multi-Year Accessibility Plan has been developed, which outlines a strategy to prevent and remove barriers and address the current and future requirements of the AODA.
Accessible Services
Geneva Centre recognizes that people with disabilities achieve accessibility to the services of Geneva Centre, consistent with the following principles:
- Our services are provided in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.
- Our services to people with disabilities are integrated unless an alternate measure is necessary, whether temporary or permanent, to enable a person with a disability to benefit from our services.
- People with disabilities must be given an opportunity equal to that given to others to benefit from our programs and services.
Assistive Devices
Geneva Centre will ensure that staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by parents, clients and the general public with disabilities while accessing our services.
Service Animals
Service animals, such as, but not limited to guide dogs, hearing dogs, seizure response dogs, and certified service animals are permitted entry to all Geneva Centre facilities unless other circumstances arise requiring the denial of access. Where such a case arises an alternate meeting format will be arranged, i.e. teleconference or other assistive measures available to deliver services to ensure equality of outcome.
Support Persons
If a support person accompanies a person with a disability, Geneva Centre ensures that both parties are permitted to enter the premises together and that the person with a disability is not prevented from having access to the support person. Geneva Centre may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person when on the organization's premises, but only if a support person is necessary to protect the health and safety of the person with a disability or the health and safety of others on the premises. Where fees for programs and services are advertised or promoted by Geneva Centre, advance notice of the amount payable, if any, in respect of the support person will be provided.
Communications
To ensure the best possible client service, Geneva Centre encourages open two-way communication with all persons interacting with Geneva Centre to ensure the need for accommodation or assistance is met. Geneva Centre trains employees on how to interact and communicate with others, guided by the principles of dignity, independence, and equality. Persons who identify themselves as requiring alternative communication formats are offered alternative communication in a format that meets their needs as promptly as is feasible. Documents are provided in alternative formats that meet the needs of the person in a timely manner. If telephone communication is not suitable for the person's needs, alternative forms of communication are offered.
Disruption of Services
f there is a disruption in a particular location or a service used to allow a person with a disability to access services, Geneva Centre will give notice of the disruption to the public by posting the reason for the disruption, the anticipated duration of the disruption, and alternative facilities or services that may be available. This posting will be placed in a conspicuous place on the premises of Geneva Centre, or by other reasonable methods under the circumstances. If the disruption is anticipated, Geneva Centre will provide a reasonable amount of advance notice of the disruption. If the disruption is unexpected, notice will be provided as soon as possible.
Staff Training
- All employees and volunteers will receive Accessible Customer Service Training. Geneva Centre keeps records of this training. The training is delivered in a variety of formats and is provided on an ongoing basis for employees, volunteers, and students in order to stay current with changes in policies, practices, and procedures. The training includes:
- The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard;
- How to interact and communicate with persons in a manner that takes into account their disability;
- How to provide services in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities
- The process to provide feedback to the organization about the provision of services to persons with disabilities in any department and how the organization responds to feedback and takes action on any complaint;
- How to interact with persons with disabilities who use assistive devices or require the assistance of a guide dog, service animal or a support person to access services;
- How to use equipment or devices available on the organization's premises or provided by the organization that may help with the provision of services, and,
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing the organization's programs or services.
Feedback Process
Geneva Centre provides a mechanism that allows clients, parents and the general public to provide feedback on the manner in which Geneva Centre provides programs and services to people with disabilities. The feedback process permits the person to provide feedback in person, by telephone, in writing, or by electronic or otherwise. The process details the organization's process for receiving and responding to feedback, including timelines and contact information, and this process is made available on the organization's website.
Clients are invited to provide feedback on the way GCA provides services to people with disabilities in the following ways: