The Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre (the Health Centre) is committed to an inclusive and accessible environment. We strive to create a space that is accessible to all needs and are open to feedback to improve access within the centre. Our physical space is constructed in a way that allows for all motor assistive devices. Our staff are regularly trained on how to offer support for communication, support animals and persons. As a part of our commitment to accessibility we review our policies every four years to ensure we are using acceptable language and are challenging ourselves to improve. We encourage feedback from clients and the public on increasing accessibility via many formats, ie. Open forum, Public Relations Committees and Health & Safety Reviews of our Centre which occur on a monthly and annual basis. Please review our Seven Commitments to Accessibility Below.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the AODA) is a provincial act with the purpose of developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards in order to achieve accessibility for persons with disabilities with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises.
Accessibility Standards for Customer Service are outlined in Section IV.2 of Ontario 191/11 Integrated Accessibility Standards.
- The Health Centre will strive to provide services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.
- The Health Centre will maintain policies, procedures as well as a training program to ensure the organization is in compliance with Part IV.2 “Customer Service Standards” of Ontario Regulation 191/11 – Integrated Accessibility Standards.
Policies and procedures will address the following:
- Communications with Persons with a Disability
- Assistive Devices
- Service Animals
- Support Persons
- Temporary Disruptions in Service
- Feedback processes
3. The Health Centre will notify all persons that a copy of this policy is available upon request by posting the information at a conspicuous place at the KDCHC premises or on the KDCHC website.
4. The Health Centre will ensure that the following persons receive training about the provision of its, services and facilities with respect to persons with disabilities: employees, volunteers, students, as well as every person who participates in developing KDCHC’s policies or who provides goods, services or facilities on behalf of KDCHC.
5. Training will include the following:
- The purposes of the AODA and its requirements related to accessibility standards for customer service;
- Information regarding the Health Centre policies, practices and procedures relating to the customer service standards;
- How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities;
- What to do if a person with a particular type of disability is having difficulty accessing your materials or services;
- How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device, service animal or support person;
- How to use the equipment or assistive devices that may be provided for use by KDCHC.
6. Every person shall be trained as soon as practicable and be provided with training regarding any changes to KDCHC’s policies and procedures related to accessibility
7. KDCHC shall keep records of the training provided under this policy, including the dates
Related KDCHC Accessibility Policies:
- Non-discrimination (A0402)
- Board Code of Conduct (B0901)
- Fire Safety (Plan S1101)
- Client Privacy (CG0403)
- Client Access to Policies (CG1101)
- Feedback from Clients, Volunteers and the General Public (CG1102)
- Complaints (CG1103)
- Assistive Devices (CG 1105)
- Accessible Communications (CG1106)
- Notice of Disruptions in Service Procedures for People with Disabilities (CG1107)
- Service Animals (CG1108)
- Support Persons (CG1109)