First Stage Child Care Centre Accessibility Policy (AODA) D9(a)
Statement of Commitment
First Stage Child Care Centre (FSCCC) is committed to providing equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence while accessing our services. We believe in integration and are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely matter. We are committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities are given an opportunity equal to that of those without disabilities to obtain, use or benefit from FSCCC’s services wherever possible by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility.
FSCCC is committed to meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), Ontario’s accessibility laws as well as its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination.
First Stage Child Care Centre understands that obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.
Goals
First Stage Child Care Centre (FSCCC) is committed to providing accessible customer service to all individuals (the public and staff) and to treat them with respect and dignity in accordance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service (Ontario Regulation 429/07).
Procedures
This policy is supported by procedures, which outline the detailed processes and accommodations pursuant to this policy. The supporting procedures include the following:
Training for Staff
First Stage Child Care Centre provides training on this Policy and the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, to all employees 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 employees and those 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 at FSCCC provides an overview of AODA legislation, including requirements for accessibility standards that apply to public and private sectors. During the training, employees and leaders learn about customer service standards for those with disabilities, different types of disabilities, and various ways to assist and provide aid to those with certain types of disabilities. The training also explores ways to improve customer service principles and skills by examining ways to lessen barriers for those with disabilities. The training covers many topics in depth, including:
Accessibility standards and the responsibilities individuals and organizations have under the AODA.
How to improve essential customer service skills by explaining different types of disabilities and showing how to interact and communicate with individuals with various disabilities.
Discusses ways to help those with disabilities overcome accessibility challenges that may occur in an organization’s programs, services, or facilities.
FSCCC also provides training on Understanding Human Rights. This course covers how the Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 work together to provide equality and accessibility for all Ontarians. Human rights and accessibility requirements are inextricably linked to make society accessible to people with disabilities. This training covers many topics including:
Understand requirements under the Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 related to discrimination, disability, and accommodation.
Be aware of different forms of disabilities and discrimination.
Understand the duty to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
FSCCC will provide further training for employees/volunteers when changes are made to these policies, practices, and procedures.
Assistive Devices
A person with a disability may provide their own assistive device for the purpose of obtaining, using, and benefiting from FSCCC’s services. Exceptions may occur in situations where FSCCC 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, FSCCC may offer other measures to assist him or her in obtaining, using, and benefiting from FSCCC’s services, where FSCCC has such other measures available.
Communication:
When communicating with persons with disabilities, First Stage Child Care Centre will do so in a manner that considers 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 providing services or documentation in an alternate format.
FSCCC is committed to providing fully accessible services to people with disabilities and trains front-line staff to communicate appropriately and respectfully in a manner that is clear and understandable to the receiver of the information.
Information regarding FSCCC can be provided in an accessible format or communication support in a timely manner. For example, admission package material can be emailed to clients directly or a digital or in-person meeting to verbally review materials may be set up.
FSCCC will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support. If the information is considered unconvertable, FSCCC shall provide the requestor with an explanation as to why the information or communication are unconvertible and a summary of the unconvertable information or communications.
Service Animals
FSCCC 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, FSCCC will use reasonable efforts to ensure that alternate means are available to enable the person with a disability to obtain, use or benefit from FSCCC’s services. We will ensure that all employees 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, FSCCC 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 always keep their service animal under control.
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 has access to his or her support person while on the premises.
At times, FSCCC 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 employees 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 FSCCC will provide employees, 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. The notice will be placed at the entrance of the location(s) affected in accessible formats, by email to existing clients, out-going telephone messages (if applicable) and when feasible on our website.
Emergency Plans
We will establish comprehensive procedures for emergency preparedness for persons with disabilities. These procedures will include an evacuation assistance, self-identification protocol for employees 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 always operated in a safe and controlled manner.
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 service 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.
Employment
FSCCC is committed to creating a workplace that is inclusive and barrier-free to ensure the full participation of all employees. FSCCC aims to foster a work climate of understanding and mutual respect for the dignity and worth of all employees.
FSCCC will notify employees, job applicants and the public that accommodations can be made during recruitment and hiring. We notify job applicants when they are individually selected to participate in the interview process that accommodations are available upon request. We will consult with the applicants and provide or arrange for suitable accommodation.
Employees will be informed our Employee Accommodation Policy upon being offered a position of employment.
FSCCC will consult with employees when arranging for the provision of suitable accommodation as per FSCCC’s Policy #E26 - Employee Accommodation Policy
Where needed, customized emergency information/plan to help employees with a disability during an emergency will be included in the Employee’s individual accommodation plan and shared only with a designated person as necessary to facilitate the plan. Plans will be reviewed when an employee changes location within the organization, overall employee accommodation needs/plan are reviewed, and/or when FSCCC reviews its general emergency response policies.
Individuals who have been away from work due to a disability and require a disability-related accommodations to return to work will meet with the Program Manager and/or Site Supervisor to develop a return-to-work accommodation plan.
All performance management, career development and redeployment processes will consider the accessibility needs of all employees.
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 is to be directed to the Program Manager. We will respond to comments within 15 days of their receipt.
We may be contacted:
By e-mail, at firststageccc.pm1@outlook.com
By telephone, at 416-394-4689
In person, at any of our locations or at head office - First Stage Child Care Centre, 2580 Kipling Avenue, Toronto ON M9V 3B2
By mail, addressed to First Stage Child Care Centre, 2580 Kipling Avenue, Toronto ON M9V 3B2.
Notice of the Availability of Documents
Notice of the availability of all documents required by the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service will be posted in FSCCC’s locations 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 FSCCC, whether the person does so as an employee, volunteer, consultant, or otherwise and all persons who participate in developing FSCCC’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 bi-annually to foster FSCCC’s commitment to providing an 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.
First Stage Child Care Centre is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation, please contact (416) 394-4689 or firststageccc.pm1@outlook.com
Revised December 2023