Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
Organizations across Ontario are required to comply with accessibility standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (OADA).
The purpose of the AODA is to ensure that all businesses and organizations in Ontario, including child care, develop and implement policies and procedures in accordance with the accessibility standards outlined in the legislation. The five standards being: Customer Service standard, Transportation standard, Information and Communications standard, Built Environment standard and Employment standard.
Statement of Commitment
Umbrella Central Daycare Services is committed to developing and implementing policies, practices and procedures that ensure the organization provides accessible quality services to employees, children and families. These services will be provided to endorse respect, dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunities for those with disabilities. Umbrella is dedicated to ensuring all programs and services are accessible to the children and families in accordance with Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Multi Year Accessibility Plan
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) multi year accessibility plan outlines that policies, practices and procedures that Umbrella has prepared are implemented. Umbrella will continue to do so by improving opportunities for people with disabilities. This plan will cover a 5 year period from 2023-2028.
Some of the initiatives that Umbrella has implemented in the last 2 years to increase accessibility are:
- Providing enrolment packages, forms, parent handbooks etc. on line as well as in hard copy.
- Fee invoices can be handed out or emailed (as per preference).
- When interviewing and hiring new staff, there is assistance provided with understanding and completing forms. Assistance in person, by email or phone is readily available.
- Switched to wireless debit machines and introduced etransfer for greater convenience and accessibility (as per client feedback).
- Umbrella’s website has an accessibility tool icon which provides different formats for reading.
- Accommodations are made for employees returning to work from illness/injury by adjusting hours and duties of work, however possible.
- AODA/Human Rights training is provided on-line but is also available in person for anyone requiring it.
- Since all Umbrella programs are located in public schools, Umbrella will notify the relevant school board if there are issues/concerns raised regarding “Design of Public Spaces” or “Parking”
Any future strategies would depend on client feedback from childcare clients, as well as any new/revised changes initiated by the school board. Both the childcare (Umbrella) and school partners will share any and all feedback and work collaboratively (where possible) to develop and implement further accessibility plans.
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Accessibility Policy and Procedure
Policy
Umbrella Central Day Care Services Inc. is committed to developing and implementing policies, practices and procedures that provide accessible quality services to our children and their parents. These services will be provided to endorse respect, dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for those with disabilities. Umbrella believes that every person has an equal right to equal treatment without discrimination because of “Gender Identity” and “Gender Expression.” We are dedicated to ensuring all programs and services are accessible to the children and their families in accordance with Ontario Regulation 429.07 Accessibility Standards for Customer Services.
Umbrella Central Day Care Services will make every effort to ensure that the policy and related procedures and practices are consistent with the following core principals:
Dignity: Persons with a disability must be treated respectfully and deserve the same quality of service as all other children and their families in Umbrella Centres.
Equality of Opportunity: Persons with a disability must receive equal opportunity to that given to others to obtain, use and benefit from our services.
Integration: Whenever possible, persons with a disability should benefit from our services in the same place and manner as any other individual. In situations where integration does not serve the need of the person with a disability, Umbrella will make every attempt to provide in another way, a service that is viable for the individual’s needs.
Independence: Services will be provided in manner that respects the independence of persons with a disability. With permission, Umbrella is always willing to assist a person with a disability.
Umbrella will ensure its accessibility policies are publicly available (on website) and on request, and provided in an accessible format, i.e. email, in person, written, etc.
Procedures
Communication
Umbrella Childcare Centres are committed to communicating tlu·ough alternative effective approaches for individuals with a disability.Use of Assistive Devices
Training will be provided for staff, students and volunteers to enhance communication in a respectful manner with those with a disability. Umbrella Central Day Care Services will make every effort to accommodate the need for assistive devices.
Notice of Temporary Disruptions
In the event of a disruption of service a notice will be posted at all entrances of the Childcare Centre. If necessary, those with a disability will also be contacted verbally, electronically, or in person.
Feedback Procedure
Umbrella accepts feedback regarding perceived barriers within the centre for those with a disability. Feedback forms will be readily available at the front entrance of the Centre. We also welcome feedback by telephone, in writing, and or electronically. Umbrella will respond to feedback within 10 business days, in the preferred format (see above) regarding possible accommodations/solutions.
Training and Records
Umbrella will provide training as required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act. This policy applies to all employees (including those who provide the organization’s policies), students and volunteers.
The training includes all accessibility standards and the Ontario Human Rights Code. All employees, students and volunteers complete the same training as appropriate to their duties in child care.
Training is provided prior to commencing employment, and whenever there are changes to policies.
Emergency Response
In the event of a workplace emergency, Umbrella will provide any employee who has a permanent or temporary disability with an individualized workplace emergency response plan.The purpose of the individualized plan is to identify what information individuals with disabilities might need, and develop practical strategies to help keep them safe in an emergency.
The individual emergency response plan will be developed at the same time as the employee’s accommodation plan.
Design of Public Spaces
All Umbrella child care locations are located in public schools. Any change to the design of the space would be at the initiative of the school board in consultation with Umbrella.
Customer Service Standard Policy
Standards of accessibility have been developed to help make Ontario more accessible for all. The standards are:
- Customer Service standard
- Information & Communication standard
- Transportation standard
- Design of Public Spaces standard
Customer Service Standard
The intent of this standard is to:
- Provide care/services in a manner that respects dignity and independence of a person with a disability
- Provide services that meet the individual needs of those with a disability
- Realize that some methods may not work for another person. Work with people with a disability to find the best solution for them
- Allow parents/clients to provide feedback, i.e. how to improve accessibility for those with a disability
- Post disruption of service notices that may prevent clients/children from accessing our service, i.e. elevator out of service, physical barriers, etc.
- Ensure Umbrella employees are trained annually on how to service those with a disability. The intent of the employee training is to learn how to interact, communicate, and use equipment/devices that will assist individuals with barriers/hurdles, etc.
- All employees will be trained on Ontario’s accessibility laws as it pertains to clients/children with a disability
- Training will be ongoing as revisions are made to Umbrella’s policies and procedures
- Umbrella will keep a record of training provided including the names and date of each employee
Training
Under the Customer Service standard, Umbrella will provide training for all employees, volunteers and students prior to first day of employment.
Training will include
- An overview of The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005.
- Requirements and Policies for the Customer Service standard.
- How to interact and communicate with those who have various types of disabilities.
- How to interact with persons with disabilities when they require assistive device or support such as a service animal.
- How to use particular equipment/devices for individuals with a disability.
- What to do if a person with a particular type of disability is experiencing difficulty accessing Umbrella’s services.
- As policies are revised, employees, students and volunteers will be made aware.
- Umbrella will keep a record of the training which will include the name of the person and the date they were trained.