Accessibility Policy


Policy on the Provision of Goods and Services to People with Disabilities

AODA

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Provision of Goods and Services to People with Disabilities


Policy Statement
Gemma Communications LP is committed to the provision of goods and services to people with disabilities in a manner consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.

Furthermore, such goods and services will be provided in accordance with the spirit and intent of all applicable legislation including the AODA, the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Ontario Building Code Act.

Definitions
Disability:
For the purpose of this policy, the term “disability” includes:

a. any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,

b. a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability;

c. a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language;

d. a mental disorder; or

e. an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

Employee:
For the purposes of this policy, the term “employee” refers to any person regarding whom Gemma Communications LP pays wages or a salary, has control over their assigned work and has a right to control the details of their work. This includes, but is not limited to:

a. fulltime employees
b. part-time employees
c. seasonal employees
d. contract employees

Service Animal:
For the purposes of this policy, an animal is a service animal for a person with a disability:

a. if it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to his or her disability; or

b. if the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability.

“Service animal” also includes a guide dog as defined under the Blind Persons’ Rights Act Section 1.

Support Person:
For the purposes of this policy, a “support person” is a person who accompanies a person with a disability in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs or with access to goods or services. The support person could be a paid personal support worker, a volunteer, a friend or a family member. He or she does not necessarily need to have special training or qualifications.

Operating Principles
1. Accessible Communications
Gemma Communications LP and its employees will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account each person’s particular disability.

2. Service Animals
Unless otherwise prohibited by law, persons with disabilities will be permitted to be accompanied by a service animal or support person:

a. where services are provided at premises owned or operated by Gemma Communications LP and

b. where the public or third parties normally have access to such premises.

3. Support Persons
a. Persons with disabilities accompanied by a support person shall be permitted to enter the premises together and the person with a disability will not be prevented from having access to the support person while on the premises owned or operated by Gemma Communications LP. Support person will be subject to the same security screening and documentation sign offs as the employee they are assisting and

b. Where a support person accompanying a person with a disability is required to pay an admission fee to enter our premises, notice of the amount of this fee will be provided in advance of their visit.

4. Assistive devices
Gemma Communications LP is committed to serving people with disabilities who use assistive devices. We will endeavor to become familiar with the various assistive devices used by people with disabilities and will be flexible in facilitating their use by people with disabilities to access our goods and services.

5. Disruption In Service
Gemma Communications LP will post a public notice in a timely manner of a current or anticipated disruption in any facilities or services we provide to enable people with disabilities to access our services. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available

6. Training
Gemma Communications LP will provide training to:

a. All its employees, volunteers, agents, contractors and others who could reasonably be expected to interact with the public or third parties on behalf of Gemma Communications LP.
b. All those who are involved in the development, approval, monitoring or implementation of Gemma Communications LP customer service policies, practices and procedures about the provision of good and services to the public and/or third parties.


This training will be provided within 2 weeks of when the individual commences performing duties for Gemma Communications LP. Additional training will be provided for any revisions made to this policy and/or related procedures and practices.

Such training will include the following:
a. A review of the purposes of the AODA and the requirements of its Customer Service Standard.

b. How to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disability.

c. How to interact with persons with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a guide dog or other service animal or the assistance of a support person.

d. How to use equipment or devices available on Gemma Communications LP’s premises or otherwise provided by Gemma Communications LP that may help with the provision of goods or services to a person with a disability.

e. What to do if a person with a particular type of disability is having difficulty accessing the provider’s goods or services.

7. Feedback Process
Gemma Communications LP has established a process for receiving and responding to feedback from anyone about the manner in which it provides goods or services to persons with disabilities. Information about this process will be made readily available to the public on Gemma Communications LP website.

This process will permit persons to provide their feedback in person, by telephone, in writing, or by delivering an electronic text by e-mail or on diskette or otherwise.

The feedback process specifies the actions to be taken by Gemma Communications LP in the event that a complaint is received. A response will be provided to the person making the complaint within 10 working days.

8. Responsibilities
Gemma Communications LP is responsible for reviewing this Policy annually and recommending amendments to ensure on-going compliance with regulated accessibility standards and legislated obligations. Gemma Communications LP will provide advice and direction on the implementation of this Policy. Supervisors and managers will ensure that they and their employees are familiar with this Policy.

9. Monitoring and Contraventions
Supervisors and managers will monitor current practices to ensure compliance. Failure to comply with this Policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.


© 2012