ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES (AODA)

General Intent

PLASP Child Care Services is committed to developing policies, practices, and procedures that provide accessible quality services to its clients and their children. Services will be provided to clients with disabilities in a manner that promotes and respects dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.

In compliance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulations 429/07, created under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, PLASP Child Care Services is committed to providing services in a way that is accessible to all customers.

The policies and procedures will apply to all services that are delivered by PLASP Child Care Services including services delivered in person, by telephone, electronically, visually, orally or by written materials.

Core Principles

PLASP Child Care Services will endeavor to ensure that the policy and procedures are consistent with the core values of the organization. PLASP Child Care Services provides services to children and their families including many children with disabilities. Every reasonable effort will be made to ensure the
following:

The service will be provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.

The provision of services to clients with disabilities will be integrated unless an alternative measure is necessary, whether temporarily or permanently, to enable clients with a disability to participate in the services offered by PLASP Child Care Services.

Children with disabilities are able to participate in services provided by PLASP Child Care Services.

ACCESSIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE PLAN

Communication

PLASP Child Care Services is committed to making every effort in communicating with clients with disabilities in a different or alternative way that takes into consideration their disability.

Use of Assistive Devices

An Assistive Device is any device used by a person with disabilities to help with daily living. Assistive devices include products such as wheelchairs, walkers, white canes and electronic communication devices.

People with disabilities may use their own personal assistive devices, or those that may be provided by PLASP Child Care Services, while obtaining services provided in any premise of the school.

A person with a disability may enter any premise of PLASP Child Care Services with that assistive device unless not allowed by law. If the device is not allowed by law, the person will be so advised and alternate options will be explored. If barriers to the use of an assistive device exist at any premises, these barriers, where reasonably possible, will be removed.

Support Persons

A support person assists a person with a disability with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs as they access the services of PLASP Child Care Services.

A support person may be an individual chosen by, and paid by, the parent of the child with a disability, to provide services or assistance with communication, mobility, personal care, behavioural support or medical needs. Parents with disabilities may require a support person to permit them to interact with our staff.

PLASP Child Care Services may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a Support Person where it is necessary to protect the health or safety of the person with a disability or the health or safety of others on the premises.

Service Animals

A Service Animal is an animal that is being used because of a person’s disability and this is either readily apparent or is supported by a letter from a physician or nurse. All service animals must have proof of inoculations/vaccinations required under the Day Nurseries Act. A service animal can only be excluded from access to the premises where this is required by law. Examples include the Health Protection and Promotion Act and the Food Safety and Quality Act. The former Act prohibits service animals in places where food is prepared, processed or handled.

Service animals are allowed to enter premises with any person with a disability, except where animals are not allowed by law. Where an animal is not allowed by law, alternate options will be explored to provide the service to the person with a disability.

Where there is a risk to the health and safety of another person as a result of the presence of a service animal, consideration must be given to options available prior to the exclusion of a service animal. An example would be a situation where an individual has a severe allergy to the service animals. It is our expectation that the situation be fully analyzed and all measures to eliminate the risk be considered, for example, creating distance between the two individuals concerned, or making reasonable alterations to schedules.

The use of assistive devices, support persons and service animals must be in compliance with the regulations outlined in the Day Nurseries Act and the Region of Peel Operating Criteria or other regional requirements.

Notice of Temporary Disruptions

PLASP Child Care Services will notify clients if there is a planned or unexpected disruption of a facility or service persons. Examples of disruptions could include snow days due to inclement weather, school lock downs, a relocation of an Early Learning and Child Care Centre due to construction at the school location. The notice will be posted at the entrance of the applicable premises as well as being provided verbally, electronically or in person as applicable. The notice will include the following information:

• That a facility or service is unavailable.
• The anticipated duration of the disruption.
• The reason for the disruption.
• Alternative facilities or services, if available.

All notices of temporary disruptions will be posted on PLASP’s website, voicemail, and all staff affected will receive a phone call from their Program Director or their immediate supervisor.

Feedback Procedure

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, PLASP Child Care Services has established a feedback process which allows clients to provide feedback on perceived barriers, including how to ask for assistance. Feedback may be submitted in a variety of ways including in person, by telephone, in writing or electronically. All inquires will be reviewed and responded to within 3 business days after receipt of the feedback form.

Feedback forms will be posted on the bulletin boards upon entry into all program locations.

Feedback forms should be submitted to Parent Services at PLASP Child Care Services Head Office.

Training

PLASP Child Care Services will provide initial and ongoing training, as required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005, to all persons to whom this Policy applies, to develop the required skills that will assist them in providing excellent customer service to clients with disabilities.

Training will include:

• An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the Customer Service Standard;
• PLASP Child Care Services’ plan related to the Customer Service Standard;
• How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities;
• How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person;
• What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing PLASP Child Care Services’ programs/centres;
• Training specific to each individual with a disability who is accessing PLASP’s services;
• Training will also take place after changes are made to the PLASP plan.