Accessibility
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) was passed by the Ontario Legislature with the goal of creating standards to improve accessibility across the province.
The AODA allows the government to develop specific standards of accessibility that are designed to help make Ontario more accessible.
One of the specific standards that has been developed, and made law, is the Accessible Customer Service Standard. This standard details specific requirements for all service providers.
In order to comply with the legislation, the Township of Centre Wellington was required to complete the following by January 1, 2010.
1. Establish policies, practices and procedures to provide goods or services to people with disabilities.
2. Communicate with a person with a disability in a manner that takes into account his or her disability.
3. Set a policy on allowing people to use their own personal assistive devices to access the Township’s goods and use our services.
4. Allow people with disabilities to be accompanied by their guide dog or service animal in those areas of our premises that are open to the public, unless the animal is excluded by law.
5. Permit people with disabilities who use a support person to bring that person with them while accessing the Township’s goods or services in premises open to the public.
6. Train staff, volunteers, contractors and any other people who interact with the public or other third parties on our behalf on a number of topics as outlined in the customer service standard.
7. Establish a process for people to provide feedback on how the Township provides goods or services to people with disabilities and how the Township will respond to any feedback and take action on any complaint.
8. Provide notice when facilities or services that people with disabilities rely on to access or use the Township’s goods or services are temporarily disrupted.