Learning Essentials for Adults in Durham Region (LEADR) is committed to diversity, inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities. This policy outlines below how the organisation will meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
Policy
LEADR is committed to work with its employees as well as ensuring that it provides its programs, goods and services in a manner that respects the dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity of persons with disabilities.
Procedure:
1. Assistive devices: The LEADR permits persons with disabilities to use their personal assistive devices while on LEADR’s premises.
2. Communication: LEADR is committed to communicating with persons with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. We will provide communications in clear language formats that are accessible for people with disabilities and we will train staff and volunteers to communicate and interact with various types of disabilities.
3. Service animals and support persons: LEADR welcomes onto its premises people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal. We will ensure staff and volunteers are trained on how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal. We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person and any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter LEADR’s premises with his/her support person.
4. Notice of temporary disruption: LEADR will notify persons with disabilities promptly in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities. This notice will be provided in accessible formats and posted in public areas. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative facilities, if available.
5. Staff training: LEADR will provide training to all its staff and volunteers regarding the provisions and ways to ensure accessible programs, goods, services and workplace. Training will occur on an ongoing basis and whenever changes are made to relevant policies, practices and procedures.
Individuals in the following positions will be trained:
• Executive Director and staff
• Board of Directors
• Volunteers
6. Feedback process: LEADR encourages feedback regarding how it provides programs, goods and services to persons with disabilities. This can be provided verbally to staff or by satisfaction surveys or also by the following methods:
• E-mail: leadr.durham@gmail.com
• Mail: 1099 Kingston Road, Suite 228, Pickering, Ontario, L1V 1B5
• Phone: (289) 688-5414
7. Modification to this or other policies: LEADR is committed to ensuring that its policies, practices and procedures are consistent with and promote the core principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity. Any LCDR policy that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities will be modified or removed.
8. Requests: LEADR will accept requests for accommodation or assistance for any program, goods or services, through phone or email.