Accessibility Policy for Clients
Introduction
Grand River Community Church is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination.
Grand River Community Church understands that obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.
Grand River Community Church is committed to complying with both the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA.
Grand River Community Church is committed to excellence in serving all clients including people with disabilities.
Our accessible client service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.
Assistive devices
People with disabilities may use their personal assistive devices when accessing our goods, services or facilities.
In cases where the assistive device presents a significant and unavoidable health or safety concern or may not be permitted for other reasons, other measures will be used to ensure the person with a disability can access our goods, services or facilities.
We will ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices we have on site or that we provide that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods, services or facilities.
Sound Room volunteers are trained to operate and assist in the operation of hearing assistive devices available in the Sound Room. Ushers will be trained to operate the front door opener.
Communication
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that consider their disability. This may include the following:
- reading the written information aloud to the person directly
- exchanging hand-written notes (or providing a note taker or communication assistant)
- providing sermon notes (when available) prior to the service
- captioning or audio description
- assistive listening systems
- augmentative and alternative communication methods and strategies (e.g., the use of letter, word or picture boards, and devices that speak out)
- sign language interpretation and intervenor services
- repeating, clarifying or restating information
We will work with the person with a disability to determine what method of communication works for them.
Service animals
We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.
When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask a person to provide documentation (template, letter or form) from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability.
A service animal can be easily identified through visual indicators, such as when it wears a harness or a vest, or when it helps the person perform certain tasks.
A regulated health professional is defined as a member of one of the following colleges:
- College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario
- College of Chiropractors of Ontario
- College of Nurses of Ontario
- College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
- College of Optometrists of Ontario
- College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
- College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
- College of Psychologists of Ontario
- College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario
If service animals are prohibited by another law, we will do the following to ensure people with disabilities can access our goods, services or facilities:
- explain why the animal is excluded
- discuss with the customer another way of providing goods, services or facilities
Service animals are prohibited from the following areas:
- Kitchen, Under the Ontario Public Health Act
Support persons
A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises.
If fees are being charged for a specific event, these will not be charged for support persons.
We will notify client of this by posting a notice in the following location(s):
- Talking to the client
- Main bulletin board
In certain cases, Grand River Community Church might require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person for the health or safety reasons of:
- the person with a disability
- others on the premises
Before making a decision, Grand River Community Church will:
- consult with the person with a disability to understand their needs
- consider health or safety reasons based on available evidence
- determine if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health or safety of the person or others on the premises
If Grand River Community Church determines that a support person is required, we will waive any participation fee for the support person.
Notice of temporary disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities Grand River Community Church will notify customers promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.
Services/Facilities include:
- Sunday services
- Youth events
- Children’s events
The notice will be made publicly available in the following ways:
- Website and/or social media
Training
Grand River Community Church will provide accessible client service training to:
- all employees and volunteers
- anyone involved in developing our policies
- anyone who provides goods, services or facilities to customers on our behalf.
Staff will be trained on accessible customer service within one month after being hired.
Training will include:
- purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard
- Grand River Community Church’s policies 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
- how to use the equipment or devices available on-site or otherwise that may help with providing goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities. These include:
- Hearing assistance device
- Automatic opener on main door
- what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Grand River Community Church’s goods, services or facilities
Staff will also be trained when changes are made to our accessible customer service policies.
Feedback process
Grand River Community Church welcomes feedback on how we provide accessible customer service. Customer feedback will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns.
Customers will be notified of how to provide feedback in the following ways:
- Website
- Bulletin
- Main Bulletin Board
Customers who wish to provide feedback on the way Grand River Community Church provides goods, services or facilities to people with disabilities can provide feedback in the following way(s):
- Website and/or social media
- Speaking with Susan Harris or a pastor or an elder
- Placing written feedback on the offering plate
All feedback, including complaints, will be handled in the following manner:
- Feedback will be provided to Susan Harris to resolve or to discuss with the elders if required.
- Customers can expect to hear back within 30 days.
Grand River Community Church will make sure our feedback process is accessible to people with disabilities by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, on request.
Notice of availability of documents
Grand River Community Church will notify the public that documents related to accessible customer service, are available upon request by posting a notice in the following location(s)/way(s):
- Website
- Bulletin
- Bulletin Board
Grand River Community Church will provide this document in an accessible format or with communication support, on request. We will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of the format or communication support. We will provide the accessible format in a timely manner and, at no additional cost.
Modifications to this or other policies
Any policies of Grand River Community Church that do not respect and promote the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity for people with disabilities will be modified or removed.