Accessibility Policy
Updated: August 9 2022
The Morrisburg & District Skating Club herein referred to as “MDSC” is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. MDSC is committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. With a focus on integration, MDSC is committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. MDSC attempts to remove and/or prevent barriers to accessibility and meet the accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario’s accessibility laws.
This policy outlines the requirements to persons with disabilities, the use of assistive devices, service animals and support persons by persons with disabilities, notice of temporary disruptions in services and facilities, training, feedback regarding the provision of requirements persons with disabilities and the notice of availability and format of documents.
Definitions
Assistive devices:
A device used by a person with a disability to facilitate access and/or independence in everyday tasks. Such devices include mobility equipment (wheelchairs and walkers) as well as portable communication devices (hearing aids, etc.).
Disability:
Disability is described as any of the following:
• 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, brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, 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
• a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability
• a learning disability or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language; or
• a mental disorder.
Service animal:
An animal is a service animal for a person with a disability. This applies if it is readily apparent that the animal is used by a person for reasons relating to their disability.
Support person:
An individual who accompanies a person with a disability for the purposes of communication, mobility, personal care, or medical needs or with access to services.
Providing services to persons with disabilities:
MDSC will make every reasonable effort to ensure that its policies, practices, and procedures are consistent with the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity by:
• Ensuring that all those associated with MDSC receive the same value and quality
• Allowing persons with disabilities to do things their own ways, at their own pace when accessing goods and/or services as long as it does not present a safety risk
• Using alternative methods, when possible, to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to the same services, in the same place and in a similar manner
• Ensuring that a notice is always posted in public view stating that this policy is publicly available and that it may be provided in an accessible format
• Taking into account individual needs when providing assistance; and
• Communicating in a manner that takes into account the person’s disabilities.
Communication – Printed material accommodations
MDSC will communicate to persons with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. When needed, MDSC will interact with a person with a disability on how to interact and communicate.
Assistive devices
MDSC welcomes the use of assistive devices used by persons with disabilities to access services.
Billing/Invoices
MDSC is committed to providing accessible billing/invoices to persons with disabilities. MDSC will answer any questions stakeholders may have about the content of the billing and will be responsible for ensuring that the alternative formats are available upon request.
Use of service animals and support persons
Service Animal
Persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal are welcome at the property of the South Dundas Arena when accessing services.
Support Person
All support persons are welcome to attend services provided by MDSC given they have paid all fees associated with supporting the individual with the disability.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a temporary disruption in services that are to the necessity of a person with a disability, MDSC will make every reasonable effort to provide stakeholders with notice. The notice shall include the anticipated duration of the disruption and will be posted at the entrance to the property as soon as possible.
Feedback process
MDSC has established a feedback process for the use of any person. The goal is to provide quality services to its stakeholders. Comments on services regarding how well those expectations are being met are welcome and appreciated. Feedback is accepted in the following forms:
• by email to info@skatemorrisburg.com or
• mail to: MDSC P.O. Box 617 Morrisburg, ON, K0C 1X0.
MDSC shall notify individuals that the documents related to the Accessibility Standards are available upon request and in a format that takes into account the disability. Notification will be given by posting the information in a conspicuous place operated by MDSC.
Modifications to this or other policies
MDSC is committed to developing customer service policies that respect and promote the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. Therefore, no changes will be made to this policy before considering the impact on persons with disabilities. Any policy of MDSC that does not respect the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities will be modified or removed. This policy and its related procedures will be reviewed as required in the event of legislative changes.
Questions about this policy
The purpose of this policy is to provide a framework through which MDSC can achieve exceptional service to persons with disabilities. If anyone has a question about the policy, or if the purpose of the policy is not understood, an explanation should be provided by, or referred to:
MDSC: 28 Ottawa St. Unit C P.O. Box 617 Morrisburg, ON, K0C 1X0
Email Address: info@skatemorrisburg.com.
Policy administration
MDSC will maintain and review this policy every three years at a minimum.
DISCLAIMER: Printed hard copies of controlled documents are considered uncontrolled. All personnel using hard copies for ease of reference are required to determine the up-to-date status of any hard copy document to ensure it matches the current electronic version.