This procedure addresses the Accessible Customer Service Standards requirements of Ontario Regulation 191/11 for the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).
This procedure applies to municipal goods, services and facilities provided by Town Council and town employees as well as by volunteers, agents, contractors (personnel) or any individual representing or performing any function on behalf of the town.
The requirements set out in this procedure are being implemented by the town in accordance with the standards and timelines established in the AODA.
Individuals may use their assistive devices as required to access town goods, services and facilities unless otherwise prohibited due to health and safety or privacy issues. In such cases, other measures will be used to ensure the individual can access town goods, services or facilities.
Where assistive devices are available in town facilities, staff will be trained on how to use them.
Guide dogs and other service animals may be used in all town areas/premises that are open to the public unless otherwise prohibited by law.
If a service animal is excluded from the premises by law, town staff will inform the individual of the reasons why and discuss alternative methods for the person to access town goods, services and facilities. When town employees cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, they may ask the person to provide documentation (template, letter or form) from a regulated health professional confirming the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability.
People with disabilities can access their support person when using goods, services and facilities provided by the town.
Where admission fees for the support person are applicable, advance notice of the fee will be made available.
The town may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person to protect the health and safety of that person or of others on the premises. This will only occur after consultation with the person with a disability and when it is the only way to allow the person with a disability to access the town’s goods, services and facilities. If the town determines that a support person is required, the town will waive any fee or fare for the support person.
Training will be provided to all town employees, volunteers, anyone who provides goods, services or facilities on behalf of the town and anyone involved in developing town policies and procedures. Training will be appropriate to the duties of employees, volunteers and other persons and include:
The town shall keep records of training in accordance with Ontario Regulation 191/11.
In the event of a service disruption at any town facility, service, program or system, notice shall be provided on the town website and posted at the location, where possible. There is a designated web page and RSS feed on the town’s website for service disruptions and the town uses social media to notify its followers about service disruptions.
The notice shall provide the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative facilities, services, programs or systems that may be available.
The town will maintain a process for receiving and responding to feedback on how the town provides goods, services and facilities to people with disabilities. The town will ensure the process is accessible by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports, upon request.
Receipt of feedback shall be acknowledged by the end of the next business day and answered within 15 business days. If the town requires additional time, the estimated date for response will be provided to the submitter.
The town will notify the public that documents related to accessible customer service are available in an accessible format or with communication support, upon request. Notice will be posted on the town’s website.
Assistive Device - is a piece of equipment or aid that a person with a disability uses to help with daily living (e.g. wheelchair, screen reader, hearing aid, cane or walker, oxygen tank).
Barrier - means anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of his or her disability, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an information or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy or a practice.
Disability is:
Service Animal – an animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if,
In addition to a registered health professional, the town will also accept an identification card from the Attorney General or an officer of their Ministry, which confirms the identity of a blind person and their guide dog. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.7, s. 4 (2).
Support Person – a support person means, in relation to a person with a disability, another person who accompanies him or her to help with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs or with access to goods, services or facilities.
Procedure Number: MS-ACC-001-001
Parent Policy: MS-ACC-001
Section: Municipal Services
Sub-Section: Accessibility
Author: Strategy, Policy and Communications Department
Authority: CAO
Effective Date: 2009 Mar 02
Review by Date: 2021
Last Modified: 2016 Dec 12
Service Disruptions Guidelines
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
Ontario Human Rights Code
Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, Ontario Regulation 191/11
MS-ACC-001-002 Planning Accessible Meetings
MS-ACC-001-003 Accessible Employment Procedure
MS-ACC-001-004 Accessible Information and Communications Procedure
MS-ACC-001-005 Accessible Transportation Procedure
MS-ACC-001-006 Design of Public Spaces Procedure
G-COM-001 Public Notice and Engagement Policy
Human Resources Policies and Procedures
Ontario Regulation 562 under Health Protection and Promotion Act
Ontario Regulation 31/05 Food Safety and Quality Act 2001
Blind Persons' Rights Act
Dog Owner's Liability Act
Town of Oakville Purchasing By-law
Other accessibility standards as enacted