Community Living Huntsville Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Statement of Commitment

Community Living Huntsville is committed to providing a barrier free environment for all the people to whom we provide supports and services and their families, as well as all employees, job applicants, suppliers, visitors, and other stakeholders who enter our premises and access our information. As an organization, we respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and all of the standards that apply to Community Living Huntsville.

Organization’s Purpose

Fostering inclusiveness for people to live, work, and play in unique and purposeful ways.

Accessibility Plan Purpose

The purpose of the Accessibility Plan is to identify and address accessibility issues in the community including locations owned/leased/operated by Community Living Huntsville.  The organization is dedicated to identifying and removing barriers that limit and restrict the ability of people with disabilities from fully accessing the community and organization locations. This plan will include barriers that have been identified and Community Living Huntsville intends to address, as well as methods to identify new barriers that may arise.

Methods and tools that may be utilized to identify accessibility barriers may include:

• Surveys to stakeholders
• People supported, families and staff identify potential barriers and report to the leadership team
• Participation on Town of Huntsville’s Accessibility Advisory Committee
• Regular safety inspections of all Community Living Huntsville owned/leased/operated sites
• Annual review of the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Customer Service

Community Living Huntsville is committed to providing accessible services and supports to people with disabilities.  Policies and procedures are in place which outline expectations of all organization representatives to ensure people with disabilities are treated with dignity, independence, and receive equality of opportunity.

Accessible Emergency Information

The organization is committed to providing the people supported and others with publicly available emergency information in an accessible format upon request.  The organization will also provide employees and people supported, who have disabilities, with individualized emergency response information when necessary.

Training

Community Living Huntsville provides training to new employees, volunteers and other stakeholders as appropriate regarding the following:

• Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations, detailing the purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)
• Accessibility Policies
• Accommodation Policies
• Serving Customers with Disabilities

The organization already provides training and following any changes to the organization’s accessibility policies and procedures, will provide updated training on the changes as soon as is practical.

Kiosks

The organization is not required to have a self-service kiosk.

Information and Communications

Community Living Huntsville is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities and will consult with the person to determine an alternative format that will remove the barrier to information and communications.

Website

The organization’s website and its content conform to WCAG 2.0, Level AA, as required by January 1, 2021.  During 2020 the organization launched a new accessible website.

Feedback

Community Living Huntsville provides various options to receive feedback, including:

• Communication in person at our main office, located at 99 West Road, Huntsville, Ontario
• By accessing our website
• Using simple language on feedback forms
• Mail
• Email

Public Information

Community Living Huntsville will ensure all publicly available information is made accessible upon request.

Employment

Community Living Huntsville is committed to fair and accessible employment practices, including:

• Accessible formats and communication supports for employees
• Established process for individual accommodation plans and return to work programs
• Accommodate people during the recruitment and hiring processes

Design of Public Spaces

Community Living Huntsville meets the Ontario Building Code Requirements and the Accessibility Standards for the Design of Public Spaces when building or making major modifications to its public spaces.  Organization public spaces include:

• Sidewalks and ramps
• Accessible off street parking
• Service counters and waiting areas

Approved by Community Living Huntsville’s Executive Director on December 30, 2020.