Accessible Customer Service Policy

Intent

This policy is intended to meet the requirements of Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07 under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and applies to the provision of goods and services to the public or other third parties, not to the goods themselves.
All goods and services provided by Lac-Mac shall follow the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.

Scope

a) This policy applies to the provision of goods and services at premises owned and operated by Lac-Mac Ltd.
b) This policy applies to employees who deal with the public or other third parties that act on behalf of Lac-Mac.
c) The section of this policy that addresses the use of guide dogs, service animals and service dogs only applies to the provision of goods and services that take place at premises owned and operated by Lac-Mac.

Definitions

Assistive Device – is a technical aid, communication device or other instrument that is used to maintain or improve the functional abilities of people with disabilities. Personal assistive devices are typically devices that customers bring with them such as a wheelchair, walker or a personal oxygen tank that might assist in hearing, seeing, communicating, moving, breathing, remembering and/or reading.

Disability – the term disability as defined by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Ontario Human Rights Code, refers to:

  • 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, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, 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 dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language;
  • a mental disorder; or
  • an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

Guide Dog – is a highly-trained working dog that has been trained at one of the facilities listed in Ontario Regulation 58 under the Blind Persons’ Rights Act, to provide mobility, safety and increased independence for people who are blind.

Service Animal – as reflected in Ontario Regulation 429/07, an animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if:

  • it is readily apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to his or her disability; or
  • if the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability.

Service Dog – as reflected in Health Protection and Promotion Act, Ontario Regulation 562 a dog other than a guide dog for the blind is a service dog if:

  • it is readily apparent to an average person that the dog functions as a service dog for a person with a medical disability;
  • or the person who requires the dog can provide on request a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires a service dog.

Support Person – as reflected in Ontario Regulation 429/07, a support person means, in relation to a person with a disability, another person who accompanies him or her in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs or access to goods and services.

General Principles

In accordance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07, this policy addresses the following:

A. The Provision of Goods and Services to Persons with Disabilities
B. The Use of Assistive Devices
C. The Use of Guide Dogs, Service Animals and Service Dogs
D. The Use of Support Persons
E. Notice of Service Disruptions
F. Customer Feedback
G. Training
H. Notice of Availability and Format of Required Documents

A. The Provision of Goods and Services to Persons with Disabilities

Lac-Mac 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 customers receive the same value and quality;
  • allowing customers with disabilities to do things in their own ways, at their own pace when accessing goods and services as long as this does not present a safety risk;
  • using alternative methods when possible to ensure that customers with disabilities have access to the same services, in the same place and in a similar manner;
  • taking into account individual needs when providing goods and services; and
  • communicating in a manner that takes into account the customer's disability.

B. Assistive Devices

Customer’s own assistive device(s):
Persons with disabilities may use their own assistive devices as required when accessing goods or services provided by Lac-Mac.
In cases where the assistive device presents a safety concern or where accessibility might be an issue, other reasonable measures will be used to ensure the access of goods and services.

C. Guide Dogs, Service Animals and Service Dogs

A customer with a disability that is accompanied by guide dog, service animal or service dog will be allowed access to premises that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by law.

Exclusion Guidelines:
If a guide dog, service animal or service dog is excluded by law Lac-Mac will offer alternative methods to enable the person with a disability to access goods and services, when possible (for example, securing the animal in a safe location and offering the guidance of an employee).

Recognizing a Guide Dog, Service Dog and/or Service Animal:
If it is not readily apparent that the animal is being used by the customer for reasons relating to his or her disability, Lac-Mac may request verification from the customer.

Care and Control of the Animal:
The customer that is accompanied by a guide dog, service dog and/or service animal is responsible for maintaining care and control of the animal at all time.

Allergies:
If a health and safety concern presents itself for example in the form of a severe allergy to the animal, Lac-Mac will make all reasonable efforts to meet the needs of all individuals.

D. Support Persons

If a customer with a disability is accompanied by a support person, Lac-Mac will ensure that both persons are allowed to enter the premises together and that the customer is not prevented from having access to the support person.
In situations where confidential information might be discussed, consent will be obtained from the customer, prior to any conversation where confidential information might be discussed.

E. Notice of Disruptions in Service

Service disruptions may occur due to reasons that may or may not be within the control or knowledge of Lac-Mac. In the event of any temporary disruptions to facilities or services that customer's with disabilities rely on to access or use Lac-Mac's goods or services, reasonable efforts will be made to provide advance notice. In some circumstances such as in the situation of unplanned temporary disruptions, advance notice may not be possible.

Notifications will Include:
In the event that a notification needs to be posted the following information will be included unless it is not readily available or known:

  • goods or services that are disrupted or unavailable
  • reason for the disruption
  • anticipated duration
  • a description of alternative services or options

Notifications Options:
When disruptions occur Lac-Mac will provide notice by:

posting notices in conspicuous places including at the point of disruption, at the main entrance and the nearest accessible entrance to the service disruption,
    contacting customers with appointments;
    verbally notifying customers when they are making an appointment; or
    by any other method that may be reasonable under the circumstances.

F. Feedback Process

At the request of the customer, Lac-Mac shall provide customers with the opportunity to provide feedback on the service provided to customers with disabilities via e-mail, telephone, fax, mail or in person.

Submitting Feedback:
Customers can submit feedback to:
Shelley White, President
Bldg 2 – 847 Highbury Ave N, London ON  N5Y 5B8
Phone: 519.432.2616 x2262
Fax: 519.432.6096
Cell: 519.495.9278

Customers who wish to provide feedback verbally can do so to any Lac-Mac account manager.
Customers that provide formal feedback will receive acknowledgement of their feedback, along with any resulting actions based on concerns or complaints that were submitted.

G. Training

Training will be provided to:
a) all employees who deal with the public or other third parties that act on behalf of Lac-Mac.

Training Provisions:
As reflected in Ontario Regulation 429/07, regardless of the format, training will cover the following:

  • A review of the purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
  • A review of the requirements of the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, Ontario Regulation 429/07.
  • Instructions on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
  • Instructions on how to interact with people with disabilities who:
    • use assistive devices;
    • require the assistance of a guide dog, service dog or other service animal; or
    • require the use of a support person (including the handling of admission fees).
  • Instructions on what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing your services.
  • Lac-Mac's policies, procedures and practices pertaining to providing accessible customer service to customers with disabilities.

Training Schedule:
Lac-Mac will provide training as soon as practicable. Training will be provided to new employees/others who deal with the public or act on our behalf upon hire. Revised training will be provided in the event of changes to legislation, procedures and/or practices.

Record of Training:
Lac-Mac will keep a record of training that includes the dates training was provided and the number of employees who attended the training.

H. Notice of Availability and Format of Documents

By request, Lac-Mac shall notify customers that the documents related to the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service are available and in a format that takes into account the customer's disability.

Administration

If you have any questions or concerns about this policy or its related procedures please contact:
Lisa Gordon, Human Resources Manager
Building 2 - 847 Highbury Ave N, London ON  N5Y 5B8
Phone: 519.432.2616 x2249
Fax: 519.432.6096

This policy and its related procedures will be reviewed as required in the event of legislative changes.