| Development Date | August 2017 |
| Revision Date | December 2023 |
| Executive Director | MaryAnn McLennan |
Accessibility Plan
Orillia Central Preschool is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities. We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence.
We believe in integration and are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and by meeting our accessibility requirements under Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005 and Ontario’s Accessibility laws.
Orillia Central Preschool is committed to meeting the current and ongoing obligations under the Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination.
Orillia Central Preschool understands that obligations under the AODA and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Human Rights Code or obligations under any law.
Orillia Central Preschool is committed to excellence in serving and providing goods, services or facilities to all customers including people with disabilities. Our accessible customer service polices are consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.
Orillia Central Preschool is committed to training all staff and volunteers in accessible customer service, other Ontario’s accessibility standards and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities.
We train every person, as soon as practicable, after being hired and provide training in respect of any changes to the policies. We maintain records of the training provided.
Orillia Central Preschool will provide training to employees, volunteers and others who deal with the public or other third parties on their behalf.
Individuals in the following positions will be trained:
- Executive Director and the Program Supervisor at the Orchard Park location
- Program Supervisor at the North location
- Program Supervisor at the South location
- In all our Before and After School (BASP) locations, the training will be done by the BASP Program Supervisor.
This training will then be provided to the remaining staff upon hiring and annually from that point forward.
At each location the training will be provided by the Program Supervisor of that location.
Training will include:
- An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard.
- Orillia Central Preschool’s plan 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.
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Orillia Central Preschool’s goods and services.
- Staff will also be trained when changes are made to someone’s plan.
People with disabilities may use personal assistive devices as required within our organization.
We will ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our services.
Communication
Orillia Central Preschool will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
Service Animals
Orillia Central Preschool welcomes people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.
Support Person
A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises. Fees will not be charged for support persons.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities at any of our locations, Orillia Central Preschool will notify customers promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason form the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. This notice will be placed on all doors at all locations and a memo sent on “Lillio” (if we have an advance notice of the disruption)
Employment
Orillia Central Preschool can notify job applicants that accommodations can be made during the recruitment process and hiring. We will notify successful applicants of the policies for accommodating employees with disabilities. We will consult with the employee and gather all the required information when arranging for the provision of suitable accommodation in a manner that take into account as accessibility needs due to a disability. We will also provide customized emergency information to help an employee with a disability during an emergency. Our performance management, career development and redeployment process take into account the accessibility needs of all employees.
Feedback Process
Families who wish to provide feedback on the way Orillia Central Preschool provides goods and services to people can do so verbally and written notice to the Supervisors and by email at [email protected]. All feedback will be directed to the Executive Director and customers can expect to hear back within two business days.
Modifications to this or other policies
Any policy of Orillia Central Preschool that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.