Statement of Organizational Commitment
Little Lions Waldorf Child and Family Centre 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 dignity and independence. We believe in integration and we 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 meeting our accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario’s accessibility laws.
Little Lions is committed to meeting its current and ongoing obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code respecting non-discrimination.
Little Lions understands that obligations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2004 (AODA) and its accessibility standards do not substitute or limit its obligations under the Ontario Humans Rights Code or obligations to people with disabilities under any other law.
Little Lions is committed to excellence in serving and providing goods, services or facilities to all customers including people with disabilities.
Our accessible customer service policies are consistent with the principles of independence, integration and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.
Training
We are 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. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of the employees and volunteers.
Assisted Devices
We are committed to serving people with disabilities who use assisted devices when accessing our centres. We will ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used to those with disabilities who may be accessing our centres.
Communication
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that consider their disability. This may include in person conversations, by email or over the phone.
Service Animals
We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals on the parts of our premises that are open to the public and other third parties. When we cannot easily identify that an animal is a service animal, our staff may ask for documentation from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons elating to their disability.
Support Persons
Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a planned or temporary disruption to facilities or services used by those with disabilities, we will notify clients/ families promptly. This clearly posted notice will include the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available. The notice will be placed at all public entrances, send through email and by telephone as needed.
Feedback Process
Little Lions Waldorf Child and Family Centre welcomes feedback on how we can provide accessible customer service. Comments will help us identify barriers and respond to concerns. Feedback may be provided by email, verbally to Site Supervisors, entrance and exit surveys and through website contact forms.
All feedback, including complaints, will be responded to in five (5) business days. Accessible formats and communication supports are available on request for those wishing to give feedback.
Employment
Little Lions is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. We notify employees, job applicant and the public that accommodations can be made during recruitment and hiring. We notify job applicants when they are individually selected to participate in an assessment or selection process that accommodations are available upon request. We consult with the applicants to provide or arrange for suitable accommodation.
We notify successful applicants of policies for accommodating employees with disabilities when making offers of employment.
We notify staff that supports are available for those with disabilities as soon as possible after they begin their employment. We provide updated information to employees whenever there is a change to existing policies on the provision of job accommodation that consider an employee’s accessibility needs due to a disability.
We will consult with employees when arranging for the provision of suitable accommodation in a manner that considers the accessibility needs due to a disability.
We will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support.
Modifications to this and other policies
We are committed to developing customer service policies that respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. Therefore, no changes will be made to this policy before considering the impact on people with disabilities.
Any policy of Little Lions Waldorf Child and Family Centre that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.
Multi-year Plan
Little Lions Waldorf Child and Family Centre is committed to ongoing accessibility to provide the best customer service to people with disabilities. Through our Accessibility Policy we will strive to exceed all accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
The main office location, situated in the only building we own, will be renovated to include an accessible restroom as well as a stair trac to access it. These renovations are planned for 2024.
We will also work with the local school boards to ensure our sites within their buildings are accessible to people with disabilities.
