Glazier Medical Centre shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that this policy and procedures are consistent in supporting those persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities will be given an opportunity equal to that given to others within the clinic and may use personal assistive devices and/or support persons in the access of services. Employees, when communicating with a person with a disability shall do so in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability.

Glazier Medical Centre respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.

We will use reasonable efforts to ensure that our policy is consistent with the principles of:

Dignity – to allow the person to maintain self-respect and the respect of others
Independence – to allow the person to do things on their own without unnecessary help or interference from others
Integration – to allow the person to benefit from the same services as others, unless an alternate measure is necessary
Equal opportunity – to allow access to our services equal to that given to others.

Background:

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 was passed by the Ontario legislature with the goal of creating standards to improve accessibility across the province. This Act determines that providers must deliver service in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. Providers must also integrate services and provide equal opportunities for persons with disabilities to access those services.

Compliance:

1. Establish policies, practices and procedures
2. Train staff
3. Establish a feedback process
4. Document the process

Failure to comply to this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

It is our policy to allow people to use their personal assistive devices to access our services.

Assistive Devices Available at our Facility:

• wheelchair ramps at the front entrance
• wheelchair accessible public washrooms on the main level
• wheelchairs for those in need at the front entrance
• automatic doors at front entrance
• elevators on main floor

Support Persons and Service Animals:

• every employee shall allow persons with disabilities to be accompanied by their guide dog or service animal.
• when a service animal is unruly or disruptive (jumping, biting, or other harmful behaviour) an employee may ask the person with a disability to remove the animal from the area. Other reasonable arrangements to provide services to this individual shall be explored.
• persons with disabilities may be accompanied by their support person while accessing services. These support workers must agree to confidentiality and privacy issues. Appropriate behaviour should be expected of a support person.

It is our policy to communicate to the best of our abilities with persons with disabilities ie: we may write or type information for a person who is hearing impaired or deaf.

Unexpected Disruption of Service:

In the event of an unexpected disruption of elevator service a notice will be provided and posted at the front door and at the elevator itself.

Persons with disabilities may contact switchboard to get in touch with their family physician’s office who may make alternate plans in seeing persons with disabilities.

Training:

Every employee shall be trained on the following:

1. purposes of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
2. Glazier Medical Centre policy
3. how to interact and communicate with persons with various types of disability
4. how to interact with persons with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a guide dog, other service animal or the assistance of a support person
5. how to use equipment available on Glazier Medical Centre’s premises
6. what to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty accessing our services.

Feedback:

A form will be provided for persons with disabilities in order to receive feedback regarding our policy and procedures. People will also be able to provide feedback either in person, by telephone, in writing, by email, online, or by any other method. Our website is www.glaziermedical.com. Staff will be notified if a complaint has been received and feedback will be provided to the persons involved within a one week period.

This policy will be posted on our website, and may be made available through other communication methods as necessary and practical. All documents required by the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service are available upon request.