AODA Accessibility Plan 2015
AIM
The aim of this Accessibility plan is to describe measures that Hagi-Community Services for Independence has taken since 2012 and will be taking during 2015, to identify, remove and prevent barriers to all Ontarians in accessing Hagi’s facilities and services.
Objectives of this Accessibility Plan
Hagi-Community Services for Independence continues to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to people with disabilities.
Identify the facilities, policies, programs, practices and services that Hagi Community Services for Independence implemented to identify barriers to people with disabilities.
Hagi-Community Services for Independence has made this accessibility plan available to the public.
Description of Organization
“To improve the quality of life for individuals with disability including seniors”
Hagi-Community Services for Independence is a non profit organization that offers the following:
Supportive Housing Division- Provides 24 hour support for adults with disabilities in seven satellites in the City of Thunder Bay.
Outreach Division –Provides personal support services to individuals in their own home in the Thunder Bay and North Shore Area
Housing Division-Provides two barrier free apartment buildings with a total of 40 accessible apartments.
Members of the Accessibility Working Group
The Accessibility Working Committee was created in July of 2011 to ensure Hagi-Community Services for Independence compliance to the accessibility for Ontarians Disability Act. The committee identifies barriers and works diligently to remove them.
The committee will meet monthly until all goals and objectives are met.
Working Group member
Department
Contact information
Brenda Deck
Manager – Support Services
343-0414 ext 248
Cell 621-4968
bdeck@hagi.ca
Mellissa Minelli
Program Coordinator – Glenwood
475-4271
Cell 630-6474
mminelli@hagi.ca
Karen Lonergan
Program Coordinator – Superior View
767-0068
Cell 630-2228
karen.l@hagi.ca
Becky McMartin
Program Coordinator –
Castlegreen
767-6395
Cell 630-4971
becky.m@hagi.ca
Terri Light
Executive Assistant
343-0414
info@hagi.ca
Commitment to Accessibility Planning
Hagi-Community Services for Independence is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for our consumers, customers, students, employees, job applicants, suppliers, visitors, and other stakeholders who enter our premises, access our information, or use our services. As an organization, we respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005), Customer Service Standard, and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation for Information and Communications, Employment, and Transportation, and Built Environment.
Approximately 1.8 million Ontarians lives with a disability, and as the population grows older, this number will also increase. Our organization has made a commitment to accessibility for everyone who uses our services. We are committed to ensuring our organization’s compliance with accessibility legislation by incorporating policies, procedures, equipment requirements, training for employees, and best practices. We will review these policies and practices on a quarterly basis.
Legislation regarding the Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
Integrated Accessibility Standards for Information and Communications, Employment, and Transportation.
Accessible employment practices such as recruitment, assessment, and selection.
Developing emergency response plans and individual workplace accommodation plans for employees with disabilities.
Customer service standards.
Accessible communication supports and information formats (both digital and non-digital).
Communicating with people with various forms of disabilities.
Accessible websites and web content.
Assistive devices, mobility aids, service animals and support persons.
Transportation vehicles and equipment requirements.
Notices of service disruptions (temporary or long-term).
Hagi-Community Services for Independence’s relevant policies and procedures regarding accessibility.
Reporting procedures.
Training procedures.
Achievements 2011-2015
AODA Committee formed.
Formulated our Statement of Commitment
Identified Barriers
Barrier
Type
Plan
Status
Untrained Staff
Attitudinal
Provided training for all current and new employees
Completed September 2012-new staff on going
Web Site
Informational
Update website to be in compliance
Completed November 2012
Job Postings
Attitudinal
Added a clause at the bottom of external applications
Completed February 2012
Customer Service Feed Back
Informational
Formulate a Customer Feed Back form and display in a public area
Completed November 2012.
All Public Information available in accessible formats
Informational
Make all documents available in a variety of formats
Completed November 2012
Work place emergency response
Physical
Identify employees who require a work place emergency response plan
Formulate the plan
Employees have been indentified
Plans are being formatted
Accessibility training
Technological
Since we are a service provider to disabled individuals our staff are already trained when hired on use of accessibility equipment, acceptable modifications to procedures when equipment fails, and emergency preparedness and response procedures that provide for the safety of person with disabilities
When hired
On going continue to re evaluate and make changes when required.
Accessible to Visitors
Systemic
Has been past practice to allow visitors who qualify to use our service
Formulated a policy and procedure
Competed 2012
Increase of tenants using elevator, long wait times
Build
Installed a second elevator
Complete Summer 2012
Plan for 2015-2018
Hagi-Community Services for Independence will review the layout and function of the lobby of our Jasper Office as well as access to some of the offices.
If an alternate format is required or additional information is needed please contact 343-0414
