Accessibility

Except as otherwise provided by legislation, the Counties shall, upon request and in consultation with the person making the request, provide or make arrangements to provide accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities. Accessible formats and communication supports shall be provided in a timely manner, taking into account the person's accessibility needs and at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons.

This shall not apply to products and product labels, unconvertible information or communications and information that the Counties does not control directly or indirectly through a contractual relationship. If it is determined that information or communications are unconvertible, the department shall provide the person requesting the information or communications with an explanation as to why the information or communications are unconvertible, and a summary of the unconvertible information or communications.

In the event there is a temporary service disruption in availability of facilities, services or programs used by persons with disabilities (e.g. elevator, door opener), the Counties shall give notice to the public of the reason for the disruption, the dates of the disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative facilities, services or programs available. Such notice may be provided by a variety of methods, depending on the circumstances, and may include posting in a conspicuous place(s) at the affected facility, or the Counties' website, or by such other method as is reasonable in circumstances.

Notice of Disruption Form

If a service animal cannot be easily identified as a service animal, individuals representing the Counties may ask the person to provide documentation from a regulated health professional, which must confirm the person needs the service animal for reasons related to their disability.

All Counties' employees, elected officials, volunteers and third parties providing services and programs to the public on the Counties' behalf, as well as those who develop policies, practices and procedures governing the provision of services and programs to the public will receive accessibility training.

The training provided shall be appropriate to the duties of the employee, elected official, volunteer or third party. Training shall take place as soon as practicable and upon completion, the Counties shall keep a record of the training provided including dates on which accessibility training took place.

Training shall be provided one an ongoing basis as policies, procedures and legislation change.

The Counties shall provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who have a disability if the disability is such that the individualized information is necessary and the Counties is aware of the need for accommodation. The Counties shall provide the information as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the need for accommodation.

If an employee who receives individualized workplace emergency response information requires assistance, and with the employee's consent, the Counties shall provide the workplace emergency response information to a person designated by the Counties to provide assistance to the employee.

The Counties shall review the individualized workplace emergency response information where the employee moves to a different location in the organization, when circumstance change with the employer, with the employee, or the workplace when overall accommodation needs or plans are reviewed, and when the employee reviews it general emergency response plans and policies.

All employment postings shall provide information about the availability of accommodations for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment process. Job applicants who are individually selected for an interview and/or testing shall be notified that accommodations for material to be used in the process are available upon request.

The Counties shall consult with any application who requests such an accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant's disability. Successful applicants shall be notified about the Counties' polices for accommodating employees with disabilities as part of their offer of employment.

When an employee is absent from work due to a disability and requires disability related accommodations in order to return, the Counties shall provide such accommodations and supports whenever practicable. Such return-to-work process shall be documented and about the steps the Counties will take to facilitate the return to work.

The Counties shall document any individual accommodation plan for employees with disabilities.

Feedback on how services and programs were delivered to persons with disabilities shall be invited, forwarded to the County Clerk, responded to, documented and tracked. Feedback shall be collected by phone, email, website comments, in person, or by mail. Feedback in person shall be accepted at any of the Counties' public facilities. Feedback shall be accepted in accessible formats and with other communication support as required.

The Counties will ensure its feedback process is accessible by providing or arranging for accessible formats and communication supports on request.

Accessibility Feedback Form