Accessibility

Accessibility Plan and Policies for Family Counselling Centre (FCC)

This 2014-21 accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that FCC will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.

Statement of Commitment

FCC is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

FCC will establish, maintain and update a multi-year accessibility plan at least every five years, outlining FCC’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers for people with disabilities.

Accessible Emergency Information

FCC is committed to providing the customers and clients with publicly available emergency information in an accessible way upon request. We will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.

Training

FCC will provide training to employees, volunteers and other staff members on Ontario’s accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees, volunteers and other staff members. Signed confirmation of training records will be kept on file.

FCC will take the following steps to ensure employees are provided with the training needed to meet Ontario’s accessible laws by January 1, 2015:

• All employees, volunteers and board members will be assessed as to the level of training that is required based on the duties of the individual. A worksheet will be developed
• All employees, volunteers and board members will be offered group or individual training as best suits their needs
• AODA training will be incorporated into the orientation process for new employees. Training worksheets will be maintained to ensure all new employees, volunteers and board members will be trained.

Information and communications

FCC is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. We will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.

FCC will take the following steps to make all new websites and content on those sites conform with WCAG 2.0, Level A by January 1, 2014:

• Discuss with website developer need to ensure all new websites and content conform with WCAG 2.0 Level A

FCC will take the following steps to make sure existing feedback processes are accessible to people with disabilities upon request by January 1, 2015:

• Feedback forms will be developed and available in the FCC waiting room
• Feedback forms will be developed and available at the Supervised Access Facility
• Feedback forms will be developed and available on the FCC website by January 2016

FCC will take the following steps to make sure all publicly available information is made accessible upon request by January 1, 2016:

• Identify commonly requested information and investigate alternate formats

FCC will take the following steps to make all websites and content conform with WCAG 2.0, Level AA by January 1, 2021:

• Request quote(s) to review website and provide plan and pricing to update current website
• Select provider and implement update plan

Employment

FCC is committed to fair and accessible employment practices.

We will take the following steps to notify the public and staff that, when requested, FCC will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes and when people are hired by January 1, 2016:

• Internal postings will state that accommodations will be made for people with disabilities
• Include notice in job postings that accommodations will be made for people with disabilities
• Upon request, employees with disabilities will be accommodated during the interview process

FCC will take the following steps to develop and put in place a process for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for employees that have been absent due to a disability:

• A policy will be developed outlining the process for developing individual accommodation plans
• A policy will be developed outlining the return to work process for employees that have been absent due to a disability

We will take the following steps to ensure the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities needs area taken into account if FCC in the performance management process:

• Will incorporate a discussion on accessibility during performance reviews
• A requirement to review any individual accommodation plans will be added as a checklist item to performance reviews.

FCC will take the following steps to prevent and remove other accessibility barriers identified:

• Install automatic door opener on accessible unisex washroom by November 2018, funding permitting
• Install automatic door opener on main access door by November 2021, funding permitting

For more information

For more information on this accessibility plan, please contact Jacquelynne Smith at:

• Phone: 519-336-0120 x226
• Email: jacquelynne.smith@familycounsellingctr.com

Accessible formats of this document are available free upon request.

Feedback Form

If you would like to comment on Family Counselling Centre's accessibility, please complete and submit our Accessibility Feedback Form FCC.

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